This Top 10 list comes from Beatport’s Top 10 Drumcode tracks as listed on January 2, 2023. You can listen here, open Spotify, or follow our Spotify page by clicking on the three dots next to the play button. Enjoy!
This Top 10 list comes from Beatport’s Top 22 techno track sellers of 2022. You can listen here, open in Spotify, or follow our Spotify page, just click on the three dots next to the play button. Enjoy!
Swedish techno legend Adam Beyer is an underground icon. His 27-year career began in 1993 and is just where he wants it to be. He’s graced the stages of the industry’s biggest festivals and dance floors worldwide. His music stretches throughout Europe, North and South America, Asia, the Far East, and the Middle East.
“This is the most exciting it’s ever been – I’ve finally ended up where I was trying to get,” he explains. “As a techno DJ, it’s never going to happen overnight. It’s a long road to walk to get to that point where you have earned the respect and loyalty of the industry and the fans.”
Many advocates of the genre preceded Adam, but few have held a presence as respected and long-serving. A DJ, first and foremost, life as a producer saw Beyer gradually hone and perfect a sound that would seemingly fill a void within the modern musical landscape. Adam’s mantra of respect for the music maintains its integrity and gradually pushes the limits to serve two functions. First, he honors his predecessors. Second, he builds his signature sound as a mason builds a wall one brick at a time. As such, a connection between the past, present, and future maintains.
Drumcode is the techno record label founded by Adam in 1996. With his mantra, as mentioned above in mind, Drumcode is techno DJ centric. Drumcode the name has grown beyond a record label and into a world-renowned musical identity trusted by fans. Drumcode has earned the loyalty of techno enthusiasts, which allows it to feature well-known DJs and showcase future talents.
Continuing the evolution, Drumcode grew into a branded night, and radio show airing in more than fifty-three countries. Imitated but never duplicated, Drumcode’s longevity stands as a testament to its integrity. While others bend in the winds of changing tastes like saplings, Drumcode stands strong as an oak.
Behind the decks, there are many different forces to be experienced from Beyer. Be it an international festival headline spot or a more intimate club show, his solo sets adapt and evolve to fit the various moods of his globetrotting tour schedule. Alongside partner Ida Engberg, looser afterhours sets can focus on songs that have become a favorite across the international club circuit.
Whether it’s on record, behind the decks, or under the reliable Drumcode umbrella, Adam Beyer continues to unravel a unique success story for the global underground circuit.
Taking the world by storm is Belgian melancholic techno artist Charlotte de Witte. She has a vision for her music and models her career to bring that idea to life. Her work ethic has her torching dance floors across Europe every weekend with her aggressive techno sets.
After conquering Europe, Asia, and Canada, the rest of the world is calling. Next stop for Charlotte: World Domination! She is that rare breed of DJ who can perform on the most significant stages as well as the sweatiest underground raves.
With all of her accomplishments thus far, her heart belongs to the underground techno scene and her home of Belgium. She is humble and maintains a sense of stewardship if you will, with up-and-coming talent. She has a Saturday night radio show, ‘Playground Charlotte de Witte’ on Studio Brussel. Studio Brussel is Belgium’s leading radio station. She has a residency, ‘KNTXT’ at Fuse nightclub, which has been a staple in the Brussels techno since 1994. She uses these opportunities to showcase music from lesser-known artists.
Best Producer #1 – Red Bull Elektropedia Awards 2016
Best Radio #2 – Red Bull Elektropedia Awards 2016
Artist Of The Year #3 – Red Bull Elektropedia Awards 2016
Best Song #3 – Red Bull Elektropedia Awards 2016
Best DJ #3 – Red Bull Elektropedia Awards 2016
Best Song #1 – Red Bull Elektropedia Awards 2015
Tomorrow In The Papers #2 – Red Bull Elektropedia Awards 2014
Her hometown of Ghent, Belgium, had an immense impact on her life. The underground nightlife and quality festivals enticed her to become a DJ. She realized the importance only recently of growing up in Belgium. She found New Beat and rave culture influenced her later music.
Charlotte has an affinity for melancholic music. She enjoys tracks with breakable, fragile voices. Her favorite artists for such music are James Blake, Bob Moses, Dillon, Lera Lynn, Julia Stone, and Rhye. Someday, she hopes to collaborate with them as she feels her techno would be a great match.
Charlotte started producing music about five years ago. After DJ’ing for some time, she found a need to understand the music. She wanted to know what made a track work, so she delved deep within herself to find the essence of music. Producing gave her another vehicle to reveal herself through melancholy techno.
