Editorial
Inside HUGEL’s Appearance at Harvard University’s Music Business Series
A Deeper Look Inside HUGEL’s Appearance at Harvard University’s Music Business Series
Hugel’s appearance at Harvard University’s Music Business Series gave students a close look at his path from Marseille to international recognition. The session moved through his early influences, key turning points in his career, and the decision to build his sound independently. Throughout the conversation, Hugel spoke openly about creativity, consistency, and developing work that feels authentic rather than designed for trends. For Harvard’s music community, the talk offered a rare opportunity to hear how Hugel approaches his craft, his daily process, and the mindset that guides his direction as an artist today.
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How Hugel Found His Sound and Direction
During his session at Harvard University’s Music Business Series, Hugel traced his connection to music back to his childhood in Marseille, describing it as the place he turned to when home life felt unstable after his parents’ divorce and his father’s time in jail. His mother played Kool & The Gang, Earth, Wind & Fire, and Al Green, and those records became his first point of escape. By twelve, Hugel shifted from listening to creating, inspired by early-2000s hip-hop and R&B, especially Dr. Dre and the Interscope era. He began making beats on the EJ software while rapping with kids from his neighbourhood. At the same time, he was playing football at a competitive level for Olympique de Marseille, until the club told him at fourteen that he would not progress to the professional tier. In the conversation, he called that moment devastating, yet also the point where he realised he was drawn to artistic work more than athletic success.
When Hugel discovered DJing at sixteen, he saw a path that connected naturally to the production he had already been experimenting with. He described learning alone for years without YouTube tutorials or modern shortcuts, eventually reaching a level where his tracks sounded “right” after four years of steady practice. He told students that his direction became clear when he noticed how deeply he could work without watching the clock, referencing a French saying that when you love something, you do not count. That instinct remains central to his process today: if a project makes him lose track of time, he follows it. Those early influences, the turning point in football, and the long period of self-teaching formed the foundation of the sound and identity that Hugel now carries globally.
How Monita Became a Turning Point for Hugel
When Hugel spoke about Monita at Harvard, he described it as a track created during a time when he felt trapped by mainstream expectations and the pressure to make radio-friendly releases. He explained that before the pandemic, he was producing with radio approval in mind and constantly worried about whether stations would support his next record. During lockdown, he stepped away from that cycle and started making music purely for himself, drawing on the Latin house sound he grew up with in France, Spain, and Italy. Monita was one of those ideas: a personal experiment rooted in older records he used to play as a resident DJ, made without any intention of chasing a chart position.
After finishing the track, Hugel sent Monita to every label he knew. All of them passed except Mark Brown of CR2 Records, who connected with the influence of Spanish club culture in the production. Clearing the sample took more than a year, and when the track finally came out, Hugel expected nothing. Instead, it reached number one on Beatport and quickly caught the attention of major US artists. He recalled being at dinner when he received a message from Diplo asking for more music, followed soon by Vintage Culture, John Summit, Fisher, and eventually Insomniac reaching out to his team. At Harvard, he told students that this was the moment he realised what happens when he stops creating for the radio and starts creating for himself, calling Monita the release that changed the direction of his career.
Hugel’s Guidance for Emerging Artists
Before the session ended, Hugel spent time answering questions from students who wanted to understand how he works and how he built a career without formal training. His main message was that artists should rely on consistency rather than waiting for perfect conditions. He told the room that posting daily on social media is one of the most effective tools available, comparing each post to a free lottery ticket that could reach the right audience at any moment. For Hugel, visibility begins with showing your own personality, which is why he keeps full control of his Instagram and TikTok accounts and avoids letting others manage how he appears online.
Hugel also encouraged students to trust their instincts and avoid comparing themselves with others, explaining that progress comes from reviewing their own growth rather than measuring against other artists. He spoke about the value of building the right team, sharing how earlier managers took advantage of him before he met the German team he works with today. Above all, he emphasised working in the present and paying attention to ideas when they appear, whether on a plane or late at night, because inspiration disappears quickly if not captured. For the students listening, it was a direct look at how Hugel approaches discipline, self-belief, and the daily habits that keep his work moving forward.
