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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FUTURFESTIVAL ANNOUNCES ITS FINAL LINEUP FOR ITS DEBUT MEXICO EDITION

FEATURING ÂME DJ B2B MARCEL DETTMANN, ANNA B2B DEER JADE, CARL CRAIG B2B MOODYMANN, CHLOÉ CAILLET, CLOONEE, DAMIAN LAZARUS, DENNIS CRUZ B2B DJ TENNIS, DIPLO, DIXON, DJ HOLOGRAPHIC, FJAAK, FRANCIS MERCIER B2B MAHMUT ORHAN, KI/KI, LILLY PALMER, MACEO PLEX B2B TIGA, PACO OSUNA, SKREAM, STOOR LIVE [JAKOJAKO, MATHEW JONSON, SPEEDY J], TRIPOLISM, VINTAGE CULTURE + MORE
 

PARQUE FUNDIDORA IN MONTERREY 

56 artists, 14 B2Bs and four Mexican premieres will mark the festival’s first edition outside Europe. Born in Turin, FUTUR FESTIVAL will bring to Monterrey a vision built around music, club culture and creative freedom.

On November 13 and 14, Parque Fundidora will host FuturFestival’s first edition outside Europe. Born in Turin in 2009, the festival has for years been recognized by specialized media, industry experts and international rankings as one of the 10 most important electronic music festivals in the world. 

The festival’s arrival in Mexico represents much more than a new date on the international festival calendar. It marks the meeting of two cities — and two spaces — that share a unique history: Parco Dora in Turin and Parque Fundidora in Monterrey. Both former industrial sites that have found a second life as spaces for culture, connection and new generations, the shared history makes Fundidora a natural setting for FuturFestival to begin its next chapter.

The first Mexican edition will bring together 56 artists, 14 B2Bs and four Mexican premieres, creating a lineup that connects different generations and scenes within electronic music.

Artists who have helped shape the history of the genre — including Carl Craig, Moodymann, Dixon, Âme, Damian Lazarus, Maceo Plex, Tiga, Skream, FJAAK and Vintage Culture — will share the stage with artists currently taking club culture into new territories, including Diplo, Paco Osuna, DJ Holographic, Echonomist, Marie Montexier, Cloonee, KI/KI and Lilly Palmer.

More than a collection of names, the lineup offers a journey through the different eras, geographies and sounds that have shaped contemporary electronic music.

B2Bs are one of FUTUR FESTIVAL’s defining signatures, and Monterrey will feature pairings including Carl Craig b2b Moodymann, Âme DJ b2b Marcel Dettmann, Maceo Plex b2b Tiga, Dennis Cruz b2b DJ Tennis and Francis Mercier b2b Mahmut Orhan, alongside Adiel b2b Quest, Airrica b2b Yulia Niko, ANNA b2b Deer Jade, Iñigo Vontier b2b Paurro, Jackson b2b Lilya Mandre and Massano b2b Volkoder.

Four experiences will make their Mexican premiere: Carl Craig b2b Moodymann, Adiel b2b Quest, DJ Holographic and STOOR Live.

The program is further expanded by live projects from AAAA, Metrika and Opuntia, as well as STOOR Live featuring JakoJako, Mathew Jonson and Speedy J — bringing improvisation, hardware, technology and sonic experimentation into the festival experience.

The festival’s arrival in Mexico is further supported by the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Mexico, strengthening the relationship between the two countries through music, creative industries, innovation, investment and entertainment.

This story also includes a partnership with Nat5, bringing a regenerative environmental model into the festival experience. Through this initiative, a percentage of every ticket sold will be allocated to nature regeneration projects, supported by mechanisms designed to track and measure the resulting impact.

FUTURFESTIVAL MÉXICO arrives in Monterrey with a story built over years, a program that brings together different generations of artists, and a vision connecting music, culture, innovation and regeneration.

On November 13 and 14, Parque Fundidora will become the meeting point.

The story began in Turin.

The next chapter begins in Monterrey.

FUTUR IS IN MEXICO.

WHAT SO NOT DOCUMENTS UKRAINE'S CREATIVE COMMUNITY IN NEW SHORT FILM AND& ROOFTOP PERFORMANCE “SKYFALL” WITH ALINA PASH

FILMED IN KYIV DURING A PERIOD OF INTENSIFIED ATTACKS, THE PROJECT OFFERS AN INTIMATE LOOK AT THE ARTISTS PRESERVING CULTURE, CONNECTION, AND CREATIVITY THROUGH MUSIC.

THE TWO-PART PROJECT ARRIVES AFTER ‘I SAW A TRAP DJ AND IT CHANGED MY BIO CHEMISTRY’ 

AND EXPANDS THE DEEPLY HUMAN STORY BEHIND THE EP's UKRAINIAN COLLABORATIONS

Following the release of his new EP, I SAW A TRAP DJ AND IT CHANGED MY BIO CHEMISTRY, Australian electronic music pioneer What So Not unveils a new short documentary and full rooftop performance filmed during a recent creative trip to Kyiv alongside acclaimed Ukrainian artist Alina Pash.

More than a performance film, the two-part project documents Ukraine's creative community and the artists continuing to make music despite the realities of war. Filmed during a period of intensified aerial attacks on Kyiv, the documentary offers an intimate look inside the city's music scene through the eyes of those determined to keep creating, collaborating, and preserving their culture under extraordinary circumstances.

