Hood Politics: The Music, the Parties, the Legend
With great music and amazing parties, Hood Politics represents the very best of the tech house scene. This San Diego collective consistently releases great tunes, working hard without ever taking themselves too seriously. Owned and operated by DJ Susan — everyone’s favorite dance floor taste-maker — this label has become a massive force in American dance music. If you like gritty sounds, sweaty dance floors, and DJs grinning from ear to ear, Hood Politics is probably your new favorite label.
Introducing DJ Susan
You can’t talk about Hood Politics without mentioning the big gun. DJ Susan has quite the reputation in the tech house scene, and he seems universally loved. Real name Steven Glathe, DJ Susan draws heavily from dance music’s traditional values of peace, love, unity, and respect (PLUR). More than sales and much more than fame, DJ Susan wants to inspire the community and get them moving as one.
While it took a while to take hold, the world of dance music is alive and kicking in the United States. There are house, techno, and breaks labels in most capitals and promoters hosting parties every weekend up and down the country. And while the scene is getting healthier all the time, sometimes it takes itself a little too seriously. DJ Susan is a great leveler in this environment, with his fun-filled tunes and great mustache spreading good vibes without the drama.
DJ Susan brings positive energy back to the dance floor, inspiring people to connect with each other and have fun. He started out on the West Coast many years ago and became one of Miami’s most beloved DJs along the way. Florida’s dance music capital really struggled with the pandemic, and DJ Susan was part of the scene’s triumphant return in 2022. It was a huge year for dance music, and even today, people still talk about his epic set at Ultra Music Festival.
The Hood Politics story
After playing countless clubs and parties in California and Florida, Steven Glathe wanted to make a permanent imprint on the world of dance music. Already a renowned taste-maker, he had built connections with big-name DJs and producers from around the world. Hood Politics began as a collective of people with a shared appreciation for house and techno vibes. The label was a concerted effort to take politics out of the hood, putting the energy back on the dance floor where it belonged.
From the DJs and producers to the graphic artists and marketing team, the people behind Hood Politics are largely self-taught. Just like the original dance music scene, this label is all about community spirit and collective values. Hood Politics has built solid connections with some of the best names in the scene, including established artists John Summit and Chapter & Verse. Along with these big names, DJ Susan and the team also love promoting young local talent.
Notable artists and tracks
With Hood Politics, the producers and DJs make the magic happen. Running a dance music label is like curating an art gallery, with DJ Susan and the team listening to hours upon hours of demos before they find a good fit. Hood Politics has created a signature sound with deep rolling bass and a gritty hip-house style. The label has released over 150 records, with the following artists and tracks deserving special mention:
Anthony Attalla
Anthony Attalla is a bona fide tech house star. He’s made some big moves in the studio, and he also knows how to work the stage as a performer. Along with Hood Politics, Attalla has released music on Great Stuff, Trapez, Definitive, Tronic, Break New Soil, and Stereo Recordings. He also recently set up his own music production company, Incorrect Music. Anthony Attalla has charted more than 40 Top 100 tracks on Beatport, with tunes like “Take My Time,” “Back to Basics,” and Blackmail.” His track “Control” on Hood Politics is one of the label’s biggest releases.
Chapter & Verse
Also known as Barry Pearson, Chapter & Verse is one of the biggest names on the global tech house scene. He’s worked with massive producers, and his tracks regularly hit top position on the Beatport charts. Chapter & Verse has worked with Alesso, Green Velvet, Roger Sanchez, and Sonny Fodera, among many others. Along with Hood Politics, this artist has released great tunes on Thrive, Atlantic, Repopulate Mars, Big Beat, and Island. Popular Chapter & Verse tracks include “Whatever I Choose,” “Sideline,” and “Dance to the Drum.” Pearson’s biggest release on Hood Politics was the epic Salt-n-Pepa remix of “Push It.”
Chris Diaz
Los Angeles native Chris Diaz blends energetic tech house with other dance music styles. His tunes are loved on and off the dance floor, with pulsating beats and basslines driving beneath beautiful floating melodies. Diaz puts lots of time into his music, creating detailed compositions far beyond dance floor fodder. He has released lots of huge tracks over the years, including “I’m the One,” “Let’s Do This Thing,” and “Fuel the Fire.” Chris Diaz has released lots of tunes on Hood Politics over recent months, including “Just Won’t Do,” “My Struggles,” and “Vibe Check” with DJ Susan.
DJ Susan
As you might expect, Steven Glathe has produced some of the biggest tracks on Hood Politics over the years. “Get It Right” recently cracked the Beatport top 10, “Rewind” blends off-kilter beats with vocal chops, and “Frozen Waterfall” merges tech rhythms with vocal harmonies. Along with releasing his own tracks, DJ Susan loves working with established and upcoming producers. “Get It Right” was recently released in collaboration with SQWAD, and “Sweet Melody” hits all the right notes alongside GUDFELLA. According to the man himself, however, one track defines his sound above all others: “My remix of ‘Welcome To The Jungle.’ It perfectly defines the rock star that I am.”
Franky Wah
From Yorkshire in England’s north comes the fabulous Franky Wah. This exciting artist has released lots of great club tracks over the years, from the underground and commercial ends of the dance music spectrum. His breakthrough tune was “Change My Mind,” with other huge tracks including “Get Me High” and “Words.” Franky Wah has released tunes on some of the biggest labels in the world, including Ministry Of Sound, Elrow, Viva, and Cr2. He released the single “Dubap” on Hood Politics, which also featured on a three-track EP called Disco Inferno.
John Summit
John Walter Schuster, also known as John Summit, is probably the biggest name to release music on Hood Politics. Along with being a talented DJ and producer, Schuster also runs his own record labels. His label, Defected, releases house music for the masses, and his recent imprint, Experts Only, does both releases and events. Some of John Summit’s biggest tracks include “Deep End,” “Sun Came Up,” “Where You Are,” and “Shiver.” On Hood Politics, he has released “Susie’s Weapon (John Summit Remix)” and “Viva Voce (DONT BLINK Remix).” Along with performing at major festivals like Coachella and Lollapalooza, one John Summit track even made one of Barack Obama’s famous End of Year lists.
Party support
Along with releasing great music, Hood Politics is known for putting on outstanding parties. It all started during childhood when DJ Susan put on crazy house parties while his pilot dad was away working. These parties taught Glathe the power of community, which was built around good music and loving dance floor vibes. Many years later, DJ Susan has transformed this energy into a successful career. If you need help putting on a great party, the Hood Politics support line is available direct on the label’s website.
If you like your dance music delivered with great energy and fun vibes, Hood Politics has got you covered. Check out some of their recent releases, and keep your ear to the ground for a party near you.
More Artists and Show Episodes
