Amapiano has taken over the world, but despite its success, some of the genre's most influential creators are not getting the rewards they deserve. In the final instalment of our three-part series documenting Amapiano's Second Wave, Jake Colvin explores how South Africa's economic conditions and exploitation from established stars are adversely affecting young producers [...]
Promoters and production agencies assess how turbulent economic conditions and shifting audience trends are impacting the industry. When London one-dayer 51st State cancelled its event last month, it became the 44th UK festival to do so in 2024. 51st State's reasons—low ticket sales, soaring operational costs and a general lull in engagement [...]
Celebrating its 10th anniversary on the Red Sea, Sandbox is a forerunner in Middle Eastern electronics, bringing local and international stars to boutique crowds On a balmy night in May, the Egyptian town of El Gouna is teeming with locals. Old friends are embracing, others clinking glasses over the sound of live music, some [...]
Sam Divine is the Queen of Defected, and she’s helming the UK house music brand’s first season at Ushuaïa Ibiza this season as its weekly resident and key figurehead. For the the first of DJ Mag's 2024 Ibiza cover stories, Divine speaks candidly about her difficult upbringing, falling in love with house music, lifestyle [...]
Released on 21st June 1999, The Chemical Brothers’ third album harnessed the enormity of trance, the ecstasy of acid house, and the vibrancy of psychedelia to become their boldest statement, and a mirror to the hedonistic mood of the UK at that time. Here, with the help of the duo’s Tom Rowlands, Ben Cardew [...]
East Africa’s first music technology summit, Kilele, brought together artists and industry figures from Kenya and across Africa and Europe for a series of boundary-pushing performances, discussions and collaborations. Martin Guttridge-Hewitt reports on how the event and a bubbling local underground are ushering in a new era for Nairobi’s electronic music scene Exiting your car [...]
In South Africa, where inequality is rife, young and underprivileged producers are pushing the evolution of amapiano. In the second instalment of our three-part series documenting Amapiano's Second Wave, Jake Colvin explores how community generosity and collaboration helps artists innovate amid challenging conditions This article is the second in a three part-series about amapiano, exploring [...]
Released on 25th May 1984, ‘Smalltown Boy’ launched the gay synth-pop band Bronski Beat into the charts and onto dancefloors with its glorious synths, hi-NRG production and Jimmy Somerville’s soaring falsetto, which sang a story of rejection, pain and escape. Here, with the help of musicians, its iconic video's director and others, Bailey Slater [...]
Though arguably most prominent in the ’90s, free parties and illegal raves have never gone away. Despite the increased surveillance from authorities, passionate DJs and sound systems continue to throw events in a similar way that they always have, looking to create a sense of community and an alternative to the commodified dance mainstream. [...]
Thirty years on from first opening its doors, Cavo Paradiso is a true destination club. Having made its name during the peak of progressive house, this Top 100 Clubs staple now caters for an international crowd. Martin Guttridge-Hewitt hears about the ups, the downs, and the secret to Cavo’s longevity As the first ruby [...]