From: Netherlands
DJ style: “Progressive house.”
Best known for: “‘Toulouse’, ‘I Could Be The One’.”
Fave tune of 2018: “‘Be Somebody’, my collaboration with Steve Aoki & Kiiara.”
Breakthrough DJ/producer of 2018: “I love how incredibly talented Ookay is. We hung out during rehearsals in LA and he plays so many instruments live. He’s incredible.”

He might still be baby-faced, but Nicky Romero has now been touring the globe for more than a decade. This year the Dutchman has been trying to push himself further than ever, while at the same time staying true to the fundamentals of what got him where he is today.

“I’ve been fortunate to collaborate with many talented artists across genres this year and I plan to continue doing so in 2019,” says the man who worked with ROZES on ‘Where Would We Be’, Spyder on ‘PRTCL’ and also remixed Steve Aoki’s ‘Lie To Me’ in 2018.

“I’ve found a lot of joy returning to progressive house,” he continues. “Going into the studio and pulling up old projects or sounds I haven’t explored recently has been really exciting and reminds me why I love producing and performing.” Romero has previously admitted to having suffered burnout owing to his jam-packed touring schedule and recognises that losing Avicii was a tough moment for him this year. “He was a dear friend, collaborator and an inspiration. I don’t think we’ll see anyone like him again.”

Words: KRISTAN CARYL