Beatport Next 2022 - Artist Development Program

Hailing from the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, Iryna Shvydka (aka 8Kays) is quickly becoming one of the melodic house & techno scene's most essential artists. Her passionate and immensely groovy sound can be found on revered labels such as Renaissance Records, Booka Shade's Blaufield Music imprint, Above & Beyonds' Anjunabeats, Eleatics Records, and more.

Specialising in Afro-leaning electronic music built upon a foundation of contemporary deep house and tech, West African native Hubert Sodogandji (aka AMÉMÉ) channels his cultural roots and ancestry into everything he does. The rising Afro House star's music has been released via Watergate Records, the mighty MoBlack Records, and his very own One Tribe label, brand, and global community.

20-year-old Worcestershire-based DJ/producer Emily Nash emerged in 2021 with three exquisite releases on Stress Records and will kick off 2022 with her new single "Garden" on Ministry of Sound. In just one year, despite her newcomer status, Emily managed to rack up gigs across the UK at Creamfields, Leeds Festival, Ministry and Tobacco Dock.

Jaden Thompson lives and breathes UK House. Born in Swindon, the young DJ/producer became a resident at Fabric at just 20 years old, playing alongside legends like Seth Troxler and Annie Mac. Jayden's juicy house bangers have been snapped up by Emerald City Music, Cuttin Headz, Kitsuné Musique, Moscow Records, and more as he continues to build up his freshly minted Midnight Parade label.

Rising Parisian DJ/producer Marina Trench has been making serious headway in clubland with her marvelous and tight house style. In addition to scoring remixes from Kerri Chandler and DJ Deep, Trench's tracks have been picked up by labels like Deeply Rooted, Nowadays Records, Wolf Music Recordings, and Dam Swindle's Heist Recordings.

Manchester-based artist Nia Archives found the spotlight in 2021 following her Hospital Records single "Move On" and her debut Headz Gone West EP. Heavily influenced by soundsystem culture and carnival, Nia aims to represent her Jamaican roots take up space in the jungle scene as a young Black woman while carving out space for other Black women to see themselves in the genre.

Tennessee-born, Atlanta-based artist Nikki Nair is a master of chopping breaks and has a keen ear for a soulful sample, crafting full-throttle percussive dance music that takes cues from electro, techno, breaks, and Baltimore club. Nikki's sound has landed him on highly regarded record labels including Gobstopper, Pretty Weird, Scuffed Recordings, and Dirtybird.

Born and raised in Tokyo, Risa Taniguchi draws her sonic inspiration from the city's electric atmosphere and unique underground scene. A beloved regular at some of the Japanese capital's best-known clubs like Contact and Vent, the artist's thrumming and acidic strain of techno has caught the attention of labels like Odd Recordings, Second State, Suara, and Cin Cin.