Property of Gotta Dance Dirty
It’s been yet another great year for dance music, with continued integration into popular culture, another wave of burgeoning sub-genres and scores of fresh new producers and DJs. 2012 witnessed hundreds of thousands of event-goers setting new records across the globe for festivals and club-goers alike, and as the more commercial side of dance music reached millions through multiple mediums, sounds of the underground have become bolstered with more and more curious music lovers.
In our 4th year of existence here at GDD™, we’re happy to have another great year under our belts, and we’re even happier that you’ve been along for the ride with us. Our writers have put together a list of our favorites from the past 12 months — including any original, remix, artist, etc. that truly evoked a sense of passion for this industry that we adore.
Have a look below at what we applaud from 2012 as well as who we think will make some waves next year. A very Happy New Year to all of you. Be kind to each other, and remember to always dance dirty.
Best Originals (15)
Duke Dumont – The Giver
Pirupa – Party Nonstop
Fur Coat feat. Cari Golden – You & I
Disclosure – Latch
Todd Terje – Inspector Norse
Hot Natured ft. Ali Love – Benediction
Kill Frenzy – Booty Clap
Baauer – Harlem Shake
Julio Bashmore – Au Seve
Disclosure – Control feat. Ria Ritchie
Shadow Child – String Thing
TJR – Funky Vodka
Justin Martin – Don’t Go
Disclosure – What’s In Your Head
Porter Robinson – Language
Best Remixes (15)
Kanye West ft. Big Sean, Pusha T, & 2 Chainz – Mercy (RL Grime & Salva Remix)
French Fries – Space & Smoke (Justin Martin Remix)
Flosstradamus – Rollup (Baauer Remix)
Destiny’s Child – Say My Name (Cyril Hahn Remix)
Jessie Ware – Running (Disclosure Remix)
Asaf Avidan – One Day / Reckoning Song (Wankelmut Remix)
Major Lazer – Original Don (Flosstradamus Remix)
Van She – Jamaica (Plastic Plates Remix)
Bondax – Baby I Got That (Justin Martin Remix)
Parallel Dance Ensemble – Shopping Cart (Maxxi Soundsystem Remix)
Birdy Nam Nam – Goin In (Skrillex ‘Goin Down’ Remix)
Benny Benassi – Satisfaction (RL Grime Remix)
Justin Martin – Don’t Go (Leroy Peppers Remix)
Martin Solveig – Night Out (A-Trak Remix)
Frank Ocean – Pyramids (Kastle Remix)
Best Albums (5)
Justin Martin – Ghettos & Gardens (dirtybird)
Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs – Trouble (Polydor)
Boys Noize – Out of the Black (Boys Noize Records)
Kendrick Lamar – good kid, m.A.A.d City (Top Dawg)
The 2 Bears – Be Strong (Southern Fried)
Best Labels (10)
dirtybird
French Express
OWSLA
Hot Creations
Crosstown Rebels
Bromance
Body High
Visionquest
Future Classic
Dim Mak
Best Artists (10)
Disclosure
Clockwork/RL Grime
Justin Martin
Nicolas Jaar
Eats Everything
Skrillex
Diplo
Chris Malinchak
Claude VonStroke
Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs
Breakthrough Artists (5)
Baauer
Madeon
TJR
Kill Frenzy
GTA
Best Performances (that we saw) (5)
Skrillex @ WeSC x HARD Summer Afterparty — Los Angeles, CA
dirtybird BBQ @ Villa 221 — Miami, FL
High Contrast @ Electric Daisy Carnival — Las Vegas, NV
Loco Dice @ Drai’s EDC Afterhours — Las Vegas, NV
Disclosure @ El Rey Theater — Los Angeles, CA
Who to Watch in 2013 (10)
Seven Lions
Cyril Hahn
Bondax
Hot Since 82
Dusky
Clicks & Whistles
AbdeCaf
Traveler
Ryan Hemsworth
Samo Sound Boy
GDD™’s Best All-Around Artist of 2012 — Clockwork/RL Grime
Henry Steinway AKA Clockwork AKA RL Grime had an unbelievable 2012 and, in our minds, is the obvious choice for this year’s coveted title. Henry used his #1 alias, Clockwork, as a medium for Electro productions — including massive singles “Titan,” “BBBS,” “Squad Up,” and “Hulk” — and played numerous festivals and club gigs around the world to eager fans. Taking full advantage of the Trap trend, Henry found a home for his Hip Hop/Bass tracks under his secondary moniker, RL Grime, with his “Mercy” remix played in nearly every big time set for the entire summer. While it may be challenging for some to balance multiple projects, Henry has found a way to assume his roles as Clockwork and RL Grime, not only through releasing music under each but touring as both year-long. So we say congratulations, Henry, and we wish the best for both projects in 2013.
HAPPY NEW YEAR Dirty Dancers!
This post GDD™’s BEST of 2012 appeared first on Gotta Dance Dirty.
