AFEM SYKO DROPS NEW ACID-LACED TECHNO CUT “BREAK” ON SPEEDMASTER RECORDS

Speedmaster's latest offering transcends genre norms, as DJ and producer Afem Syko blends acid synth textures, with trance charged techno energy

Berlin-based techno luminary Afem Syko unleashes his newest single “Break”, out on all streaming platforms today. This is the latest offering from Speedmaster Records, the faster, dancefloor focussed sub-label of TRIBE, the label and collective founded by Colombia-born, Berlin-based electronic music prodigy Funk Tribu.

Known for his magnetic stage presence and masterful DJing, Afem Syko has earned a devoted global following. Blending techno, drum and bass, and trance, he crafts a diverse soundscape that evokes deep emotion. Forthcoming single “Break” captures Afem Syko’s ability to blur the lines between genres, resulting in a club ready, high energy sound. Acid tinged synths are layered over a pulsating groove, with the “Break” vocal sample weaving through the production, adding a human element to the track.

Following the release of Funk Tribu’s very own “LIFE” EP on TRIBE earlier this month, alongside a host of singles on Speedmaster Records from the likes of DJ Gueslist, DJ Traytex and Frankie Elyse - the whole TRIBE universe is firmly on the rise. A collective focussed on community, platforming artists and their emotionally led club music, with a compelling visual language forming a key part of their creative world. The steady drumbeat of much-anticipated releases by fans is matched with immersive club events across Europe and beyond, taking over cities such as Berlin, Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam and more with “TRIBE Presents”.

Afem Syko has been on a strong run, recently collaborating with anonymous electronic artist The Rocketman. The DJ and producer has been showcasing his sound across leading festivals and clubs such as Unreal, RSO, Virage and E1, and will feature on the lineup at Funk Tribu’s “Day & Night” takeover at Knockdown Centre in New York this October.

One of electronic music’s most exciting collectives on the rise, TRIBE puts the dancefloor first, and its faster sub-label Speedmaster Records is no different. Their latest offering is another major addition to its releases, with Afem Syko’s acid infused club cut, masterfully blending gritty, nostalgic synths with driving 4x4 percussion, giving the track a distinctly techno leaning edge.

Afem Syko - “Break” is out today on Speedmaster Records via all streaming platforms.

Afem Syko is a rising force in Berlin’s avant-garde techno scene, known for his emotionally charged sound and boundary-pushing productions. His debut EP on R Label Group marked his entry into the next generation of electronic artists. As a skilled DJ, he crafts intense, hypnotic sets that blur the line between genius and madness, captivating audiences worldwide. His music fuses techno, drum and bass, and trance, creating a dynamic interplay of euphoria and darkness. With upcoming releases on major labels, Afem Syko continues to evolve, shaping the future of electronic music.

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WHAT SO NOT RELEASES LONG AWAITED EP ‘I SAW A TRAP DJ AND IT CHANGED MY BIO CHEMISTRY’

FEATURING COLLABORATIONS WITH ALINA PASH, MR. CARMACK, 

JACK BLOM, NERVE & MORE

FOLLOWING MONTHS OF ANTICIPATION AND TOURING, THE EP RECONNECTS WITH THE SPIRIT OF EARLY ELECTRONIC MUSIC CULTURE THROUGH A MODERN LENS

Globally acclaimed producer and electronic music pioneer What So Not officially releases his new EP, I SAW A TRAP DJ AND IT CHANGED MY BIO CHEMISTRY, available across all streaming platforms on August 14th.

Arriving after months of anticipation and a string of acclaimed singles including “EVEREST” featuring Alina Pash, “MONA LISA” with Mr. Carmack, and “Candy Flipping” featuring Alina Pash, Jack Blom, and NERVE, the project serves as one of What So Not's most personal and conceptually ambitious bodies of work to date.

Across the EP, What So Not both revisits and reimagines the sense of discovery, experimentation, and community that defined the formative years of internet-era trap music while filtering those influences through more than a decade of artistic growth. 

This is more than a simple nostalgia play - it's a multifaceted era designed to bring the music community together through intimate, real-life experiences and an authentic creative vision.

The result is a project that feels both deeply nostalgic and entirely contemporary - balancing cinematic songwriting, forward-thinking production, heavy bass experimentation, and personal collaboration moments into a cohesive yet unpredictable project.

Each release has revealed a different side of that journey. “EVEREST” explored themes of healing, unity, and transcendence through Alina Pash's powerful vocal performance. “MONA LISA” reunited What So Not with longtime bass music innovator Mr. Carmack for a bass-powered reflection on excess and self-destruction. Meanwhile, “Candy Flipping” pushed deeper into introspection, examining ego, duality, and self-perception through a layered dialogue between NERVE and Alina Pash.

Taken together, the songs form a broader story - one that mirrors What So Not's own artistic trajectory. Rather than attempting to recreate the past, the EP seeks to recapture the feeling of possibility and connection that made the 2010s era of electronic music culture so transformative.

