DJ Snake

From:France

DJ style:Trap.

Best known for:Hit tracks, signature sunglasses.

Parisian powerhouse DJ and producer William Sami Étienne Grigahcine, aka DJ Snake, has had a quieter year than last. 2021 saw him make a tune with pop star Selena Gomez as well as release certified bouncy banger ‘Ring The Alarm’ with fellow French DJ Malaa, and land his electro scorcher ‘Run It’ on a Marvel film soundtrack. He’s been active on the live circuit though, with an unreal set at London’s Printworks in September.

One of a handful of Grigahcine’s 2022 releases, ‘Disco Maghreb’ is a love letter to his Algerian heritage, fusing a reggaeton beat with an Arabic pungi flute melody that noodles around your brain. He also reunited with Malaa for dirty house track ‘Deep’ along with Yung Felix. This month, he tours India before rounding off the year in Philadelphia with Big Gigantic, Flume and others. The Grammy Award-nominated and multiple Billboard-winning artist — arguably best known for ‘Turn Down For What’ (feat. Lil Jon) and his global smash with Major Lazer, ‘Lean On’ (feat. MØ) — may well be gearing up for a meatier 2023.

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Cuebrick

From:Germany

DJ style:“Progressive house.”

Best known for:“‘Squid Game’ with Blasterjaxx.”

Fave tune of 2022:“James Hype ‘Ferrari’.”

Rising star DJ/producer of 2022:“Marten Horger.”

What’s the best DJ set you’ve seen this year?“Tale Of Us, Afterlife show at the Brooklyn Mirage.”

After finishing just outside of the Top 100 in 2021, this year German DJ and producer Cuebrick breaks in for the first time this year. He now sits at the top table of global dance music after standout shows everywhere from Los Angeles to San Francisco, Singapore to Bangkok.

While releasing big tunes on labels like Spinnin Records, Armada and Ultra Music, he also works as a radio-host on bigFM’s nitroX show, which is the biggest radio platform for electronic music in Germany.

This year he has worked on a new sound which he says “can best be described as a fusion of different elements from genres such as techno, hard techno, and trance. Hard techno kicks are the foundation, with classic trance synthesizers.” It’s a sound that has seemingly connected with fans, who will be pleased to learn Cuebrick has signed a deal meaning “Smash the House will be the main home for my music for at least the next two years.”

Name one great festival you played for the first time this year…

“Hypercat Festival at Noa Beach Club.”

What’s the longest DJ set you’ve