In order for us to move forward, we must consider the foundation that we stand on. The shoulders of those who have done the work. On this episode of The Boulevard, we do that. We honor the story of Stacey “Hotwaxx” Hale, the Godmother of House.

In this special interview, Hale talks about her musical upbringing on Detroit’s west side, being one of the few female DJs in the early ’80s and winning the Motor City Mix competition as a student at Lawrence Tech.

“In the last 10 years, I look back and go, ‘You were setting the pace.’ I was just being me.” — Stacey Hotwaxx Hale

Check the playlist below and listen to the episode for two weeks after it airs using the player above.

The Boulevard Playlist for April 30, 2025

• “The Boulevard” – Waajeed
• “Fly Away (feat. Alexander Hope)” – Blaze
• “You Lift Me Up (Cats N’ Dogz No Hope Remix)” – Sweetness
• “Panoramica (Hyenah’s Raw Beat)” – Hyenah & Pablo Fierro
• “Took My Love (Jacobin & Domino Remix)” – Fabe
• “Body Sound (Life Recorder Remix)” – Jay Sound
• “Synthphonica” – Henrik Schwarz
• “Still Hope (Waajeed’s Searching Dub)” – Secret Sundaze
• “Baby Powda (Tedd Patterson Edit V2)” – Doug Gomez
• “Forget (Extended Mix)” – DJ Minx
• “Riley’s Song” – Moodymann
• “Helldorado (Original Mix)” – Aki Bergen
• “It’s In Your Mind” – Kyle Hall
• “The System (Original Mix)” – Angelos
• “Dynamic Move” – Dompe
• “Da Fonk (feat. Joni) [Dub]” – Mochakk

Respect the Architect – Interview with Stacey Hotwaxx Hale

• “Down to Love Town” – The Originals
• “I Believe In Miracles” – Jackson Sisters
• “Dance, Dance, Dance (Yowsah, Yowsah, Yowsah)” – Chic
• “Contact” – Edwin Starr
• “Flashlight” – Parliament
• “The Boss” – Diana Ross
• “Out Come the Freaks” – Was (Not Was)
• “Jam On Revenge (The Wikki Wikki Song)” – Newcleus
• “Din Daa Daa” – George Kranz
• “I Wonder If I Take You Home (with Full Fore) [Full Force Remix]” – Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam
• “Rain Forest” – Paul Hardcastle

Listen to The Boulevard with host Waajeed Wednesdays from 8–10 p.m. ET on 101.9 WDET or stream on-demand at wdet.org.