As one of the few South African producers and DJ’s to break out of her country on an international level, Lee Ann Roberts dives into her roots, and childhood in Durban to deliver the next release on her NowNow label. The hard techno female, spoke about the uncertain, chaotic childhood she battled through, which lead her to find music, to channel her emotions and experiences, advising others that finding something creative can be an alternative kind of therapy. Her sound is tough, synonymous with her upbringing.

“I can create sounds in techno that almost emulate how I feel at times, it's a release, of all the stuff I have going on inside. I poured all my energy into something else, something that felt bigger than the pain” – Lee Ann.

Lee Ann will also be taking part in the Bridges For Music bike ride on the 24th April during IMS, the most prominent music charity in South Africa, they create opportunities for underprivileged youth to gain access to the creative world. The first step in a longer-term collaboration, Lee Ann will also be donating her proceeds of her ‘Africa’ EP to the charity, with more activities planned into 2025 to help fund raise and create awareness.

‘Africa’ delivers a track of trance and techno melodies following a sinister intro, whilst B-side ‘Sabie Sunset’ hits fast with turbo charged sonics throughout the body of the track, that lead onto its full throttle style percussion. Lee Ann also delivers a different version of ‘Sabie Sunset’ on this release, totally in its own trance era with a fastened pace and euphoric elements, it feels like a totally different track all together.

Acid Asian was one of the first Brazilian artists to release on KNTXT, as his name suggests, he predominantly uses elements of acid in all his productions, but combines with industrial techno, using Taiko, a broad name for a range of Japanese percussion instruments to compose his tracks. His remix of title track ‘Africa’ closes the release with a bang. The low-end of the original is pounded into by an aggressive intent that wasn’t previously present, whilst the vocal is chopped and left to warble against haunted rave chords and skittering, galloping drums.

To close the release, the somewhat elusive Rocketman, a DJ who’s career started out in 2019, during the pandemic, has managed to gain international support from Marlon Hoffstadt, Ki/Ki and Patrick Mason. He debuts on NowNow with his remix of ‘Sabie Sunset’ by adding layers of harder groove cranking each component to its maximum and breakdowns with a ruthless percussive edge, in order to drive the rip-roaring rework into a dizzyingly new dimension.

04 Lee Ann Roberts - Sabie Sunet (The Rocketman Extended Remix) [NowNow]

BUY HERE:
https://www.beatport.com/release/hidden-gems-vol-7/5197387

Artist: Various Artists
Title: Hidden Gems Vol. 7
Label: NineTimesNine
Catalogue: NTND022
Format: Digital
Genre: Electronic
Style: Techno
Release date: 25th July 2025

Tracklist:

1. Mr.Machine, DIMENSION 9,– U Can't Handle This
2. Version 34 – Flexanima
3. Stoltenhoff – Here We Go
4. VAI, JOTIS – Acid Odyssey
5. Inf3ris – Underground Methods

999999999 kick off their digital label with young and super talented artists. Twenty second EP includes 10 bangers by super talented artists.

999999999 (NineTimesNine label) links:
https://www.instagram.com/999999999_live/
https://www.instagram.com/ninetimesninelabel_/
https://www.facebook.com/999999999music/
https://www.residentadvisor.net/dj/999999999
https://soundcloud.com/999999999music/
https://999999999music.bandcamp.com
www.discogs.com/artist/3693507-999999999

Artists links:
https://soundcloud.com/mrmachine
https://soundcloud.com/dimension9music
https://soundcloud.com/version-34
https://soundcloud.com/stoltenhoff
https://soundcloud.com/vai-van-ast
https://soundcloud.com/jotismusic
https://soundcloud.com/inf3ris_dj

Hidden Gems Vol. 7

Flexanima

Version 34 - Flexanima [NTND022]

A raw, no-frills hard techno stomper that channels the spirit of '90s warehouse raves. Built around a distorted kick, punchy percussion, and a chopped-up vocal loop that pays homage to classic rave culture, this track hits with relentless energy. It blends modern production grit with old-school energy. Perfect for peak-time chaos or gritty after-hours sets. 

BARBED008
FREE DOWNLOAD

Back To The Old School

Free Download

MARK BLAIR - Back To The Old School

FREE DL

Doruksen - Test My Luck

Skearney - Pretty Friends

Dance All Night (terry Remix)

Marlon Hoffstadt & KI/KI - Losing Control [Intrepid Hard Remix]

Back From The Baker

Better Off

PREMONICAO DO VAIA VAIA - Hardstyle Remix

XC-Fly feat. DJ Struwe presents four different Tracks straight outta the basement. No need for sunshine with this EP

Avicii - "I could be the One" (Keller-Remix)

BOOKINGS WORLDWIDE: nina@apelago.com

ELEKTRA 
ENERGY SELEKTA

Biography:

Charlie Sparks is all about the energy. 

Known for emitting an intense gripping aura by seemingly blending Acid, Industrial, Rave, Tekno and Psytrance-like grooves. 

By carefully utilising every aspect of each Charlie is able to create the relentless momentum found in both his productions and performances. 

His unique hazardous identity has quickly spread aross the world.