The project also arrives amid What So Not's intimate I SAW A TRAP DJ AND IT CHANGED MY BIO CHEMISTRY North American tour, a limited-capacity run designed to bring the music back into smaller rooms and more direct connection with fans. The tour reflects the same philosophy driving the EP itself: prioritizing community, experimentation, and shared experience over spectacle alone.

Long regarded as one of the defining producers behind the rise of cinematic trap and future bass, What So Not has spent the past decade continually evolving beyond genre boundaries. From collaborations with Skrillex, RL Grime, Oliver Tree, Killer Mike, Toto, and Daniel Johns to acclaimed projects including Divide & Conquer (2016), Not All The Beautiful Things (2018), Anomaly (2022), and The Quiet That Hurts (2025), his catalog has consistently pushed electronic music toward new creative territory.

With I SAW A TRAP DJ AND IT CHANGED MY BIO CHEMISTRY, What So Not delivers a project that feels less like a return and more like a recalibration - a reminder of the transformative power of music, community, and creative curiosity, viewed through the lens of an artist who helped shape the culture.

Tracklist

1. “Candy Flipping” (w/ Jack Blom, Nerve, Alina Pash)

2. “Mona Lisa” (w/ Mr. Carmack, Benni Ola)

3. “Everest” (w/ Alina Pash)

4. “Wires and Webs” (w/ Jack Blom, Elohim, Christian Patey)

5. “Trash” (w/ Losco, Michael Christmas, Caliph)

6. “Don't Wanna Leave Yet” (w/ Alina Pash)

Artist Quote

“For a long time I found myself running away from a sound I helped create...Doubt, evolution, inspiration or lack thereof, it's a journey a lot of us go through as artists. There's a layer of sadness to that, but also so much beauty & growth :)

In my journey to always do the 'next' thing, I think I neglected 'my' thing... but this brings me to a pivotal moment in my life and music career (right now) where I see a path that looks back to build forward...

Do you remember the first time you heard Rustie, Flying Lotus, "Original Don (Flosstradamus Remix)," Mr. Carmack? From the Harlem Shake to DJ Snake, this scene changed what a nightclub sounded like, global radio & even how the Billboard charts registered success.

Trading the rap verses for synth hooks, chipmunk vocal licks & wonky melodic progressions, we simultaneously crafted our own form here in Australia—changing the sound of nightlife, radio, the internet & soon the world took notice, sending us to every corner of the globe.

'Trap', 'beats music', 'future bass', whatever the label, I remember how it changed me, rattled my core. It was no longer pop radio vocals & 'songs', it was a vibration in-between scales, a revolt against the normal. While my path grew away from the niche, to mainstages, having to compete with the multimillion dollar pop acts certainly did some good—forcing me to sing, perform drums, synths, & implement amazing friends like Trevin into my band on guitar & legends like Daniel Johns performing iconic rock anthems like 'Freak'.

But here I am... 2026, amplified, hungry, inspired. With all the tools of DnB, analog exploration & rhythm from around the globe, re-captivated, like the rest of the world, by this 2016 energy. I feel like I'm finally writing the music everybody wants from me, but on my own terms, on my own time, with the tools of a lifetime chasing 'what's next'.”  – What So Not

What So Not is an Australian electronic music producer and live performer recognized as one of the defining architects behind the rise of cinematic trap and forward-thinking bass music in the early 2010s. Emerging during a transformative moment in global electronic culture, his emotionally charged production style and genre-blurring approach helped reshape the sound of festival music, internet-era electronic culture, and modern bass music worldwide.

Across acclaimed releases including Not All The Beautiful Things, Anomaly, Motions, and 2025 collaborative EP The Quiet That Hurts with Dutch producer Buunshin, What So Not has consistently evolved beyond genre expectations - blending trap, drum & bass, cinematic songwriting, analog experimentation, and melodic electronic production into a singular artistic identity. The Quiet That Hurts in particular marked a bold evolution in his sound, pairing emotionally immersive songwriting with an innovative take on modern drum & bass and experimental electronic music.

Known for collaborations with artists including Skrillex, RL Grime, Oliver Tree, Killer Mike, Toto, and Daniel Johns, What So Not has built a catalog that balances large-scale festival energy with emotional depth and boundary-pushing production. Tracks such as “High You Are,” “Jaguar,” “Gemini,” and “Be Ok Again” have collectively contributed to more than 1.3 billion global streams.

Beyond music releases, What So Not has become known for immersive live performances that fuse cinematic visuals, live instrumentation, and emotionally driven storytelling. A staple across major global festivals including Coachella, Ultra Music Festival, and Lollapalooza, he continues to push electronic music into new territory while maintaining the forward-thinking creative identity that has defined his career for over a decade.

With his forthcoming project I SAW A TRAP DJ AND IT CHANGED MY BIO CHEMISTRY, What So Not enters a new era - reconnecting with the emotional and cultural foundations that first shaped his music while reframing them through years of artistic evolution and experimentation.

