Eight Emerging Artists On Our Radar: February 2025
Welcome back to On Our Radar, Beatportal’s monthly roundup of the DJs and producers we can’t get enough of.
Alice Austin
NAINA
On February 7th, NAINA dropped her debut EP Survival on Hooversound Recordings, following the release of her single “Body Movement” in January. If you haven’t heard of NAINA yet, you’re about to. She’s been steering the Hooversound label along with SHERELLE since 2019, all while making a name for herself as a pioneer of the new era of jungle. Now, she’s revealing her production skills with a four-track EP that champions techno, jungle, footwork, and plenty of high-BPM energy. Also included on the EP is her 2024 debut track, “I’d Rather Be Here (Than Anywhere With You),” released just before her newly announced slot on Apple Music Club alongside Tim Sweeney. Supported by Mixmag, CLASH, DJ Mag, and others, NAINA has set the bar very high with her debut EP, and the world can't wait to see what's next.
ICYKOF
London-based DJ and producer ICYKOF (Kofi McCalla) is set to release his debut EP ZERO SUGAR on April 3rd, 2025, following the acid-tinged single "PAYDAY" on January 29th. In the past, Kofi was a fashion blogger who created The Unknown Vlogs, and now he’s carving out a name as a techno artist. Drawing influence from Detroit techno pioneers like Underground Resistance and Robert Hood, ZERO SUGAR combines gritty warehouse grooves with hypnotic percussion, with the EP’s second single "PAYDAY" standing out with its slower tempo, lo-fi drum machine, and growling 303 acid bassline, a clear nod to the legends. ICYKOF’s blend of Detroit techno and Chicago house creates a unique sound that merges techno-punk aesthetics with boundary-pushing music – so don’t take your eyes off this one.
dogheadsurigeri
London-based dogheadsurigeri took dance music by storm when her self-released track “Fluid Matter” gained support from Mama Snake, Anetha, and KI/KI, who featured it in her RA podcast. It earned “Track of the Year” honors from Mixmag and Crack magazine, and paved the way for Dogheadsurigeri’ss debut on KI/KI’s label Slash, with her EP Silver Current. It’s a tribute to the trance music she’s loved since childhood, and a throwback to the mid-2010s when she co-hosted the MESTIÇO club night in Warsaw which championed deconstructed and post-club genres. Beyond music, Dogheadsurigeri is a former Oramics member, advocating for LGBTQ+ and non-binary inclusion in Eastern European electronic music, and raising funds through projects like the “Total Solidarity” compilation.
ROZET
Miami-born artist ROZET is a ballroom voguer turned singer, rapper, and producer, and they’re ready to make waves in 2025. On February 14th, they’ll release their HEAD EP on TOKiMONSTA’s Young Art Records, with tracks like “Shadow Wurk,” “EAT,” “Thinking A Lot,” and “Feelings Aren’t Facts,” drawing inspiration from their studies in psychology, Buddhism, and mental health. Treading the line between dream-pop and dance music, ROZET combines these influences with their background in dance and music to create a space where sound, mind, and body meet. Their journey is one of resilience, as they turned to drag and ballroom voguing as a young person to find a sense of belonging and community in Miami’s LGBTQ+ community.
Cortese
This dynamic duo from Manchester are making big moves in the UK electronica, UKG, and breaks scene with growing support from BBC Radio 1, Kiss FM, and Rinse FM. They’re building impressive momentum and preparing for a breakthrough year with a big lineup of releases, including their upcoming EP Time, out on February 21st on Morii Records. The EP combines the euphoria of electronica with UKG and breakbeat, creating unstoppable club energy with emotional depth. The EP follows singles "Time" (January 22nd) and "Bleep" (February 5th), and has already received early support from artists like My Nu Leng and Ivy Lab. It’s fair to say Cortese is on track to become a major force in the scene, and Time marks a bold new chapter for the duo.
RAYZIR
Amsterdam-born RAYZIR has dropped his new Guacamolly EP on The Martinez Brothers' Cuttin' Headz label later this month. The EP features three tracks that blend acid, tech, and tribal house, with intricate rhythms, hypnotic vocals, and bass that’ll make your insides vibrate. RAYZIR is well known for his distinctive style and already counts Marco Carola, Jamie Jones, Michael Bibi, and Loco Dice as fans. He’s previously released on elrow, Nervous, and Do Not Sleep, and he’s the founder of ZIRCLE, a label and community initiative that promotes cultural identity and diversity within electronic music. To get a sense of the energy, check out this video of Joseph Capriati and Jamie Jones dropping “Drop Thiz” in Tulum earlier this month.
Samm
Belgian producer Samm has quickly risen through the dance music ranks with his unique approach to house music. Starting his musical journey at 12, he developed a passion for electronic music at 16, despite being too young for club nights. His production style is characterized by infectious beats, seamless transitions, and melodic depth and quickly caught the attention of industry heavyweight Solomun, Adriatique, CamelPhat, and Keinemusik, Samm has lapped the world a few times now touring in Europe, Asia and beyond while building his Magnifik Music brand & label alongside cementing his reputation as one of Dance Music’s most exciting DJs and producers. With previous releases on Sony Music Entertainment, Magnifik Music, and Madorasindahouse Records, his latest release comes in the form of an extended mix for Masšh's “iLanga” track, out this February on One People.
DCR Milda
Born in Klatovy, Czech Republic, and now based in Toronto, Canada, DCR MILDA has risen from a local Prague DJ to one of Toronto’s most prolific artists within a very short time. Known for his ever-changing hair color, signature sunglasses, and high-energy performances, DCR MILDA’s dynamic sets blend a wide range of global sounds, from Euro house and Afrobeats to Amapiano, Brazilian Baile funk, Latin rhythms, and more. With his infectious energy and diverse musical style, it’s impossible not to lose your absolute mind at a DCR MILDA show, and his productions are a testament to that, too. His latest release came out this January on More Sauce Music in the form of “Tomba,” an irresistibly vibesy Latin Tech banger. It follows a string of successful releases in 2024, many of which smashed the 100k stream mark, making DCR MILDA a must-watch talent in dance music.
