The 15 Best Mixes of 2012

Some of you might know JayCeeOh as the Taylor Gang DJ, but he's made his name in many circles for his nimble turntable work. No, we're not talking about his 2011 McDonalds Flavor Battle Championship win, we're referring to him making edits of Jeezy's Go Crazy" over classic Paul McCartney tracks. He knows his records, and his sound spans plenty of genres. For the fifth volume of his Pop Models series, Jay cooked up a drunken blend of club-ready tracks. Or is it that this mix would bang in the club if you were drunk?

Whatever way you dice it (or however he chose to dice these cuts), this is the sound of someone who knows how to make a number of tracks that don't work seem to work. Very solidly blended, with more uptempo tracks beautifully colliding with dubstep flexes seemingly out of nowhere. One of those mixes that will feature names you probably know from the dance world alongside names from the pop world that you definitely know, with everything meeting up in the middle of the dancefloor.

Tracklist:

1. Emalkay vs Sammy Adams - Me and My Vocals (JayCeeOh Remix)

2. Bro Safari & Knuckle Children - Freak

3. Snap Backs + Tattoos (JayCeeOh Edit)

4. French Montana - Pop That (Styles & Complete Trap Bootleg) (JayCeeOh Edit)

5. Hardwell - Spaceman (Carnage Trap Remix)

6. Future vs RL Grime - Same Damn Time (Big Once Blend)

7. Sandro Silva & Quintino - Epic (Luminox Remix)

8. Sammy Adams x JayCeeOh - Fall Back (Luminox Rattle Remix)

9. With My Hands Up (Mighty Mi Edit)

10. Daleri - Touche (JayCeeOh Edit)

11. The Knocks - The Feeling (Fat Race Remix)

12. Tiesto & Swanky Tunes - Make Some Noise

13. Daddy's Groove - Power To The People

14. Disco Fries - Bass

15. Tony Junior - Feeling Kinda Strange

16. Nicky romero - Se7en

17. Lazy Rich & Hirshee - Damage Control

18. Chambray - Mangoes

19. The Whip - Secret Weapon (Alex Metric Remix)

20. Deadmau5 - FnPing

21. Scooter & Lavelle - Beats Inside My Head (Revolvr Remix)

22. Michael Calfan - Resurrection (Axwell Version) (JayCeeOh Edit)

23. Lucky Date - Hos & Discos (Space Laces Remix)

24. Steve Aoki & Angger Dimas - Beat Down (Afrojack Remix) (JayCeeOh Edit)

25. Erick Morillo & Konshens - Murder The Dance Floor

26. Datsik & Kill The Noise - LightSpeed (JayCeeOh Edit)

27. Firebeatz - MiniMan (JayCeeOh Edit)

28. Wess & Santa - Hardcore

29. The Partysquad - Go Down Low

30. NO_ID - Zelda (Hardwell Edit)

31. Rebecca & Fiona - If She Was Away (JayCeeOh Edit)

32. Crystal Fighters - Plage (Alvaro Remix)

33. Bob Marley - Jammin (Benny Benassi Remix)

34. Rudimental ft John Newman - Feel The Love

35. Sub Focus ft Alice Gold - Out The Blue

36. Skrillex - DnB Thing (JayCeeOh Edit)

37. Rusko - Somebody To Love ( Loc'd Out Remix )

38. Cash Out vs UNknown Shapes - Cashin Out (JayCeeOh Bootleg)

39. Will.I.Am - Reach For the Stars

Know that when we speak about Carnage and the success he's had in 2012 (and the success we hope he has in the new year), know that we're speaking as some of his biggest fans. When we thought he was just a threat to the hip-hop producerati out there, that was cool. When we realized how far his dance music production reached, with luminaries like A-Trak and Borgore taking notice of his work, and putting proper investing into his sound, we know knew he was onto something bigger. Add in his personality, and the dedication to his craft, and you'll see why he's at where he is right now: on the peak.

Festival Trap, Vol. 1 is the culmination of the unique brand of Trap he brings, showcasing some of the best examples of where the trap and the rave meet. He has an ear for both sounds, so him twerking 808s under Hardwell or Afrojack just makes sense. This mix transforms wherever you are into the club you need to be in, full of glowsticks and bows being thrown.

