Felix is regarded as a member of the second wave of Chicago house. He entered the dance music elite not only via his recordings (under a number of aliases, including Thee Maddkatt Courtship, Aphrohead and Sharkimaxx), but also for his ownership of Radikal Fear Records, one of the premiere Chicago labels of the 1990s.
Beginnings
Living in Chicago as an up and coming graffiti artist, the young Stallings was perfectly located to develop a keen interest in the emergent House music scene, which found its hub in Chicago. While a student at Rich East High School in Park Forest, Illinois in the mid-1980s, a chance introduction to Acid House pioneer DJ Pierre gave 15-year-old Stallings his break, and under the patronage and guidance of Pierre, he released his first single, "Phantasy Girl," in 1987.
Also in 1987, Felix gave up house music to go to Alabama State University to study media and communication. While he was there he soaked up all the music of the era, including Prince, A Tribe Called Quest and Gang Starr. At that point, he even started dabbling in hip hop and R&B tracks, both sounds and genres he continues to check and surround himself with today.
1990s
However, Stallings' quite religious parents disapproved of his growing interest in the club scene, and discouraged the development of his talent. After graduating from high school, he left Chicago and music entirely to attend Alabama State College. After losing interest in House for a few years, Felix decided to rejoin the business. With the help of DJ Pierre, he began producing and mixing again. By 1992, he had a hit with the single "Thee Dawn" on Guerilla Records. He became particularly popular in Europe, and the following year's "By Dawn's Early Light" and "Thee Industry Made Me Do It" cemented his reputation. At the age of 15, Felix collaborated with Pierre on the classic track "Phantasy Girl" as Pierre's Pfantasy Club. Not only a key record of that era of dance music, it also signaled the start of a friendship and music mentoring that remains to this day. In the early 1990s, Felix and Pierre helped pioneer the 'wild pitch' sound with tracks like "Thee Dawn".
One of the defining moments of the 90's for Felix was his single, "In The Dark We Live (Thee Lite)" under his pseudonym, Aphrohead. Originally released on the UK label, Bush, "In The Dark We Live" was licensed by New York-based label, Emotive Records and released in the U.S. The Dave Clarke remix of "In The Dark We Live" was championed by NY legend Junior Vasquez at the infamous after-hours nightclub, Sound Factory. Emotive Records commissioned Vasquez to remix it for its U.S. release.
Shortly afterwards Stallings formed Radikal Fear Records, and it was not long before the label became one of the foremost House labels in the world, releasing cuts from Mike Dunn, DJ Sneak, and Armando as well as Felix himself and many others. During 1995, he released his debut full-length Alone in the Dark (as Thee Maddkatt Courtship) on Deep Distraxion, followed by Radikal Fear compilation, The Chicago All Stars and a mix album entitled Clashbackk Compilation Mix. Another LP, Metropolis Present Day? Thee Album, followed in 1998. In 1999, he returned with the summer electro single My Life Musik which formed part of a new label deal with London Records. It also signaled the start of studio history with his school buddy Tyrone 'Visionary' Palmer, who would later sing on Slam's seminal single This World. The album, I Know Electrikboy however, remains something of an anomaly. Due to internal label politics, the album never saw the light of day in the UK or US, although some finished copies have mysteriously made their way into the market.
