Gray Area Spotlight

Combining his unrelenting passion for music with an inextinguishable desire to positively impact his community, Shimza is a totem figure in South Africa's music scene and arguably the leader of the new Afro Tech movement. Renowned for his deep and rhythmic strain of underground music, Shimza's back catalog includes his full-length  Shimuzic  album  and a long list of collaborations...

Brooklyn-based producer and DJ AKKI is an artist to look out for in New York's underground dance music scene. Her extraordinary soundscapes encompass a stunning blend of deep, acid, tech, and piano house notes that continuously leave listeners begging for more, and her foreign cultural influences are evident in every release. ▪️Follow AKKI▪️ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/akkimusic/ Faceboo...

Brother/sister duo, Andy and Dorthy Sherman, have created a diverse range of music throughout their career; from R&B to Motown to garage to EDM.  Over their decade-spanning career, they’ve released on some of dance music’s most lauded imprints, from Defected to Spinnin, Armada, Dirtybird, and Cuttin Headz to Afrojack’s Wall Recordings. In recent years, Shermanology has explored a new soun...

Italian DJ/producer Matisa is a woman of many talents. After earning her master's degree in Fashion Production Management, Matisa decided to pursue one of her newer passions: music. Now a resident at the legendary Cocorice, she has spent the last few years playing support for some of the biggest names in the industry, and has spent time working alongside her mentor, Skream.  ▪️Follow Matisa▪️...

Archie Hamilton is a London-based DJ, producer, and label owner. Releasing and performing music under his real name, Hamilton balances his creative career with the business side of things, proving to be incredibly influential in both sectors. Alongside his decade-long career producing music and DJing, Hamilton manages A&R for his two imprints, Moscow Records and Moss Co. ▪️Follow Archie Hamilt...

For over 20 years, Heidi’s cultural contributions have spread across her work as a DJ, event producer, label head, radio host, and record shop owner. Despite that list of activities being simplified to DJing, for the time being, her musical fingerprints have left an indelible mark on dance music. ▪️Follow Heidi▪️ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/djheidi/ Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/hei...

Mary Droppinz, aka Alyssa Johnson, understands the power of faith in herself. The LA-based producer and DJ captured the attention of dance music fans because of her infectious positivity, unsurpassed skills on the decks, and a sound that seamlessly blends house, techno, and breakbeat electro. The latter is one of dance music's least represented but most impactful genres. And Johnson hopes that as...

Starting his musical journey at just 12 years old, CID has now established himself as one of the leading names in the dance music scene. He has covered official remix duties for pop’s biggest stars, including Ellie Goulding, Lizzo, and Halsey. He’s proven himself to be a master producer and performer across a broad spectrum of dance music themes while honing a sound that is distinctly his own. His...

New York-based DJ and producer CODES is an artist who defies the meaning of staying true to oneself while trying to make it in this competitive industry. ▪️Follow Codes▪️ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/codeshouse/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/CodesHouse Twitter - https://twitter.com/codeshouse Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/3FBxzgzGPs9XUfSYZgG1vX?si=OuITmiyyS4KuhThSmWSQVw...

SNBRN—aka Kevin Chapman—emerged during the SoundCloud era with a sound that effortlessly blended the weight of main stage house with the musicality of something much more profound. As he settled into his sound, what surfaced was an artistic inclination towards moving melodies, infectious grooves, and an understanding of how underground music can at once be compelling on the dance floor, emotionall...

Tara Brooks is a trailblazer of sound and scene. Her desire for growth and evolution keeps her sound on the cutting edge, always favoring the challenge and freedom of new untapped sounds over the safe bet of the latest generic trends. Anyone who's had the distinct pleasure of attending one of Tara's live sets can attest to what she describes as "A collaboration with the energy in the room." ▪️Foll...

The Berlin-based producer, engineer, and analog synth expert has been a guitarist, rare grooves DJ, live performer, and one of the most lauded studio engineers in all of house and techno. A true titan of techno, Beiger's years of experience engineering records for the world's top-tier producers, have given him an invaluable understanding of how dance music is most compelling. ▪️Follow Hannes Beige...

Canadian native Randomdoug is one of the hottest DJ's in the Toronto music scene. Beginning his career in 2006, Doug currently maintains a residency at Comfort Zone and plays Coda and Vertigo, as well as throwing parties under his own events brand, R&R. ▪️Follow Randomdoug▪️ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/randomdoug/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/randomdoug Twitter - https://twitt...