Tracklist:

1. Sandro Silva & Quintino - Epic (Carnage & Luminox Festival Trap Refix)

2. Congorock - Babylon (Cesqeaux Festival Trap Remix)

3. So Fly - DJ Slink

4. Afrojack - Annie's Theme (Carnage Festival Trap Remix)

5. The Partysquad Ft. Alvaro - Badman (Luminox Remix)

6. Dada Life - Arrive Beautiful Leave Ugly (Carnage Festival Trap Remix)

7. Skrillex & Damian Marley - Make It Bun Dem - (Bro Safari & UFO! Remix)

8. Tujamo & Plastik Funk - Who (Carnage & Victor Niglio Festival Trap Remix)

9. Hardwell - Spaceman (Carnage Festival Trap Remix)

10. Deniz Koyu - Tung! - (Carnage Festival Trap Remix)

11. Yolanda Be Cool Ft. Nola Darling - Change (Oh Snap!! Remix)

12. Major Lazer Ft. Flux Pavilion - Jah No Partial

13. Borgore & Carnage - Turn Up

14. Killagraham - Clowns

15. Beta - Trapped In The System

16. Zatox & Nikkita - Poltergeist (Carnage Festival Trap Remix)

17. Carnage - Bang!

The grime scene's in a weird spot right now. While it's surely got a firm spot within the UK bass music rotation, it has literally no shine here in the States, even if T.I. signed Chip to Grand Hustle. One of the phenomena to hit the grime scene was Spooky's "Spartan," an instantly memorable riddim that had the UK grime scene on fire. It's just one of those beats that MCs HOPE the DJ drops so they can start ripping it. It apparently got a number of different remixes from the scene's finest, vocaled by sick rhymers as well as a bunch of dope producers.Taking his cue on putting the "Spartan" riddim in its proper place, Spooky cooked up Spartan Sessions Vol. 1, which throws up a number of different versions into one hyper mix.

Don't be surprised if you can't do anything but spend the next 39 minutes breaking stuff in your house. Maybe you should go outside, first. Just be careful - this riddim is no joke! (And if you dare, grab the recently-released Volume 2!)

Tracklist:

1. Spooky - Spartan R.I.P (feat. Kozzie, Marger, Merky Ace, Rival, Ego & Scrufizzer)

2. J Beatz - Injunction

3. Jammy - Bussin' At 'Em

4. Discarda & M.I.K - Lord Of The Hypes

5. Spooky - Circles R.I.P

6. M.I.K & Merky Ace - Shut Down Rally (Acapella)

7. Preditah - Nosy Parker (Spooky & Neon Beats Refix)

8. Swifta Beater - Easy

9. Faze Miyake - Take Off (Spooky's Refix)

10. K1 - Streetlights (wud's Refix)

11. Spooky - Pulse 007

12. Spooky - Dragon Village

13. Sir Pixalot - GrimeHot (Spooky V.I.P)

14. Double Oddz - Frontline Champion (Spooky's V.I.P Blend)

15. Swifta Beater - Freddy

16. Marcus Nasty & Funk Butcher feat. Beezy - Checkmate

17. Trends - Party Time

18. Moony - All I Do Is 138 DJ

19. J-Sweet - Can't Stop My Grime (Mr. Mitch 8 Bar Remix)

20. Spooky - Rusty Bell (Moony Remix)

21. Faze Miyake & Teddy - Quantum

22. Discarda - Rhyme On (Acapella)

23. Spooky - Shut Down 2012 (Jack Daniels V.I.P)

24. Neon Beats - Attack V.I.P

25. Darq E Freaker - ROAR

26. Flava D - Sickman

27. Deset - Crisis

Full disclosure: it can be a chore trying to get someone into dance music. The easiest way, I've found, is to try and tailor a mix based on bootlegs or remixes of popular tracks that person might dig. It's a lot easier to hear how something you're familiar with works in the context of a particular dance genre, to give you an idea of the certain nuances of that particular sound. Benzi's a competent selector, and it feels like he approached Trap this way, gathering a batch of exclusive remixes alongside some that were already in existence. He went straight for the ladies, with a lot of vocal-driven anthems going full Trap. You should be able to go ahead and drop this for any female you know who grew up on radio cuts over the last 20 years, see if she isn't a believer by the time this one is done.

Tracklist:

01. Snap! "Rhythm Is A Dancer (Aylen Remix)"

02. Krusha "What Is Love"

03. Axwell "In My Mind (Fresh Direct & DStar Remix)"

04. M.I.A. x Flosstradamus "Bad Total Recall (Fluff Edit)"

05. Yeah Yeah Yeahs "Heads Will Roll (Kid Kamillion Remix)"

06. Alice Deejay "Better Off Alone (Big Makk Remix)"

07. Estelle "Freak (TC Remix)"

08. Justin Timberlake "Cry Me A River (eSenTRik Remix)"

09. DJ Sammy "Heaven (HMillie vs Benzi Edit)"

10. Major Lazer "Get Free (What So Not Remix)"

11. N*E*R*D "Lapdance (Royal-T Remix)"

12. 112 "Dance With me (KMillz Remix)"

