Eight Emerging Artists On Our Radar: September 2024
Welcome back to On Our Radar, Beatportal’s monthly roundup of the DJs and producers we can’t get enough of.
James Bangura
The Heights is the latest chapter in Washington D.C. artist James Bangura’s journey. The EP is the DJ and producer’s debut release on Numbers, and acts as a segue between the artist’s hard-hitting work as co-founder of Black Rave Culture and his productions for house labels Incienso, Haus of Altr, 3024, and Local Action. The Heights aims to elevate stories from the demographic melting pot of D.C., especially from the Columbia Heights neighbourhood, and share the area’s unique sound and style with an international audience. The project spans seven tracks, each one exploring a different aspect of D.C. underground culture, from the 4:4 techno beat of “The District” to the playful, synth-heavy rhythm of “Cosmic Sound.” With his music, James Bangura aims to pave the way for the next generation of artists while documenting his own unique journey.
niina
honestly, does this smell off to you? is the debut album from niina, the all-singing, all-dancing, rapper, producer and songwriter. The multi-talented artist from London has made a noteworthy impact on electronic music in recent years with releases on Anjunadeep, ATRIP, tmwrk records and Future Classic. Now, she’s unleashing a 12-track full-length project packed full of eccentric, bubbly and boundary-smashing indie-dance tracks, drenched in confessional, diaristic lyrics. The album was written, recorded and produced entirely by NiiNA in her bedroom and acts as a celebration of self-acceptance, with lyrics that explore the artist’s struggles with mental health. The aim of the album is to create music that lets people be themselves, and gives the listener permission to sing, dance, laugh and cry.
Fcukers
Fcukers is the NYC duo made up of Shanny Wise on vocals and Jackson Walker Lewis on bass, keys and production. The trio has become legendary in NYC’s underground for their messy, sleazy electronica and chaotic live shows. With Wise’s pitched-down, low-fi vocals and catchy lyrics, the crew quickly caught the attention of Beck, Dom Dolla, Julian Casablancas and bagged a recent cover of NME. Now, they’re releasing their highly anticipated debut EP Baggy$$ on Ninja Tune’s Technicolour imprint. The six-track project spans high-energy, 90’s-inspired dance music demonstrated by the lead-single “Bon Bon” and the deep, grooving “Homie Don’t Shake.” The band is unstoppable; they’ve toured five continents, performed at NYC’s Governors Ball, SXSW Sydney and Tokyo, and with shows usually announced last minute, you better keep your eyes peeled.
Player Dave
Player Dave (AKA Charlie Sahm) is the visionary behind San Diego’s Daisy Chain label and event series, which has now expanded to become a record label too. To kick off proceedings, Player Dave has released “Hush,” the label’s inaugural single with the aim of accelerating the collective’s mission to bring European house and techno to the forefront of American dance culture. They showcase innovative, boundary-pushing electronic music from global tastemakers and rising stars, spanning the sound of UKG, house, breaks, bass, EDM and more. As a solo act, Player Dave releases genre-less electronic music infused with emotion, with productions that explore diverse tempos and styles alongside bold rhythms. Since releasing his debut album Where the Wind Blew Me in 2021, he’s performed with Nikki Nair, Lab Group, Sam Gellaitry, and Potions at venues around the world.
Tommy Holohan
One year on from his debut EP on Steel City Dance Discs, Tommy Holohan returns to the label with his Temple Theatre EP. It comes hot on the heels of the record’s first single “Show Me The Sky” which was used as heavy weaponry across festival sites all over the world this summer. Temple Theatre spans five tracks, each exploring a different facet of the DJ and producer’s artistry. “Make Me Feel” champions high-tempo breaks while “Temple Theatre” is a trance-infused smasher made for moments rooted deep in the dance. Dublin-based Tommy Holohan has been spearheading the rave revival since his early releases in 2018, and today he’s one of Ireland’s finest, progressing the scene with his own label Rave Selekts and performing all around the world from Griessmuehle to Corsica Studios to District 8.
Sole Dosi
Italian-born Sole Dosi was raised on a diet of classical piano and ballet in the beautiful town of Ravenna. But a move to Milan soon shifted her taste to harder sounds, encouraged by mentors and collectives who inspired her love for underground culture. She soon made her way through the techno ranks, first as a DJ and then learning to produce to become the multidisciplinary artist she is today. This September she releases her latest EP Flowers On Fire, five tracks that showcase the evolution of her music over the years from acid house to minimal breaks to ‘70s French punk. She’s the founder of Dropzi Records and a resident at the Tempio Del Futuro Perduto club in Milan. With recent shows at Cocoricò, HÖR and 909 Festival, she’s on a one-woman mission to share her energy with the masses.
Suray Sertin
Montreal’s Suray Sertin likes his beats fast and his bass down low. The Montreal-based artist has been causing cultural tsunamis in Canada and beyond with his high-energy blends of dub, bass, breaks and garage. He throws last minute pop-up parties that people can’t stop talking about., and has already turned some industry heads, with releases on Zeds Dead’s Altered States imprint and playlist features with Higher Ground and Foreign Family Collective. This summer he released “Always” on Deadbeats featuring Ethan Surman on vocals, an ethereal house track that demonstrates his ability to glide across genres. The track followed “Over The Moon” featuring Sabrina Konstas, which sounds equally at home closing out a club night as it does playing across a terrace in Ibiza. Whether he’s behind the decks, in the studio or producing his pop-ups, there’s a buzz around Suray Sertin for a reason.
Thando
Not long ago, NYC house music DJ and producer Thando released his latest single “Want You” on Brooklyn-based Fool's Gold Records. It’s a classic house chunker with a thick bassline and unforgettable melody, and a continuation of the funky, soulful sounds the artist has become known for. Raised on the East Coast with South African heritage, Thando has released music on prestigious labels including Spinnin’ and Selected, with his innovative style leading to collaborations with Duck Sauce and Coco and Breezy. He composed music for a Tiffany & Co. campaign directed by Mario Sorrenti, and his 2023 track “Special” with Mat.Joe caused a major stir across global radio stations including Sirius and Kiss FM. With support from Diplo, Claptone and A-Trak, there’s no doubt Thando is one to watch.
