The Carl Cox OBE is now official. The British techno pioneer has received his Officer of the Order of the British Empire medal from Prince William at Windsor Castle, EDMTunes reported on November 11, in recognition of nearly 50 years of work in dance music.
At a glance
- Who: Carl Cox, the 64-year-old DJ and producer
- What: Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
- Presented by: Prince William
- Where: Windsor Castle
- Why: nearly 50 years of contribution to dance music and his support for club culture around the world
What we know
The OBE is one of the higher civic honours given by the British monarch. It recognises people who have made a significant and lasting contribution in areas such as the arts, science, charity, public service or entertainment. Musicians who hold the same honour include Eric Clapton, Sting and Annie Lennox.
EDMTunes describes Cox as the first electronic artist to receive it. The outlet says the award reflects both his long career behind the decks and his steady advocacy for clubs and the people who fill them.
What Carl Cox said
Cox shared his reaction on social media after the ceremony. He looked back on falling in love with records as a young DJ and on the years of travel that followed.
Music has been my whole life. I've never stopped being grateful that I get to do what I do.
He added that receiving the medal from Prince William, for doing something he loves, was beyond anything he could have imagined.
A long road to Windsor
Cox was born in Oldham, England, in 1962 to Barbadian parents. He began his career in Brighton in 1986 and became known for his underground techno sound in the early 1990s. He played the opening night of Shoom, Danny Rampling's London club night, and was a regular name on the illegal M25 rave circuit.
He later held a 15-year residency at Space in Ibiza. Since the club closed in 2016, he has kept up residencies on the island while touring worldwide. You can see his current Carl Cox Ibiza listing on RaveConnects, and he is also part of the Sónar 2027 lineup.
Why it matters
Honours like this have usually gone to rock and pop artists. Seeing one go to a DJ who came up through raves and underground clubs says something about how far electronic music has moved into the mainstream of British culture. It also recognises a scene, not only a single career.
For fans, it is a pleasant moment for a figure who has been a constant in dance music for decades. For younger DJs, it shows that a life spent in club culture can be recognised at the highest level.
