11 Electronic dance producers you need to know for women’s month

1 Anz (aka Anna-Marie Odubote), Location: Manchester, Listen to: Loos In Twos (NRG)

Anz has been making big waves in the dance scene becoming notorious for her ability to combine an array of genres across jungle, garage, afrobeat, footwork and more into one DJ set. Last year, she won ‘Breakthrough DJ’ at DJ Mag’s Best of British Awards 2020, fending off some notable competition. If you want to get a taste for her selections, tune into her monthly show on NTS radio, where she hosted a series ‘Anz presents a letter to Eko Volume 2’ to draw attention to and boost the #endSARS campaign.

2 Yazzus,  Location: London, Listen to: IT’S YA GIRL’S BOOTLEGS

One sixth of the all-female club crew 6 Figure Gang made up of Dobby, Sherelle, Jossy Mitsu, LCY and Fauzia (mentioned later in our line up). They were touring the UK extensively before Covid-19 hit. Yazzus’ productions skewer and reinvent R&B, hip hop and animé gems, by adding her distinctive mix of 90s hardcore rave to anything she touches. Creating a unique and colourful listening experience for anyone who stumbles across her music. Check out ‘Tyler’s Scumflowers’. A DJ and artist in her own right, Yazzus has been honing her craft ensuring there are plenty of club bangers ready to bring us back together for our return to the dance floors.

3 Tygapaw (aka Dion McKenzie), Location: New York City, Listen to: Get Free

Every once in a while, a recommendation from a friend really makes an impact on your listening habits. Tygapaw was definitely one of them. Born and raised in Mandeville, Jamaica, they infuse their cultural heritage with pounding techno making for a powerful force of sound. Their first full length album ‘Get Free’ was released on Mexican record label N.A.A.F.I in November 2020, with poems contributed by writer Mandy Harris Williams. Focused on creating inclusive spaces for black and queer people in the electronic sphere, they founded a popular monthly party and collective in NYC called Fake Accent to platform queer and trans artists of colour. A vitally important one to watch given the historical whitewashing of dance music.

4 Karen Nyame KG, Location: London, UK, Listen to: Sensei EP

Known as ‘The Rhythm Goddess’, Karen Nyame KG has been keeping the sound of UK Funky very much alive, whilst infusing afro, tribal beats and heavy basslines too. A broadcaster and DJ, she presents and has done take overs across Foundation.fm, BBC 1Xtra, Rinse FM and NTS Radio. A collaborator of sorts she remixed Shingai’s ‘Hey Hey’ for her new album ‘Too Bold’ adding her own edge to it. Her most recent EP ‘B2B/ Black Roses’ released on ‘Future Bounce’ (record label) with Jersey Club queen/ producer/ singer UNIIQU3, is an ode to black female empowerment.

5 Effy, Location: London, Listen to: Bodied

Originally from Lytham, Lancashire, Effy has been making a dent in the UK house and techno space. She has released a sea of back-to-back hard-hitting tracks such as ‘Fluffy Clouds’, Planet B’ and ‘Ara’ through her own label Effy Music. Her productions are drenched in acid tones and melodic synths. Selected by Pete Tong as a ‘Rising Star’ she had been building her sound and repertoire as a resident DJ at E1, one of the biggest clubs in London. Tune into her monthly show on Rinse or check her out in action at‘Effy presents: A Slice of Reality’ – an immense all-female DJ line up including Heléna Star, TSHA and Nite Fleit.

6 BADSISTA (aka Rafaela Andrade), Location: São Paulo, Listen to: LUCY 3D

A triple threat as a DJ, MC and producer BADSISTA has been shaping São Paulo’s underground dance spaces melding together techno, baile funk and hypermodern soundsystem jams. She has been keeping the music flowing releasing albums, songs dedicated to compilations and remixes – featuring notably on Kelela’s ‘TAKE ME A_PART, THE REMIXES’ album alongside some strong company. Before Covid-19, she was at the forefront of organising parties with her co-founded DJ feminist collective Bandida and Tormenta, a politically outspoken alliance of Latin American queer artists who organised against the growing anti-LGBT+ attitudes of President Jair Bolsonaro. Once again, amplifying the significance of the need for nightlife to allow for self-expression and unity.

7 TSHA, Location: London, Listen to: Flowers EP

Citing influences from Bonobo, Four Tet, Floating Points, TSHA’s productions makes for a very fortifying concoction of intricate, eclectic and emotional electronic music. She’s been on the radar of ones to watch from NME to Mixmag. TSHA’s journey into production began when her mum refused to buy DJ decks for her 16^th birthday. Leaving her university dance degree behind, she pursued producing by taking short courses and piano lessons that certainly paid off. She has been commissioned to remix songs by Lianne la Havas, Aluna, Foals and many more. And for her latest ‘Flowers’ EP was signed to the renowned label Ninja Tune, the home to other artists such as Peggy Gou, Jayda G and Little Dragon.

8 Jasmine Infiniti, Location: New York City, Listen to: Prove It

With musical roots based in Oakland, California Jasmine Infiniti has been shaking up eardrums by meshing together throbbing techno with elements of ‘ballroom’ culture, making for an exhilarating listen. Fitting, as these black and LGBT+ spaces across New York and Chicago birthed a range of club genres, such as house, that have been popularised throughout the decades. Kicked out of the family home for transitioning and experiencing a turbulent time in her early twenties, she relocated from the Bronx to the West Coast and found her family in the LGBT+ community. Launching New World Dysorder – a club night, artist collective and record label – Infiniti’s music is an extension and expression of herself where words don’t suffice.

9 Elkka (aka Emma Kirby), Location: London, Listen to: Every Body Is Welcome

Elkka first crossed my radar a few years ago after listening to an interview she did on Soho Radio, when she was talking about her record label and collective she founded called femmeculture. To put women to the front in the arts and to create an inclusive space amongst all genders, backgrounds and beliefs to bring about collaboration in the electronic music scene. Ran in partnership with her friend and DJ Saint Ludo, to date they have produced 3 volumes of ‘HeForShe x femmeculture’ compilations merging together some of the most vibrant and finest electronic producers around right now. Elkka’s electronica made up of percussive beats and immersive vocals will have you hooked.

10 India Jordan, Location: London, Listen to: For You

Jordan’s music is a pool of euphoria, a whirlwind of bassline and grooves to set you on the dancefloor. They began building they’re profile as a drum and bass DJ out of Doncaster, before settling in London. The latest EP ‘For You’ covers their emotional journey about settling into their sexuality and identity, after they announced themselvers as non-binary via an Instagram post in response to the press misgendering them. Inspired by the importance of community and collective action in all dimensions, they work in the Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity office at King’s College London fighting against discrimination. Plus they shot the front cover for ‘For You’ in one of their favourite LGBT+ night spots ‘Dalston Superstore’.

11 Fauzia, Location: London, Listen to: Are you hoping for a miracle?

Facts on. Facts: Fauzia is the second member on the list from the 6 Figure Gang to feature. She is sgned to the New York booking agency, collective and event platform Discwoman which puts cis women, trans and LGBT+ artists at the forefront. She has been crafting and releasing bass heavy EPs, laced with garage and her most recent release ‘flashes in time’ even has grunge influences. Her reputation for high octane sets will have the sweat oozing out of your every pore. Fauzia’s first DJ set was for Gal-Dem and since then has been going from strength to strength, already locking in her Boiler Room debut a few years back at the age of just 22.