Claude VonStroke

DJ, producer, and label boss Claude VonStroke created a unique brand of ghettohouse and a fiercely loyal audience when he launched Dirtybird Records in 2005. • Born Barclay Crenshaw and raised in Detroit, he started his own high school radio show where he played hip-hop. To gain listeners, he gave away free pizza. • In 2002, VonStroke directed, produced, and released the documentary Intellect: Techno House Progressive, for which he interviewed more than 50 DJs. • He met brothers Justin and Christian Martin in San Francisco in the early 2000s. They started a party series called Dirtybird with DJ sets and BBQ. It quickly grew to welcome thousands of attendees. • They launched the Dirtybird label in 2005 as a means of releasing their own left-of-center productions. It’s now known as one of the leading independent labels and event brands in electronic music. • VonStroke’s 2005 single “Deep Throat” sold enough vinyl copies to keep Dirtybird going during its early years. His 2006 single “Who’s Afraid of Detroit?” proved another underground hit. Both tracks were included on his 2006 debut album, Beware of the Bird. • He's since released about 20 original singles, four studio albums, and a live album. He also performs under his real name, Barclay Crenshaw, delivering more hip-hop–influenced tracks and mixes. • A sought-after talent with a distinct sound all his own, VonStroke has remixed singles for Disclosure, The Chemical Brothers, Rihanna, and more. • In 2014, VonStroke teamed with legendary house producer Green Velvet to form the popular super duo Get Real.