Rave Republic

From:Formed in Singapore

DJ style:“EDM / hard / open format.”

Best known for:“High-energy sets that surprise the audience and create lasting memories.”

Rave Republic are Mathias and Stas, a Swiss and Australian DJ duo based in Singapore that this year went about weaving their crossover sounds, along with Austrian friends Darius and Finlay, into ‘Blackbeard’ (featuring Simon Erics). “It’s a pirate-themed song,” they begin to explain. “We’ve had some really fun collabs this past year, as well as releases on amazing labels that have been very supporting of our music.” The swashbuckling bouncer came out on Maxximize Records under the wing of big chief daddios Spinnin’. Those other notches to their belts include working with Timmy Trumpet, Christina Novelli, Justin Prime and Twista.

This year the pair have a focus that’s seen them joyfully working on refining and honing their musical style, one that’s seen them enter the Top 100 DJs poll for the sixth year on the trot. “Evolving our sound to one that would work globally and making sure that music is fun above all else,” is their explanation for time spent in 2023 aside from their touring duties.

Hero of 2023:“Elon Musk.”

Fave tune of 2023:“Fred again.. ‘Jungle’.”

Best DJ set you’ve seen in 2023:“W&W at Galame, China.”

What was the most exciting tech development of 2023?“Recently saw Laidback Luke’s video about Algoriddim’s so

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Le Shuuk

From: Stuttgart, Germany

DJ style:“Hard dance / electro / hardstyle / techno / EDM.”

Best known for: “The tracks ‘Sandmann’, ‘Toast Hawaii’ and ‘Konje’, as well as being a resident and face of WORLD CLUB DOME Festival.”

A mainstay of the electronic scene for almost 20 years now, Stuttgart native Le Shuuk is no stranger to the rigours of touring. In the last 12 months, he decided to overhaul his lifestyle, committing to exercising regularly and abstaining from drinking during his shows. As a result, the DJ and producer, who is a favourite of the German festival circuit, says that he is having more fun on stage than ever. He credits these changes with allowing him to connect on a deeper level with his audiences, as well as redefine his career goals and look with renewed focus to the future.

The new healthy habits clearly agree with him. As well as recently performing at festivals and clubs across Europe, and holding his own Le Shuuk & Friends parties in his home city, he continues to build on the momentum of tracks like 2020’s peak-rave, German language tune ‘Sandmann’ and 2021’s hypnotic ‘Goodbye’ (featuring Xillions). This year he had another star turn with the explosive ‘Konje’, a collaboration with B-Stylezz that combined modern techno and EDM with the traditional elements of Bulgarian folk songs, with the track receiving big support from the likes of Armin van Buuren, Amelie Lens, and Joyhauser.