13. ATB "Til I Come (DStar & Heat Edit)"

14. Obey City "Never Knew (Baauer Remix)"

15. Klever "Goodie Goodie"

16. Silver Medallion "Stay Young (Udachi Remix)" (Get Right Records)

17. Flosstradamus "Look At The Sky"

18. Faux No "Velma Kelly (Jay Fay Remix)"

19. Ellie Goulding "High For This (Sliink & Kiff Remix)"

20. Deadmau5 x Drankenstein "The Veldt (Benzi Vocal Edit)"

21. Bebe Rexha "Lights Go Out"

22. TV on The Radio "Staring At The Sun (Van Toth TrapLolz Edit)"

23. Zedd & Matthew Koma "Spectrum (Fresh Direct Remix)"

24. Yasmin "Takes 1 2 Know 1 (Prod. Diplo)"

25. Olive "You're Not Alone (TLGB Remix)"

26. Do Or Die & Twista "Do You"

When it comes to EDM, one of the genres that's a bit more misunderstood is drum & bass. Once you get to that 165-170 BPM range, things can get a little dicey. Rap fits perfectly at that tempo, as can dancehall. Things start to slow down once you get to that speed, if that makes any sense, and it takes a true don within the scene to recognize where the scene should progress, and take steps to move it in that direction. Doc Scott, with his 31 Records imprint and, for this conversation, his Future Beats series, he's making those strides. Highlighting the deeper side of the dnb spectrum, Doc Scott goes in for almost three hours. It's a proper journey, with great structure and pacing. It's an essential journey... without a tracklist. Relish in it!

It was said when this dropped, and we'll say it again: the intro on this mix FTW. MistaJam's ace when it comes to not only discovering (and putting great names to) new sounds, but collecting the important tunes of that style and presented them in mixed format. He's been tracking the Trap scene for a bit, and in "Caught in a Trap," connects all of the dots. This mix definitely features some of the best producers and tracks that the genre brought forth in 2012, with some names that you should be checking out in the months to come. US, UK, Trap translates the same.

Tracklist:

1. RL Grime – Flood (MistaJam’s Elvis Caught In The Trap Re-Edit)

2. UZ – Trap Ish V9

3. Chimpo – Dirty

4. Gregor Salto – Bouncing Harbour (Funkin’ Matt Rmx – Munchi Still Thinks Funkin’ Matt Should Do Moombahton VIP)

5. Brick & Morter – Move To The Ocean (Baauer Remix)

6. Lex Luger – John

7. RL Grime – Trap On Acid

8. Arp 101 & Elliott Yorke – Fluro Black

9. TNGHT – Higher Ground

10. Flosstradamus – Rollup (Baauer Remix)

11. Sub Focus – Tidal Wave (Flosstradamus Mix) (feat. Alpine)

12. Baauer – Dum Dum

13. Decibel – Wot

14. Mayhem & Antiserum – Brick Squad Anthem

15. Jovian Four – Ganymede

16. Faze Miyake – Take Off (True Tiger VIP)

17. Dillon Francis – Masta Blasta (The Rebirth)

18. ETC!ETC! – Bueller (feat. Whiskey Pete)

19. Freddo Fuori – Master At Work (Real El Canerio remix – Munchi VIP)

20. Afrojack – Bangduck (CRNKN Trapdux Remix)

21. Afrojack & Shermanology – Can’t Stop Me (Paperbwoy Trap Mix)

22. Baauer – Swerve

23. Fleur & Cutline – Broken Mirror (Specimen A Remix)

24. DJ Cable – New Trap Order

25. Redlight & Ms Dynamite – What You Talking About (Filthy Disco Remix)

26. Bruno Barudi – Like A Stone (Millions Like Us Remix)

27. Oiki – Groove

28. Tempa T – Say It Right Now (Decibel Remix)

29. Baauer – Harlem Shake

30. Half Pint – Greetings

31. TNGHT – Bugg’N

32. Pitbull – Dammit Man

Drum & Bass has always been a UK thing. We all know this. The scene was built and nurtured in the United Kingdom, and no matter what corner of the Earth your studio is sitting in, your stamp of approval has to come from the dons within the UK. Gridlok's one of the few American dnb producers who truly lead the way for dnb artists within the United States to truly get ahead; he got co-signs from Stakka & Skynet at a time when most American drum & bass got laughed at, and worked his angles to a number of signings on top-tier labels, as well as establishing his own Project 51 imprint. He's also a pretty sick DJ, and this Summer he let loose a furious mix, featuring the futuristic brand of dnb that he's been known for. Brooding funk, crisp drums, and the ever-present BASS is on the menu with this mix. You will definitely have a few instances where the hairs on your arms will stand up, and that heartbeat will quicken.

Tracklist:

01.

02. Break - Condenser (Symmetry)

03. InsideInfo & Audio - Recluse (Virus/dub)

04. Concord Dawn & Nina McSweeney -The River (Uprising/dub)

05. BLOKHE4D - Distant (Bad Taste)

06. Vicious Circle - Instinct (Siren)

>> BSE & D.Kay - Bullet In The Head (Gridlok Remix) (BSE)

07. Amit - Mind Killer (dub)

08. Optiv & BTK - Infested (Virus)

09. Noisia & The Upbeats - Dustup (Vision)

10. Gridlok - Poisonous (51)

11.

12. Ed Rush & Optical - Glass Eye (Virus)

13. Menace & Cern - Schemer (RH)

14. Nymfo & BSE - Battlefish (Commercial Suicide)

15.