Making music really gives me a chance to tap into the more emotional side of electronic music that I love. Music that has that melancholic side to it, I just find it so much more interesting, whether DJ’ing, producing or just listening myself at home.
Charlotte chooses the names of her tracks by two methods. She merely uses the word most oft-repeated or waits for the emotion the song elicits. For instance, the title track, ‘Weltschmerz,’ of her first EP is a German word. The German author, Jean-Paul, defined Weltschmerz as, ‘the feeling experienced by someone who believes that physical reality can never satisfy the demands of the mind.’ Charlotte was overcome by melancholy and appropriately named the track.
And I looked into his eyes, and he was gone. I didn’t know what to do.
The words imprinted on her mind and they fit this song.
Uk Techno duo Pig and Dan, individually known as Igor Tchkotoua and Dan Duncan, are a UK based techno duo that formed after a chance meeting on a flight to Spain. In 1999, both Igor and Dan coincidentally were on the same plane to Spain. They struck up a conversation, and the rest is, as they say, history.
Pig & Dan have played alongside some the biggest names in the techno and house music world, as well as headlined themselves. They’ve been a part of the most significant global festivals including
They’ve blessed the decks in some of the most famous nightclubs worldwide such as Amnesia Ibiza, Ushuaia Ibiza, Crobar Buenos Aries, Output New York, Womb Tokyo, and the Eden Terrace atop Nocturnal Nightclub Miami.
Pig & Dan have nearly twenty years together produced some of the most prolific music in techno. While they have a signature sound, which is precisely recognizable, they have the uncanny ability to push their musical envelope. It’s a contradiction to be identifiable and diverse at the same time, which is a testament to their talent.
Pig & Dan have released music on renowned labels such as Sven Väth’s Cocoon Recordings, Slam’s Soma, John Digweed’s Bedrock, Monika Kruse’s Terminal M and Richie Hawtins’ Plus 8. Apart from their extensive discography they’ve collaborated and remixed for the some of the industries greats including Underworld, DEADMAU5, John Digweed, and Innercity with their massive classic Goodlife.
After so many years in the business plus four albums under their belt, the dynamic duo took it upon themselves to push their envelope on LP number five by producing the much acclaimed downtempo album ‘Destination Unknown.’ Boasting flavors of Hip-Hop, Dub, and soul, they managed to top the Beatport chart from more than four months in a genre they have never cut previously.
Both behind the decks and in the studio they’ve proved that their momentum is continuously rising. They’ve had a year playing the world’s most famous venues and celebrated a #1 in both the overall and Techno genres on Beatport with their smash hit ‘Growler.’
Pig & Dan also released the album ‘Modular Baptism’ on their label Elevate. Hailed as an accurate reference to their unique sonic diversity, it shot straight to #1 on the Beatport release charts.
They released their ‘Mexico’ EP on Adam Beyer’s Drumcode which celebrated yet again top ten hits. They also had the honor of compiling and mixing the final Space Ibiza compilation CD alongside Carl Cox. Their latest collaboration with Techno Queen Monika Kruse on her own imprint Terminal M smashed up the Beatport charts once again.
Currently the dynamic duo is once again celebrating top ten on Beatport with their remix of Kollektiv Turmstrasse’s hit track ‘Sorry I’m late.’ This latest remix has gained massive support from industry leaders such as Solomun and Maceo Plex.
The future is blinding with upcoming collaborations ready for release with artists Adam Beyer, Harvey Mckay, ANNA, and Stephan Hinz. Their track, ‘La Bruja,’ was featured on Drumcode’s prolific A-Sides compilation.
Russian Techno DJ Producer Boris, born Boris Inzhin was born in St. Petersburg, Russia. He became a resident DJ in 2004 learning his craft in the underground clubs of New York. His music has a distinct style. You can hear it in his music: The countless nights of dance floor devastation, the appreciation for the heritage of dance music, the aggressive desire to innovate and do something new. Listen to ‘Foul Beats,’ Boris’s first track for revered techno label SCI+TECH. Add to that ‘In The House” on Suara along with his releases on his label Transmit and his Transmissions podcast that’s aired on 57 stations across 36 countries.
There are overnight sensations, and then there’s Boris. Baptized in the DJ booths of New York City, the Russian native learned the craft of DJ-ing in front of the most demanding crowds in the world. He developed a broad sense of what moves a packed floor in a moment, an hour, or a full night-to-morning extended session. From the early 90s to today, he’s been a resident at every major New York nightclub. The list includes Pacha, Crobar, and Roxy. He received award nominations for his service, Club World Awards, America’s Best DJ. Furthermore, he has earned the adoration of dedicated fans who boldly declare that they ‘Believe in Boris.’ He’s also released several compilations on local label Nervous: Timeless capsules of the sounds of the city.
