We’re just days away from Miami’s infamous iii Points Festival. Since its debut in 2013, it’s won praise for its musical diversity, cultural art collaborations, and eye-popping art installations. iii Points offers a wide range of musical acts from hip-hop, pop, mainstream/ rock, and dance. Here are picks for the top house and techno artists to catch while you're in Miami.







Jamie xx

A forward-thinking beatmaker and producer helped shape the sound of the late 2000s and beyond with his English indie group the xx. As a solo artist, he tempered the restraint of his other work with his reverence for dance music's power to move bodies and hearts. His artful blend of kinetic and atmospheric is equally innovative and evocative.




Nicola Cruz

Latin American DJ and producer has always been captivating. His creative process involves a careful curation of life, nature, and sound to form a unique vibey rhythm that speaks to his roots. Intertwining the siku into his melodies, a wind instrument of Andean origin, is highly symbolic in ancestral rituals. Cruz continues to expand his vision towards new stories and other cultures as sources of inspiration. 







Black Coffee 

The South African DJ and producer built his career gradually over nearly two decades crafting a unique jungle house signature sound inspired by his cultural heritage and a love of house music. On the decks, he’s a perfectionist and delivers a euphoric performance each time he steps on stage. In 2010, he attained the Guinness World Record for longest-ever DJ set with a non-stop 60-hour set. As a producer, he’s collaborated with a wide range of artists including Usher, Diplo, Elderbrook, and David Guetta. He’s led the charge for an influx of talented artists from Africa and is arguably the continent's largest dance music export.










Peggy Gou

Hailing from South Korea, DJ and producer one of the leading ladies in house and techno. Gou became internationally renowned for her energetic sets and acclaimed tracks such as “It Makes You Forget (Itgehane),” “Starry Nigh”, and “I Go.” Her vibrant, joyous productions echo vintage deep house and post-disco without sounding like throwbacks.




Maceo Plex

A legend in the techno scene, Eric Estornel has produced and performed under numerous aliases like Maetrik and Mariel Ito. It’s under his Maceo Plex moniker that he is most well known for. The Miami-based DJ and producer played at countless iconic festivals and released a slew of records, singles, projects, and is the owner of Ellum Audio. His sound is dramatic and elegant, an aesthetic you can hear on the ambitious “Solar,” named after his son. He’s adept at mixing dark, more sci-fi-influenced tones with moving melodies. A true master of the craft who always performs with quality.




Patrick Topping

Hailing from England, the savvy DJ and producer has contributed a constant flow of positivity to the music scene he loves so dearly. He’s known for vibrant tech-house tracks such as “Be Sharp Say Nowt,” “Forget,” “Rocket Fuel,” and the infamous collab with Green Velvet “Voicemail.” Equally talented as a DJ, Patrick has attained international status as a headline act. His illustrious discography, blossoming label TRICK, and affiliation with party brands such as elrow prove he is at the top of his game. As he continues to inject his energy into refining his craft and building his crew of talented acts, Patrick is entering a new level of artistry.




Cristoph 

Inspired by the progressive sounds of musical legends like Sasha and Digweed, Christoph has developed his take on melodic house that’s as emotional as it is dance floor ready. He mastered his craft on vinyl and then developed a sound that gained the notice of Eric Prydz. In the last few years tracks like “Sleepless Nights,” “Out of Reach,” and “Breathe” with Camelphat have catapulted him to the top of the charts. He continues to release more music along with his radio show Consequence of Society. 




Michael Bibi

A certified icon of the underground scene, the English producer has crafted countless killer tracks. His raw passion for music began at a young age. Bibi has carved out and established a distinct signature sound translating into support from some of the industry’s biggest names. He’s also got a signature haircut that’s often imitated, but never quite duplicated. Bibi's unique production style and off-the-wall vocals are the keys to his success. 




Fjaak 

The German duo is known for their driving, energetic tracks ranging from house to storming warehouse techno. They are also known to toss in an occasional U.K. garage, dub, or breakbeat hardcore tune for good measure. The weed-loving duo consists of Felix Wagner and Aaron Röbig, who commonly perform in dark dungeonous settings, so iii Points will be a unique opportunity to experience a slice of rave in the sunshine. Filled with grit and sensuality, their tracks are all composed entirely on analog equipment. 







Danny Daze 

The Miami native is known for mixing classic electro, Detroit techno, and funk with glistening 80s-90s vibes. Daniel Gomez makes raw and authentic tracks supported by many of the other pristine techno artists who will also be playing at the festival. His radical approach to preserving music’s integrity while breaking its boundaries may seem volatile, but it’s not random. 