16.

17. Prolix - Funkhole (Commercial Suicide)

18.

19. The Upbeats & Gridlok - Krypto (Non Vogue/dub)

20.

21.

22.

23. SOM, BSE, Bulletproof - Roullete (Gridlok Remix) (SOM)

24. Gridlok -

25. Dabs - Skullbowl (Syndrome Audio)

26.

27.

28.

Starkey's definitely been one of those names to keep your eyes on. He's already been a threat, but the storm that was his Orbits album has been untouched. He's one of the finest examples of how the grime and bass music scenes in the UK get filtered by a talented producer, with the result being a uniquely American take on the styles. While on a trip to London earlier this year, he hit the Red Bull Studios and put together this spellbinding mix, highlighting not only his own productions, but tracks from the Seclusiasis and Slit Jockey imprints that he helps run in Philly. With the close proximity that the rap world and the trap/bass/grime worlds operate, it makes sense for him to also drop tracks from Iggy Azalea, and he even finds a way to finish this off with a Beatles tune. Yes, this happened, and you'll revel in it's beauty.

Tracklist:

Starkey, Renegade Starship, (Civil Music)

Mr. Mitch, Bethlem Royal, (Slit Jockey)

Starkey ft. Trim, DPMO, (Slit Jockey)

Bloom, Quartz (Starkey Remix), (Gobstopper)

DJ Cable, Pulse RBX, (SeclusJockey)

DS1, Nether Edge, (Slit Jockey)

DS1 ft. Coco, Addicted, (Slit Jockey)

Starkey, Command, (Civil Music)

Starkey, Sequence, (Dub)

Kuedo, Work, Live & Sleep in Collapsing Space, (Planet Mu)

King, Bloccrocc, (Dub)

Starkey, Nucleus, (Self Release)

Psymbionic, Ride With Me (Starkey Remix), (MalLabel)

Starkey ft. Central Spillz, Open the Pod Bay Doors (Remix), (Ninja Tune)

Starkey, Street Rockers, (Civil Music)

Starkey, Pavement, (Dub)

XLII, Throw Yo (Starkey Remix), (Civil Music)

Future ft. TI, Magic (Starkey Remix), (Seclusiasis)

Mr. Mitch, Shit & Sugar, (Slit Jockey)

Iggy Azalea, My World, (Grand Hustle)

Bassboy, Modify, (Dub)

Starkey, Dark Alley, (Planet Mu)

Baauer, Harlem Shake, (Jeffries)

Manikan, For All Ya'll, (Seclusiasis)

Mella Dee, VIP ft. Slick Don, (Slit Jockey)

SRC, Tangerine, (Triangulum)

Starkey, And Then God Built the Cosmos, (Civil Music)

Starkey, Dystopia, (Civil Music)

Starkey, Summer Streets, (Dub)

Goonsquad, Devilish Mode (Dub)

Starkey, Fresh, (Self Release)

The Beatles, Her Majesty, (Apple)

Ryan Hemsworth operates in a weird space: he's known as a producer first, and while he might not be the one you think of when "EDM" comes to mind, he admittedly fits into that realm from time to time. This mix is definitely on more of a chilled-out vibe, but just for the sheer amount of Hemsworth remix pressure thrown in here, this definitely operates in the trapped out space that Baauer and crew reside in. One that's more for the thinkers, with a trek that's undeniable.

Tracklist:

Dr. Andonuts / VLMNT Intro

Waka Flocka Flame – Bill Russell (Ryan Hemsworth’s 情報デスクVIRTUAL Mix)

Jeremih – 773 Love (Ryan Hemsworth’s Squaresoft Bootleg)

Ryan Hemsworth – Faith In Something (ft. Deniro Farrar & Shady Blaze)

Young Giftz – Nino (ft. Tree)

Ryan Hemsworth – Overthinking (Supreme Cuts Remix)

Groundislava – Cool Party

Darq E Freaker – Blueberry (ft. Danny Brown) (acapella)

Ryan Hemsworth – Drifting

Malky - Based Bramble

Tinashe – Boss (Ryan Hemsworth Remix)

Baauer – Swerve

Deebs – Diamond Head (Ryan Hemsworth Remix)

Ryan Hemsworth – The Happy Mask Shop

Resident Evil 3 / Charly Interlude

Ryan Hemsworth – Charly Wingate

David Wise – Donkey Kong Country Theme

Ryan Hemsworth – Stray Rat

David Wise – Aquatic Ambience (Ryan Hemsworth Bootleg)

Ryan Hemsworth – We Deserve This (ft. Jdown Valmont) (acapella)

Wiz Khalifa – Never Been pt. 2 (Instrumental)

Ryan Hemsworth – 2 Noughtz

Ryan Hemsworth – Slurring (Baauer Remix)

Kaytradamus – Sellout

Freddie Gibbs – Deep (acapella)