2000s
Back in the 1990s, Stallings continued releasing records at a prolific rate; the next year brought his first album as Aphrohead. 2001 saw the release of Kittenz and Thee Glitz, a critically-acclaimed LP that gained Felix mainstream exposure and worldwide coverage in dance music and fashion circles, and has often been mentioned as one of the pioneering releases of the electroclash movement. At the end of 2001, Felix won Best Album at the now-defunct Muzik Awards, beating the likes of Daft Punk that day. The ensuing fame brought Felix widespread popularity and remix work for superstars like Madonna, Britney Spears and Kylie Minogue. The proper follow-up, Devin Dazzle & the Neon Fever, didn't arrive until 2004, but Stallings released a pair of mix albums, 2002's Excursions and 2003's A Bugged Out Mix, in between. Devin Dazzle, however, really caught the mood of the moment in clubland. Not only did he resurrect Vanity 6 – the all-girl group seen in the 1984 Prince flick ‘Purple Rain’ – with his own girl group, Neon Fever, he also managed to encompass DFA-like disco-punk (James Murphy guests on ‘What She Wants’) along with his more familiar ‘80s reference points, while ‘Watching Cars Go By’ and ‘Everyone Is Someone In LA’ are, respectively, near-perfect club and disco punk tracks. The former was remixed by Armand Van Helden and Sasha while the latter again tipped its melodic ear to Prince, this time the purple one's classic 'All The Critics Love You in New York.' Meanwhile, Tyrone Palmer, who sang on ‘My Life Muzik’, delivers the album highlight ‘Ready 2 Wear’, which was released as the last single with remixes from Paper Faces, AKA Felix's friend and confidante Stuart Price, just ahead of his production work on Madonna's 'Confessions' album. A self-confessed Felix fan, Sasha received a Grammy nomination for his remix of "Watching Cars Go By", which was later featured on Sasha's own 'Involver' album.
Felix also collaborated with P Diddy on the pair's 'Jack U' single and was also exclusive producer for his upcoming dance album, although the project has yet to see the light of day. The pair remain friends to this day, with Diddy performing alongside Felix at Space in Ibiza in 2005 and Felix performing at Diddy's after-party for The Main Event at this year's Winter Music Conference. But if you listen to Diddy's recent single 'Last Night' and wonder if Felix had a hand in it, you're right: it's just that his contribution wasn't credited. "He got me good," said Felix in a recent interview for Mixmag. "I told him that to his face. But he's a great guy and genuinely does love electronic music."
Various remixes of "Silver Screen (Shower Scene)" were used in video games such as Midnight Club 2, and SSX 3, and numerous movies including Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang. His song "Rocket Ride" was featured in the game Need for Speed: Underground 2. "Everyone Is Someone in LA" was featured in Tony Hawk's American Wasteland. His songs have also featured in TV shows from The Sopranos to Entourage and Silver Screen featured prominently in the party scene in Robert Downey Junior's 2005 movie 'Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.'
Felix's album, Virgo Blaktro and the Movie Disco, was released on , 2007. The album has 16 tracks and was released in the US on Nettwerk Records. Production was overseen by Felix's Atlanta friend Dallas Austin, who acted as executive producer for the record.
"Future Calls The Dawn" was released on , 2007 on Wall of Sound/PIAS with "Sweet Frosti" featured as the B-side. "Sweetfrosti" contains a sample of Devo's "Snowball", originally released in 1981.
"Like Something for Porno" is released as the album's lead single on , 2007 with remixes from Kris Menace, Teenage Bad Girl and Armand Van Helden while third single 'Radio' was released digitally in April 2008.
Since then, he's released his first Global Underground compilation GU 34 'Milan', his first for the Newcastle-upon-Tyne compilation and club label. The compilation is split into 'Milanfuck Rock Europa' and 'Fuck Rave (Americas)' sections.
The music video is currently viewable on Felix da Housecat's MySpace page.
Felix also teamed up with Kris Menace to release the Track "Artificial" in June 2008.
In 2009 Felix released He Was King, via Nettwerk Records. The album pays homage to artist like Prince and is heavily steeped in the elctrohouse touchstones Felix is known for. While he conceived He Was King as an "electronic pop" record, many of the songs on the album are straight up house bangers. Tracks like "Elvi$" and "LA Ravers" - which do not feature guest singers - are beat driven tracks aimed directly at the dancefloor.
