Best Cloudcasters of 2009
This list of top 50 Cloudcasters (Presenters/DJs) has been compiled from a combination of community votes, plays and favorites on the site. Big up to everyone who made it on the list. Get to know who to follow on Mixcloud in 2010!
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50. DJ Killer Tomato
Killer Tomato is a true party starting, block rocking, cut'n'paste scratch DJ. The Cardiff chap is DJ for Goldie Lookin' Chain, former DMC UK finalist and part of the Ninja crew.
49. Murkules
Could this be the best DJ name in the world? Murkules is also one of the most interesting up-and-coming DJs we've come across via Mixcloud, earning much respect for his "World A Riddim" series and original breaks mix "Golden Era Breaks".
48. Palocsaygeza
Representing Budapest, Hungary, Palocsaygeza spins classic hip-hop, r'n'b and "funky or dynamic house". Check out his popular mixes on Mixcloud.
47. Lefto
"Best radio show in 2009, LeFtO show on Studio Brussel, Belgium" - Gilles Peterson (BBC Radio1 / Worldwide). Affiliated with Brownswood, !K7 and Stones Throw, Lefto "plays crowds like an eclectic puppetmaster, without boundaries nor mercy." We like that image.
46. Proper Songs
"Proper Songs. That's what I've started saying when people ask what music I like." Love it! Proper Songs plays an inspiring selection of indie, experimental, disco, leftfield and much more, as well as running a pretty damn cool music blog.
45. Keiron B
Japan's Keiron B has gained a lot of love on Mixcloud for his "The Way Of The Dub" mix series - now up to volume 6. Taking in all styles of dub-inspired music, old and new - dub, digidub, dubstep, reggae, d'n'b.
44. Onda Sonora
Onda Sonora is a collective of friends organising parties, hosting radio shows, DJing and more in and around Brussels, Belgium. As they say - "Anything to promote quality, soulful music."
43. King Kong Disco
KKD are 5 DJs, MCs, producers, engineers and bass nerds from Hamburg. In 2005 they formed King Kong Disko to bring Bass to the people! Most mixes here come from their radio show - "Tropical Heat" - which has been on air for 2 years on the Hamburg based station byte.fm. Bigup to KKD for coining the phrase "soundboy-sabbatical".
42. DJ Umb
Hailing from Birmingham, England, DJ Umb must be one of the most diverse, global DJs on this list. With tags that include balkan house, indian dubstep, global ghettotech and chinese dubstep. A very interesting DJ that must be heard.
41. BPitch Control
Ellen Allien's BPitch Control label has been introducing diversity to the club society of berlin since 1997. Check their Mixcloud page for Podcasts and mixes from leading artists on the label, including Modeselektor, Seth Troxler and Sascha Funke. We're still waiting for a mix from label boss Ellen Allien ;)
40. Dr. Kwest
Dr. Kwest is a mysterious character created by Kalonji in Belgium. Influenced by Prefuse 73, Sun Ra, Stereolab and many others, he started sampling in 2006. Two years later, he released the Black Demo. End of 2008, he released a second mixtape entitled "A Starr Called Quest". Another one from the Laid Back Radio familia.
39. Border Community
Border Community is a UK-based independent label releasing a variety of genre defying electronic music. Home to artists like Nathan Fake, Wesley Matsell, James Holden and Petter.
38. Bass Music Blog
Fittingly based in what some might say is the spiritual home of bass music - Bristol, England. The Bass Music Blog features free tunes, exclusive mixes, interviews, reviews and more. Check their Mixcloud page for some envious exclusives from the likes of Edu K, Tomb Crew, Kalbata and many more emerging stars of bass.
37. Elvis of Dallas
Dallas' Elvis modestly insists he's "not a dj, or a musician, just a guy who digs groovy beats." He's obviously doing something right to attract listeners to his unique style of mashup dance music.
36. Saturday Night Sessions
From original music and remixes to club events and festivals, Saturday Night Sessions was created by DJ Reza in Los Angeles. They showcase the most respected sounds and artists of dance music - with mixes on their Mixcloud page from the likes of Sander Kleinenberg and Steve Angello.
35. Jules Hallam
Jules Hallam is a music enthusiast living in the Big Smoke that is London. Feedreader is his regular underground music radiocast sampling material that's generating a buzz across blogs, online press and the web. Lots of dubstep, hip-hop and leftfield beats.
34. Paul Pre
Paul Pre is a DJ who lives by the seaside in Kiel, Germany. He plays a wonderfully unique selection of glitch-hop, wonky beats and bass driven hip-hop. We must also congratulate him on his eye for great design!
33. Mad Decent
Maddecent.com - nuff said.
32. Barvz
Barvz had a teenage interest in hardcore, jungle, garage, Pantera and Napalm Death. Then at the age of 15 his brother gave him a mixtape by Derrick Carter and the Daft Punk Essential mix. It all changed. Barvz confidently plays across the board of house music - jackin, deep, tech, tribal - whatever suits the occasion.
