Six Emerging Artists On Our Radar: July 2023

Check out the On Our Radar Beatport Chart to find tracks from the artists below, along with additional tunes that have caught our attention this month.

Saffron Stone got a taste for DJing as a kid thanks to her dad’s extensive vinyl collection. A couple of decades later, and the London-born DJ and producer is making waves the world over with her unique blend of vocal-heavy house music. She’s a regular at Cuckoo Land, Ibiza Rocks and Area 10 in Ibiza and has played London’s Egg, Ministry of Sound and Amsterdam’s Trippy Weekender this summer. She began her production journey in 2019 with her Starstruck EP on Solotoko, and steadily built a name for herself as a deft, hard-hitting house producer. In 2021 she contributed to the He’s All That soundtrack and her 2022 track “Better Me” with Lily Mckenzie didn’t leave sound systems all summer. Now she’s teamed up with Miss Dre to release “All The Way” on Spinnin’ Records, which is well on it’s way to becoming this summer’s house classic.

There’s a rising star coming out of Amman, Jordan and his name is Toumba. Real name Yazan Zyadat, the artist began his production journey in 2019 after he heard TSVI’s track “Hossam” at a house party, which inspired him to make his own life-affirming music. Fast forward four years and he’s just released an EP on the very label that inspired him in the first place. Janoob (which means “south” in Arabic) came out on June 2nd on Nervous Horizon, and champions the UK-leaning bass-heavy sound Toumba’s become known for. Influenced by the soundscapes of his motherland, the six tracks on Janoob blend traditional music with futuristic drum patterns and drony synths to create a unique signature sound. With a recent appearance on Dekmantal’s podcast and a rave review from Resident Advisor, there’s no doubt 2023 has Toumba’s name on it.

Back in May, Bristol-based DJ and producer [IVY] dropped her single “Close To Me” on RCA Records. It’s a playful blend of of DnB, house, hardcore and 4×4, perfect for those sweaty peak-time moments. The release follows a big couple of years for the artist. She was namesake of UKF’s “Ones to Watch” in 2021, and her DJ skills got noticed by DJ Hybrid, Charlie Tee and Sarah Story. In 2023 she started a new chapter as a producer, and was awarded a prestigious mentorship scheme from Hospital Records. Soon after she was named one of BBC Radio 1’s “Essential Artists for 2023” and now [IVY] is all set to take on the world, with performances lined up at Warehouse Project, Hospitality on the Beach Croatia, and her remix of Hammer Houses “The Jumper” just being named Charlie Tee’s Drum & Bass drop of the week on BBC.

Since his debut release in 2020, Berlin-based producer, DJ and label-head SOMMA has built a steady body of work, spanning deep house, Afro house, techno and beyond. His latest release, “Body Language” with Maz (BR) and Coach Harrison on Hurry Up Slowly is a summertime afro-house classic, full of eclectic percussion and soaring vocals. The track’s already gained support from major artists, including Keinemusik, Carlita, and DJ Tennis, and recent sets in Berlin, Madrid, Amsterdam, Paris, Ibiza, Mykonos, St. Tropez has won the artist thousands more fans. With over 250 million streams on Spotify and a ten-track album with his LE YORA crew via his Ascension imprint, SOMMA has no plans to slow down. He’s only just getting started.

Fast-rising house and techno sensation Hilit Kolet just unleashed her latest floor filler “POV Siren” on Defected sub-label Faith. The London-based artist has built a hefty following over the years, with a series of catchy releases as energising as her legendary DJ sets. She’s sprinkled her selector fairy dust at venues and events including Printworks, Elrow, Defected Croatia, and Amnesia while her productions are described as “Chicago-influenced, New York-sleazed” – a vibe that translates directly to the dance floor. Her latest release has seen support from Radioslave, Syreeta, Tsha, Gideon and Special Request, and with a wave of international festivals lined up, she’s about to win a lot more fans. For a taste of Hilit’s high-octane sets, listen to her Printworks set here or her Campo Sancho Festival London set here.

If you’re a fan of clean, seamless, relentless techno, then Justus might just be your new favourite producer. Inspired by an Afrojack performance, the young buck got into the game straight after he left high school in 2017. His vision and determination paid off – by 2018 he was touring the world and by 2019 he was signed with Cloud9. His muscular techno productions caught the attention of Armin van Buuren, who asked him to open his 2022 Usuaïa residency. His 2022 release “Speed” got play-outs from Kaskade, Zedd and deadmau5, who went on to sign multiple releases from the artist. Now he’s cementing his name as one of techno’s most promising names with his QuantumEP. With the first single, “Free Love” already causing a stir on dance floors the world over, there are big things in store for Justus.

Learn more about our previous On Our Radar artists from this year:

June 2023: Introspekt, Baalti, Rakans, BIIANCO, Supreems, JSPORT

May 2023: Tigerhead, Le Motel, Packed Rich, In2Stellar, Paurro, Yubik

April 2023: Azzecca, GHSTGHSTGHST, Tony Y Not, E-Unity, Willo, &friends

March 2023: Anna Kost, Sensu, Zaida Zane, Luxe, Mha Iri, Pretty Girl

February 2023: Black Forces, RaeCola, Salome Le Chat, Close Counters, Angel D’Lite, Lawrence Hart

January 2023: Drumskull, Dasco, Calussa, Jenn Getz & Alfie, Eli Fola, Uncle Knows