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DJ Mag Top100 DJs
84
Carnage
4

From: Central America
DJ style: “Lit.”
Known for: “Being the iciest DJ in the world.”
What’s the next new big track? “Skellism 'In The Pit’.”
Breakthrough DJ/producer of 2016: “ASOC Boyz.”

The Carnage remix of Hardwell 'Spaceman' in 2012 not only ushered in a new dawn for the DJ (also known to the taxman as Diamante Blackmon) as his profile rocketed, it signalled a crossover moment in EDM as a whole. No longer was the hip-hop-inflected sound of trap a world apart from that of big-room club noise.

Since, trap/EDM has become a staple of mainstream clubland (across the States and beyond) and this guy, Carnage, has been at the heart of it. Last November saw him release his debut album ('Papi Gordo' on Ultra) on which he collaborated with everyone from hip-hop star Rick Ross to an underground Nordic techno name like Tomas Barfod, as well as Top 100 talent like KSHMR — it reached the top spot of the US Dance/Electronic Chart. He’s also developed his own festival RARE and dropped ‘Psy or Die’ onto Spinnin’ this summer, which is a banging trance collaboration with Timmy Trumpet.

And it’s not only musical dots that he's been joining. With dates all over South America, the States, Europe and the Far East in 2016, he's wreaking Carnage all over the place! 

What have been the new frontiers for you this year?
“Developing my festival RARE. We have done three events so far with 30,000 tickets sold in total. Including Flux Pavilion, Yellow Claw, KSHMR, Young Thug and Mac Miller. Look out for RARE in some new markets in 2017.”

As a fan, what’s the top price you would pay to see yourself DJ?
“My first born child.”

Is electronic music taken seriously enough as an art-form?
“Yes, I think it is taken seriously, but some of the DJs are not.”

What can be done to prevent drug-related deaths at dance music events?
“Spreading awareness.”

How can we increase diversity in dance music?
“Book more people like me!”

WORDS: ADAM SAVILLE