31. Knowledge Mag
Knowledge is an online dance music magazine featuring the latest drum and bass, hip hop, breaks & dubstep news, reviews & features. Check out their Mixcloud page for some superb exclusive mixes from the likes of Planet Mu, Kid Kanevil and Maztek.
30. DJ Code Blue
DJ Code Blue is a mix DJ based in London playing hip-hop and urban music in clubs, on the radio and online. Most nights you'll find him blasting the biggest tunes in London's clubs and airwaves, but he's equally at home breaking new music on his popular Hip Hop Blog and iTunes Top 100 Podcast.
29. Suspect Packages
Disorda is the man behind Suspect Packages - a brand that anyone into UK hip-hop will know and love. He's been spinning vinyl for some 20 years - hip-hop, reggae, dubstep, beats, soul, funk, disco. He also presents the monthly Suspect Packages Radio Show. It's been broadcasting for 9 years, originally on London's infamous Itch FM, and currently hosted by Sensei FM & Mixcloud.
28. Fort Knox
The Fort Knox Five are a leading force in the international funk and breaks scene. With an arsenal of floor rocking singles and remixes, they have the midas touch for producing heavy hitting records. Check out hours worth of party rocking mixes on their Mixcloud page.
27. DJ Vadim
DJ Vadim is a prolific DJ & producer, born in Leningrad, raised in London and currently residing in both New York and Haiti. His music combines hip-hop, soul, reggae and electronica. He has been described as an artist who "cannot be ignored".
26. Tokyo Dawn Records
Futuristic jazz soul electro hip-hop boogie. Tokyo Dawn is a German based record label with strong roots in the early demo-scene and netaudio movement. As it says on their Mixcloud page - "dirty soulclaps since 1997".
25. Justin Robertson
Hailing from Manchester, England, Justin is a DJ, producer and remixer with dozens of high-profile remix projects under his belt. Best known on Mixcloud for his "Balearic Blend" series, mixing up balearic, ambient and cosmic beats.
24. Cagedbaby
Thomas Gandey, aka Cagedbaby, took to Mixcloud like a fish takes to water. Live artist, producer and international DJ, he has recently been working with artists as diverse as Fatboy Slim, Radioslave and David Byrne. His Mixcloud mixes span the spectrum of house, techno, disco and "cosmic wonk".
23. Greenmoney
Green Money are Leo Greenslade of yOyO fame and Alex Phountzi from Bugzintheattic. With a shared love of black music, they hit the studio in 2008 and have since remixed the likes of Kid Cudi, Yo Majesty and Busy Signal. Their radio show features an array of upfront, exclusive mixes from the likes of L Vis 1990, Smutlee, Joy Orbison and many more.
22. Urban Torque
Urban Torque Transmissions is a weekly syndicated DJ mix-show hosted by Leigh Morgan and with guest mixes provided by label artists and friends. Expect to hear upfront deep electronic house music at its very best, from a label who's fans include DJs as diverse as Sasha, John Digweed, James Zabiela, Laurent Garnier, Ben Watt, Groove Armada, Way Out West and many, many more.
21. Professor Eddy
Professor Eddy is a Dutch DJ with experience working for several radio stations in his homeland. He's currently lending his skills to Mixcloud regulars Laid Back Radio. His style is funky, soulful and chilled. Check out his most recent mix - a tribute to Teddy Pendergrass - on his Mixcloud page.
20. DJ Marky
Brazilian drum'n'bass legend, DJ Marky, is another welcome guest on Mixcloud, uploading a range of mixes from hard as nails d'n'b to the more soulful, samba sounds of his home country.
19. Diesel U Music
We've been seduced by the Diesel brand and the quality of their musical output on Diesel U Music Radio. Uploading the best bits of their constantly streaming radio station, Mixcloud members have been able to access loads of big-name guests, fantastic music and banter.
18. The Fat! Club
With 11 years in the industry under their belt, The Fat! Club sure know how to rock a party, as anyone who's attended a Chew the Fat! night can surely attest. The Fat Club's End of the Decade mixes have captured the ears of many Mixcloud members, so here's to another decade or so at the forefront of all things Fat.
17. Take Flight Club
Take Flight Club are a group of young creatives, whose utilise both the blogosphere and Mixcloud to purvey their fine tastes to the world. Riding high on the current dubstep trend and resurgence in garage and grime, their blog and Cloudcasts are essential reading and listening for anyone with an interest in these exciting genres.
16. DJ Dimsa
Another man with a minimal profile page, we do know that DJ Dimsa is 52 years young and resides in Devon, not your typical DJ profile, but then surely that's the beauty of Mixcloud; where all types of music lovers can mix. Anyway, Dimsa definitely deserves to be in the best of 2009 for his wonderful collection of cool and seductive lounge mixes.
