Black Lives Matter: 12 of the Most Important Names in Electronic Music

We have compiled a list celebrating Black DJ’s and Producers that the electronic music community would not be the same without because Black Lives Matter. White supremacy, police brutality, and many more great social divides only stand in the way of true happiness. Peace, Love, Unity, Respect is the motto for our community and its message has been needed not just now, but as long as criminal injustices have existed. Now raise those fist and start pumping them while bumping this mighty collection of tunes and live sets.

Frankie Knuckles

Frankie Knuckles played a very important role for house music in the 1980’s. Popularizing and developing the genre to new heights, Frankie is by far one of the most important figures in EDM. The scene hasn’t been the same since his passing in 2014. The Godfather of House Music will always have our respect.

Kevin Knapp

Kevin Knapp, a Louisville, KY born DJ that currently resides in Berlin, Germany is a multi-talented producer and DJ in the house scene and is currently pursuing his foodie series ‘Beats ‘N’ Eats‘. He’s got charisma, he’s got charm, and he’s got the smoothest house tracks.

Carl Cox

Carl Cox is an important figure in house and techno, being one of the early figures in tech house and more. The UK-born DJ is well known for his mastery of the beat and his craft of the turn tables.

Black Coffee

Black Coffee is a South African DJ that began his career in 1994 and since then, released five albums and helped carry the House legacy to what it is today.

Idris Elba

Idris Elba is a well known actor that can be found in Marvel movies, Hobbs & Shaw, Luther, and many more. Idris Elba is multi faceted in talent, ranging from actor to rapper, as well as a world-renowned house DJ.

Green Velvet

Green Velvet is a Chicago-born DJ that is well known for his mastery of tech house as well as minimalist techno. His LaLa Land experience is unimaginable.

DJ Diesel DJ Diesel, AKA Shaq, AKA Dr. Shaquille O’Neil EDU needs no introduction. The NBA Hall-Of-Famer, Actor, Teacher, Producer, DJ, Spokesperson, Public Speaker, TV Host, Rapper, Author, and many more, has accomplished so much in his life, and he’s only getting started. Shaq is known as one of the best basketball players of all time. DIESEL has been spinning the decks all the way back in the 1980’s, throwing down the heaviest dubstep tracks and throwing the wildest parties. Most notably is his very own music festival/circus/carnival “SHAQ’s Fun House”. Is there anything this man can’t do??

Mustard

Mustard, born Dijon Isaiah McFarline in Los Angeles is a well-known rap producer turned EDM DJ has been turning heads and breaking necks in the EDM scene. Pulling guest appearances such as Lil Jon, Wiz Khalifa, Nick Jonas, and more live, Mustard has a lot of pull in the community.

Flying Lotus Flying Lotus is perhaps one of the most influential names in the IDM, Lo-Fi, Jazz Rap, and Electronic communities. This musician, rapper, film maker, and record producer from Los Angeles not only made a voice of his own, but also is one of the most prominent voices of the LA underground. He even has made multiple mix appearances in the wildly successful Grand Theft Auto video game series with his own recurring in-game radio station.

12th Planet

12th Planet moves us to the heavier side of the EDM world. He is one of the most influential dubstep DJ’s there ever was. This LA native has helped many artists rise to fame including Skrillex, Kill The Noise, and many, many more. He’s been on the scene for a while and his music itself acts as a history lesson to the genre itself, dating back to dubstep’s infancy.

Benga Benga is a British musician from the United Kingdom that pioneered dubstep production and notably, 1/3 of Magnetic Man, the old skool dubstep super-group consisting of dubstep producers and DJs with Skream and Artwork.

SUBFILTRONIK Subfiltronik  is one of the earliest figures in dubstep and founding fathers of modern-day riddim. This UK DJ started making music at the early age of 12 using FL Studio and since then, has been pumping out the filthiest riddim bangers in the scene.

Carnage Carnage is a Guatamalan DJ known for his aggressive bass music, his work in the rap community, and his explicit trap beats. Carnage puts on quite the show.

Show your Support: 

Black Lives Matter

Color Of Change Campaigns

Campaign Zero

National Bail Fund Network

Black Visions Collective

The Loveland Foundation

Mapping Police Violence

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