Ten City

Chicago legends Ten City have released 6 brilliant albums to date, having exploded on the scene with ‘Foundation’ back in 1989, launching dance floor anthems such as ‘Devotion’, ‘Right Back To You, and ‘That’s the Way Love Is’. Fresh for 2025, the band’s unmistakeable lead singer Byron Stingily, has teamed up with Chi-town house producer, Emmaculate, along with a host of fresh vocalists on a stunning new collaborative Ten City album project, ‘The Next Generation’, on Nervous Records. DMCWorld checks in with Byron and Emmaculate to find out more about this exciting new project.

Hi Byron and Emmaculate, welcome to DMCWorld. How’s 2025 been for you so far? 

Emmaculate: 2025 has been a huge year of growth for me! I’ve had some great opportunities to travel and play music for people in the US and abroad, and I’ve been busy in between creating new music. Then of course, I’m super excited about getting this new Ten City album out to the people!

Byron: 2025 has been exciting to be able to perform all over the world, as well as in Millennium Park, downtown Chicago with a full band that included horns and strings. This year has brought me a higher level of appreciation for recording new music on an incredible record label like Nervous and still be considered for major awards after this long in the game.  It’s quite humbling.

Who did you listen to growing up and do they inspire your music today? 

Emmaculate: I grew up with a very diverse variety. My parents had all The Beatles albums and other Folk and Rock type stuff. My older brother was a Heavy Metal head but also turned me on to Jazz.  Personally, I gravitated to the Hip Hop & House of the 80’s and early 90’s, and then got turned on to Disco classics. All of the above still influence me today.

Byron: Earth, Wind & Fire, The Bee Gees, Prince, Chic, Sly Stone, James Taylor and Parliament Funkadelic are all artists I’ve studied in terms of harmonies and vocal production, as well as a lot more. I also love the cultural diversity in all of that music. It helps to connect with people across the world. I definitely still take inspiration from all of them.

What is the best piece of new music you have heard from other artists recently?

Emmaculate: That’s an almost impossible question, but I’ll go on the deep end. There’s a remix Kaidi Tatham did of “Red Velvet” by William Florelle on R2 Records that’s just Broken Beat, Jazz/Funk greatness!

Byron: I listen to a lot of new music from artists like SZA & Mau P. But if I had to pick one, I’d say “Water” by Tyla.

So let’s dive straight in – Ten City ‘The Next Generation’ album – wow, what a brilliant body of work!  Please tell us about the concept for the album and how it all came together?

Byron: The concept came together after an initial meeting with Nervous owner, Michael Weiss. He asked me what will make this new album be different and stand out. We discussed featuring some new and upcoming talent to give it a fresh sound, and we also said we needed a producer that’s a part of the new generation of House.  Michael asked if I thought Emmaculate could deliver a diverse, strong album, and I said yes with no hesitation.

You’ve got some fantastic vocal artists involved on the album, please tell us a bit more about who was involved in the project and what they brought to the table? 

We were lucky to work with some amazing talent on this project. Mon’Aerie is an emerging, young talent from Chicago that’s a vocal powerhouse and also an actress. She contributed two energetic, soulful vocal performances with “Unique” & “Live My Life”. D. Lylez is a Chicago-based R&B artist that’s been featured on the hit TV show “The Voice”. His silky delivery on the Afro House flavored “Stop & Go” is flawless. DRAMA is a world-renowned duo with a cult following that’s been tearing it up for a while now. Their unique vibe blends with Byron perfectly on the collab “My Paradise”.

OVEOUS is a highly respected vocalist, producer and DJ in the global House Music community who has collaborated with Osunlade and more. His lyrical performance on “Feel Good” will put plenty of dancers in a zone. El Boogie is not only an incredible singer, but also an invaluable vocal arranger. He contributed his talents to “Hands to the Sky”, as well as a variety of background vocals. Ric Wilson is one of the most exciting new artists from Chicago who has collab’d with top artists like A-Trak and The Blessed Madonna. His infectious energy and Hip Hop elements add just the right ingredients. Uneq’ka is one of the strongest vocalists Chicago has to offer. Sadly in the process of finishing the project, Byron’s mother passed away. His sister recommended Uneqk’a to sing at the service. Byron was so moved by her performance that he wrote the last song of the album “Release” specifically for her to sing, and she nailed it.

What’s your favourite track from the album and why?

Emmaculate: Hmmmm… that’s super hard, but I’ll go with “Love Music”. That joint just embodies the feeling of House to me, and I love Byron’s message on there! I love playing it live!

Byron: That’s like asking me which one of my kids I love more! LOL.

The album features a cover Eddie Kendricks’ He’s A Friend’, what inspired you to cover that song?

Byron: We’ve performed “He’s A Friend” in our live shows for years, and that inspired my long time friend Gershon Jackson to go recreate the track with all live instrumentation to present to me.  It’s also a big classic for Chicago DJ’s. Plus, Eddie Kendricks is one of my top 3 favorite singers of all time.

How long did the album take to make and did you come up against any obstacles you had to overcome in the process?

Byron: The whole process took a little over a year from starting to sketch songs to mastering the album. We did 13 songs in about 13 months.  Probably the biggest obstacle was having 4 strong personalities between Michael Weiss and Andrew Salsano at Nervous, Emmaculate, and myself. We were all very demanding of each other. But at the end of it all, that’s what helped us create what we feel is a great body of work.

