The Untouchables

The Untouchables is a primary alias for legendary New York producer Kenny 'Dope' Gonzalez, one half of the iconic Masters At Work duo. Operating primarily in the early 1990s on labels like Strictly Rhythm, this project represents the 'rawer' side of the NYC house sound.

While Masters At Work often leaned into sophisticated, jazzy, and soulful arrangements, The Untouchables focused on the 'beat' - utilizing the E-mu SP-1200 and Akai MPC to create heavy, sample-based grooves that influenced the development of both UK Garage and tribal house. The project is historically significant for its role in the 'Strictly Rhythm' era, which defined the global house music standard for a decade. Critically, these releases are viewed as essential building blocks of the 'New York Swing' style, characterized by a specific rhythmic shuffle and the creative use of vocal snippets as percussive elements. The alias also highlights the cross-pollination between hip-hop production techniques and house music's four-to-the-floor structure.