Hidden Figures: Kelli 'K-HAND' Hand #BlackHERstoryMonth 16/28

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Kelley/Kelli Hand (September 15, 1964 – August 3, 2021), known professionally as K-HAND, was a musician and DJ from Detroit, Michigan. One of the first women to release electronic music records in the early days of techno and house, Hand is widely credited with opening the door for Black women's participation in the male-dominated techno and electronic music communities. She was known as the "First Lady of Detroit techno".

Born on September 15, 1964, and raised in Detroit, Hand moved to New York in the 1980s, where she immersed herself in the club scene. She was deeply influenced by her years spent clubbing at Paradise Garage, listening and dancing to the music of legendary house dj Larry Levan. Falling in love with electronic music, she purchased her own equipment and taught herself to produce and DJ in her bedroom. Hand built a sizable vinyl collection by buying all the records played at Garage and spinning them at home. She also frequented clubs in Chicago as well, meeting legendary producer Frankie Knuckles, The Godfather of House Music. She began to play at local clubs, receiving a residency at Detroit's Zipper's Nightclub, where she picked the DJ name ‘K-Hand’ so as to keep her gender anonymous.

In 1990, Hand began spinning her own releases at clubs and founded her own label, named Acacia Records after a Detroit street she had previously lived on. Her debut release was an EP, Think About It, and in 1995, her debut studio album, On A Journey, was released. By the year 2000, she had released seven more albums; one of Detroit's most prolific artists, Hand is responsible for hundreds of high-impact club records. A vinyl enthusiast as well because of its "warm" and "analog" sound, Hand's imprint Acacia Label continues to release new vinyl records as well as re-releases of her back catalogue. Despite her Detroit background, Hand incorporated many Chicago and New York musical influences, such as a more upfront rhythmic style versus the ‘smoother’ house sound of many of her fellow Detroit producers. She frequently utilized the large scale "jack" and "swing" sounds distinctive to Chicago house in her music. Her sound came to be known as the ‘K-HAND’ sound, and is very popular among techno djs to this day.

In 2016 Kelli Hand was honored with a Spirit of Detroit Award. The Spirit Of Detroit Award is presented to individuals or groups for "outstanding achievement or service to the citizens of Detroit from Detroit's City Council. In 2017, she was officially named ‘The First Lady of Detroit Techno’ by the city council, honored with a Testimonial Resolution certificate acknowledging her substantial accomplishments in the industry of electronic music. Hand died at her home in Detroit on August 3, 2021, from cardiovascular disease at the age of 56.

#HiddenFigures #KelliHand

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Links:

'Techno pioneer K-Hand officially named ‘The First Lady of Detroit’ by city council:'

'K-HAND - Those love games:'

K-Hand (Interview):

Lifetime Achievement - Kelli “K-HAND” Hand:

Electronic music pioneer and 'First Lady of Detroit techno' Kelli Hand has died at 56:

Kelli Hand, Detroit D.J. and Music Industry Trailblazer, Dies at 56:

Kelli Hand (Wikipedia):

[indiaivory]

thank you for covering k-hand! she’s an electronic legend 🥰🥰

[KSharifaFoxx]

Loved this one! I'm a bmore girl that loves house music! go-go, techno, Chicago, all of it ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[TYBO]

VERY INFORMATIVE, THANK YOU..
RIP KELLI 'K HAND' HAND..

[warreng]

We're more than just R&B and Soul!

[garydavis]

Really loved this one. Never heard of her. As a Baltimorean I also feel where she is coming from about house music having a swing to it. It just elevates the sound so much more.

[ehzAxemuzik]

..i'm not from B-more, but imma a huge gogo fan - use to visit my auntie that lived in DC during the summers and of course i went clubbing for the go-go!...Ms. K-hand was a genius!..thanks Seren!

[ILoveFunnySarah]

I had no clue K-Hand even existed and I dare calling myself a house head…🤦🏾‍♀️🤦🏾‍♀️🤦🏾‍♀️🤦🏾‍♀️ Thanks for sharing!!! ✨🖤✨

[_Rhatsody]

I love house music and techno so its cool learning about one its pioneers.

My dumbass originally thought this was about Kid Sister when I saw "k-hand" and my mind went to "right hand hi" 😂 kmao

[mmckenz]

House & Techno was black before it was 'white'.

[bruce_sherman]

My blood sister! We have more unreleased tracks from her estate. Follow me for more updates.... IG: mr.brucesherman