Have you played the album to original Ten City band members Byron Burke & Herb Lawson, what do they think of the project?

Byron: I have not played it for Byron Burke and Herb Lawson. I did play it for Marshall Jefferson, and he gave it his stamp of approval.

You both also worked together on the previous Ten City album release ‘Judgement’ in 2021, how does ‘The Next Generation’ album compare?

‘Judgement’ was definitely special, being the return of Ten City and getting nominated for a Grammy.  We think ‘The Next Generation’ is just a more cohesive and diverse body of work, as well as it’s bridging the gap in House Music.

Byron, out of all the 7 Ten City albums and songs you’ve released, what are your personal highlights and why?

The highlights of the Ten City releases are many. “Devotion” is a highlight considering it was the first Ten City record, and because it came out directly on Atlantic Records a major. Then there is “That’s The Way Love is” because it went number 1 on Billboard and Top Ten Pop in England. There are many other songs such as “Superficial People”, “Living Easy”, “Fantasy”, “Destiny”, and “Put Love Where You Want It!” I believe Ten City had many soulful ballads such as “School Me” written with Billy Beck of the Ohio Players. We also had a song titled “Joy and Pain” written with Tommy Jenkins of the group Cameo. The great Earl Young of The SalSoul Orchestra played drums on the 1st Ten City album “Foundation”. It was great to work with many of my heroes. James Dtrain Williams, Will Downing, and Leee John of Imagination added backgrounds to our songs such as “What My Love Can Do”. Another highlight was working with Fonzi Thornton and Benny Diggs of Change!

For those unfamiliar with Ten City’s fantastic musical history, please name 3 essential Ten City songs:

Devotion

That’s The Way Love Is

Be Free

What’s the secret to your success and staying relevant in today’s market?

Emmaculate: For me, it’s all about challenging myself to improve as a Producer, Musician, and DJ.  Personal growth and the enjoyment of creating and sharing music drive me. As for staying relevant, I keep my ears open to new sounds and observe what’s moving the crowds.

Byron: The key to me is persistence and being open-minded.

What has been your favourite gig so far this year and where are you most looking forward to playing soon?

Emmaculate: My favorite gig this year was playing my bro Kapela’s Soulful Sunday party at Djoon, Paris. They have something very special there that’s channeling the spirit of the music and dance. The next big events I’m looking forward to playing are the Nervous Records, Ten City album release party at ADE / Amsterdam on Saturday, October 25^th, and then Deep Into Soul in London on Saturday, November 8^th.

Byron: My favorite gig so far was playing at Millennium Park in Chicago. It was an event put on by the City of Chicago and The Grammys. Emmaculate and I were both on it together. I’m looking forward to going to Amsterdam for our album release party with Nervous at ADE October 25^th, and I have shows in London at the end of December.

What do you think about the House music scene at the moment and what needs to change for the better?

Emmaculate: I love where House is right now. There are new generations coming up that seem to really love and embrace the music. That’s what’s essential to keep the evolution moving forward, we just have to continue to bridge the generational gap. What could be better? Put your phones away and enjoy the moment in front of you!

Byron: I think people need to stop arguing over who did what in the past. As Parliament Funkadelic said, we need to be one nation under a groove. Also, House Music was meant to unify, and all these sub-divisions or sub-genres do the opposite. I do, however, love that House is continuing to grow!

How important are songs for our dance floors?

Emmaculate: At the end of the day, House Music is Dance Music. Like Andre 3000 once said “if it don’t move your feet then we don’t eat”. I always approach creating House songs with the intention of making someone dance.

Byron: It’s extremely important. People still need to hear uplifting, inspiring messages in the parties.

You’ve both enjoyed a successful career in music for several decades. Looking back at your early days of making dance music, what piece of precious advice would you give to yourselves knowing what you know now?

Emmaculate: Learn music theory young and master an instrument early. Don’t get 100% consumed into producing other artists. Balance that along with creating and releasing your own music as an artist. I wish I would have started that part earlier.

Byron: Take time and appreciate success along the way. Don’t get too caught up in looking ahead and enjoy the moment.

And what pearls of wisdom have you each got to offer to those just starting out in the music industry?

Emmaculate: The business is essential to learn, but don’t lose your true passion for the music.  Quincy Jones said “God walks out of the room when you’re thinking about money”. Also, learn how to accept criticism or rejection without taking it personally.

Byron: Do as much as you can for yourself. Many times people think the record label or management will do it for them. You have to be prepared to do as much as you can for yourself in your career. Learn as much about the business as you can.

We come to raid your record collection, which embarrassing record do you chuck out the window before we arrive? 

Emmaculate: Well, I’m a record hoarder LOL.  So, I probably wouldn’t chuck anything out… I would just shrug and say “hey, I never play that one”.

Byron: I think I have “Disco Duck”. I’m chucking that!

What record makes you say ‘damn, I wish I made that’? 

Emmaculate: Kenny Dope’s remix of Francis Overcast “I Ain’t”. The drums on there sound like Godzilla trampling the city.

Byron: Michael Jackson “Billie Jean”

What’s next for Ten City? 

Byron: Promoting this album, getting out to perform the new songs along with some of the classics, and enjoying the ride to wherever it takes us!

Ten City ‘The Next Generation’ is out now on vinyl and digitally released on September 19th 2025 on Nervous Records. 

https://nervous-records.lnk.to/tencity