72 NAELECK

72 NAELECK
NEW ENTRY

Style:
“Electro and bass.”
Best known for:
“Breaking borders between DJing, anime and videos games with 8-bit-style tunes and millions of views on animation videos.”
Tune of the year:
Naeleck & Hige Driver ‘Virtual Gaming (Tokyo Machine Remix)’.”
From: France
Rising star DJ/producer of 2021: “Bellorum.”
French producer Naeleck has had a busy year. Despite being unable to tour, the 32-year-old “dark electro” musician has had time “to focus on new music and even try different styles”. Though his single with Sarah Rebecca, ‘All My Heroes’, doesn’t fall into the usual category of a Naeleck production, it’s one he’s extremely proud of, telling DJ Mag: “It’s very different from what I usually produce and cannot be played at 2am in a packed club. But I had very good feedback and it’s my most-streamed tune of all time. I’m not sure it’s something I would have thought to produce when focusing on touring, but I’m happy I did.”
“I have mainly been making music, doing TikTok videos, eating sushi and playing videogames,” he says. Naeleck has also been busy developing his two labels Den Haku Records and Dancing Deads, spending time finding “talented artists”, while also working on the visual aspects of his projects with “more storytelling for socials and new live setup visuals”.
How was your first gig back after lockdown?
“Amazing, it felt so good to meet with the public again and drop all the tracks I have been holding off the last 18 months.”
How have the last 18 months changed how you view your work/life balance?
“The last 18 months changed my focus from touring to other things, but didn’t really affect my work/life balance.”
What further steps should the industry take to combat climate change?
“I guess the most important step would be to keep raising awareness, especially in some countries where even officials try to make it pass as a hoax…”
What’s the best bit of tech you’ve added to your studio or DJ setup this year?
“The [Pioneer DJ] CDJ-3000, it’s a pleasure to play on it.”
What’s the best album you’ve heard this year?
“Apashe ‘Renaissance’.”