Avant-garde

J Dilla changed music with his unique production style and wonky beat patterns. Ahead of an expansive new book on his life and art, Marke Bieschke talks to author Dan Charnas about the enigmatic artist’s impact 

Aluna Francis’s life has been one of discovery — of uncovering truths about herself, about society, and about the fundamental ways in which the dance music industry fails people. The Wales-born, LA-based music maker, formerly of AlunaGeorge and now working as a solo artist, tells Bruce Tantum how she’s putting the knowledge she’s gained into practice via the new Noir Fever festival

On 1996's ‘Let No-One Live Rent Free In Your Head’, Scottish singer, songwriter and producer Nicolette worked alongside 4Hero’s Dego, Plaid, Alec Empire and Felix to create an album that mixed jungle, trip-hop, industrial techno and avant-pop into a singular work full of sharp, incisive lyricism. Ben Cardew explores the legacy of the album, and its vision for the future of electronic music

When news broke about SOPHIE's tragic passing in January 2021, the music world was stunned. A visionary artist who released on Hutleys + Palmers, Numbers and PC Music, and worked with stars such as Charli XCX and Madonna, at 34, it felt like SOPHIE was just getting started. Anna Cafolla, who wrote DJ Mag’s cover story on SOPHIE in July 2019, pays tribute to the unique artist’s authenticity and artifice