From: USA

DJ style: “Tech-house/pop.”

Best known for: “ACRAZE 'Do It To It (feat. Cherish)'.”

Favourite tune of 2022: “'Resist' by Max Styler.”

There are anthems and then there are ANTHEMS, and ACRAZE, also known as Charlie Duncker, is responsible for one of those mahoosive tracks that not only crowds fall madly in love with, but also DJs. This year, when the top dogs got behind 'Do It To It (ft. Cherish)', there was only one trajectory, and all ACRAZE could do was watch on in a kind of mesmerised wonder. “It's like my baby and I'll never get tired of playing it,” he tells DJ Mag. 

This summer, while riding a wave of appreciation, he performed over 65 shows in three months, and had personal standout gigs at Ultra Korea and Tomorrowland: “That was my first time living the ultimate tour life. I love being able to travel the world, meet amazing people and share music all at the same time.” Looking ahead, he's started working on new material with industry friends and forging new connections with artists not necessarily from “the EDM genre”. And if that weren't enough, he's in the process of creating his own fashion line.

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

“Tale Of Us at Tomorrowland.”

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

“Tomorrowland.”

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

“10 hours.”

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

“A studio like Deadmau5.”

What’s the last tune you bought? 

“'Take Me High' by Kx5.”

What’s the next big sound? 

“Not sure, but I hope to create it.”