But New York is just the beginning of the story. Boris has played regularly at clubs all over the globe, from United States hotspots Space Nightclub Miami and NYC to legendary venues like Womb in Japan. With appearances at festivals in Canada, a regular at BPM Mexico he has also brought his particular set of skills to South America, London, Korea, and Ibiza. 2015 has seen Boris debut at the brand new Ibiza Transplant Space Ibiza NY. He’s also willing to spin at lesser-known venues like Off The Hookah in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Now, Boris is parlaying all that international intelligence into new productions that represent a fresh musical direction. New Generation, his aptly named debut EP on Dubfire’s SCI+TECH label, energetic deep techno: One cut of undeniable funk (“Generate”) and one of undeniable filth (“Foul Beats”), each meant to take the night to the next level. Recent releases that have topped the charts are ‘In da houz’ and Be’ released on Coyu’s hot label Suara. Along with ‘Over It’ out on Tool Room and ‘Love Perc’ out on Carl Cox’s label Intec. Expect many more releases from Boris in the upcoming months on monster labels such as Tronic and Alleanza.
Watch for news on tours, residencies, and of course, new music, through the end of 2015 and into 2016 and beyond.
Miami DJ Luis Ponce, aka Lu.Pon was born in Cuba and raised in Miami, Florida. Both inventive and innovative, Lu.Pons music continues to define musical trends.
Luis has spun at Eden Terrace at Nocturnal alongside Richard Vission, Donald Glaude, DJ Dan, Oliver Moldan, and Paolo Mojo.
A resident at Clique Wednesdays at Trade Nightclub Miami, which is one of the most prestigious nightclubs in the Miami Techno scene, Luis has established himself as an integral part of that weekly event. He has spun with some of the top names in techno such as Richie Hawtin, Chris Liebing, Claptone, Green Velvet, Magda, and Josh Wink.
Miami is where my heart is and music is the fuel that moves me
Luis also has a residency at Sankeys, Ibiza, the mecca of electronic music and is rapidly becoming known on the White Isle not only as a deejay but as a producer as well.
With new productions on the way and working with labels such as Infamous, Tres14, Innocent Music and Bilingual Recordings to name a few, Lu.Pon keeps setting tones and inventing new sounds for the world of electronic music and its fans.
Belgian Techno Prodigy Amelie Lens was born May 31, 1990, in Antwerp, Belgium. Antwerp is known for having the second largest port in Europe as well as being the center of trade and culture. Antwerp is also the second most multicultural city boasting 170 different nationalities. In time, we shall see if Antwerp will also be known for being home to one of the greatest techno DJ Producers of all time.
I found a quote from Amelie on her Facebook page which demonstrates her positive mindset and what motivates her to work hard;
“When people try to bring me down it gives me energy to work even harder, focus even more and feel extra happy about what is going on in my life right now. Life is too short to feel sad or angry, to bother about what other people think of you. I just wanted to share this little something with you today, don’t let anyone bring you down!”
And work hard she does. By the end of October 2017, Amelie will have performed seventeen times in thirty-one days.
Amelie Lens released her debut EP in February 2016, under Lyase Recordings. The title track, ‘Exhale,’ is a sick hypnotic techno masterpiece. The combination of the whispering sultry vocals, percussion, and bass ensnare the mind but leave the listener wanting more and unable or unwilling to escape.
Amelie’s career since ‘Exhale’ has skyrocketed. Her talent set off the radar of Berlin duo Pan-Pot (Tassilo Ippenberger & Thomas Benedix). They contacted Amelie and asked her to join their label, Second State. The Second State artists share a familial love for each other and each other’s work, which should make for the perfect environment for her to reach critical mass.
Amelie continued on her techno journey by maintaining a blistering touring schedule that included not only nightclubs throughout Europe, but many festivals as well, including;
Amelie’s successes include her ‘Exhale’ party at Labyrinth Club in Hasselt, Belgium. Named after her debut single; ‘Exhale’ exemplifies the beauty of techno. ‘Exhale’ showcases established artists but also gives up and coming artists a fantastic chance to display their talent.
Another great piece from Amelie I had to include is ‘In Silence’ released on Drumcode A-Sides Volume 6, the first track, Aug 28, 2017.