Billboard Dance's Ones to Watch: January 2018
Welcome to Ones to Watch, a monthly series where the Billboard Dance team gives chart leaders a break and directs your attention to up-and-coming artists we feel deserve a shining light. There are tons of hard-working artists across genres pushing the boundaries of sound and style, bubbling just under the surface in the clubs and online.
Ones to Watch is our chance to show these producers on the grind the respect they deserve. Some of these faces are new. Some of them are names you may have heard before. All of them are ready for the next level, and if you don't know, now you know.
Charlotte de Witte
Hailing from Belgium, this 25-year-old has seen her star soar in the techno scene due to a strong series of releases on tastemaking imprints like Tiga's Turbo Recordings and prime bookings at the likes of Tomorrowland and Berlin's Watergate club. Keep an eye out for de Witte's forthcoming Brussels EP on NovaMute, and don't miss her when she touches down Stateside in San Diego to play CRSSD Festival this March. -- Matt Medved
DROELOE
When coming from the same camp as San Holo, one may think it'd be difficult to compete for the spotlight. That hasn't the case for Netherlands duo Droeloe, who have been quietly crushing over the past year with a steady flow of eclectic originals and an official remix of Charlie Puth's "We Don't Talk Anymore" featuring Selena Gomez, which has accrued more than 15 million streams on Spotify. Their mature electronic style is dynamic, compelling and drenched in other-worldly emotions. Droeloe are currently on tour with San Holo and Just a Gent all across North America. -- David Rishty
Durante
This Italian-born, Florida-bred producer and DJ has been a promising talent since he hooked fans with 2014's “Slow Burn,” but 2018 is his year to break out. Four years ago, he moved to L.A. without ever having seen the West Coast. He found his vision in that city's dark and dirty night and made a valuable friendship with Amtrac, with whom he collaborates musically and ideologically. His recently released EP Unraveled is the result of much soul searching and self sacrifice. It's four tracks of sensual house grooves that'll set your mind and body on fire. Lead single “Pray” features Amtrac, who released Unraveled on his boutique label Openers, but we're in love with the EP's second track “Split Wick.” -- Kat Bein
Roman Flügel
Roman Flügel finished 2017 in memorable fashion, releasing his critically acclaimed 95th installment in fabric’s legendary mix series in November and ringing in the new year at London's Tobacco Dock alongside Maceo Plex, who invited the German veteran to play at Pacha Ibiza with him earlier this year. With new music in the pipeline targeted for spring release, Flügel should be on every techno fan's radar going forward -- Matt Medved
Two Feet
Bill Dess may seem like your average, everyday New Yorker, but he's hooked millions of listeners with his whispery, devilish vocals, startling guitar basslnes and in-your-face titles like "Go Fuck Yourself." Meet Two Feet, the multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter that has tallied over 100 million streams on Spotify with releases that bridge dark pop and electronic music. Victoria's Secret recently used his record "Quick Musical Doodles" as the backdrop for their Sexy Illusions commercial. Even with all the initial success that has come so far for the Two Feet project, something tells us we've only seen the tip of the iceberg for the 24-year-old heartthrob. -- David Rishty