Second-wave Chicago house impresario Felix da Housecat entered the elite via his recordings (as himself, Thee Maddkatt Courtship, Aphrohead, and Sharkimaxx) as well as his ownership of Radikal Fear Records, one of the premier Chicago labels of the 1990s. An introduction to Chicago legend DJ Pierre during the mid-'80s gave the 15-year-old Felix Stallings, Jr. the kickstart he wanted, and with some help from Pierre, he produced his first single, "Phantasy Girl," in 1987.
His parents discouraged his growing club lifestyle, however, and after high-school graduation Stallings left...