Get Familiar With the House and Techno Artists of iii Points Festival

Hispanic artists have played a prominent role in dance music since its inception. Their contributions to the culture can’t be understated. Dance music history is synonymous with the rise of Latinx producers in mainstream music. And as music has evolved, those artists have continued to be the backbone of the culture growing into global superstars.

 Hispanic DJs played a vital role in developing dance, hip hop, and pop acts. People like DJ Charlie Chase paved the way for the DJs of today. He was a member of the Bronx hip hop crew The Furious Five. Led by legendary DJ Grandmaster Flash, they were architects of the hip hop movement in the late 70s and early 80s.

David Morales, the DJ turned super-producer, helped change the face of remix culture with his multiple credits for Mariah Carrey. His work on "Fantasy" earned him a GRAMMY. He was one of the first producers to work in parallel with an artist on a remix, completely reworking their music. Before Morales, it was unheard of to have the remixer in the studio with the original artist.

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, we'd like to shine a light on the icons who continue to influence house and techno.

 

Louie Vega 

Bronx-born Luis Ferdinand Vega Jr. was born into a musical family. His dad was a jazz saxophonist, and his uncle was a singer in a salsa band. “Little” Louie started DJing at 13, and over three decades changed the face of dance music countless times. He held residencies at New York institutions like the Sound Factory and Studio 54. Vega was also one-half of three-time Grammy-award-winning duo Masters At Work with Kenny Dope. They became sought-after remixers when dance music was still in its infancy and worked with Michael Jackson, Donna Summer, Earth Wind & Fire, and Madonna. He continues to etch his mark on global dance music culture today. His 2020 release, “Let It Go,” is the perfect example of the Nuyorican Soul sound he established with Kenny Dope in the mid-90s. A masterful blend of classic soul, Latin sensibilities, and house music.

 

 

Oscar G 

Award-winning DJ and producer Oscar G’s sonic footprint has endured for over three decades. The Cuban-American artist kicked off his career as one-half of the group Liberty City. Tracks like "Some Lovin,'" and Interceptor's, "Together," on their label Murk quickly found their way into the sets of Danny Tenaglia and Junior Vasquez. The four-time ASCAP songwriting award winner has officially remixed pop icons like Madonna and Jennifer Lopez. He continues to educate dance floors on the intersection of Latin American music and dance with residencies at Space Miami and Pacha, where he regularly transports dancers on 12-hour marathon journeys. 

 

Rebolledo 

Mexican-born, multimedium artist Rebolledo is noted as a forward-thinking artist and self-described Experience Creator. His creativity expands beyond his bass-forward psychedelic beats. As one of the creative minds behind the Burning Man art car, the Mayan Warrior, he exhibits how music, visual art, and cross-continental collaboration coalesces in one epic ode to movement and sound. He also brings a unique slant on music as part of Pachanga Boys with German producer Superpitcher. Their lilting tribal beats are the perfect engine for sunrises over the Playa. In 2014, FORBES Magazine named him one of 50 Mexican creatives with the most worldwide influence.   

 The Martinez Brothers 

The Martinez Brothers were born for a life of performance. Their father instilled a love for a diverse set of influences early on. He put Steven and Chris in church bands and encouraged them to collaborate with older musicians. Growing up inspired by house, disco, salsa, and soul, their musical selection is always ahead of the curve and versatile. They were noticed early on by New York legend Dennis Ferrer, who became a mentor and signed them to his label Objektivity. In 2011 they began their decade-long residency at DC-10 in Ibiza. They have become fashion icons, producing music for Givenchy and starting their own line with Seth Troxler, Tuskegee. In 2014 they did percussion for the Nile Rodgers album, It’s About Time. They were the only artists not associated with Rodgers band Chic invited to contribute.

 

Luciano

Luciano was born in Switzerland but moved to Chile when his parents divorced at age 11. He carved the path for dance music to flourish in Chile. When Luciano began DJing in the late 90s at 16 years old, rock music was the sound of the clubs. He worked tirelessly to legitimatize techno in Santiago. In 1999 he moved to Europe, just after he DJed for Chile’s installment of Love Parade, proving his years of hard work paid off. His work is heavily influenced by his Hispanic heritage. He incorporates the rhythmic sensibilities of traditional Chilean music into his music, be it minimal techno or tech house. 

 

DJ Sneak

Dj Sneak may be a polarizing figure in house music, but the Puerto Rican artists’ contributions to the culture are clear. Sneak was one of the many Chicago legends who worked the counter at Gramophone Records. He met Cajmere—aka Green Velvet— while working there. He helped launch his career as part of the second wave of house music makers in the Windy City. Sneak has released over 10 albums since 1996. He was name-checked on Daft Punk’s 1997 record, “Teachers.” And went on to write the lyrics for their 1997 release, “Digital Love.” His rapid-fire mixing skills continue to make him a crowd favorite around the world. His infamous I’m A House Gangster brand is all about bringing house music back to its roots and drawing the focus away from the sounds of commercial dance music.

