DJs Terry Hunter and Mike Dunn (Photo: Instagram)
The entrance to the Chosen Few Picnic and Festival sits right at the corner of 63rd Street and Stony Island Avenue. As you make your way in, you’re pulled in by the scene: the pounding beats from the speakers and the energy each DJ brought to their set. All around were beautifully decorated tents, sizzling grills and families dancing together. And all of it is a joyful, vibrant, judgment-free celebration of freedom, movement and good vibes.
On Saturday, July 12, seven legendary DJs—Wayne Williams, Jesse Saunders, Tony Hatchett, Andre Hatchett, Alan King, Mike Dunn and Terry Hunter—returned to the stage at the heart of The Chosen Few Picnic and Festival. From sunrise to sunset, more than 30,000 music lovers came together to honor the spirit and legacy of this iconic event.
In interviews with The Chicago Defender, Hunter and Dunn reflected on their journeys and the deep meaning of being part of a movement that continues to shape the culture of house music.
Terry Hunter Went Global—But Never Left the South Side Behind
Hunter spoke about his evolution from a high school DJ to a globally respected one. He recalled when he started to take his craft seriously.
“Honestly, I figured it out pretty young, around high school. I was already spinning at parties and doing a lot of gigs with people my age,” he said “But by my senior year, I knew I didn’t want to be a local DJ. I wanted more.”
Hunter added, “I remember doing a party with Frankie Knuckles and telling him I wasn’t satisfied just being known around the city. I was like, ‘You’re traveling and making records, what’s next for me?’ And he told me, ‘If you want to go global, you need to learn how to produce.’”
Eventually, Hunter created a track he liked and played it at parties, where it got a great response. He released it with his late friend named Armando on his label. The record quickly gained popularity, reaching number one overseas. A friend in London flew Hunter out, and that’s when everything changed. The track was called “Madness.”
From there, he continued to do what he always did from the very beginning: move the crowd.
He describes it as a transfer of energy between the crowd and the DJ. When that connection happens, it feels like an out-of-body experience. It’s not about picking the records; the records find you.
“Knowing you can shape someone’s mood or entire day, that’s a true blessing,” he said.
When he’s not touring or producing, Terry admits he’s still figuring out how to have some “Terry Time.” Despite traveling the world, he doesn’t know how to vacation; his mind is always preparing for the next set, even on off-days.
But he said this year is about focusing on himself. As a father of two sons, Terry Jr. is now making his path producing and DJing. He also has two dogs that are excited to see him when he comes home. He tells his wife and kids, “Y’all better jump on me with hugs and love (laughs).”
Mike Dunn: A Legacy Rooted in House
Dunn discussed his career turning point in 1987 with the release of his first record, “Dance You Mother,” as he highlighted his early days with friends Hugo H and Tyree Cooper, and the influence of DJs like Frankie Knuckles and Ron Hardy.
He also shared that he takes pride in mentoring younger DJs, including Amir from New Jersey and J-Star (Joseph Alexander), who attended the festival this year, and in giving back to the next generation.
For Dunn, making a career in house music started when he recognized the impact of his work. That’s when he decided to fully commit to the craft beyond local gigs.
“When I put out ‘Dance You Mutha’ in 1987,” Dunn said. “Before that, I was making music to play at parties, to have my own sound that nobody else had. Hugo H, Tyree Cooper, and I were tight, coming up together and making music in our houses. That’s what house music meant to us, because we were doing it in the house.”
For Dunn, being on stage and seeing a sea of people vibing to his set remains an unforgettable experience—a shared moment of joy, rhythm, and unity.
“It’s a natural high. There’s nothing like it. It’s love you can feel. That’s why we call it ‘the love of house.’ It’s spiritual. Some people treat it like church, and we’re the pastors. You see people’s hands raised, eyes closed, tears in their eyes. It’s powerful,” he said.
When he’s not in DJ mode, Dunn finds peace in the simple things.
“Sleep! [laughs] But honestly, I love cooking and cleaning. I was raised by my grandma and had to do it all growing up, laundry, cooking and chores. I love being at home, watching action movies and comedy. Big on politics and sports too. That’s my peace.”
Breaking Records and Building Futures
The picnic has also become a platform for breaking records. Hunter previewed Beyoncé’s “Break My Soul” before its release, along with remixes for Mariah Carey and Yolanda Adams, both of which went viral and earned major awards.
Hunter shared that he will celebrate his birthday with a major event at Wintrust Arena on August 16, featuring Yolanda Adams, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Rakim, Sunshine Anderson, Jay Ivey and Terisa Griffin, a fusion of house, hip hop, soul, and poetry.
As Chosen Few celebrated its 35th anniversary, Dunn’s message to both new attendees and longtime supporters is well-defined.
“I don’t call them fans, I call them supporters. Fans cool you down. Supporters keep you hot. That’s real. Chosen Few is like a huge family reunion, tents, grills, laughter, and music. You’ll run into people you haven’t seen in years and make new friends too. And once you come? You’ll always come back. We’ve got people flying in from all over, Europe, Australia, London, Italy. It’s become global. But it still feels like home. All love.”
To stay connected and get ready for Chosen Few Picnic 2026, visit www.chosenfewdjs.com for updates and details.
More photos from the 35th Annual Chosen Few Picnic & Festival (All photos by Marshelle Sanders):
