Just like every year, Traxsource has compiled the Top Overall Artists of 2018 and Top Artists by Genre 2018 charts, celebrating all the best their amazing artists and labels offered up this year.
The Top Artists by Genre one includes the following subcategories: Top Soulful House Artists, Top Afro House Artists, Top Jackin House Artists, Top Soul / Funk / Disco Artists, Top House Artists, Top Tech House Artists, Top Deep House Artists, Top Techno Artists, Top Nu Disco Artists and Top Vocalists.
Let’s start with the Top Artists by Genre. Scroll down to see all the top 3 artists of each category!
Top Soulful House Artists of 2018
First on the podium is House music Maestro Louie Vega
2018 was another amazing year for the Grammy Award winner, sawing the release of Louie’s album NYC Disco, his reworks of DJ Spinna feat. Phonte’s ‘Tonight We Ride’ and ‘I Wonder’ from Nathan Adams feat. Sean McCabe (released on Good Vibrations), the killer re-rub of Luke Solomon feat. Queen Rose and Amy Douglas’ ‘Light You Up’ and the stripped-downMAW take on ‘I Am House’ from Crystal Waters on Dopewax.
Louie’s Vega Records imprint put out plenty of great quality product in 2018 too, including Louie’s sophisticated collaboration with vocalist and songwriter Toni C ‘Time Don’t Wait’ and ‘Music and Life’ with spouse Anané Vega.
In second place we find House titan DJ Spen
The industry veteran had another superb year, with his productions, remixes and label absolutely ruling the Soulful House Charts. In April, his Quantize label put out the massive ‘I Need Your Lovin’, a collaboration with Gary Hudgins featuring some lush vocals from Tasha Larae. Quantize was also the home to Spen’s big remix of UK soul artist S.E.L.’s ‘You Gotta Be’. Recently the Baltimore House DJ and producer has also turned in serious remixes for David Morales, Jasper Street Co. and dropped joints on Nitegrooves, Soulfuric, Nervous, DIRIDIM, King Street and more.
Occupying third place on the podium, US DJ and producer Reelsoul
His 2018 went very well, with his original track ‘2morrow’ on his label Reelsoul Muzik #8 soulful house track of the year. Reelsoul Muzik put out a clutch of quality soulful releases from the LA-born artist himself including his unit-shifting ‘Muzik 2018’. He also teamed up with DJ Spen this year on remixes for Ann Nesby on EmKayBe’s ‘Jam’ and The Joi-Fuhl featuring Shezar’s ‘Don’t You Worry’. He and Spen also collaborated on their fire original ‘All I Need’. In what was clearly a busy year, Reelsoul also dropped brilliant remixes for Makin Moves, More House and Quantize.
See the full chart here!
Top Afro House Artists
In first place, one of the hardest working DJs and producers on the Afro scene, Manoo
With a total of 16 cuts in their Top 200 Afro Tracks of the Year, nobody was more prolific than the acclaimed French-born DJ and producer.
2018 has been an exceptional year for producer, with the vocal goodness of ‘Be Yourself’ on King Street Sounds gaining huge support from Atjazz, Boddhi Satva, Shimza and Louie Vega. Not forgetting his re-rub of ‘Freedom’ by Taola and his haunting reinterpretation of KingSfiso’s ‘Ilanga’.
Occupying second place on the podium, we find Doug Gomez
Merecumbe Recordings label boss Doug Gomez went from strength to strength in 2018, with his imprint pushing no less than seven joints in Traxsource Top 200 Afro Tracks of the Year. Big tunes included his remixes of HyperSOUL-X’s ‘Happiness’ and his superb re-interpretation of Kerri Chandler’s sublime ‘Ye Yo Ma’.
Third is FNX OMAR
Considered one of the pillars of the house music movement in Morocco, the amazing producer really pushed the sound forward this year, with his remix of Emmanuel Jar’s ‘Kuar’ one of the scenes biggest hits in 2018, featuring heavyweight support from Dixon, Louie Vega, Black Coffee and Enoo Napa to name just a few.
Full list here!
Top Jackin House Artists
In first place on the podium, Angelo Ferreri
It’s been another amazing year for last year’s #1 Jackin artist Angelo Ferreri who retains his position at the top spot for a second year running. The Italian producer had a prolific twelve months, firing out genre-defining EPs for Soulfuric, Nite Grooves, Guesthouse, Glasgow Underground and many more.
His labels MONOSIDE and Mood Funk played host to Angelo’s own releases as well as music from artists of the calibre of David Penn and Art of Tones. Stand out tracks for Angelo this year included ‘Want To Say’ on Soulfuric Trax and ‘Funky Trumpy’ on Body Heat, plus many more.