Frank Ocean – Pink Matter (ft. Andre 3000) (Ryan Hemsworth Bootleg)

Frank Ocean – Thinkin Bout You (Ryan Hemsworth Bootleg)

Antwon – Sittin’ In Hell

Ryan Hemsworth – Sulk (Live Action Fezz Bootleg)

Shady Blaze – On Our Way (Instrumental)

Future – Turn On The Lights (Ryan Hemsworth Bootleg)

Koji Kondo – Sheik’s Theme

Supreme Cuts – Ball (ft. Tree) (screwed)

munno – Focus (Motivation Remix Instrumental)

LOL Boys – Changes (GRANT Remix)

RAJA – Best Friends (Liars)

Meek Mill – Lean Wit It

DJ Shadow – Seein Thangs (ft. David Banner)

Freddie Gibbs – Shame (Ryan Hemsworth’s Brinstar Bridge Mix)

Flosstradamus – Rollup (Baauer Remix)

DJ Khaled – Shout Out To The Real (ft. Meek Mill, Ace Hood & Plies)

Evil Nine – The Black Brad Pitt (ft. Danny Brown) (Deebs Remix)

Nobuo Uematsu – Dead Music

K.K. Slider / Surf Nazis Outro

2012 was a huge year for Calyx & Teebee. They had already put out their first collaborative album, but for the sophomore project, they aligned with one of drum & bass' biggest independent labels, Ram Records, which automatically put it in a great light. Thankfully, All Or Nothing is one of the best dance music albums of 2012. A few weeks ago, Radio 1 asked these two to step up for the weekly two-hour Essential Mix block, and they killed it. Straight tore down the slot. What's great is, they took it into a few different directions - they could've done a mix of nothing but their own tunes, but they instead mixed it up with a number of influences, from techno vibes to hip-hop. They also made sure to incorporate their own cuts, and classic drum & bass. It's both a history lesson and a sick mix, enjoy it.

Tracklist:

Goldie - Timeless [FFRR]

Vangelis - Blade Runner Main Titles [Blade Runner Soundtrack, Warner Music]

Calyx & Teebee - Elevate This Sound ['All Or Nothing' EP, Ram Records]

Calyx & Teebee - Pure Gold [RAM Records]

Calyx & Teebee - We Fall Away [RAM Records]

Wilkinson - Directions [RAM Records]

Ulterior Motive & Hybris - Bring Out [Subtitles UK]

Photek - Ni-Ten-Ichi-Ruy [Science]

Teebee - Unknown Approach [Certificate 18]

Teebee - Spaceage [Certificate 18]

Icona Pop - Nights Like These (Icicle Remix) [Mercury]

Mark Knight - Nothing Matters (Noisia Remix) [Toolroom]

Teebee - White Venom [Metalheadz]

Fracture & System - Circuit Breaker [Subtitles UK]

The Future Sound of London - Cascade [Astralwerks]

Trentemoller - Take Me Into Your Skin [Poker Flat Recordings]

Martin Buttrich - Enough Love to Hate [Desolat]

Trentemoller - Evil Dub [Poker Flat Recordings]

Gui Boratto - Destination Education [Kompakt]

DNYO - Aquatica (Luis Junior Remix) [MicroCastle]

Marco Bailey - The Sniper (Patrick Siech Remix) [MB Elektronics]

Tahloula - We Play House (M.A.N.D.Y.'s Sweatbox Remix) [Great Stuff Recordings]

Lulu Rouge - Bless You [Music For Dreams]

Trentemoller - Serenetti pt.3 [Poker Flat Recordings]

Stimming - Sunday Morning [Reflections, Diynamic Music]

Stimming - The Kiss [Reflections, Diynamic Music]

Break - They're Wrong [Symmetry]

Break - Trying [Shogun Audio]

SpectraSoul - Bygones [Shogun Audio]

Dillinja - Nasty Ways [FFRR]

SpectraSoul - Mimic [Subtitles UK]

Calyx & Teebee - Scavenger [RAM Records]

Culture Shock - Gears [RAM Records]

Calyx & Teebee - Strung Out

Verse & SP - Surrender [Crunch]

Break & Nico - Salvage [Symmetry]

dBridge - Wonder Where [Nonplus]

Ram Trilogy - No Reality [RAM Records]

Calyx & Gridlok - Dead Ringer [Moving Shadow]

Isao Tomita - Prelude To The Afternoon Of A Faun [BMG Classics]

Roots Manuva - Witness (One Hope) [Big Dada]

The Roots & J Dilla - Dynamite [MCA]

J Dilla - E=MC2 [Barely Breaking Even]

Boards of Canada - Corsair [Warp]

Aphex Twin - Alberto Balsalm [Warp]

Boards of Canada - Olson [Warp]

DJ Shadow - Midnight In A Perfect World [Island]

Xtrah - Groove Shadow [Dub]

Submotion Orchestra - It's Not Me It's You (Alix Perez Remix)

dBridge - True Romance [Metalheadz]