Discography
Albums
Metropolis Present Day? Thee Album! (1995)
Clashbackk Compilation Mix (1997)
Transmissions, Vol. 2 (1997)
Kittenz and Thee Glitz (2001)
Excursions (2002)
Rocketmann! (2002)
A Bugged Out Mix (2003)
Devin Dazzle & the Neon Fever (2004)
Playboy: The Mansion Soundtrack (2005)
Virgo Blaktro and the Movie Disco (2007)
GU034: Felix Da Housecat, Milan (2008) Release Date: 12/05/2008
He Was King (25/8/2009)
Singles and EPs
"Phantasy Girl" (1987)
"Anotha Level" (1987)
"Little Bloo" (1987)
"Marine Mood" (1987)
"Trippin' On A Trip" (1987)
"Footsteps of Rage" (1995)
"Smak Dat Ass" (1996)
"Dirty Mother" (1997)
"My Life Muzik" (1999)
"Silver Screen" (2002)
"Madame Hollywood" (2002)
"Madame Hollywood Remixes" (2002)
"Silver Screen Shower Scene" (Written by Tommie Sunshine)(2003)
"Cyberwhore" (2003)
"Ready 2 Wear" (2004)
"Watching Cars Go By" (2004)
"Jack U" (Feat. Diddy) (2006)
"Tweak" (2006)
"Future Calls the Dawn/Sweetfrosti" (2007)
"It's Been A Long Time" (2007)
"It's Your Move" (2007)
"Something 4 Porno" (2007)
"Radio" (2008)
"Artificial" (with Kris Menace) (2008)
"Kickdrum" (2009)
"Elvi$" (2009)
"We All Wanna Be Prince" (2009) (Free Download)
Remixes
Britney Spears- "Toxic (Felix Da Housecat's Club Mix)" (2004)
Buy Now! - "For Sale (Felix Da Housecat Remix)" (2007)
The Chemical Brothers - "Get Yourself High (Felix Da Housecat's Chemical Meltdown Mix)" (2003)
Ciara feat. Justin Timberlake - "Love Sex Magic (Thee Werq’n B!@#$%s vs. Danny Shaffer Extended Mix)" (2009)
Disco Boys - "Born to Be Alive"
Garbage - "Androgyny (Thee Glitz mix)" & "Androgyny (Thee Drum Drum mix)" (2001)
Gwen Stefani - "What You Waiting For? (The Rude Ho Mix by Felix Da Housecat)" (2005)
Holly Valance - "State of Mind (Felix Da Housecat's Dub)" (2003)
Madonna - "American Life (Felix Da Housecat's Devin Dazzle Club Mix)" (2003)
Madonna - "Die Another Day (Thee RetroLectro Mix)" (2003)
Mylène Farmer - "Je t'aime mélancolie (Felix Da Housecat Remix)" (2003)
Mylo - "Drop the Pressure"
Nina Simone - "Sinnerman (Felix Da Housecat's Heavenly House Mix)" (2003)
Pet Shop Boys - "London (Thee Radikal Blaklight Edit)" (2003)
Pet Shop Boys - "I don't know what you want but I can't give it anymore (Thee 2 black ninja mix) (1999)
New Order - "Here To Stay (Felix Da Housecat Extended Glitz mix)" (2002)
Paola & Chiara - "Vanity & Pride (Felix Da Housecat Club Mix)" (2008)
Our Darkness
Felix da Housecat Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And we'd talk of it with idealistic assurance
That it wouldn't tear us apart
We'd keep our heads above the blackened water
But there's no room for ideals in this mechanical place
And you're gone now
Through a grimy window that I can't keep clean
You're nowhere to be seen
Do you think our desires still burn
I guess it was desires that tore us apart
There has to be passion
A passion for living, surviving
And that means detachment
Every-body has a weapon to fight you with
To beat you with when you are down
There were too many defence between us
Doubting all the time
Fearinf all the time
Doubting all the time
Fearinf all the time
That like these urban nightmares
We'd blacken each other skies
When we passed the subway we tried to ignore our fate there
Of written threats on endless walls
Unjustified crimes carried on stifled calls
Would you walk with me now through this pouring rain
It used to mingle with our tears then dry with the hopes
That we left behind
It rains even harder now .
The lyrics to Felix da Housecat's song "Our Darkness" paint a vivid picture of two people walking through the city, through "city nightmares", and talking about how their ideals would not tear them apart while trying to keep their heads above the "blackened water". However, as the song progresses, it becomes clear that their ideals were not enough to protect them from the mechanical, grimy, and detached nature of the city, and the two were torn apart despite their desires for each other.