15. Globalibre
Gartner Der Luste, DJ axe.l, DJ O.live.R and DJ Badre make up Globalibre, DJ collective from Dortmund in Germany, whose unique mix of baile-funk, ghetto-tech and tropical house has been making them a lot of fans on the 'Cloud.
14. Graeme Park
Graeme Park has been part of the dance music scene since the very early days and - as one of the original Hacienda residents - his legendary status is assured. So to have him upload his weekly radio show on Mixcloud is something of a privilege, and the consistent quality of his Cloudcasts shows that he's lost none of his skill during more than two decades in the game.
13. Sabotage
Information on Sabotage is sparse, we know from his profile that he is 33 years old, from Paris, and according to a rough translation he is a chicken thief. What we do know is that the Frenchman puts together some fine minimal house and techno mixes, which clearly everyone has been enjoying.
12. Jig T
Rather modestly calling himself, 'just a boy from a place where nothing really happens', Jig T is an aspiring DJ, making moves around Oxford, Leamington Spa and Coventry. Judging by his abilities in mixing everything from disco to dubstep, indie to electro and beyond, he may just prove himself wrong about his local area.
11. Heavy Soul Brutha
Yet another soul/jazz/funk man, Heavy Soul Brutha has really taken to the spirit of Mixcloud, both uploading a bevy of fine Cloudcasts and guest posting on our sister blog, Dancing in the Clouds. Dave B likes to keep things as simple as possible, favouring the warm sound of vinyl and simple mixes of classic records; sounds good to us.
10. Dazed
Tim Noakes, music editor at uber-trendy magazine Dazed & Confused regularly treats subscribers to his own new music playlist, and as you would expect from the man in charge of music at such an influential tome, it's fresh. An easy way to keep yourself up to speed with the hottest musical trends, Tim's playlists are some of the most popular in the Cloud.
9. Karriem Diggins
German based Karriem has been spinning for over 2 decades, initially playing to U.S. soldiers in German clubs. Check out his Mixcloud page for some superb, unique music - including Turkish funk, Persian funk and a whole lotta original samples.
8. Oneman
Part of the Rinse FM massive, Oneman blasts out the best in UK underground sounds every Thursday night. The Dirty Canvas resident also counts himself the only DJ to appear on Mary Anne Hobbs' Radio 1 show without releasing a single record; which should give you some idea of this young man's talent.
7. Erol Alkan
The man almost single-handedly responsible for re-invigorating dance music in the last decade through his boundary smashing attitude towards rocking a club, has been one of Mixcloud's most generous uploaders. Everything from his epic essential mixes, to Bugged Out! CD's, live sets from the legendary Trash nights that made his name, and even a personal A-Z of Erol; his democratic approach to music is mirrored by his enthusiasm for Mixcloud.
6. Payback
Going strong for over ten years now, the best of Payback's monthly sessions at Hull's New Adelphi Club are condensed into an 8 track mix bursting with the best soul, funk and jazz music. Mixcloud may be flowing with great music in these genre's, but with a back catalogue as long and impressive as Payback's, this should certainly be one of your first stops.
5. Fluid Radio
The clue is in the name with Bristol's Fluid Radio, as its policy is to keep the direction and growth of the station as fluid and organic as possible. Aiming to promote and play the best in experimental genres the Fluid team encourages listeners to get involved with musical suggestions, making the playlist a diverse mix encompassing ambient, modern classical, experimental acoustic, fold and abstract sounds.
4. Moovmnt
This Dutch collective are all about finding and supporting 'honest music that massages the soul and makes your head nod'. This wide remit takes in hip-hop, soul, jazz, broken-beat, soulful house and all things in-between, and features regular guest mixes from DJ's and artists as diverse as Anthony Valadez, Paul Pre and DJ Spinna.
3. Chris Coco
A Mixcloud exclusive, legendary DJ and broadcaster, Chris Coco, uploads his Melodica radio show fresh from being broadcast on Ibiza's Sonica Radio every Monday evening. Melodica is a wonderfully eclectic mix of old and new electronica; as he says himself "it is firmly based in the culture of club and dance music without being tied down to any specific sound or genre".
2. Quiet Music
Veteran broadcaster, Nick Francis, has been hosting his Quiet Music show on KYOT-FM in Phoenix for 15 years, and programming his relaxing blend of jazz, acoustic, electronic ambient music for over 25 years. This weekly show has been syndicated and heard on almost 100 other stations across North America since 2000, and has now found a new home on Mixcloud, where Nick's chilled-out vibes are the perfect anecdote to the multitude of faster, harder Cloudcasts.
1. Laid Back Radio
Badass funky music wouldn't necessarily be the first thing you would associate with Brussels, but Laid Back radio is doing it's upmost to change that. Broadcast every Wednesday on FM Brussel as well as online through their extensive magazine website, Laid Back brings the best in urban music from the last forty years, nonstop. We <3 Laid Back!
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