Break & Calyx & Teebee - Don't Look Down [Symmetry]

Calyx & Teebee - Skank

Calyx & Teebee & Beardyman - You'll Never Take Me Alive [RAM Records]

Apex - Inner Space [Subtitles UK]

Calyx & Teebee - Nothing I Can Say [[RAM Records]

Lomax - Innocent X [Critical]

Calyx - Illusions [Moving Shadow]

Lomax - Too Real [Soul:R]

Calyx & Teebee - Starstruck [RAM Records]

Calyx & Teebee - Heroes & Villains [RAM Records]

Calyx & Teebee - We Become One (feat. Foreign Beggars & Dj Craze) [RAM Records]

Gyorgy Ligeti - Overture Atmospheres

You can't even speak about Trap in 2012 without mentioning Flosstradamus. Their "Original Don" remix is the definitive track within the EDM Trap scene, and the duo just kept it pushing, with remixes, original productions, and some well-timed mixes all swarming the music world this year. B⚠NNED hit the digital streets in August, and within this half hour of power, they showed you just how this phenomenon bridged the sounds of Juicy J with cats like UZ. We're not sure if it's the influx of molly, the rise of producers like Lex Luger, or some weird occurrence in the middle, but Trap's explosion is seen clearly through the glasses this mix wears. TURNUP!

Tracklist:

TOM RICHMAN – DRO MONTANA

THUGLI – WEYVEE

DEEBS – ROLLIN (DJ HOODCORE & DJ SIIKEE REMIX)

JUICY J – BANDZ A MAKE HER DANCE

DJ SPINZ – HOODRICH ANTHEM FEAT. 2CHAINZ, FUTURE, WAKA FLOCKA, YO GOTTI, AND GUCCI MANE

FLOSSTRADAMUS & DJ SLIINK – TEST ME (UZ REMIX)

BRANCHEZ – TREAT YOU RIGHT

CHROMATIC & GLADIATOR – GAMECUBE NINTENDO

MADRID – IMA WORK

MEEK MILL – FACE DOWN FEAT. TREY SONGZ, SAM SNEAK, & WALE

UZ – TRAP SHIT 13

KANYE WEST – MERCY (SALVA & RL GRIME REMIX)

MAJOR LAZER – ORIGINAL DON (POP THAT)

DIPLO – EXPRESS YOURSELF (GENT & JAWNS REMIX)

FLOSSTRADAMUS – UNDERGR☢UND ANTHEM

MIA – BAD GIRLS (SWITCH REMIX) FEAT. MISSY ELLIOTT & RYE RYE

FLOSSTRADAMUS – ROLLUP (BAAUER REMIX)

Technically, there aren't a lot of DJ's that can fuck with Dieselboy. The dude is a machine when it comes to technique. Since he's so proficient, Dieselboy comes with a number of themes, and they extend past the cover art or intro - he'll morph entire compilations based on a particular phrase or idea, bringing it to life through his art. This mix isn't that deep, but he does go in.

The story goes that Dieselboy played live at Denver's Beta Nightclub back in April. The set was streamed live on your Internets, but the raw audio was not recorded. What's Dieselboy do? Using three decks, he meticulously re-creates his entire 90-minute mix from scratch. His style is like his labels: he mixes up drum & bass with more dubstep and bass music sounds, really showcasing what is getting the hardest of the hardcore EDM fans in the States live. It definitely needs to be heard to be believed, and is well worth the investment.

Tracklist:

Dieselboy - DJ'ing 101 // PLANET HUMAN

State Of Mind + Black Sun Empire + Bulletproof - Roulette (Gridlok Remix) // STATE OF MIND

Athys + Duster - Barfight // TITAN

Camo + Krooked - Cryptkeeper (Mind Vortex Remix) // HOSPITAL

Loadstar - Bomber // RAM

Gridlok - Blender // PROJECT 51

Dieselboy + Bare - Beyond Thunderdome // HUMAN IMPRINT

Camo + Krooked - Hot Pursuit (Funtcase Remix) // HOSPITAL

Cookie Monsta - Time To Get Crunk // CIRCUS

Sub Focus - Swamp Thing (Zardonic Edit) // DUB

Rednek - They Call Me (Zen Remix) // ROGUE INDUSTRIES

Noisia - Diplodocus (Kill The Noise Remix) // MAU5TRAP

Noisia - Diplodocus (The Upbeats Remix) // MAU5TRAP

Gridlok + Prolix - Poisonous // PROJECT 51

The Upbeats + Noisia - Creep Out // NON VOGUE

Dom And Roland - Strobe // D&R PRODUCTIONS

Jaydan - The Death Dealer // SMOKIN RIDDIMS

Photek - Age Of Empires // METALHEADZ

Zen - Rhubarb N Custard (Taxman Remix) // FLIP AUDIO

Funtcase - 50 Calibre (Sub Zero Remix) // CIRCUS

Adam F + Horx - Shut The Lights Off feat Redman (Sigma DNB Remix) // BREAKBEAT KAOS