The singer expresses a desire for passion and detachment, acknowledging that everyone has a weapon to fight with, and that too many defenses were ultimately what came between the two. There is a sense of both doubting and fearing all the time, similar to the urban nightmares that the two walked through together. The lyrics end with a somber reflection on the current state of the city, with the pouring rain a metaphor for the emptiness and sadness that now accompanies the singer's thoughts.
Overall, "Our Darkness" is a poignant song about two people trying to hold onto their love and ideals in a harsh and unforgiving world. It speaks to the struggles of trying to survive and maintain relationships in a world that often feels apathetic and cruel, where ideals can only take one so far before they are ultimately shattered.
Line by Line Meaning
Through these city nightmares you'd walk with me
You used to accompany me through the dark and scary parts of the city.
And we'd talk of it with idealistic assurance
We spoke of the city's dangers as if we were invincible and nothing could harm us.
That it wouldn't tear us apart
We believed that nothing could come between us and our relationship.
We'd keep our heads above the blackened water
We thought we could navigate the difficult times and still come out okay.
But there's no room for ideals in this mechanical place
We soon discovered that the reality of the city left no room for our idealistic views.
And you're gone now
You have left me and the city behind.
Through a grimy window that I can't keep clean
Looking through a dirty window even in the light.
Through billowing smoke that's swallowed the sun
The smoke from pollution obstructing the sun's rays.
You're nowhere to be seen
You are not here, and I can't find you.
Do you think our desires still burn
Do you believe our passions for life still exist?
I guess it was desires that tore us apart
Perhaps it was our passions that led to our separation.
There has to be passion
In order to survive, one must have a strong drive and desire for life.
A passion for living, surviving
One must have a drive and will to survive in the harsh reality of life.
And that means detachment
In order to survive, one must detach themselves emotionally from others and situations.
Every-body has a weapon to fight you with
In this world, everyone has a way to hurt or betray you.
To beat you with when you are down
People will use these weapons against you when you are vulnerable.
There were too many defence between us
Our relationship had too many walls and barriers between us.
Doubting all the time
We were constantly second-guessing and questioning everything.
Fearinf all the time
We were constantly afraid and frightened of what may come.
Doubting all the time
We were constantly second-guessing and questioning everything.
Fearinf all the time
We were constantly afraid and frightened of what may come.
That like these urban nightmares
Similar to the dark and terrifying parts of the city,
We'd blacken each other skies
We would bring darkness and negativity into each other's lives.
When we passed the subway we tried to ignore our fate there
We would avoid thinking about the dangers of the subway and our potential fate there.
Of written threats on endless walls
The walls of the subway were covered with threatening messages.
Unjustified crimes carried on stifled calls
Crimes were committed in secrecy and victims were unable to speak out.
Would you walk with me now through this pouring rain
If you were here now, would you still stand by me through the difficult times.
It used to mingle with our tears then dry with the hopes
Rain used to fall and mix with our tears, giving us hope things would get better.
That we left behind
Unfortunately, those hopes did not come to fruition.
It rains even harder now
The rain, which used to give us hope, has become stronger and more relentless.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: HARROW CLARK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Angel Melendez
MORE FELIX !!! DUDE IS The most underrated House DJ , dude is just so smooth man ! Everything just so smooth
EJ Russell
A Maestro of House! Thank you for blessing the tables. 🙏🏽🏠🎶💜
HATCH
Me and felix da housecat were wearing the same ecko outfit at a party once in 1997 at the riglea theater in Fort worth Texas.
My bad for missing him recently at " It'll Do Club 😢.
Much love fam🤜🤛
Kia Sofia Borst
That first transition gives me CHILLLLLLS
simplicius
Really? Nothing special there.
Really disappointed with the Housecat, he even managed to miss a bar at one point. That's a beginner's mistake.
HATCH
This whole set gives me chills. Yum
Miss Romanoff
❤❤❤
amy
#CHICAGO #SOUTHSIDE