DJ/Producer and multi instrumentalist from Paris, Chloe Caillet has been has been involved with music since childhood. Now fully immersed in her career as a DJ, Caillet has played some of the worlds most renowned clubs and parties. With well over a million streams on Spotify and her own record label titled PVBLIC XCESS, Chloe Caillet is one to look out for.  ▪️Follow Chloé Caillet▪️ Instagram...

Known for his unique brand of high BPM tech-house groovers, Daniel Orpi has quickly made a name for himself, despite first releasing only three years ago. Born in Barcelona but based in London, Daniel has had the opportunity early in his career to play some of the best venues globally and count artists like Claude VonStroke, Solardo, and Eli Brown as supporters. ▪️Follow Daniel Orpi▪️ Instagram -...

Looking from the outside in, it would seem UK DJ Ben Sterling has had the kind of career that most aspiring artists can only dream of. Sterling has released with some of the most respected labels in the world, including Edible, Origin Rcords, and Hottrax. Despite his youth, Sterling has seen break after break go his way, leading to international recognition. ▪️Follow Ben Sterling▪️ Instagram - htt...

The Haitian DJ, producer and founder of Deep Root Records is a regular Beatport chart topper and has toured a selection of the finest US and European stages. Emerging from the pandemic with a newfound talent in the production of afro-house, he has successfully expanded and created a new niche. ▪️Follow Francis Mercier▪️ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/djfrancismercier/ Facebook - https://www...

Mochakk’s – aka Pedro Maia – charisma is a cut above the rest. In a word, it’s viral. The Brazilian artist has achieved meteoric success on TikTok through clips of his captivating live sets. His mixes expose listeners to a boundless universe of genres and styles, and his tracks are supported by the likes of Vintage Culture, Tiesto, Alesso, and Chris Lake. ▪️Follow Mochakk▪️ Instagram - https://www...

Rolling basslines, colorful percussion, and lush melodies characterize the tech house of Warrington, UK-based DJ and producer Ben Walsh. His ravenous appetite for success has resulted in two of his releases hitting the Beatport number one spot. He’s also played alongside dance music titans like Jamie Jones and Richy Ahmed, and has received support from the likes of Solardo, Nicole Moudaber, and Ar...

San Francisco-based DJ & Producer Spencer Brown is a true visionary at heart. As one of the leading front-runners of house music, his sound spans the entirety of the sonic spectrum. Known for defying norms within the industry, his label diviine is a platform where he can share his musical beliefs with the rest of the dance music community. ▪️Follow Lacularis▪️ Instagram - https://www.instagram...

Striking the perfect balance between the codified classics and what’s en vogue can be a test for any artist. For French-born DJ, producer, and composer Kevin Rodrigues—aka Worakls (pronounced “warrackles”)—that challenge comes in an even more literal form. With inspirations from German composer Hans Zimmer to dubstep maestro Skrillex, Worakls combines the vivacity of classical orchestral concertos...

Los Angeles-based RYBO – aka Ryan Bohnet – thrills the masses as soon as he steps behind the decks. As an invaluable member of the Desert Hearts crew, he’s released on multiple occasions through the group’s record label and played an array of stunning performances at both the Desert Hearts Festival and City Hearts tour stops. ▪️Follow RYBO▪️ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/rybomusic/ Faceboo...

Supernova - aka Giacomo Godi and Emiliano Nencioni - have finessed a classic house sound of their own through decades of experimentation. Born and based in Florence, Italy, the duo proudly founded three labels - Lapsus Music, Downtown Underground, and Blackboard. They have performed at some of the world's most celebrated venues and festivals, including elrow, BPM, Ministry Of Sound, Space (Ibiza a...

With so much authenticity and artistic flair to offer, Mexican artist Mike Montaño continues to astound listeners with his uniquely curated house-driven soundscapes. ▪️Follow Mike Montaño▪️ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mikemontano_mx/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/mikemontanomusic Twitter - https://twitter.com/mikemontano_mx Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/5Wb6olPVKPIU6tXJ...

James Edwards' journey is filled with lessons, self-growth, and steadfast commitment to what feels right in music and life. The result? A growing reputation as a master producer, a performance schedule that takes him all over the globe, and an infectiously healthy perspective of the art form he loves. ▪️Follow Made By Pete▪️ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/_madebypete/ Facebook - https://www...