JAMES HYPE (UK)

The Liverpool-born DJ and producer came up the hard way – playing six nights a week in his hometown clubs, working through open-format sets that spanned every genre imaginable. Those years grinding in local venues gave him something rare: an encyclopaedic knowledge of music and an instinctive understanding of how to keep a dance floor moving, no matter what.

From those early days spinning hip-hop and R&B, James eventually found his home in house music – though those formative influences still run through everything he does today. It's that depth of musical heritage, combined with serious technical ability, that's made him one of the most respected selectors in the game.

What really set James apart was his willingness to push the boundaries of what DJing could be. Using hot cues, loops, samples and live mixing, he developed a spontaneous, dynamic approach that recreates music on the fly – turning every set into something genuinely unpredictable. In an era where pre-recorded sets and sync buttons dominate, watching James work is a reminder of what DJing looked like before the shortcuts.

His production track record backs it all up: 'Ferrari' hit number one across Europe and has clocked over two billion streams, while 'More Than Friends' became another UK Top 10. He's worked with Major Lazer, sampled Justin Timberlake on 'Drums' with Kim Petras, and built over 10 million monthly Spotify listeners. Through his label Stereohype, he's championing the next generation of talent while continuing to release his own material.

From his Our House residency at Hï Ibiza with Meduza to main stages at EDC, Tomorrowland and Mysteryland, plus regular runs in Las Vegas at spots like Marquee Club, James has become a fixture on the global circuit. But it's the club shows – the Bootshaus Colognes, the Brooklyn Mirages, the Watergate Berlins – where you really see what he's capable of.

The Timber Yard in February. James Hype doing what he does best.

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