The year 2025 delivered electrifying moments that transcended the festival grounds, with millions tuning in online to witness the biggest names in electronic music. From the pulsating energy of Tomorrowland to the intimate intensity of Boiler Room, these are the ten DJ sets that commanded the world’s attention, ranked by their official view counts.
Just last year, we saw the #RespectTheCreators campaign call for better credits for electronic music posted on social media. Samples and remixes are common in EDM, but sometimes it’s difficult to make sure everyone gets credited. Spotify looks to be fixing that, after acquiring a third-party service that will supercharge its song credits.
For as long as EDM has existed, sampling has been a core part of the experience. Before DJs became their own creators, their job was to spin other people’s records to create new (but ultimately derivative) music. As the scene developed, we got the tools to make our own sounds, but samples and vocal chops are still great accompaniments that artists rely on.
For commercial work, every sample needs to be cleared of any copyright concerns. This often includes royalties, but in the more underground and enthusiast scenes, some artists just ask for credit if they get sampled by other creators. It’s a simple concept that is reflected in many online spaces. On YouTube, it’s common courtesy to credit and link to other YouTubers if you use their material. A better example of paid collaboration happens with online casinos that host slot games. Casinos don’t make the games; they just host them, so each one is there as part of a deal with the original developer. The developer gets fully credited, with some form of revenue share agreement.
While the internet made it easier to get your work out there and form new partnerships, it also brought us social media. This led to a lot of online promotion using clips of festivals or DJ sets, and often they’d include some music. The song itself might be properly credited in the industry, but when it’s aired over social media, that credit doesn’t make it to the millions of people who see the clip. It’s up to the uploader to credit the song playing at the time, but some don’t, either out of carelessness or because they don’t actually know the many samples involved in a piece of music. This is why the #RespectTheCreators hashtag started.
Spotify’s Expanded Song Credits
In November, Spotify acquired WhoSampled. WhoSampled is arguably the best service online for samples, covers, and remixes, showing how iconic tunes have been repurposed by other creatives. The service is staying independent, but behind the scenes, its vast trove of data is getting plugged into the Spotify ecosystem.
This empowers Spotify to deliver three new features. One of them is About the Song, explaining the creative process behind songs when it’s appropriate. The other two – SongDNA and Song Credits – are great assets for the EDM scene. SongDNA maps out the connections between songs, including sampling. Song Credits then goes in-depth to credit as many people as possible. Not just the DJ, but relevant songwriters, producers, and even performers for percussive and orchestral samples. Spotify also provides a way for artists to update and correct their song credits.
A fully fleshed-out Spotify crediting system could make it much easier to credit EDM songs on social media. Artists and promoters can drop a link to the Spotify listing, showing everybody who worked on a track. It promotes the DJ, but it also promotes the unsung heroes who originally provided sampled material. It makes the crediting process easier, more convenient, and hopefully more common in our industry.
As 2025 comes to an end, it is time to look back on the artists who have dominated the decks this year. From remarkable performances to unique releases, these are EDMHouseNetwork’s top 10 DJs of 2025.
1. Sammy Virji
Leading the lineup following a fantastic year, Sammy Virji has been carving his place in the scene for a long time.
However, 2025 has been a different kind of special for the British artist, who not only packed out the Freedom Stage at Tomorrowland and Coachella‘s Sahara Tent, but also celebrated the release of his second album.
Titled ‘Same Day Cleaning,’ it showcases Virji’s iconic UKG sound, highlighted by collaborations with the likes of Chris Lake, Skepta and Salute.
2. KI/KI
As 2025 wraps up, KI/KI heads into the new year after an incredibly productive run. Her music touched every corner of the globe, whether she was on stage or not.
Her ‘What’s A Girl To Do’ remix took the scene by storm, entering the DJ’s top three most streamed songs of all time. Besides this, KI/KI joined forces with Armin van Buuren to shake the Johan Cruyff Arena during AMF, delivering a Dutch masterclass B2B.
The two also collaborated in the studio, creating ‘Put Your Bassline,’ a track that became AMF’s first official anthem. Even months after its debut, it remains a highlight in both artists’ sets.
3. Max Styler
Contender for DJ of the year, Max Styler has done it all in 2025. From launching his label, ‘Nu Moda‘, to releasing heaters and playing to massive crowds, Styler made 2025 his year.
