At the end of every year, we ask our team a simple question: who’s next?
Who’s about to break out, dominate festival lineups, and soundtrack the year ahead?
Since launching our Rising Stars series in 2024, our track record has spoken for itself. Early picks like Lumasi, CONTRA, and Ghost In Real Life didn’t just rise, they took off. For 2026, our team pulled together 15 artists across multiple genres who we believe are going to the moon. If you’re looking for new music, new energy, and names you’ll soon see everywhere—start here.
TINYKVT
Genre – Dubstep / Downtempo
Dark, cinematic bass meets haunting vocals. Since 2020, TINYKVT has been carving out a sound that’s as emotional as it is heavy. With releases on Hypnovizion, Deadbeats, and Dim Mak, plus art car appearances at EDC Las Vegas, Lost Lands, Burning Man, and Das Energi, she’s already living where most artists are still dreaming. Supporting Rezz, touring with Grabbitz and YDG, and collaborating with Level Up, Jeanie, and Slumberjack, her momentum is undeniable. If you haven’t heard her track “CVNTSTEP” yet, throw it on immediately.
Dead X
Genre – Rawstyle
Rawstyle is exploding in the US, and Dead X, “The All American Boy,” is at the center of it. Since 2021, he’s racked up releases on Basscon, Barong Family, and Theracords Labs, while tearing up stages at Wasteland, Beyond Wonderland, and EDC Las Vegas. With support slots for legends like Da Tweekaz, Rob Gee, and D-Sturb, Dead X is proving he belongs. Catch him pushing things even harder when he joins Lil Texas on tour in early 2026.
Rich DietZ
Genre – Tech House / Bass House
New Jersey’s Rich DietZ brings groove-first house music that refuses to sit still. Since 2019, they’ve landed releases on Musical Freedom, Confession, Hood Politics, and Dim Mak, earning spins from some of the biggest tastemakers in the scene. Festival appearances at North Coast and Breakaway in 2025 cemented their rise. Catch them for a must-see B2B with Polar Bears in Flagstaff on January 31st.
Monic
Genre – Progressive House
Monic’s sound is pure mainstage energy—big melodies, driving drops, and nonstop momentum. After going all-in on music in 2024, she quickly found homes on Revealed Recordings and Protocol Recordings, while supporting Morten, TJR, Kaivon, and Audien. Everything about her trajectory screams global stages. Get ahead of the curve by checking out her Insomniac Night Owl Radio guest mix.
Gardella
Genre – Dubstep / Riddim
Gardella’s sound sits perfectly at the crossroads of experimental bass and full-on chaos. Since 2021, he’s dropped collaborations with Zingara, Wreckno, and Ravenscoon, plus had releases on Circus, Morflo, Wakaan, and Rude Service. Festival appearances at Elements, Wakaan Music Festival, Illfest, and Home Bass have only fueled his rise. Next stop: Forbidden Kingdom this April.
CUTDWN
Genre – Hard Techno
CUTDWN’s story is a masterclass in commitment. After years of managing hard dance acts, he dove into Ableton in 2023 and never looked back. With releases on Audiorotica, Basscon, and Group Chat, plus openings for Sara Landry and Dual Damage, he’s quickly become a name to watch. Add in an art car set at EDC Las Vegas, Wasteland, and his work running Carnage Merchandise Records and Hard Haven Management, and it’s clear CUTDWN is building something bigger than just tracks.
Rhiannon Roze
Genre – Bass House / UKG
Standing out in LA isn’t easy, but Rhiannon Roze has done exactly that. Producing since 2017 and hitting her stride in 2025, she’s landed releases on Night Bass, Space Yacht, Hood Politics, Dim Mak, Bite This!, and Circus Records. She’s collaborated with Matroda, MPH, and 2025 Rising Star Fantom Freq. Her blend of bass house and UKG is tailor-made for sweaty dancefloors in both the US and abroad, with appearances at Red Rocks and Amsterdam Dance Event.
Juush
Genre – House / Bass House
Juush has quietly become one of LA’s most exciting rising house names. Since 2023, he’s released on Heldeep and Box of Cats, collaborated with Black V Neck, Kelland, and Know Good, and earned a guest mix spot on Diplo’s Revolution Radio. His set at the Dim Mak Afloat pool party in Palm Springs turned plenty of heads, and he’s only getting started.
Kliptic
Genre – Dubstep / Riddim
From Maryland to massive stages, Kliptic’s rise has been relentless. Since 2020, he’s released on Subsidia, Bassrush, and Rude Service, with collabs alongside Layz, Drinkurwater, and Vastive. Early support from Excision helped land him at Bass Canyon and Lost Lands, plus EDC Orlando. Want proof the hype is real? Catch him headlining Larimer Lounge in Denver on January 8th.
Ward Andrews
Genre – Progressive House
Ward Andrews is proof that it’s never too late to chase the dream. Starting his DJ/producer journey at 50, he’s already played art cars at EDC Las Vegas and Burning Man, released music since 2024, and launched his own Insomniac Radio show, Creation Park. His story and sound are both inspiring and impossible not to root for.
Skellytn
Genre – Drum & Bass
As drum & bass finally claims its place in the US spotlight, Skellytn is leading the charge. Since 2021, she’s released on Bassrush, Deadbeats, Dim Mak, Mau5trap, Space Yacht, and Play Me, while appearing at Escape, Nocturnal Wonderland, Apocalypse Zombieland, Bass Canyon, and Lost Lands. She’s opened for Subtronics on tour and dropped a Club Studio Time session. With all of this already under her cyberpunk belt, Skellytn’s rise feels unstoppable.
Hexxa
Genre – Dubstep / Riddim
Dubstep meets drag, and the result is pure chaos, in the best way. Known as the “Dubstep Drag Queen,” Hexxa delivers punishing riddim in thigh-high boots and full glam. Since starting to release music in 2023, she’s landed on Subsidia, Bassrush, Kannibalen, and GRL GNG, while tearing through festivals like Lost Lands, Breakaway, North Coast, and Dancefestopia. Catch her unleashing it all at Forbidden Kingdom this spring.
Skydisc
Genre – Drum & Bass
Dallas-based Skydisc is another key player in the new wave of American D&B. Since debuting in 2024, he’s already released on Bassrush, played Deadbeats Jamboree and Lights All Night, and supported Delta Heavy and Nero. His Mothership Radio mix and Launch Pad interview are essential listening.
Casska
Genre – Hard Techno
Casska has been steadily leveling up the hard techno underground since 2021. With releases on Audiorotica and Group Chat, plus appearances at Hard Summer after parties, Wasteland, and Escape, she’s become a fixture in the scene. She frequently plays alongside 2025 Rising Star Clawz. If you want to catch one of her sets, she’ll be providing direct support for DION in LA on January 23rd.
Formula None
Genre – Psytrance
Denver’s Formula None is pushing US psytrance forward with precision and power. Since 2019, he’s appeared at Global Dance Festival and Decadence, and most recently played the Dreamstate after party. He’s opened for psytrance heavyweights Blastoyz and Infected Mushroom. With multiple releases on Iboga Records, one of psytrance’s most respected labels, Formula None is dialing in a sound built for late nights and massive journeys.
