The Electrifying Mojo, born Charles Johnson, is a pivotal figure in Detroit’s music history. He began his career in the late 1970s on stations like WGPR and WJLB, where he quickly made a name for himself with a groundbreaking, genre-blending approach. At a time when radio playlists were tightly segregated by style, The Electrifying Mojo took risks by playing music from a wide spectrum: funk, rock, new wave, electro, and what would soon evolve into Detroit techno.
His late-night radio show was a true sonic journey, featuring futuristic jingles and captivating monologues. A defining element was the “Midnight Funk Association,” a communal listening experience where audiences united to celebrate music, break boundaries, and discover emerging artists. Thanks to his platform, acts like Prince, Kraftwerk, and The B-52’s gained a wider following in Detroit, laying the groundwork for the techno explosion of the 1980s.
But The Electrifying Mojo’s influence went far beyond mere music playback, he helped shape the cultural identity of Detroit. Legends like Juan Atkins, Mark Flash, and Kevin Saunderson : widely hailed as the “founding fathers” of Detroit techno credit him with playing a major role in their development. His adventurous spirit and musical openness created fertile ground for a revolutionary artistic movement to flourish.
Today, even though his name might not be as widely spotlighted, The Electrifying Mojo’s legacy endures. Many contemporary producers and DJs still draw inspiration from his bold style, proving that he was more than just a DJ, he was one of the main architects of the sonic revolution that shaped Detroit and, by extension, the global electronic music landscape.
Sources
Doran, J. (October 27, 2011). Life in late-night L Land: The story of the Electrifying Mojo. The Guardian.
Wasacz, W. (August 16, 2006). Radio revolution: The return of the Electrifying Mojo. Detroit Metro Times.
Red Bull Music Academy (March 2014). The Electrifying Mojo: The Man Behind Detroit Radio’s Future Shock.