House, techno, and many other forms of dance music wouldn’t exist without black culture and the LBGTQ community — nor would Your EDM be here without the pioneers that paved the way.
Magnetic Magazine recently put out its watch list of 13 Documentaries on Key Black Dance DJs, Cultural Figures & Institutions. Although these are just some of the educational documentaries on dance music’s vast history, this is a great start with hours of information and inspiration.
These docs cover a lot of ground and feature prominent acts including, Nile Rodgers, Marshall Jefferson, Honey Dijon, Steve Silk Hurley, Juan Atkins, Kevin Saunderson, Derrick May, Goldie, Larry Levan, Frankie Knuckles, Ron Hardy, Carl Craig, Moodymann, Black Coffee and so many more. 
Learn about the pivotal artists, figures and institutions our scene is forever indebted to — and huge shoutout to Magnetic Magazine for the list.
1. I Was There When House Took Over the World
featuring Nile Rodgers, Marshall Jefferson, Honey Dijon, Steve Silk Hurley and more
2. Why Drexciya Took Detroit Electro Underwater
featuring Gerald Donald and James Stinson aka Drexciya
3. High Tech Soul: The Creation of Techno Music
featuring the originator Juan Atkins, the elevator Kevin Saunderson, and the innovator Derrick May
4. Paris Is Burning
covers Manhattan’s LBGTQ vogue Ballroom scene
https://youtu.be/xf6Cn2y2xEc
5. Pump Up The Volume: A History of House Music
roots of house music featuring Larry Levan, Frankie Knuckles and Ron Hardy
6. Array’s Jewels Catch One
history of oldest black-owned disco in America, Catch One
7. Talkin’ Headz – The Metalheadz Documentary
covers drum and bass scene featuring Goldie, Grooverider, Dillinja, Ed Rush & Optical, Source Direct, Photek and more
8. Origins: Black Coffee: Resident Advisor explores Black Coffee’s South African roots
9. Moodymann: Dust On My Shoes
Moodymann, also featuring Mike Banks, Traci Washington, Amp Fiddler and more
10. Real Scenes: Detroit
history of the warehouse scene
11. Goldie Documentary
focuses on Goldie’s early career
12. Techno City: What is Detroit Techno?
featuring Carl Craig, Derrick May and more
13. How Larry Heard Made House Music Deep
Resident Advisor spotlights Larry Heard aka Mr. Fingers
Source: Magnetic Magazine | Photo: Cristian Di Stefano