The future American icon put out four singles and two EPs in 2025, showcasing a relentless work ethic that was rewarded in October. Max Styler was crowned the number one producer of the year by 1001Tracklists.
His standout song of the year, ‘London’s On Fire’ landed in July and has since become his sixth most-streamed release to date.
4. Disco Lines
Disco Lines’ 2025 could be summed up in just three words when it comes to releases: ‘No Broke Boys.’ This track went places, becoming a summer hit and a serious contender for song of the year.
Achieving over 400 million streams in just five months, the record has hit the biggest stages around the world, just like its producer, who spent the year taking it on the road.
Disco Lines landed at festivals like EDC, but the highlight has been his sold-out Red Rocks debut in April which saw nearly 10,000 people in attendance.
5. ZULAN
Marking the list’s first newcomer, ZULAN has had one of the strongest rises toward the mainstream of the industry. She debuted Coachella at the DoLab back in April, when she also released her first ever song.
‘Forever’ gained attention quickly, drawing in listeners for the two releases that followed in 2025: ‘Campeón’ and ‘Match My Speed.’ While these first songs signal a bright future for ZULAN as a producer, she’s already a star on the decks.
Her tour created memorable nights in cities like Paris, New York and Monterrey, establishing ZULAN as one of the year’s most exciting performers.
6. BUNT.
BUNT. remained a big name of the scene in 2025, driven by significant collaborations as well as a massive world tour. Known for his electric parties, the artist premiered the ‘In The Greater Round Tour,’ a series of 360° shows across the globe, most of which sold out.
After the 2024 hit ‘TRIPPIN,’ BUNT. returned this year with another smashing record. ‘Spaces,’ his collaboration with The Chainsmokers was his biggest release of 2025, reaching almost 13 millions streams on Spotify
7. SIDEPIECE
SIDEPIECE have not gone unnoticed this year, in fact, they were one of the hottest names on every lineup. Maintaining their signature tech house identity, SIDEPIECE have been everywhere in 2025, with songs like ‘Cash Out’ featuring Bobby Shmurda and ‘Cry For You’ leading their roster.
Besides official releases, the duo also continued their ‘SIDEPIECE Treat‘ project, a series of free-download remixes published on Soundcloud. This year, they delivered heater edits of tracks like ‘Rich Baby Daddy’ and a ‘Somebody I Used to Know × Where I’m From’ mashup.
Live performances kept SIDEPIECE busy throughout the year, with the DJs playing high-energy sets at some of the best festivals and clubs across the US. Before their We Belong Here show in New York City, they even threw a pop-up party in a pizzeria.
8. ALLEYCVT
Another rising star of the scene, ALLEYCVT made the most of her 2025. Some of her biggest standout moments include performing at EDC Las Vegas, as well as debuting on the Monstercat label with ‘BELIEVE’, her collaboration with LEVEL UP.
2025 also marked the year she released ‘9 Lives,’ a debut EP consisting of five songs.
It has been a major breakout year for ALLEYCVT, and she shows no signs of slowing down as she prepares for the ‘9 Lives’ tour, set to kick off in January 2026.
9. Cloonee
From the first release of the year, Cloonee has been on a roll. He was named Beatport’s artist of the month in April, and lately has been ranked among the best-selling tech house artists of 2025.
Tracks like ‘X-Rated’ and ‘Not Gonna Be Your Boo’ have been on repeat for fans all year, while setting new trends in the house music scene.
July was a big month for Cloonee, as he headlined the biggest show of his career. Organised and promoted under his own label’s name, the Hellbent weekender brought a stacked lineup with likes of Chris Lorenzo and Riordan to Los Angeles’s Factory 93.
10. HNTR
HNTR reached new milestones in 2025, delivering two of the year’s most loved remixes. Released in February, ‘Stephanie (HNTR Remix)’ earned major DJ support, landing in the sets of Martin Garrix, Alok and David Guetta.
Building on that momentum, he followed up with ‘Shook Ones, Pt. III,’ a remarkable rework of Mobb Deep’s ’90s hip-hop classic.
Releases like these won him a spot on 1001Tracklists’ ‘Top 101 Producers 2025’ list, but also secured him slots at major venues around the world, including the renowned Bootshaus and 808 Festival in Bangkok.
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