The Music They Left Us

Some of them built the underground. Some of them filled stadiums. All of them left behind records that will keep moving people long after this issue is shelved.

Visionary producer behind Madonna’s “Ray of Light,” who carried electronic textures into mainstream pop.

West Coast house pioneer whose “That Zipper Track” became a global club staple.

The godfather of electro, whose “Planet Rock” fused hip-hop with synths and helped lay the groundwork for dance music.

Glasgow techno force whose driving, distinctive sound left a lasting mark on Drumcode.

New York MC whose “It Takes Two” with DJ E-Z Rock bridged hip-hop and house and still fills dance floors.

A true original who refused to fit any genre, from viral alt-pop anthems to festival-sized dance hits.

Dutch drum and bass stalwart and founder of The North Quarter, a home for soulful, forward-thinking d&b.

One of the defining residents at Bar 25, whose warm, melodic sets shaped Berlin’s free-spirited after-hours era and who co-founded the Ouïe label with Acid Pauli.

French synthwave icon whose “Nightcall” soundtracked Drive and closed the Paris 2024 Olympics.

The Queen of Country, whose voice found the dance floor on “Faith” with Galantis and “Bets On Us” with Cheat Codes.

Progressive house DJ and producer whose final sets included warming up for Sasha B2B John Digweed.

The Clannad founder and voice of Chicane’s “Saltwater,” who carried Irish-language music onto the world’s dance floors.

One half of M.A.N.D.Y. and co-founder of Get Physical, the Berlin label that turned “Body Language” into an era-defining anthem.

Russian psytrance artist Daria Kuzminykh, whose dark, immersive sets built a devoted following from Moscow to Goa.

Zouk resident and pioneer of Singapore’s turntablism scene, who mentored generations of local DJs.

Danish composer who moved effortlessly between IDM, pop and the avant-garde, turning everyday sounds into dreamlike rhythm.

Bay Area producer behind Luniz’s “I Got 5 On It,” a beat that has never left clubs, films or samplers since 1995.