MVZZIK gets the number two spot in the Top Jackin Artists
Hot tracks from the Dutch DJ and Producer MVZZIK (Frank van Rooijen) this year included his big ‘Lotta Love’ on Fogbank and the filter-laden floor-filler ‘Back In The Days’ which dropped on Angelo Ferreri’s MONOSIDE imprint.
Third is Hatiras
The Canadian DJ and producer’s collaboration with Angelo Ferreri ‘In The House’ was one of his strongest releases of the year and picked up substantial DJ support. His solo track ‘On The Wall’ on Spacedisco epitomised his full-on production approach and was another big tune for him this year.
Full list here!
Top Soul / Funk / Disco Artists
And straight in with a bullet at the #1 spot, it’s the Disco and House music legend, Joey Negro
The British DJ, producer and remixer was 2017’s Traxsource #2 overall artist and this year he continued his ongoing mission to conquer the world with pure, unadulterated Disco. His Z Records imprint released the third instalment in his acclaimed compilation series ‘Remixed With Love Vol. 3’. The album featured lovingly repurposed songs from Soul and Funk legends like Patrice Rushen, Gwen McCrae, Change and The Fatback Band and dominated the SFD charts all year with seven #1s. Joey’s remix of ‘Cathedrals’ from D.C LaRue also made it to the Traxsource overall #1 as well.
Negro turned in plenty of highly successful remixes in 2018, including his rework of Harvey Mason’s 1979 classic ‘Groovin’ You’ and his sparkling hi-octane remix of Al McKay’s Disco anthem ‘Heed The Message’, both taken from the Z Records Presents Ibiza 2018, a compilation that heavily featured material from Joey’s various aliases.
And let’s not forget his superb take on Patrice Rushen’s ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’!
Occupying second place on the podium, John Morales
The acclaimed Bronx-native DJ, producer and remixer has ended up with nine tracks in the SFD top 200. In a prodigious year, he claimed an SFD #1 for the soaring strings and killer vocal of his M&M remix of ‘Can’t Fake the Feeling’ by Reel People. John’s richly orchestrated remix of the Teena Marie classic ‘I Need Your Lovin’ from Spencer Morales feat. Tasha LaRae was another stand out track this year. He turned in a supa-hot remix for S.E.L. and Gary Hudgins, the restrained space-jazz vocal track ‘Sweetest Pain’ and his euphoric take on ‘Step Into My Life’ from The Far Out Monster Disco Orchestra on Far Out was really popular too. Not forgetting the smooth-funk of John’s take on ‘Magic’ from Yogi & Mo’ Funk (Peppermint Jam).
Third is House music Maestro Louie Vega
The Grammy-nominated artist once again controlled all things Soulful, Afro and Disco this year with his massive Nervous album NYC Disco and his own label Vega Records, as mentioned above. The album featured re-works of classics from the likes of soul legends Luther Vandross and Leroy Burgess. Taken from the album, Louis’ re-edit of Sylvester’s ‘Dance (Disco Heat)’ hit #1 SFD and dominated the charts year long. Aside from many other chart placings in House, Soulful and Afro, Louis also hit overall Traxsource #1 with the feast of soulful vocals ‘He Promised Me’ with Bebe Winans feat. Tobbi, Tommit & Kiandra Richardson.
Complete list here!
Top House Artists
First on the podium is Mousse T
Awarded with 11 Overall #1s, 13 Genre page #1s, 23 Hype chart placements in 2018 alone, it’s been an amazing year for the German DJ and Grammy Award nominated record producer.
His output was steady and solid the entire year seeing stellar releases on Columbia, Sweat It Out, Defected and Glitterbox Recordings amongst others all picking up steam as the year passed and ending with his album ‘Where Is the Love’ dropping on his own Peppermint Jam imprint. Notable efforts include the super disco vibed remix of Purple Disco Machine ‘Encore‘, the super sexy ‘So Hooked On Your Lovin‘ by Selace, his very own ‘Rock The Mic‘ coming via the mighty Glitterbox, and of course his very own House Masters collection on Defected.
Second is David Penn
2018 held a massive 5 number 1s for the Spanish House icon in the main charts, across heavyweight labels like Defected, Phoenix Music and Armada Subjekt. His own imprint Urbana Recordings also shared in his success again this year, playing host to his collaborations with ATFC ‘Down Wit Da’ and ‘Losing You’, both of which took #1 overall chart positions, alongside other massive releases including ‘Disc-Jockey’ with KPD, ‘El Barrio’ with Jabato and ‘House Thing’ with Roog. His remix of Todd Terry’s ‘Babarabatiri‘ earned a #1 spot on the site before reaching #6 in the main top 200 tracks of 2018, whilst ‘Losing You’ placed top 3, firmly securing his spot in this list.
