Genre blending has always been a core tenant of Jauz — the project of 21 year old LA-based and Icon Collective graduate, Sam Vogel. Over the course of the past few months we have seen the young star rise, turning in some of the biggest tracks of the year, from taking on the likes of Ed Sheeran, A$AP Mob, Childish Gambino, and more. Jauz has released addictive mid-tempo originals like “Feel the Volume” and remixes like “Hella Hoes” that have left both the festivals and clubs wanting more and garnered him support from industry heavyweights like Zedd, Skrillex, Diplo, Borgore, Destructo, Arty and others. His euphoric originals and viral remixes seamlessly weave in and out of several musical categories, staying true to his creed: “music has no boundaries.”
Jauz
Snails
Snails is a Montreal-based producer and DJ who pushes a forward-thinking brand of dance music combining trap rhythms, dirty bass lines, and off-kilter sound design. His first tracks appeared online in 2012 on Kannibalen Records. Since then he has amassed a burgeoning fanbase of snail-heads and bass-lovers. Recent releases like “Dirty Raxxx”, “RBBR” and “SLUGZ” blend hypnotic melodies, huge drops, and mind-bending sample manipulation into a tight, dance-floor friendly package. Snails’ latest track “Wild”, co-produced with Antiserum and released on Skrillex’s Owsla Records, was one of the standout tracks at the 2014 edition of Ultra Music Festival. Having recently signed with Circle Talent, Snails looks primed to bring his unique take on dance music to the mainstream.
Tchami
Hailing from Paris, Tchami, is no stranger to the dance music industry. Coming onto the scene with his remix of Janet Jackson’s “Go Deep”. The track became an instant overnight hit! With much critical acclaim, he soon followed up with his first original production “Promesses” with Kaleem Taylor via Fool’s Gold Records and Ministry of Sound. It was not too long after “Promesses” that Tchami released “Shot Caller” under the same EP for Fool’s Gold Clubhouse. From then on, Tchami subsequently released his remixes of AlunaGeorge’s “You Know You Like It”, Jack U’s “Take U There”, and many more gaining the support from some of today’s top DJs such as A-Trak, Diplo, Dillon Francis, and Skrillex to name a few.
Emancipator
A sleeping giant of the electronic music world, Douglas Appling – more commonly known as Emancipator – has quietly established himself as a mainstay in the electronic music scene since the release of his debut album, Soon It Will Be Cold Enough in 2006. Classically-trained as a violinist from an early age, Appling’s organic approach to electronic music production draws inspiration from a wide range of international cultures and musical genres, culminating in a refreshingly authentic brand of electronic music that has infiltrated global consciousness.
2015 was a busy year having released Live In Athens in June, and Dusk to Dawn Remixes – a remix album featuring massively-popular contributions from the likes of ODESZA, Little People, Eliot Lipp, and more – in July 2015 and now his first full-length album in three years, Seven Seas. Seven Seas is the product of over two years of work, collaborations, experiences, and live performances all culminating in a cohesive collection of songs that solidifies that Emancipator is only getting better with age.
Mercer
There is a new generation of French DJs/Producers with international fame, Mercer is one of them. Hardwell first sensed a massive record in “Welcome to the Jungle” and signed it on his label.
Track produced with ALVARO featuring Lil Jon, that reached a Top 3 on Beatport and had 3 million views on YouTube. Renowned Spinnin Records spotted the talent and released two tracks: “Supreme” and “Turn It Up”.
Steve Aoki signed “Drop” straight away on DIM MAK, and the ball is rolling. Mercer has built up a proper image that suits him and obtains, in less than a year, full respect and support from Hardwell, Nicky Romero, ZEDD, David Guetta, Tommy Trash, Martin Garrix, Chuckie, Tiesto, Avicii, and Steve Angello, to name a few. You know the bet paid off when you get your tracks dropped in front of huge crowds in the middle of heavy sets at Ultra or Tomorrowland! In recent news, ZEDD just asked him for a remix of “Stay The Night”. Mercer’s dazzling ascent promises an impressive 2014! WATCH OUT!
Borgeous
For the last three years, American songwriter, producer and DJ BORGEOUS (John Borger) has had an astronomical rise to fame. The LA and Las Vegas-based platinum recording artist is quickly making waves in the scene and has already accomplished three Billboard Dance Radio Top 10s, three Beatport #1s and a #1 on the iTunes Dance Charts in 15 different countries. His keen ear and innate talent to produce a provocative, textured sound have made people take notice. His biggest hit to date, “Tsunami” is exactly as its title suggests as the hit single wrecked bars, clubs, festival stages, and radio stations around the world, gaining BORGEOUS international acclaim. It reached #1 on iTunes in 15 different countries, #1 on Beatport, received an EMPO Award for ‘Track of the Year’ and was nominated for a Juno Award ‘Best Dance Recording of the Year.’ In 2014, he reached the Top 10 on Billboard’s Dance Radio chart twice with “Invincible” and “Wildfire.” “Invincible” also became the #2 song of 2014 on SiriusXM’s BPM Radio, with “Wildfire” behind at #14. Further-BORGEOUS exceeded expectations with his 2015 releases “Souls,” “Sins,” “Yesterday” with Zaeden, “This Could Be Love,” “They Don’t Know Us,” “Big Bang” (Life in Color’s 2015 anthem), his ever-so-beautiful JUNO-nominated original “Zero Gravity” with LIGHTS that went #5 on iTunes Dance Charts in Canada and his collab’ with Wiz Khalifa, Waka Flocka & DJ Whoo Kid “Toast,” just to name a few. Look for more exciting releases and BORGEOUS’ highly-anticipated debut artist album 13 in 2016.