Noisia + The Upbeats - Dustup // VISION

Sub Focus - Stomp // RAM

Zardonic + Playma - Kick Ass // BIG RIDDIM

Camo + Krooked - Run Riot (Sub Zero Remix) // HOSPITAL

DC Breaks - Move Closer feat Belle Humble // RAM

Sub Zero - Run N Hide // PLAYAZ

Dope Ammo + Tone Def - Rolling (Sub Zero Remix) // DOPE AMMO RECORDS

Gridlok - Enemies Of The State // COMMERICAL SUICIDE

Dub Phizix + Skeptical feat Strategy - Marka // EXIT

TC - New Style // DON'T PLAY

Terravita - Bach Off // DIM MAK

Dieselboy + Bare - W.M.F.D. // HUMAN IMPRINT

Zardonic + Mark Instinct - Numbernin6 + Run DMT - Real Steel // BIG RIDDIM

Terravita + Obsidian - Pirate Bass // DIM MAK

Serum + Northern Lights - Rush // ZOMBIE

Gridlok - Insecticide // PROJECT 51

Gridlok - Warrior Code // PLAYAZ

Gein + Counterstrike - Pentagram VIP // BAD CHEMISTRY

Numbernin6 + Zardonic - The Final Five // SUBHUMAN

Zen - Bass Invader VIP // FLIP AUDIO

Ed Rush + Optical - Chubrub // VIRUS

Kontrol - Forcefield (Optiv + BTK Remix) // RENEGADE HARDWARE

Inside Info - Honey Bee // VIPER

Sigma - Hi Top (Ed Rush + Optical Remix) // VIPER

Hive + Keaton + Gridlok + Echo - Violent Sound feat Armanni // VIOLENCE

Original Sin - Detonate // PLAYAZ

Chuckie - Who Is Ready To Jump (Dillon Francis Remix vs Loc'd Out Refix) // DUB

Camo + Krooked feat TC - Get Dirty (Smooth Remix) // HOSPITAL

Taxman - Thr33 // PLAYAZ

Aeph - Nightrider // BAD TASTE

Sub Focus - Vapourise // RAM

Nero - Crush On You (Knife Party Remix) // MTA

Nero - Crush On You (Killsonik Remix) // MTA

Bong - Hostile Enforcement // ATOM

Bong - Nemesis // DUB

SPKTRM - Planet Human (Mark Instinct + Nerd Rage Remix) // HUMAN IMPRINT

Skeptiks - All Hail // NEVER SAY DIE

Killbot - Wrecked // DIM MAK

Pixel Fist - Let Yourself Go // BENGABEATS

Krome And Time - The License (Doctor P Remix) // STREETLIFE

One of the best things to happen to EDM has been Diplo getting his "Diplo & Friends" show on BBC Radio 1. Every weekend, you're treated to two one-hour mixes a week from DJs hand-picked by Diplo. How awesome is that?! In July, prior to the full release of their self-titled EP, Lunice & Hudson Mohawke, aka TNGHT (obvs), the boys got invited to throw down for Diplo & Friends, and they were kind enough to upload the uncensored version of the mix for the Internets. It flows like a three-act play, with them showcasing their influences, the result of said influences, and what comes next. It's also another testament to the Trap sound, which obviously took the underground by storm.

Tracklist:

