From: Germany

DJ style: “High-tech minimal.”

Best known for: “The Joker.”

Fave tune of 2021: “‘I Want You’ by Boris Brejcha.”

Rising star DJ/producer of 2021: “Moritz Hofbauer.”

With his trademark Joker mask inspired by the Brazilian Carnival and self-styled “high-tech minimal” sound, Boris Brejcha is one of the most standalone artists in the Top 100 DJs, if also a newer addition (he first ranked in 2019). This year has seen some big releases from the German, like the hypnotic ‘I Want You’ with Ginger, an eerie ‘Bumblebee’, and recent funked-up, electro-licked number ‘In The Shadows’. But Brejcha’s biggest track of the year was undoubtedly ‘Up Down Jumper’. With its relentless groove, chugging bassline, filter sweeps and bouncy hook, the track marked Brejcha’s first release on his own Fcking Serious label in four years — following a spell at Ultra Music — and became a chart-topping hit. “I'm a full-blooded producer, so my highlight is always the time I get to spend in the studio,” says Brejcha. With such a busy tour schedule, he admits that time is “currently very scarce”, but life on the road also provides other high points, such as “a gig this year that was very unusual. In a snowy area. It was super cold, but it was a lot of fun.”

What’s the best DJ set you’ve seen this year?

“DJ Tennis at Tomorrowland (Core Stage).”

Name one great festival you played for the first time this year…

“ARC Festival, Chicago.”

What’s the longest DJ set you’ve ever played?

“Eight hours in Portugal.”

What’s one piece of studio hardware you wish you owned?

“None. I have always produced only with software.”

What’s the last tune you bought?

“‘The World of Hans Zimmer - A Symphonic Celebration (Live)’.”

What’s the next big sound?

“My next single ‘Timelapse’, which will be out soon.”