DJ Minx

Life and career

Witcher was born in Detroit, the youngest sibling of five children.^[5] She grew up listening to groups like The Isley Brothers, The Temptations, The Supremes, Diana Ross, Betty Wright, and many more, thanks to her parents.^[6] She would listen to them at home, at record stores, and even got Prince as her first vinyl.^[6]Wicther would use these artists as inspiration to start creating music while attending Pershing High School in Detroit. Once graduated started DJing in the 1990s, after witnessing established DJs perform at Detroit's Music Institute.^[2][3]

She engineered and hosted the electronic music show Deep Space Radio, on WGPR (Detroit),^[3][7] and hosted the University of Canada weekly radio programme Steamy Windows on CJAM 91.5 FM.^[8] She went on to become a resident of Club Motor in Hamtramck.^[3][5] Witcher performed at the first Detroit Electronic Music Festival in 2000,^[7] has performed at many editions of the Detroit techno festival Movement, and regularly plays at venues and large festivals across the U.S. and internationally.^[2][3][4][5]

In 2001, Witcher began producing, first resulting in the Introduction EP, followed by Airborne in 2001, a four-tracker which included the track "A Walk in the Park".^[5] In 2004, "A Walk in the Park" was re-released on Richie Hawtin's label, Minus. In recognition of the track’s 20th anniversary, it was remixed by Moodymann, Seth Troxler, Ardalan, and Soul Clap. DJ Minx also did an edit, which released prior to Movement Festival in 2023.^[3][9][10]

In 2015, Mixmag named her as one of the 20 women who have shaped the history of dance music,^[7] and in 2016, Time Out New York named her one of the "best house music DJs of all time".^[11] In 2018, she was awarded the Spirit of Detroit award, by the city of Detroit.^[3][12][13]

In 2020, Witcher launched the online clothing store Behind the Grüv.^[8] The following year, she came out as Lesbian, in recognition of Pride Month, DJ Minx's portrait was painted on the side of Detroit's Ruth Ellis Center by Philadelphia-based artist ggggrimes, and her single "Purse First" was released, with proceeds benefiting REC. She also released an EP titled Queendom on London-based HE.SHE.THEY.^[14][15]

In 2022, DJ Minx made her first appearance on BBC Radio 1's Essential Mix.^[16] Her song "Do It All Night" previously featured on Carl Craig's 2019 mix Detroit Love, Vol. 2, and was given a full release on Planet E, with remixes by Craig and Honey Dijon.^[17] Through all of her work, Minx was able to play at clubs and festivals around the world, and she was asked to curate her own stage at the 2022 edition of Movement. ^[18]

In 2023, DJ Minx performed at halftime for the Detroit Pistons, and on March 15th, 2025 she returned for a second halftime performance.^[19] She is still relesing music on labels like Rules Don't Apply, and still preforms on stage at events such as Movement Music Festival in Detroit, and does live shows in Ibiza.

Through all of her success, she thanked and appreciated all of her heros and mentors, the people who got her to where she was. Jerrald James, her teacher, and the person who taught her all she knows. Kenny "Moodyman" Dixon, because he would support her however he could, and Kevin Saunderson, because he never forgot her, no matter how big he was, or how small she was.^[6]

Women on Wax

The Women on Wax Group was a Detroit based record label, focused mainly on electro music, like house and techno. In 1996, Witcher founded the DJ collective Women on Wax, a platform for female DJs from Detroit, as she wanted to give women a chance to succsed in a male dominated scene.^[3][2] Through all of the music and work that was done, they were able to established the record label Women on Wax Recordings, in 2001^[3][4][20]

Through Women on Wax Recordings, EP's such as Introduction, and later in 2003, Airborn, which are two of the biggest off the record. Walk in the Park, one of the most recognized songs off the label, was a hit amoung smaller techno DJ's, especially in Detroit. Minx released the EP Fuzzy Navel in 2004, and collaborated with Detroit house producer, Piranahead. Her EP Midnite Bullet came out in 2008, and appeared in Andrés' 2009 album II. ^[18]

Legacy

DJ Minx legacy in Detroit as a techno/house artist is rooted with both community and building and cultural impact. Through her work with Woman on Wax, she managed to establish a lasting platform that helps support and amplifys women in a feild that once shrugged them off^[6]. She focused on creating an environment where diversity, inclustivty and safety are all on the same dance floor. Her influence, not just as one of the best house musicians of all time,^[11] but as someone who set the standard for the future generations of women musicians. She helped push Detroit forward while ensuring it remains intact for those who come next.