Occupying the third place on the podium, Angelo Ferreri
A firm Traxsource favourite, Angelo Ferreri earned himself another spot in the list thanks to a big year of House records, both under his own name and as part of DISCO TOWN with Moon Rocket. 2018 has seen Ferreri dominate the charts across several of Traxsource’s key genres with output from his labels MONOSIDE and Mood Funk, whilst easily racking up over 100 releases this year with his name on them alone… Important releases this year landed everywhere from Soulfuric to D-Vine sounds (and of course his own labels) but a special mention has to be for the stunning ‘I’m Talking To You’.
See full list here!
Top Tech House Artists
In first place we find Alaia & Gallo
One of the most reliable names for Traxsource in the game at the moment, this year alone, the Italian guys achieved 4 Tracks/Remixes on Tech Top 200 list, with their music being supported by the likes of Claptone, Gene Farris, Roger Sanchez, Josh Butler, Todd Terry and Pete Tong.
In Tech alone, their output made it on to the likes of elrow, Simma Black and Glasgow Underground. The pair dominated the overall charts this year with their feisty remix of Piem’s ‘Love Commandments’ on Glasgow Underground.
Occupying the second place are The Deepshakerz
Traxsource’s #1 Tech House artists of 2017, Domy Berardino and Mirco Sonatore AKA The Deepshakerz retained top billing this year as they continued to unleash their standard fire. Their Safe Music and Safe LTD labels continued to go from strength to strength and enjoyed a healthy output of releases, picking up friends old and new in the form of Volkoder, Piem, Emery Warman, Roog and Mike Vale. The boys hopped on the remix for Crooked Colours, Ferreck Dawn, Mirco Caruso, Roland Clark and J Paul Getto this year and racked up a huge 9 Tracks/Remixes on Tech Top 200 list this year, with ‘Rush’ via Riva Starr’s Snatch! hitting #29 in Tech overall. Highlights also included ‘Bonita’ via Safe, ‘Rock It’ and ‘Baby Doll’ on Cajmere’s Cajual and their re-edit of ‘Too Busy‘ via their own Safe Music.
Third is Dario D’Attis
Known for his signature sultry grooves, D’Attis is a favourite on established labels like Defected, Lapsus and Hive and this year has seen his music be supported by everyone from Marco Carola and Âme to Dixon. Among his best 2018 releases are the garage-tinged ‘Let It Ride’ and his remix of Milk & Sugar’s ‘House Dimension’.
Complete list here!
Top Deep House Artists
First on the podium are Saison
This year the North London-based production duo of Matthew Bandy and Leigh Darlow has dropped several Deep House gems like their remix of Art of Tones ‘Gimme Some More’, ‘Moments’ and ‘Everybody’ on Large, ‘Senor Blues’ on No Fuss Records and ‘I Need Ya’ on their own imprint No Fuss Records.
Art Of Tones gets the number two spot in the Top Deep House Artists
French producer Ludovic Llorca aka Art of Tones, really brought some full bodied flavor to the world’s dance floors this year, like his ‘Unbalanced’ album on Local Talk, ‘Gimme Some More’, ‘Where The One Is’ and his inspired remix of Sebb Junior’s ‘I Heard You Calling’.
Third is Sebb Junior
Another truly outstanding year from the dope French DJ and producer, who not only launched his own label, Le Vie D’Artiste Music, but also consistently dropped big tracks like his superb remixes of Deftone’s ‘Mono Skillz’ and Gary Tuohy’s ‘Too Close To Cut It’, both on Blockhead Recordings, and also the original cuts ‘I Can Feel It’ and ‘We Used To Say’.
See the rest of the list here!
Top Techno Artists
And straight in with a bullet at the #1 spot, it’s the Techno Icon, Robert Hood / Floorplan
A founding member of the legendary group Underground Resistance as a ‘Minister Of Information’ with ‘Mad’ Mike Banks & Jeff Mills and of Floorplan – the housier, disco, gospel project with his daughter Lyric Hood, – the Detroit legend graced us with superlative releases this year, including ‘Paradygm Shift Vol. 3‘ EP via Dekmantel Records and ‘Clocks‘ via his very own M-Plant imprint. He also curated the latest edition of the ‘DJ-Kicks‘ compilation series, released on !K7 Records.
Occupying second place on the podium, KiNK
In 2018 the iconic Bulgarian Techno & House DJ, producer and remixer dropped several precious gems, like his collaboration with Kevin Saunderson ‘Idyllic‘ and the debut EP under his kirilik monicker, ‘Infinity Is Not A Number‘. Plus, for the first time ever, KiNK has officially released a commercial recording of one of his live sets, ‘KiNK: Live At Cocoon Ibiza‘, a 70-minute CD recorded live from a gig at the Cocoon Ibiza party at Pacha on July 25th 2018.
