News · 2026-06-15

EDM.com's Class of 2026: The Rising Artists Redefining the Genre

EDM.com released its annual "Class of 2026" list, spotlighting emerging artists the outlet says are reshaping the fabric of electronic dance music, according to EDM.com's feature.

Among the artists highlighted is a Bristol-forged, self-taught drum & bass artist who rose through the genre's underground scene to a BBC Radio 1 residency and performances at Ultra, Tomorrowland, and Glastonbury, with collaborations spanning Subtonics, Rudimental, Friction, and Hedex. The feature frames the artist's trajectory — from a home studio to major festival stages — as emblematic of how quickly an independent producer's career can now scale without traditional label backing.

The annual list has become one of the industry's more closely watched signals for which underground and mid-tier artists are likely to break into headline-level bookings over the following year or two, offering a useful early read on where festival lineups may shift next season.

New to drum & bass and wondering what makes the genre tick? See our Drum and Bass 101 guide for a full breakdown of the sound.