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MAMMBOH RHYTHMS BRINGS TOGETHER 30+ ARTISTS FOR ‘UNITED FOR COLOMBIA’, A CHARITY VA RAISING FUNDS FOR EARTHQUAKE RELIEF

Featuring music from Sons Of Hidden, Serge André, Obscure Shape, Isaiah, Janein, Advanced Transistor, Maōh, Brennen Grey, Red Noise, Ricardo Garduno, Frazi.er, Lars Huismann, Fresko and more, with 100% of proceeds donated to organisations supporting earthquake relief in Colombia.

  Colombian electronic music label Mammboh Rhythms has announced ‘UNITED FOR COLOMBIA’, a special 32-track VA charity bringing together artists from across the international electronic music circuit in support of communities affected by the devastating earthquake that struck Colombia this week.

 Out Wednesday 12 August 2026, the compilation sees artists from across techno and the wider underground electronic music scene donate music to a collective fundraising effort, with 100% of proceeds from the release going towards verified organisations providing humanitarian assistance and relief to communities affected by the disaster.

The main priority will be supporting communities in Chocó, one of the areas most affected by the emergency and one of Colombia’s most underserved regions. Funds will also support verified organisations in Pereira and Cali, alongside a dedicated fund for Colombian artists and producers who have lost their homes as a result of the disaster.

To ensure full transparency, Mammboh Rhythms will publish weekly updates detailing the total funds raised, how they are allocated and transfer receipts for each verified organisation, sharing these directly with its community and media partners.

The initiative was created by Sons Of Hidden & Serge Andre, the Medellín based live artist and founders of Mammboh Rhythms, in response to the earthquake and its impact across Colombia. With deep roots in the Colombian electronic music community, the project sought to use the international network surrounding the label and its artists to create something immediate and tangible in support of those affected.

The compilation features contributions from Sons Of Hidden, Serge André, Advanced Transistor, Maōh, Pōnky, Obscure Shape, Isaiah, Lars Huismann, Brennen Grey, Fixon, William Arist, Fresko, Farceb, Frazi.er, Laurel, Janein, Gustavo Bassani, Floam, Hemka, Aöcram, EJA, Milo Novikov, Deluka, Ricardo Garduno, ALNA, QV, Azogiař, Praxys, Red Noise, Krubim, Sepian, Shakti (COL) and Milena Adamis.

The project arrives at a moment when Colombia is facing a significant humanitarian crisis following the earthquake, with communities across the country dealing with loss, displacement and the immediate need for assistance. For Mammboh Rhythms, the compilation represents an opportunity to turn the international reach of electronic music into direct support for those affected.

Sons Of Hidden: “This is one of those moments when, as a community, we show the values that have been built into the foundations of our movement. It’s time to come together for those who need it most today. Let the music never stop, because it hasn’t always been about celebration, it has also been about resistance.”

Serge André: “As artists, I believe we have a social responsibility. The people around us have played an important part in shaping who we are and where we stand today. In moments like this, I feel we have a responsibility to raise our voices and use the power of our platforms and our reach to support and stand alongside our people. Art has always been a force for change, a form of resistance and a revolutionary movement. Now is the time to use that power for something greater than ourselves.”

With artists contributing music from across different countries, backgrounds and corners of the electronic music world, UNITED FOR COLOMBIA is ultimately built around a simple idea, that music can become a vehicle for solidarity when it matters most.

UNITED FOR COLOMBIA is available now via Mammboh Rhythms.

Scan the QR code to donate directly, or head to Bandcamp to purchase the VA, with all proceeds going towards earthquake relief in Colombia.

One community. One purpose. One rhythm.

UNITED FOR COLOMBIA.

TRACKLIST:

1. Sons Of Hidden & Serge André - Quetzal

2. Advanced Transistor - Origen

3. Maōh - Rainborne

4. Pōnky - Zoom

5. Obscure Shape - Don’t Ask Me

6. Isaiah - Cohesion

7. Lars Huismann - Whisper

8. Brennen Grey - Sacrifice The Body

9. Fixon - Mundo Nuevo

10. William Arist - Ambal

11. Fresko - Awake

12. Farceb - Reverso

13. Frazi.er - Zapped

14. Laurel - Magnetico

15. Janein - Lost Frequency

16. Gustavo Bassani - Over Thinking

17. Floam - La Flor De Los Deseos

18. Hemka - Discord

19. Aöcram - Holobionte

20. EJA - Kumo

21. Milo Novikov - Gratitude

22. Deluka - Rise Again

23. Ricardo Garduno - Mexican Rhyme

24. ALNA - Close Encouter

25. QV - Carne y Hueso

26. Azogiař - Modelo Clasico

27. Praxys - Scapular

28. Red Noise - Salt Eyes

29. Krubim - Inner

30. Sepian - Inua

31. Shakti (COL) - IAR2107226

32. Milena Adamis - Cave

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Mammboh Rhythms Records

Sons Of Hidden || Serge Andre