CLAPTONE RANKS #32 IN DJ MAG TOP 100 THIS YEAR
By Lilly Rumler
It’s been a decade since German producer and DJ Claptone announced his arrival, via his debut release ‘No Eyes’ on Exploited, and his true identity still remains obscured behind his trademark mask. Now three albums deep, with 2015's ‘Charmer’, 2018’s ‘Fantast’ and 2021’s ‘Closer’, he’s built a global fanbase that keeps growing, drawn together by his Spotify- and club-friendly take on house music.
This year saw him team up with Alison Goldfrapp for ‘Digging Deeper’, a disco-infused anthem, put out ‘Big Easy’, a club roller sampling Lew Stone & the Monseigneur Band’s classic ‘My Woman’, and provide some giant remixes, such as his uplifting Afro-house take on Zakes Bantwini's ‘Osama’. Along the way he launched his own label Golden Recordings with the epic ‘Euphoria’, while also teaming up with New York legend Man Parrish for the ‘Boogie Down (Bronx)’ inspired ‘Flashdance’.
Claptone had the honour of opening Tomorrowland’s new main stage over the summer, while also hitting other big festivals such as We Are FSTVL and Exit. But the main focus was his own The Masquerade party at Pacha in Ibiza. Featuring a huge cast of the biggest stars, such as Fatboy Slim, Faithless, Moodymann and 2ManyDJs, alongside a raft of celebrated house DJs, it all constellated around his own enduring sound.
This year saw him team up with Alison Goldfrapp for ‘Digging Deeper’, a disco-infused anthem, put out ‘Big Easy’, a club roller sampling Lew Stone & the Monseigneur Band’s classic ‘My Woman’, and provide some giant remixes, such as his uplifting Afro-house take on Zakes Bantwini's ‘Osama’. Along the way he launched his own label Golden Recordings with the epic ‘Euphoria’, while also teaming up with New York legend Man Parrish for the ‘Boogie Down (Bronx)’ inspired ‘Flashdance’.
Claptone had the honour of opening Tomorrowland’s new main stage over the summer, while also hitting other big festivals such as We Are FSTVL and Exit. But the main focus was his own The Masquerade party at Pacha in Ibiza. Featuring a huge cast of the biggest stars, such as Fatboy Slim, Faithless, Moodymann and 2ManyDJs, alongside a raft of celebrated house DJs, it all constellated around his own enduring sound.