The 34th name mentioned in Daft Punk’s “Teachers” was Romanthony, house DJ and vocalist from Chicago.
Romanthony was a Chicago-born house vocalist and producer who emerged from the city’s deep club culture in the '90s. Growing up in the birthplace of house music, he absorbed gospel, disco, and early house influences, developing a voice that felt raw and emotional. While he never chased mainstream fame, he became a cult figure in underground dance music, respected for bringing sincerity and soul into club records.
Musically, Romanthony was defined by his expressive, gospel-inflected vocals layered over classic Chicago house grooves. His most widely heard performance came when he provided the iconic vocals on "One More Time" by Daft Punk, a track that carried his voice to a global audience while retaining its emotional core. The performance distilled his gift: joy, longing, and release delivered with warmth rather than polish.
In the years since, Romanthony’s legacy has only grown, buoyed by renewed interest in classic house and his indirect influence on modern electronic music. Though he passed away in 2013, his voice remains instantly recognizable in DJ sets and reissues--a reminder that house music, at its best, is about feeling first, technique second, and Chicago always at the center.
If you only listen to…
…one song: “Hold On" (1999)
…one album: Instinctual (1999)
…one compilation: exclusive dj set (1993)
