One of the world’s most beloved, respected and recognizable DJs, Britain’s Carl Cox, will make his first appearance in Columbus Friday evening.

Cox will be playing at Rise, 303 S. Front St.

“I’m really looking forward to coming to Columbus,” said Cox, an electronic music icon for the last two decades who was recently ranked as the seventh-best DJ in the world by the prestigious DJ Magazine Top 100 Poll. “I really want to have a party. I’m a person who will push the boundaries.”

Cox’s music, an underground sound which possesses an unrelenting, driving techno edge, has dodged the mainstream since his earliest days as a rave legend in the United Kingdom.

“It has a house flavor, very funky, very rhythmical,” Cox said. “It has passion and energy. You can feel it. If you’ve got the energy to keep up with me, then fine.”

Born in Manchester and raised in South London, mixing records has been a part of Cox’s life since he was a young boy.

Learning to DJ at his parents’ parties during his childhood, Cox purchased his first set of turntables at the age of 15. After moving to Brighton in 1986, Cox quickly gained a loyal following. He found himself at the forefront of the acid house movement in England, and a pioneer for the country’s rave circuit during the late ’80s.

In the early 1990s Cox cemented his superstar status with two U.K. Top 40 singles “I Want You (Forever)” and “Does It Feel Good To You,” which were released under Paul Oakenfold’s Perfecto label.

Cox has gone on to establish himself as a mainstay in the international club scene, playing regularly at the top clubs all over the world, from New York to Ibiza. In 1998 Cox was named the “hardest working DJ in the world” by Spin magazine. In that same year he performed in front of almost 1 million people at the legendary Love Parade in Berlin, Germany.

Cox is also the only DJ in the world to play two midnight sets on Millennium Eve, first in Hawaii and then in Australia.

“Along with Oakenfold, Carl Cox is one of the two biggest DJs ever to come to Columbus,” said Rise promoter Evan Glassman.

One of the most technically skilled and creative DJs in the business today, Cox gained notoriety for his use of three turntables – instead of the usual two – which he first unveiled at the legendary Sunshine rave in 1988.

“Technically, he is the best DJ ever to come to Columbus, bar none,” said 303 co-owner Mike Gallicchio, referring to Cox’s mixing wizardry behind the turntables. “He is the god of techno music.”

Cox has produced countless mix albums, including the first album of Moonshine’s “Mixed Live” series and the “Future Alliance of Communications and Technology (F.A.C.T.)” compilations in addition to his many hit singles.

Through all the awards, album sales and accolades, Cox said the most important thing is still the crowd.

“When people acknowledge exactly what I’m doing, money can’t buy that,” said Cox.

As only the top DJs can, Cox possesses the ability to read the crowd, and study their reactions. Drawing on his 20-plus years of experience, Cox knows when to drop what record, and how to send the crowd soaring.

“I want to work the room and the crowd for us all to have the best party possible,” said Cox.

Like many top European DJs Cox believes the American audience is very important, but recognizes that playing in the U.S. can sometimes be quite a challenge.

“It’s a little bit different,” said Cox of the club goers in America. “A lot of crowds in Europe are more educated about the sound. To work America, you have to work hard.”

He added that he relishes the chance to play in front of people who have never seen him before.

“I love it, absolutely love it,” said Cox.

The Global Tour is Cox’s first major tour of America. It has had stops in cities such as Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York, and concludes in Miami at the Ultra 4 Music Festival during this month’s Winter Music Conference.

The tour is promoting Cox’s most recent compilation CD, “Global,” which is a follow up to the 2000 “Mixed Live” album.

“It’s a sound bed for what’s to come in the future for Carl Cox,” said Cox.

Cox also said that he will finish his latest artist album, “The Second Sign” at the end of this tour. It will feature collaborations with many of the top DJs in the world, including Fatboy Slim, Erick Morillo and Josh Wink.

Admission for Friday’s performance is $15 before midnight and $20 after. Presale tickets are available at Ticketweb.com and the event is 18-years-old and over.