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. [...]
When the South Bronx dance-punk outfit ESG released their Martin Hannett-produced debut EP in 1981, they had no idea how pivotal their stripped-back, funk-fueled sound would be on the evolution of hip-hop and house music: ‘UFO’ has been sampled over 500 times; ‘Moody’ was a staple in Larry Levan’s Paradise Garage sets. Four decades [...]
After four-plus decades of DJing and with a incredible list of releases — much of it produced with longtime partner Kenny “Dope” Gonzalez as Masters At Work — the pioneering Louie Vega would seem to have little to prove. Yet he’s working harder than ever, with the same energy he had as a young [...]
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 [...]
The legendary imprint is the latest in a string of acquisitions by the label's investment arm New York house music label King Street Sounds is being relaunched through Armada Music's investment arm. Home to an expansive and influential catalogue of independently-released house music, the label was launched in 1993 by Hisa Ishioka, who named it after the [...]
Customers could soon be paying for more services, according to reports Spotify has officially demonetised all tracks with under 1,000 streams. The new policy came into effect for all artists in 1st April 2024. The revised revenue scheme was announced last year, and means music will only be included in the royalty pool calculation if it [...]
The storied UK house label celebrates the late Chicago house legend on the tenth anniversary of his death with a new vinyl pressing of his 2015 compilation Defected is releasing a collection of the late Frankie Knuckles' classics and remixes in a new vinyl set. Part of the storied UK label's 'House Masters' compilation series [...]
South Africa's love for house music flourished in the early ’90s as the Apartheid era ended, pushed primarily by DJs in and around Johannesburg and Pretoria. Now, it's a focal point, filled with local styles and stars. Martin Guttridge-Hewitt heads to Gauteng to learn the story of the scene’s origins, and the risks its pioneers [...]
Soaring ascents, the kind that can take an artist from obscurity to stardom in what seems to be the blink of an eye, don’t occur often, in dance music or elsewhere – those who are lucky enough to have that experience often disappear just as quickly. But there’s little chance of a quick fade for [...]
The new cut, released to coincide with Black History Month, features vocals by the artist herself DJ Minx has released a new single, 'Taking It Back'. Out now through her Women On Wax label to coincide with Black History Month, the track features lyrics written and performed by the Detroit artist herself. You can listen [...]