Third: Josh Wink
Among the Philadelphia born and based DJ and producer’s 2018 releases we find the amazing track ‘Selecta‘ and the superb album ‘20 to 20‘, both on his very own Ovum Recordings label, plus his remix of KiNK’s ‘Five‘ on Running Back. In 2019, his Ovum Recordings will celebrate its 25th birthday, and to mark the occasion the pioneering artist has just unveiled its 300th release, ‘Aries in Mars‘.
See the complete chart here!
Top Nu Disco / Indie Dance Artists
First is Dr Packer
Edit-master Greg ‘Dr’ Packer deservedly held onto his #1 position from 2017 after a year of fresh hits and several chart-topping tunes. This year the West Australian DJ and producer dropped an impressive quantity of releases on Big Love, Z Records, Glitterbox, Midnight Riot, Soulfuric Deep and more, including his reworks of the Indeep classic ‘Last Night A DJ Saved My Life’ and Seamus Haji’s ‘Confess’ (on Big Love), his huge update of ‘Jam On It’ and his quality 80s homage ‘What I Got’.
In second place on the podium, Re-Tide
In 2018 powerhouse Italian Disco production team Re-Tide released several big hits on their own imprints, Cut Rec Promos, Metropolitan Promos and Re-Tide Music, but they also put out a clutch of heaters on Boogie Angst, Phoenix Music and more. Among them are their rework of ‘Love Is The Message’ with Moon Rocket hit the Nu-Disco #1, their heavily swung ‘Piano Love’, the superb ‘Seventies’ featuring Elisabeth, and a high-energy rework of Change’s classic ‘Hold Tight’.
Third is Moon Rocket
Moon Rocket – Raffa Scoccia – was just non-stop in 2018, his studio churning out hit after hit, remixing and releasing for Z Records, Re-Tide Music, Mood Funk and his own imprint Moon Rocket Music, which had a dream year, releasing Moon Rocket’s disco-tastic collab with Angelo Ferreri, ‘Inner City Blues’, plus the irresistible ‘Strategy’ and his big NuDisco #1 with Re-Tide ‘Love Is The Message’.
Check out the full list here!
Top Vocalists
First: Toshi
2018 was a spectacular year for the talented South Africa-native musician, who collaborated with many great artists. The results? Precious cuts like ‘Yini‘ by Fabio Aurea feat. Toshi on RADIANT., her featuring with Armonica titled ‘Ngeke (andhim Remix)‘ on MoBlack Records, the collab with IntruderzSA on ‘Thandiwe‘ (ELECTRIC FRIENDS MUSIC), Saint Evo’s remix album ‘Ukhalelani‘ (Arawakan), the mesmerizing ‘Kanti’ by DJ and producer Paso Doble on MoBlack Records and many more.
Josh Milan gets the number two spot in the Top Vocalists
2018 saw the acclaimed American vocalist, songwriter, producer and composer joining forces with the best artists in the House music field. Among his latest releases we find his incredible album titled 6.9.69 on his very own Honeycomb Music label, plus spectacular collaborations with Guri Guri Boys’ ‘Be Yourself‘ on King Street Sounds, Paris Cesvette & Luis ‘Loowee R’ Rivera’ ‘Sacred‘ on Groove Odyssey, Kenny Dope’s ‘Be Your Freak’ on Dopewax and Louie Vega’s ‘Get With The Funk‘ taken from the House music Maestro’s NYC Disco.
Third on the podium is Tasha LaRae
In 2018 the iconic lead female vocalist for Arrested Development was recruited by important names in the House, Funk & Disco scene. She had her debut album called Clarity on POJI Records, provided vocals for Spencer Morales (DJ Spen & John Morales)’ ‘I Need Your Lovin’, a remix package in tribute to the legendary Teena Marie, out on Quantize Recordings, plus she featured on DJ Beloved’s ‘Find My Way‘ and many more.
Full list here!
And finally… The Top Overall Artists of 2018!
The gold medal goes to… Mousse T.
What a year for Mousse T! Sitting at the top of the tree as the #1 Top House Artist of 2018, with 11 overall #1s, 13 genre #1s and 23 hype chart placements – and that’s just this year.
Angelo Ferreri wins silver medal
A sterling year of work from Italian producer and DJ Angelo Ferreri, who achieved multiple chart placings in several genres, #3 in 2018’s Top 100 House Artists chart and the #1 spot in the Traxsource Top Jackin House Artists chart for the second year running.
Louie Vega wins bronze medal
His 2018 was packed full of numerous chart placings across Soulful, Afro, Disco, Deep and Techno and he also bagged the Traxsource #1 Soulful House artist position.
Check out the full list here!
