Illuminate

Illuminate (Extended Mix)

FØPA is the creative project of Darwin, Australia born Steven Lees an artist who thrives on blurring the lines between genres. His catalog reflects both club energy and meditative depth: the bass-heavy punch of “Purple Ghost Cat,” the house pulse of “Keep On Dancing” and “Crocodile House,” and the atmospheric resonance of “ÆTHERIA,” and Techno favourite “Stop.”Each release is crafted with intention, designed to move both body and mind, whether on the dancefloor or in deep listening spaces.

This project is the culmination of over 17 years in music and culture: from his beginnings as a radio host and founder of Shamzine Magazine amplifying Northern Territory artists, to producing large-scale festivals like the Nightcliff Seabreeze Festival and Mindil Beach Sunset Markets. His work with NT DAW’s further showcased his passion for building producer communities, while co-founding L.A.B. Music Management sharpened his skills in mentoring artists, managing tours, and securing Triple J airplay. FØPA emerges from this blend of production craft, community-building, and industry experience — a project that translates years of shaping music culture into a singular, forward-looking sound.

Older works: Dante, Melbourne Australia 
https://on.soundcloud.com/X52nwVagL6THRfrXL4

MGMT: L.A.B Music Management 
https://www.facebook.com/share/19kJi6BqnF/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Record Label: Croc Records
https://www.instagram.com/croc_records?igsh=MXV2MHVnZXQ1ajV1bA==

Production:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5188I98sW00ERzcvPy2frN?si=3C3si3IZQQS2Knxd4MRgEw&pi=gwsfcdgdQz2TK

Wilkinson is one of the UK’s most beloved and successful electronic artists. Hailing from South-West London, his first insight into making music came aged 9 when his parents bought him a drum kit. After performing in bands across the UK from the Birmingham NEC to the local old people’s home; everything changed at 14 when
he discovered his passion for dance music. In his final year at college he bought his first production equipment, turned his bed-room into a studio and started a journey that would take him around the world.


After cutting his teeth on legendary drum & bass labels Ram Records & Hospital, Wilkinson would release a run of hit singles like 'Tonight', 'Take You Higher’ and 'Too Close' which cemented hum as one of the most exciting new producers within UK dance music. He had early chart success in the UK Top 40 with his singles 'Half Light',
‘Dirty Love’ and ‘Hopelessly Coping’. Everything changed with the release of his iconic 2013 record ‘Afterglow’, which became a top 5 hit in the UK, sold over 3 million copies, racked up over 500 million streams and became certified triple Platinum in the UK.


To date Wilkinson has sold a mighty 6 million singles and garnered over one BILLION online streams! He’s released three extremely successful solo albums, ‘Lazers Not Included’, ‘Hypnotic’ and ‘Cognition’. The latter released on his own label Sleepless Music became the most successful drum & bass album for over a decade,
charting at #1 on the OCC Official Dance Chart and at #3 in New Zealand’s album charts. The record included two Top 40 hit singles ‘Here For You’ with Becky Hill and the BBC Radio 1 A-List playlisted ‘Used To This’ with Issey Cross.


As well as solo he has amassed a hugely successful discography of hits, including a 2020 collaborative album with fellow Drum & Bass titan Sub Focus, remixes and collaborations with the likes of Rag N Bone Man, The Prodigy, Ed Sheeran, Chase & Status, Wretch 32, Naughty Boy, Laura Mvula and Becky Hill. 


He’s won ‘Best Single’, ‘Best Album’, ‘Best Video’, ‘Best Producer’ and ‘Best Live Act' at the National Drum & Bass Awards, not
to mention the VEVO Viewers Award at the MVA’s. Remarkably he’s also been playlisted by BBC Radio 1 17 times!


On top of his insane release history, Wilkinson has also built a hugely successful live career by consistently touring around the world over the past decade. He’s sold out a remarkable three headline shows at the iconic Brixton Academy, played headlining sets at some of the world’s premiere festivals including Glastonbury, BBC Radio 1 Big Weekend, Reading & Leeds, Creamfields, Snowbombing, Pukkelpop, Sziget, Rhythm & Vines and EDC Las Vegas among many others, held down multiple Ibiza residencies at Amnesia and toured around the world from New York to New Zealand.


In the last year Wilkinson has gone from strength to strength, releasing a string of huge singles including ‘Shine On’ with American dance music superstar Kaskade, ‘Balance’ with newcomer North which spent 10 weeks on the BBC Radio 1 Playlist and official remixes for Calvin Harris, John Summit and KETTAMA. 


For 2025 he shows no signs of slowing down with his two shows at Outernet London selling out in an hour, his biggest NZ festival show ever to over 17,000 people, plus his biggest ever headline show at Alexandre Palace on Nov 8th!

Illuminate (Extended Mix)

Wilkinson UK