Music Is Unstoppable: Artist Spotlights
Relive our BPXX showcases and meet the artists whose careers exemplify the idea that “Music Is Unstoppable.”
Earlier this year, Beatport announced the launch of BPXX — a year-long celebration filled with events and special programming as we commemorate the company’s 20th anniversary.
Over the past two decades, Beatport has expanded and evolved into an unrivaled leader in the global music scene for DJs and producers, with millions of tracks available for streaming and download, its own proprietary and cutting-edge performance and production technology, and an extended family of strategically acquired music enterprises under its banner.
We kicked off this celebration back in December of 2024 with two massive BPXX Anniversary parties in both London and Los Angeles — featuring performances from a diverse list of talent: SOHMI, Barclay Crenshaw, Kaskade, VNSSA, Archie Hamilton, VTECH, Myles O’Neal, Alan Fitzpatrick, Storm Mollison, Paris Cesvette, Joshwa, Junior Simba, and ALISHA.
Centered around the theme “Music Is Unstoppable,” Beatport will be rolling out 13 artist spotlights on the remarkable acts that performed during our anniversary events, along with live streams of their sets.
First up… SOHMI.
SOHMI
Korean-American DJ, producer, songwriter, and vocalist SOHMI has made a major impression on the global dance music scene since putting out her first original productions in 2019. Her sonic imprint is ethereal, driving, and stunningly synth-soaked, featuring heartfelt vocals and intuitive drum work that culminates in a sound that she has coined “minimal pop tech.” Her musical metamorphosis came after diving headlong into LA’s underground house and techno scene, where she found the direction, courage, and passion to pursue a full-fledged artistic career.
Over the past five years, SOHMI has gone on to play some of the biggest stages clubland has to offer, including The Brooklyn Mirage, Electric Forest, Coachella, and a residency at one of LA’s most influential venues, Sound. She’s released on labels such as OPENERS, Odd One Out, Get Physical, Astralwerks, and more while also whipping up shimmering remix treatments for the likes of Booka Shade, Yotto, Amtrac, and Qrion. She also has her own personal imprint, PERMISSION, which is slated to ramp up further this year with a fresh onslaught of boundary-blurring pop cuts, club edits, and minimal pop tech splendor. Her signature butterfly emblem (which dots the I in her name) is perfectly symbolic of an artist who continues to spread her wings on the dance floor and reach international heights of fandom as she continues in her mission to bridge the gap between pop, techno, and the many beautiful shades of dance music in between.
Learn more about how SOHMI approaches her artistry and finds her inspiration below!
Archie Hamilton
From first obliterating the crowds at Shoreditch’s famed FUSE Sunday sessions in 2013 to now being one of the world’s foremost purveyors of rugged and rolling minimal house and techno, the UK DJ, producer, and label owner Archie Hamilton is thoroughly in a league of his own. Growing up in London with a background in piano, drums and violin, Archie Hamilton used his musical instincts to become an early originator of a new European sound that quickly took hold of dance floors across the globe. With over a decade of studio experience under his belt, Archie’s musical output is a perpetual windfall of deep-seated groove and atmospheric magnificence. His catalouge includes well over 200 tracks, landing on labels such as Dansu Discs, Defected, Cuttin Headz, Crosstown Rebels, Fuse London, his utterly fresh MicroHertz label, and many more.
His presence on the island of Ibiza has become the stuff of legend, delivering unforgettable performances during the summer schedule at highly sought-after parties like Circoloco, Music On, Solid Grooves, and Paradise. He’s closed out Space Terrace at Miami Music Week, threw down an epic eight-hour set at fabric’s room 1, and hit the festival circuit hard with appearances at Sunwaves, Kappa Futur, Creamfields, Awakenings, and beyond (all of this in just 2023 alone). Archie Hamilton’s dance floor prowess is all smiles and instantly recognizable. His enthusiasm, knowledge, and commitment to electronic music culture shine brighter with each passing year.
Learn more about how Archie Hamilton approaches his inspiration, artistry, and performance environment below!
