Claptone

From:“Another universe.”

DJ style:“House.”

Best known for:“The Masquerade parties in Ibiza and beyond.”

Although his true identity has remained a secret throughout his illustrious career, Claptone’s music is as instantly recognisable as his golden mask. Releasing music for over a decade, it was early hits such as ‘Cream’ that skyrocketed him to fame. Of late, his Masquerade parties have found a home in some of the world’s most respected clubs, including a residency at Amnesia in Ibiza this summer inviting the likes of Roger Sanchez, Solardo, Paul Woolford, Lee Foss and Purple Disco Machine to play alongside him. His label Golden Recordings was launched last year as a platform to release his own music and act as a springboard to support new and emerging talent. This year alone saw releases by Lars Moston & Kristofson, Kideko, Crusy and his single ‘Come With Me’ in March. It’s been a non-stop 12 months for Claptone, including “travelling the world and watching hundreds of thousands of dancers and starting preparation for my next album”, he reveals. It will be his fourth studio album, following ‘Closer’, ‘Fantast’ and his debut ‘Charmer’, that all previously came on London-based label Different. In October and November, The Masquerade will also embark on a South American tour to Lima (Peru), Argentina and Chile. The mystique of Claptone continues.

Fave tune of 2024?

“Crusy ‘Feels Like Summer’.”

Rising star DJ/producer of 2024?

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MEDUZA

From:Italy

DJ style:“Melodic house / house.”

Best known for:“‘Piece Of Your Heart’, ‘Lose Control’, ‘Paradise’ and some other songs.”

Luca Gregorio, Mattia Vitale, and Simone Giani form MEDUZA. The trio’s pop-tinged house music tracks have gained them a devoted fan base worldwide, surmounted countless listens across all the streaming platforms, made daytime radio and stormed official chart positions across the globe. With effortlessly catchy vocals by the likes of Becky Hill, Goodboys and Dermot Kennedy, their productions delve into the worlds of pop and dance in equal measure. Their debut single ‘Piece Of Your Heart’ was released in 2019: an instant hit that shot them to fame, they’ve been unstoppable ever since. Their first release of this year was the single ‘Dola re Dola’, featuring Varun Jain and was a tribute to the Bollywood film Devdas. ‘Money (Can’t Save Us)’ featuring NY-born artist Alec Monopoly soon followed, and most recently for MEDUZA’s latest single ‘Another World’ they teamed up with British singer and songwriter HAYLA. In the live sphere, it’s often Vitale that takes the stage behind the decks, with sets designed for the peak time with plenty of snare rolls, euphoric breakdowns, trance basslines and the occasional sound of 303 acid.

Fave tune of 2024?“Âme ‘Asa’.”

Rising star DJ/producer of 2024?“Notre Dame.”

Could DJs do more to ensure that producers are fairly pa