The journey begins as What So Not returns to Ukraine to continue his creative work with Alina Pash following their collaborations on "EVEREST," "Candy Flipping," and "Don't Wanna Leave Yet". During the trip, he recorded with Ukrainian musicians who remain unable to leave the country because of wartime restrictions, gaining a deeper appreciation for the importance of continuing to amplify Ukrainian stories, language, and artistic expression.

The documentary opens on the morning of July 2, 2026, as emergency sirens echo across Kyiv following an overnight wave of attacks on the capital. Against that backdrop, What So Not captures the contrast between uncertainty and everyday life - from studio sessions and preparations for a rooftop performance with Alina Pash to smoke rising in the distance, air raid sirens, and the search for shelter.

“I’m still getting over how normalized it is here. Coming straight to the studio after an attack and writing songs about throwing raves after curfew in underground shelters.”

Throughout the film, viewers are invited into Kyiv's creative spaces, witnessing studio sessions, conversations, and personal moments that reveal the resilience of the city's artistic community. Rather than centering solely on the circumstances surrounding them, the documentary focuses on the people behind the music and the role creative collaboration can play in preserving humanity during times of uncertainty.

The journey culminates in an intimate rooftop performance overlooking Kyiv, where What So Not and Alina Pash celebrate their shared work against one of the city's most recognizable skylines. More than a traditional live set, the performance becomes a symbol of hope and a reflection of music's ability to connect people across borders.

Shortly after the performance, the documentary captures another night of intensified attacks, offering a stark reminder of the environment in which the project was created.

“I knew this was a possibility coming here. But it’s hard to explain the feeling of seeing it out the window, hearing the sirens, feeling the vibrations of the explosions. The rush to get down to a shelter. The uncertainty. The sleeplessness. Trying to make the most of it with a great group of people who live this every single day. I think in that moment I saw the true beauty of Ukraine - the people, their passion, and their resilience.”

The film provides deeper context for the collaborations featured on I SAW A TRAP DJ AND IT CHANGED MY BIO CHEMISTRY, revealing the relationships and experiences that shaped some of the EP's most personal moments. While the project explores themes of transformation, connection, and human experience, the documentary brings audiences into the real-world environments and creative partnerships that inspired the music.

For Alina Pash, the project also serves as an opportunity to continue amplifying Ukrainian voices and sharing the country's creative identity with audiences around the world.

The documentary arrives as many Ukrainian artists continue to face significant barriers to international collaboration. By traveling to Kyiv rather than asking collaborators to leave their home country, What So Not chose to immerse himself in the creative community that inspired the music - documenting not only the songs themselves, but also the people, places, and stories behind them.

The release further expands the philosophy behind I SAW A TRAP DJ AND IT CHANGED MY BIO CHEMISTRY, a project rooted in curiosity, connection, and the creative spirit that has long defined electronic music culture. Throughout the EP rollout, What So Not has prioritized authentic collaboration, intimate experiences, and artistic exploration over scale alone.

Long recognized as one of electronic music's most influential innovators, What So Not has spent more than a decade building a career defined by global collaboration and boundary-pushing production. His ongoing creative relationship with Alina Pash stands among his most meaningful - not only because of the music they have created together, but because of the story behind it.

More than a documentary or live performance, the project tells a story rooted in Ukraine while speaking to artists and creative communities everywhere - a testament to music's ability to preserve identity, foster connection, and provide hope when it is needed most.

Artist Quotes

What So Not (Chris Emerson)

“A truly life changing experience for me seeing how these incredible people are forced to live their daily lives & the strength & causal nature they handle issues most people will never see in their lifetime.

Out here to work with Ukrainian artists (unable to leave the country, during a time of involuntary service & war), we threw a spontaneous rooftop concert. Little did we know we’d be caught in two of the heaviest bombings, Kyiv has seen in this four & a half year war”

Alina Pash

“There's nothing that replaces seeing a place with your own eyes. Kyiv is still trying to live like a normal city — it's not the frontline, but we're in the fourth year of war, and honestly, it's harder now than it was at the beginning. The bombing has only gotten worse. The war keeps evolving, and no matter how much new technology we have, it's still incredibly hard to stand against a machine as big as Russia's.

Chris and I lived through a few massive bombings together — sleeping in shelters, texting friends in the middle of the night just to make sure they're okay because we heard something bad happening in another district. It's dramatic, and it's strange to realize this is just reality now. This is what we live. But I think Ukraine's reality needs to be shown to the world exactly as it is — because it can wake something important in all of us.

What Chris did by coming and playing for people who can't leave the country — that's not just a show, that's a real act of bravery and love. I hope it inspires other artists to go where music is needed most, not just where it's easy.

So my message is simple — don't be afraid to have a friend in Ukraine. Come see us. We're still here, still dancing, still worth knowing.” 

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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Upcoming Tour Dates

AUG 9 - Das Energi 2026 - Salt Lake City, UT

AUG 14 - The Midway - San Francisco, CA

SEP 5 - Sunny Side Up @ Aussie World - Sunshine Coast, QLD

SEP 18 - Substation - Seattle, WA

SEP 19 - The Loft at Skyway Theatre - Minneapolis, MN

SEP 24 - Myth Nightclub - Jacksonville, FL

SEP 25 - Breakaway Music Festival - Concord, NC

OCT 2 - Art Club - Houston, TX

OCT 3 - Wish Lounge at Believe Music Hall - Atlanta, GA

OCT 9 - Otherworld - Philadelphia, PA

OCT 10 - Otherworld - Columbus, OH