VNSSA
VNSSA’s knack for crafting heat-seeking techno tracks along with prominent tech and bass house rollers has made her a prominent player in the Los Angeles dance music scene. She first landed a coveted and much-deserved seat in the Dirtybird nest back in 2019 while striking up collaborations with the likes of Steve Darko, OMNOM, Jaded, BOT, Chris Lorenzo, and Walker & Royce — who teamed up with her to deliver the dance floor smasher and Beatport #1 single “Word.” Recognizing her immense talent and dedication, Beatport tapped VNSSA to become a member of its debut Beatport Next artist accelerator program back in 2021. Since then, she has released multiple EP’s and singles on labels such as Higher Ground, Insomniac Records, REALM Records, D4 D4NCE, Club Sweat, Three Six Zero, and more.
Learn more about how VNSSA approaches her creative output and performance environment below!
Myles O'Neal
Fashion icon, TV personality, and emerging DJ/producer Myles O'Neal has rapidly worked his way into the global dance music circuit with his ingenious blend of tech house, R&B, hip-hop, and various infectious electronic sounds that have made his name ring out throughout clubland.
Garnering widespread recognition for his Wynn Las Vegas residency and his supporting sets for the likes of SIDEPIECE, James Kennedy, Odd Mob, Sickick, Chantal Jeffries, and his father Shaquille O'Neal (aka DJ Diesel), Myles' focused and driving party-forward sound made its first big splash with his debut single in 2023, "Superficial," which was supported and played out across mainstage festivals all over the US. Myles O’Neal is slated to make his festival debut with two performances at the world-renowned EDC LAS VEGAS this upcoming weekend.
Myles O'Neal has kept the momentum going with the singles "Naked (feat. Stanaj)" on Insomniac Records imprint IN/ROTATION, "Revival (feat. Hadar Adora)” via Tchami’s label Confession, and his latest energetic track for Gold Recs, "All I Need" — created in partnership with D.AWN and 404 in a popular video game that aims to "bridge the gap between music enthusiasts and the gaming community.” Myles recently inked a deal with label Easier Said who he will be partnering with for releases throughout 2024.
Learn more about how Myles O'Neal approaches his inspiration, artistry, and performance environment below!
Paris Cesvette
Hailing from Britian, the enchanting DJ/producer and musician Paris Cesvette is best known for her well-schooled knack for taking dance floor patrons on transformative journeys of club-friendly sounds and scenarios. From an early age, her deep-seated sonic connection to her Jamaican and Cuban roots has allowed Paris to draw from her musically diverse environments to create eclectic blend of genres, where house, soul, funk, and jazz converge to create an immersive sonic experience.
Beyond her DJing chops, Paris Cesvette's studio prowess has landed her on labels such as Quantize Recordings, Groove Odyssey, Dafia Records, Raising Records, and her own MOTH imprint — launched in 2023 and distributed by Beatport's promo/distribution service, ampsuite. No stranger to collaboration, her musical magic shines brightly when she joins forces with fellow artists. Her collaborations have spanned genres and have included esteemed musicians and vocalists, resulting in timeless compositions that resonate deeply with listeners. Paris Cesvette's journey is a testament to her unwavering commitment to the art of sound. With her unique blend of musical talents, she has carved a distinctive path in the world of electronic music, leaving a lasting legacy that will continue to resonate for years to come.
Alan Fitzpatrick
Southampton-born techno legend Alan Fitzpatrick has spent his career carving out a niche in the underground electronic world since the age of 16, working out his technique on turntables before he could legally enter a club. From small house parties and marquees in fields in his youth to headlining Berghain and festivals worldwide, Fitzpatrick is one of the techno's most accomplished artists.
Known for his raw, hard-edged sound, Fitzpatrick is a versatile producer, equally adept at creating techno bangers, disco-infused house anthems, and experimental electronica under his 3STRANGE alias. With hundreds of records under his belt, this year alone, he has dropped tracks on Armada, Filth on Acid, Positiva, Shall Not Fade, HILOMATIK, and more. He is also the head honcho of the pivotal techno label We Are The Brave — an uncompromising outlet that dropped its 100th release this year and champions techno veterans and newcomers alike who share his musical vision.
