UK producer and DJ Cloonee is on a fast track to icon status due to his undeniable ability to get people moving on the dance floor. Cloonee has released an avalanche of bangers over the past few years, all injected with slinky sub basslines, infectious vocal samples, and a serious ear for spicy percussion. And while his growing catalog drips with sexy dance floor-filling singles, we picked five tracks that catapulted him into the tech house spotlight (in no particular order).




1. Cloonee - The Ciggie (2018)




"The Ciggie" was released in December 2018 and is one of Cloonee's first chart-toppers. While his track "Separated," released in 2016, had done quite well, it didn't even come close to the success of "The Ciggie." Released on the stalwart tastemaker Solid Grooves, not only is his highest streaming tune, it gives an early taste of his penchant for wonky sub bass and crispy drums.










2. Cloonee & Wade - Mi Amor (2021)




"Mi Amor" is a crowd favorite and will undoubtedly get an entire room moving within seconds. Released on CLNE, Cloonee's series of self-releases it's a collaboration with Spanish producer Wade. The track masterfully samples a Spanish horn which Cloonee says was an unintended addition to the song, which is perfectly on brand for this pair. The two threw ideas back and forth for nearly a year before they were happy with it. In an interview with Mr. Afterparty, the duo talks about how they have more music together that probably won't ever see the light of day. They expand on the fact that it wasn't necessarily the track that took a long time to make but more so creating something together they could actually release.




3. Cloonee - Sun Goes Down (2021)




"Sun Goes Down" is another undeniable club banger released by Cloonee in January of 2021. Sampling the classic "Sound of Violence" by French duo Cassius, released initially in 2002, it was an instant hit when Cloonee teased it before its release. After two years in his collection and countless messages from fans badgering him about the release, it came out strong under Big Beat Records.




4. Cloonee - Get Stupid (2020)




"Get Stupid" is a super funky and playful track released by CLNE in August 2020. The 90's boom bap hip hop vocals give it a decidedly vintage feel while maintaining a sound that's become a hallmark of Cloonee.







5. Chris Lake, Cloonee - Nightmares (2022)




Although this track is super fresh and was just released this year, the official collaboration with house music legend Chris Lake will cement Cloonee's spot as a tech house superstar for years to come. The track was released under Chris Lake's Black Book Records in May 2022 – Friday, the 13th, to be exact, which is fitting for the song's spooky vibes. This collaboration is quite the accomplishment for Cloonee, a long-standing fan of Chris Lake.



5 Tracks that Made Cloonee a Tech House Super Star

From humble beginnings to the world stage, Wade has consistently outperformed expectation through a combination of talent and driving focus.

The man born Juan Carlos Cruz Lopez had a modest upbringing in rural southern Spain. Young Wade may not have been surrounded by luxuries growing up, but he had a gift far more precious: exposure to a variety of music from many different cultures.

During those formative years, a passion for music would take hold. Wade set sights on breaking out of his environment and moving to the bright lights of the city. Nothing could cage his ambition.

To the wider dance music community, Wade first came to prominence as part of the Solid Grooves set-up.

 and PAWSA, he was responsible for bringing the brand to the forefront of London’s underground scene in the early days. Nowadays he is largely disassociated with the party, but you can still hear that distinct "groover" signature that runs through his productions.

United Kingdom

Michael Bibi

No doubt those early interactions planted the seed for Wade to start his own platform. Criterio is his own label and party series. Talk about making an impact, Criterio managed the feat of selling-out Fabrik Madrid on its very first showcase - especially impressive when you consider the venue's 4000 person capacity. The Spanish capital sure knows how to party.

The label is also going from strength to strength. Shortly after launching, Criterio was snapped-up as a concession to Universal Music. Such a global force throwing their support behind Wade's artistic vision should tell you all you need to know about where he’s headed.

Such is his versatility as a DJ, Wade is just as capable playing a headline set in an intimate bunker club as he is on a festival main stage. Whether sharing the bill with 

Italy

Marco Carola

Solardo

Australia

FISHER

France

David Guetta

In spite of his unassuming nature, when he gets behind the decks, Wade has a taste for the theatrical and he isn't afraid to put audiences outside their comfort zone.

When you consider his background, Wade's rise to international stardom is nothing short of spectacular. There's nothing average about him. Pretty good going for a kid from the sleepy end of town.

Spain

Wade

Elrow Opening Party at Amnesia

Amnesia

Wade’s remarkable rise to the top of the tech-house game over a few years has been marked by a string of thumping releases on highly respected labels. His slinky beats are informed by a hip-hop sensibility and anchored by wavy basslines. He’s become a sought-after producer. And with collaborations on the books with coveted artists like Solardo, Cloonee, and Jay Lumen he’s undoubtedly captured a sound that pulsates with a unique spirit.