1 John Carpenter - Back to the pod (version 2)

2 SpaceGhostPurrp - Get Yah Head Bust

3 Dj Zirk - Lock Em In Da Trunk (Chopped & Screwed Tommy Kruise Remix)

4 Lil Ugly Mane feat. Denzel Curry - Twistin

5 Jackie Chain feat. Bun B & Big K.R.I.T. - Parked Outside

6 Lady Bee - Hard Like A Criminal

7 Dj Squeeky & Tha Family - Death To You Playa Hata

8 Snoop Dogg feat. Master P - Snoop World

9 Lunice - Youngin (Paper) (forthcoming LuckyMe)

10 TNGHT - Bugg'N (forthcoming Warp X LuckyMe)

11 2Chainz feat. Drake - No Lie

12 Lunice - Believe Dat (forthcoming LuckyMe)

13 TNGHT - Ridin Up

14 Chief Keef feat. Kanye West, Pusha T, Big Sean & Jadakiss - I Don't Like (Remix)

15 TNGHT - Goooo (forthcoming Warp X LuckyMe)

16 GOOD Music - Mercy x Furnace

17 Hudson Mo - Chimes

18 Sasha Go Hard - I'm Hotta

19 Zebra Katz x Boyfriend - Winter Titty

20 Decibel - GAP

21 TNGHT - Bounce Hitum

22 Waka Flocka Flame - Rooster in my Rari (TNGHT official remix)

23 TNGHT - Higher Ground (forthcoming Warp X LuckyMe)

24 Stabber - Torsion Force

25 S-Type - Billboard (forthcoming LuckyMe)

26 TNGHT - Go Get Busy (forthcoming Warp X LuckyMe)

27 Zodiac - Girlgirlgirl

28 John Carpenter - Over the Wall

Yes, you definitely heard Rustie's name come up recently; he's got three beats on Danny Brown's forthcoming album, Old. He's been calmly killing things, with his 2011 album Glass Swords getting a number of accolades, including winning The Guardian's First Album Award. He's a menace on the decks, and got asked to hit the Essential Mix back in April of 2012... and proceeded to blow the minds of anyone who was privy to experiencing it. Of course he went through a myriad of his own tracks, but the selection on this is key. Sure, some DJs will mix Trap and Rick Ross because 808s, but will those same DJs venture into dropping Destiny's Child? Will they venture from Baauer to Nicki Minaj to Machinedrum without batting an eyelash? This is one of the most thrilling adventures into the depths of bass music, it's damn near perfect. Mixes like this show you the power of the medium, and how important DJs truly are to the progression of music in general. It's surely the best Essential Mix of the year, and for that, we salute you.

Tracklist:

The Friends of Distinction - Impressions (Dialogue)

Rustie - Gilded Jewel Case

Dreams - Bloodsport

The Blessings - Whoopi

Hudson Mohawke - Gooo

Rick Ross - MMG The World is Ours

Rustie - All Nite (Demo Version)

Clams Casino - Im God

Juicy J - Geeked Up Off Them Bars

Obey City - Work Move

Love Shy - That First Kiss

Xcuse - All Right (Shiftee Remix)

Asap Twelvy - Our World

Rustie - Eyezz

S-Type - Billboard

Surkin - Gold Island - (Bok Bok & L-vis 1990 Remix)

Kavsrave - No More (Slow Jams)

Lunice - Cant Wait To

Nightwave - Night Bird

Rustie - City Star (vip)

Baauer - Harlam Shake

Hudson Mohawke - Push

My Dry Wet Mess - When We Were Wrong

Skeletone 3

Rustie - Reflector

Lone - Dream Ache

Rustie - Love Frequency

Surkin - White Knight (Jackson & His Computer Band Remix)

Fox Gut Daata - Throb Black Map

Rustie - Crakk Squirrel

Rustie - Prizm

Cashmere Cat - Mirror Maru

Destinys Child - Get on the Bus

Rustie - Shifft

Lucky Beard - Shake Your Nipples

Krystal Klear - Pistol Chauffeur

Obey City - Fallin

Cid Rim - JazzJazzJazz (Dorian Concept Remix)

Big Sean - Marvin & Chardonay

Manix! - Feel Reel Good

Heezy Baby - Logobi Heezy International

Cassie - King of Hearts (Kanye West Remix)

Rustie - Hover Traps

Wiz Khalifa - Guilty Conscience

Rustie - Mint Lotus

Rustie - Gold Likk

Danny Brown - Witit

Rustie - Frazzle

Rustie - Ooompa

Rustie - Cat Nip

Rustie - Sawdust

Drake - Lord Knows

Tnght - R U Ready

Baauer - Dumdum

Nicki Minaj - I Am Your Leader

Eprom - Regis Chillbin (Machinedrum Remix)

Dorian Concept - Toothbrush

Rustie - Teen Souls Burning

Rustie - 444Sure

The Friends of Distinction - Impressions (Dialogue)

Sure, Baauer's not the first to make Trap what it is (and potentially will be), you can credit folks like UZ and Flosstradamus for the rush. Baauer's without a doubt got all the bases covered, much better than the majority of the scene's finest. Straight up and down, Baauer's cooking up some potent tracks, with sound quality that's superior to most of what these guys have coming out. Thunderous bass, bouncing drums. He's just got "it," whatever you think "it" is. And for a portion of Benji B's Radio 1 show this past October, he got to showcase a deeper side of the sound. What's wild is he didn't even need to go into his own sound; he featured cuts from Ryan Hemsworth, Hudson Mohawke, Clicks & Whistles, Ta-ku, and other producers of his ilk, blending the words of rap and bass music into a cosmic stew. Tracks fly in quickly, but they all fit. It doesn't feel rushed, and you immediately want to restart it once it comes to an end. Seriously. Spend 25 minutes getting acquainted with a guy who will be one to watch come 2013.

Tracklist:

The Partysquad – Rising Sun

Hudson Mohawke – Furnace Loop

LDFD – Twerk It

[unknown] – Boss Lean

Ta-Ku – Diamond Mouth

Xaphoon Jones – Ellie Goulding vs Gucci Mane

Clicks & Whistles – Fumando

Ryan Hemsworth – 2 Noughtz

Kendrick Lamar – Swimming Pools (Ta-Ku Remix)

Clicks & Whistles – Southern Slaw

Jeremih – 773 Love (Cashmere Cat Edit)

Bosstone – Lean (DJ Sliink Remix)

Obey City – Neva Knew (Baauer Remix)