Storm Mollison
Raised in Florida, the seasoned London-born DJ/producer Storm Mollison has been whipping up a frenzy on dance floors across the globe for the past seven years. Growing up in the USA and being heavily influenced by artists like Pharrell and Nelly Furtado, Mollison thrives in combining the vibrancy of pop with the energy of club music.
Her musical palette spans from UK garage, hip-house, and breakbeat to groovy Chicago house, disco and beyond. In 2023, she released her debut Dirty Dance EP on Hot Haus Recs — filled with catchy vocals, rolling breaks, acidic baselines and a shit ton of attitude. She has torn up stages at Fabric, La Cheetah and Glastonbury and has also become a resident on Rinse FM. Her status as an innovative and distinct producer, as well as being a bomb-ass selector, is being noticed by her peers and audience alike.
Joshwa
Joshwa is not just an emerging talent; he’s a force of nature in the UK House scene. His thrilling sonic journey is characterized by an exceptional streak of releases with key collaborators, supporters and record labels. He is regularly featured on Beatport's Top 100 chart with slamming tunes like his “VIP Business” single with Solardo, his "Mercy" single on Funfair Records, the Bass Go Boom EP on Hot Creations, and his party-starting Beatport #1 with Lee Foss, "My Humps."
In 2024, Joshwa continues to break new ground with the arrival of his No Bad Fridays Records imprint, which recently saw the release of his rock-solid two-tracker, Release The Drums. He's been keeping himself plenty busy this Summer season with gigs at Beyond Wonderland, Day Trip Festival, and plenty of Ibiza gatherings, including forthcoming shows at Elrow and support for Fisher's Hï residency. With each beat, each note, Joshwa continues to redefine the UK sound in house music, crafting a unique sonic experience that’s hard to forget while he flies the flag around the world.
ALISHA
In recent years ALISHA has built a burgeoning reputation in the UK house music scene, originating from Peterborough—a city not commonly associated with house music talent, ALISHA bucks the trend.
ALISHA is meticulous in her approach and this is reflected in the calibre of labels she is signed to which include Kaluki, Eastenderz with her hit EP Visions and arguably her biggest release to date titled Changes on premier tech house imprint Hot Creations, receiving support from across the industry and on heavy rotation at BBC Radio 1. ALISHA's sound is underpinned by sultry deep rumbling low-end basslines, driving grooves and stripped-back percussion. This has seen her playing for Jamie Jones’ Paradise at Amnesia countless times in the past few years, debuts for Music On, Creamfields, Elrow, Warehouse Project and many more.
Recently, ALISHA launched her very own imprint, UNLISH, which was ushered in with the arrival of her groove-laden and aptly EP, The Beginning — a four-track combination of club-ready cuts setting the exact agenda of what's to follow. Having spent the summer of 2024 bringing her toothsome taste to the decks all throughout the clubbing capital of Ibiza, ALISHA is set to firmly stamp her presence on house music for years to come.
Junior Simba
Growing up in Zimbabwe, Junior Simba – the UK-based DJ/producer and member of our Beatport Next Class of 2023 – received his first copy of FL Studio at the tender age of 13. Receiving no help or technical guidance, digging into his first DAW all on his own was an uphill battle, but the flame of his musical magnetism and desire would not be so easily extinguished.
Rising up the northern ranks as a key DJ to watch after cutting his teeth in Leeds’ underground music scene, his discography so far has also gained him strong support from key tastemakers around the globe, which has led him to play alongside the likes of Mall Grab, Hunee, Hot Since 82, Patrick Topping, Adelphi Music Factory, O’Flynn and Mella Dee.
Junior Simba offers what few can, the ability to adapt - switching styles and energies with ease. Following major hits like last year's joint single with KILIMANJARO for Higher Ground, "Channel Z" and his masterfully glitchy tune "Focus," the artist has hit us with two moody and heavenly house bangers this year — "Don't Be Afraid" and "Double XL." He turns the balance of light and dark, human and machine to an artful alchemy. He is on a mission to make his mark as a creative who breaks barriers by allowing his culture to shine through, and by putting Leeds, Black and African artists at the forefront of dance music.