Baggi
All of us have a story, yet most of us don’t even come close to telling a tale like this. To understand the unstoppable drive, love and energy behind Baggi and his music, you have to understand that he came from a place that offered him the exact opposite.
Leaving his hard past behind him, Baggi managed to enter the Dutch DJ Scene where he was received with open arms. Even though he didn’t speak the language, he could definitely speak the sound of music.
Fast forward a few years passed his collaborations with Erick Morillo, Roger Sanchez and Rene Amesz. Passed his releases on Defected, Toolroom, Spinnin and Musical Freedom and even passed hundreds of big room club shows.
Showing off his limitless production skills for the likes of Rita Ora, Kelly Clarkson, Madonna, Tiësto and even Rod Stewart paid off, just like playing every relevant stage known to man.
EDC’s from Brazil to Vegas and New York to Tokyo, Sensation, Nocturnal Wonderland, Mysteryland, Creamfields, Space and many more placed him in the perfect position: playing the deeper house sounds that he loves so much, while shining as the A&R manager at Insomniac.
After dropping “Dive” ft Micky Blu on Spinnin’, “Time Painter” ft. Sylvia Tosun on AFTR-HRS and “SHFL” with Steve Powers on Sosumi, Baggi has found his new and favorite sound.
Locking himself up in the studio every day to finish his future album, he only comes out to play. And when he does, you really don’t want to miss it.
Diplo
Thomas Wesley Pentz, better known as Diplo, is one of the most dynamic forces in music today. He is as much an international brand as he is a musician/DJ/producer. He’s proven himself to be a ubiquitous cultural figure, consistently bridging high and low, mainstream and underground, with remarkable tact and reverence.
In 2004, after throwing influential parties in South Philadelphia, Pentz cemented himself as a full fledged artist through his debut album, “Florida” which received praise within the underground community. Diplo worked with M.I.A. on her mixtape, first and second albums, eventually creating the Grammy nominated track “Paper Planes” in 2007, which hit No. 4 on the U.S. Hot 100 Chart and has sold more than 3 million copies.
In 2005, Diplo founded label/culture lab Mad Decent to serve as a platform for showcasing the myriad of fascinating sounds Pentz encounters while touring the world. Notable artists include: Dillon Francis, DJ Snake, Baauer, and Riff Raff. Coming full circle from his days of Hollertronix, Diplo has utilized the label to produce the annual and infamous Mad Decent Block Parties — a series of outdoor dance parties/concerts that now span 19 cities across North America.
After multiple Grammy nominations, including Producer of the Year, and being crowned the #1 most streamed artist on Soundcloud for 2013, Beyoncé’s “Run the World” sampled Major Lazer’s “Pon De Floor” and sold over a million copies, cementing Diplo’s place in the pop world.
Fast forward to present day, Pentz has 235+ show dates under his belt in 2015 alone, and three 2016 Grammy Nominations including Producer of the Year, Best Dance Recording, and Best Dance/Electronic Album. Diplo remains the go-to producer for the who’s who of the pop music landscape.
“Lean On” the global smash hit from Major Lazer’s June 2015 release Peace Is the Mission has garnered a host of accolades including reaching #1 at Top 40 Radio, a first for any independent label, being named Spotify’s Global Song of the Summer as well as earning the crown title of most streamed track of all time, currently with 573 million plays, making it the most successful independent song of all time.
Dusky
Dusky are London production duo Nick Harriman and Alfie Granger-Howell. In just three years, the fast-rising duo have asserted themselves as leaders of the UK underground. BBC Essential Mix of the Year contenders, DJ Magazine cover stars, headliners everywhere from Berlin’s Panorama Bar to London’s Fabric, Dusky’s story so far is one of constant forward motion and a uniquely universal appeal.
The Dusky story began back in 2011, with the birth of their new alias on the beautifully diverse ‘Stick By This’ LP – an album that quickly found a vocal champion in Radio 1’s Pete Tong. But the duo’s breakthrough track was undoubtedly 2012’s killer ‘Flo Jam’. Signed by the label that broke Maya Jane Coles (Dogmatik), its devastating deep grooves were hammered by everyone from Loefah, Joy Orbison and Boddika to Disclosure, Jamie Jones and Sasha, with even Calvin Harris getting in on the act. An underground anthem that crossed over many barriers, it eventually earned the unexpected accolade of iTunes Dance Single Of The Year.
Since those formative releases marked them out as talents destined for the top, Dusky have pushed their sound forward every step of the way – refusing to stay stationary and acknowledge the status quo. There have been rugged warehouse techno excursions on Loefah’s School, quirky scene-defining house bangers on Aus and classy melodic grooves like ‘Mr Man’ on Anjunadeep. But whatever musical sub strain Dusky turn their hands to, there is always a strong common thread – a signature depth and detailing. A stamp of quality, that makes for an instantly recognizable ‘Dusky’ sound.
Now with the launch of their 17 Steps label, the duo are taking control of this unique identity and giving it the unrestricted platform it deserves. The eclectic, well-honed outlook is the result of absorbing two decades of global dance music, digging back beyond and a shared production career that has spanned nearly 10 years. Sift through Nick and Alfie’s personal record collections and you will find everything from Polish orchestral music and Ahmad Jamal’s soulful jazz, to Justin Martin’s “Sad Piano” and Daft Punk’s formative French house, with stacks of vintage garage and drum & bass 12″s propping the whole selection up.
With all these influences and so much more bleeding into the current Dusky studio alchemies, the journey is just beginning for the London duo.
