Michael Cox, known by the stage name MikeQ, is an American DJ, musician, music producer, and prominent figure in the ballroom community. He is the founder of the record label Qween Beat. In 2020 MikeQ was the DJ for HBO's Legendary.[1]
Early life
Michael Cox was born in Hackensack, New Jersey and grew up in Newark.[2]
He was first exposed to the ballroom scene in 2003, when the 17-year-old Cox attended an LGBT+ party at The Globe, a now defunct venue in Newark.[2] In 2004 he began to release music and joined the House of LaBeija. In September 2005, he DJ'ed his first gig at The Globe.
DJing and music production
MikeQ's style has been described by The New York Times as "ecstatic ballroom house", and by Resident Advisor and Fact as "Spine Snapping".[3][4]
He has DJ'ed numerous parties, balls, and events primarily in New York City and New Jersey, but also London,[5][6] Los Angeles, Tokyo, Moscow, Paris, Mexico, Australia, and Seoul, including events with MoMa PS1, Unsound Festival, Opening Ceremony, Turrbotax, Icee Hot, Ghetto Gothic, Fade To Mind & Night Slugs party nights, and Boiler Room.[7][8]
MikeQ released his debut EP in 2011, "Let At All Out", on Fade to Mind. The EP includes "The Ha Dub Rewerk'd", an interpretation of the ballroom staple by Vjuan Allure, "The Ha Allure" (1999).[9][10]
In 2017 he co-founded the "House of Vouge" party in New York City.[11]
He is the resident DJ on the TV show Legendary.
MikeQ has been an advocate for ballroom, often acting as an ambassador and steward for taking ballroom culture into the mainstream. He has also been a critic of its appropriation by corporations that do not understand or give proper credit to the ballroom community.[16][17][18][2][19]