 Ricardo Villalobos

Ricardo Villalobos is a Chilean-born DJ and producer who came up in the early 90s in Germany. While he never envisioned himself as a musician, he eventually forged a path that saw him travel the world studying percussion, a skill he applied to his expansive music. Known for his winding compositions, his gorgeously minimal tracks stretch and swell, incorporating influences of his home country and organic worldly soundscapes. His 2006 single “Fizheuer Zieheuer,” is a 37-minute long epic based on a horn sample from a Roma folk song “Pobjednički Čoček" by Serbian group Blehorkestar Bakija Bakić. It’s evidence that Villalobos is one of the few in dance music to push the envelope. Renowned for melting the dancefloor into a mass of liquid minimal bliss, he was selected as Resident Advisor’s top DJ of the year in both 2008 and 2010.

 

 Hernan Cayetano 

The Colombian-born DJ founded BAUM nightclub in Bogota. Before it closed its doors in 2020, it was Bogota's premiere spot for house and techno. Built in an old home that sat abandoned at the center of the capital city, Cayetano envisioned a nightclub and community building project. The tree growing through the middle of the house became the central focus of the DJ booth. And the community that coalesced around the club was truly unique. Despite the club's closure due to increasing residential complaints, Cayetano continues to produce BAUM Festival, which returns to Bogota on May 21, 2022. As a musician, he blurs the lines between house and techno. He can be found on the exclusive circuit of global festivals captivating dancers with his compelling sound.  

Kenny Dope 

Kenny Dope came up in the 80s DJing for block parties in Brooklyn under the name Masters At Work. He famously let Todd Terry borrow the name to record two releases. Todd returned the favor by letting Kenny borrow a drum machine and introducing him to “Little” Louie Vega. It sparked his career as a producer. His 1994 release under the moniker the Bucketheads, “The Bomb! (These Sounds Fall into My Mind),” is an iconic piece of house music. But his career stretches beyond one hit. He was among the first dance music DJs to be commissioned for remix projects from the major labels and helped pave the way for the remix culture that persists today. His expansive catalog includes remixes for Luther Vandross, Daft Punk, Geroge Benson, and Tito Puente.

Nicola Cruz

Ecuadorian artist was born in France and spent his first three years there until he moved home to Quito. His parents encouraged his musical leanings and gave him a drum kit when he was 12. At 25, he collaborated and toured the US with the iconic Nicolas Jaar. His interest in the oral traditions of his ancestors and the rituals of native South Americans inform his explorative music. Highly organic, intensely creative, and strikingly beautiful, Cruz melds the worlds of the traditional with modern sound design masterfully. His blinding creative output saw him release five albums in the last five years while touring regularly. At only 33 years old, Cruz has a lot of musical experimenting ahead of him. 

10 Influential Hispanic House and Techno Artists

The unique Ecuadorian artist, Nicola Cruz, has always held a strong curiosity and enthusiasm for his Latin American ancestor’s cosmogenesis. For that reason he pours their history into his musical creations. His artistic path includes a considerate, vigilant exploration of the existing heritage and practices that form the identity of South Americans. More specifically, the African and Andean elements, full in their individuality and significance, have led Cruz to highly regard the different culture’s rhythms and oral traditions. He also takes the various instruments into great account as they emulate a substantial and meaningful energy to their audiences.

Released in 2015, his very first debut record, Prender el Alma, examined the growth of consciousness and spirituality, and how the two concepts have an extremely purposeful relationship with music. Continuing on the journey to further understand the extraordinary meaning music can carry, Cruz created his latest album, Siku. In this 2019 production he discovers additional wells of inspiration and is able to broaden and develop his point of view with supplementary stories and even more cultural perspectives. Additionally, his collaborations with other artists from around the globe quickly become a pivotal phase during the progression of composing this particular work. To dive deeper into the importance and attention to detail behind the choice for this album’s title, a siku is a wind instrument that holds great meaning for Cruz. A descendant of Andean origin, this instrument is profoundly emblematic in rituals practiced by the culture’s ancestors. The siku includes the arca and the ira, two separate, but complementary components. The two parts seem to portray duality, which exists as a fundamental principle of the indigenous world view. This perspective separates itself far away from the binary outlook that is limiting, yet has become widely prevalent in western societies. In place of the binary, we see a boundless, vibrant culture associated with inclusivity emanating from Nicola Cruz’s spirit, as well as his musical ability and creations.

Nicola Cruz

Articles

Meagen Surowiecki

Alicia Baron