#DanceForLife WADE

#DanceForLife / Hoy a las 19 h desde mi casa bailamos juntos! Os espero a todos. 
𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐃𝐀 / 𝐃𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐕𝐎: bit.ly/DanceForLifeWade

He grew up listening to flamenco music, a traditional southern Spanish musical style. He still finds inspiration in Spanish music and grasps at any opportunity to use traditional instruments in his music. You can hear it in the slinky Spanish horn sample in “Mi Amor” his recent collaboration with UK tech-house heavyweight.

His background in music goes back to his school days. He says he studied music but, “I never focused on music outside of classes.” 

It wasn’t until he attended his first dance music event that he fell in love with house and began to soak up everything that the culture could offer him. “I remember the first time I went to an electronic music party, I totally fell in love with that music. I realized it was the music that I liked the most, the one that I most identified with.”

He picked up Djing soon after but wasn’t truly devoted to any one musical style. He drifted between pop, electro, and Latin house. He didn’t dedicate focus to one musical style until he began producing tech-house in 2011.

His trajectory follows the old adage “overnight success takes about ten years.” In the last five, he’s racked up an impressive resume of accolades. He’s released music with revered labels like Relief, Sola, Armada Subjekt, Snatch!, and Black Book. He’s held down remix duties for fellow Spanish artist David Guetta and had the kings of UK progressive Camelphat remix him.

“When great artists of the electronic scene started playing my music,” he says of the support he’s received from the likes of Richie Hawtin, Marco Corolla, Chris Lake, and Paco Osuna, “I realized that I could really take advantage of my talent and make a career in the music industry.” 

He’s since logged an impressive amount of frequent flyer miles playing in clubs from Australia to Argentina. But his favorite shows are with his beloved hot hometown brand, elrow. He’s most at home on the elrow stage among the pageantry and non-stop barrage of colorful performers. He says, “I like what elrow parties transmit. I always enjoy them because the theme is super fun.”

As the gigs begin to flood back in, Wade will continue to see the fruits of his labor flourish. He’s stayed busy throughout quarantine. He’s released music at an impressive clip. And as we begin to return to normal, Wade’s name will undoubtedly stay on the lips of the industry.

Wade’s remarkable rise to the top of the tech-house game over a few years has been marked by a string of thumping releases on highly respected labels. His slinky beats are informed by a hip-hop sensibility and anchored by wavy basslines. He’s become a sought-after producer. And with collaborations on the books with coveted artists like Solardo, Cloonee, and Jay Lumen he’s undoubtedly captured a sound that pulsates with a unique spirit.

He grew up listening to flamenco music, a traditional southern Spanish musical style. He still finds inspiration in Spanish music and grasps at any opportunity to use traditional instruments in his music. You can hear it in the slinky Spanish horn sample in “Mi Amor” his recent collaboration with UK tech-house heavyweight.

His background in music goes back to his school days. He says he studied music but, “I never focused on music outside of classes.” 

It wasn’t until he attended his first dance music event that he fell in love with house and began to soak up everything that the culture could offer him. “I remember the first time I went to an electronic music party, I totally fell in love with that music. I realized it was the music that I liked the most, the one that I most identified with.”

He picked up Djing soon after but wasn’t truly devoted to any one musical style. He drifted between pop, electro, and Latin house. He didn’t dedicate focus to one musical style until he began producing tech-house in 2011.

His trajectory follows the old adage “overnight success takes about ten years.” In the last five, he’s racked up an impressive resume of accolades. He’s released music with revered labels like Relief, Sola, Armada Subjekt, Snatch!, and Black Book. He’s held down remix duties for fellow Spanish artist David Guetta and had the kings of UK progressive Camelphat remix him.

“When great artists of the electronic scene started playing my music,” he says of the support he’s received from the likes of Richie Hawtin, Marco Corolla, Chris Lake, and Paco Osuna, “I realized that I could really take advantage of my talent and make a career in the music industry.” 

He’s since logged an impressive amount of frequent flyer miles playing in clubs from Australia to Argentina. But his favorite shows are with his beloved hot hometown brand, elrow. He’s most at home on the elrow stage among the pageantry and non-stop barrage of colorful performers. He says, “I like what elrow parties transmit. I always enjoy them because the theme is super fun.”

As the gigs begin to flood back in, Wade will continue to see the fruits of his labor flourish. He’s stayed busy throughout quarantine. He’s released music at an impressive clip. And as we begin to return to normal, Wade’s name will undoubtedly stay on the lips of the industry.