This year’s award-winning artists for “GIANTKILLERZ,” the largest next-generation DJ/artist discovery and development program in Japan’s dance music scene that was launched in June of this year led by Avex, have been decided.
“GIANTKILLERZ” is a label “Protocol Recordings” run by Nicky Romero, a top Dutch artist who is proud of the world, with the aim of finding new world-class producers/DJs and sending them out to the global market. This is a program in which we work together with Japan to discover and develop new talents and creators living in Japan.
In July of this year, we will hold a “Master Class” in Tokyo entitled “GIANTKILLERZ presents Nicky Romero’s Master Class & Demo Drop In Tokyo” where Nicky Romero will lecture on dance music production methods and a “Master Class” where he will give feedback on the songs of applicants. “Demo Drop” was sponsored by GIANTKILLERZ.
Many artists and listeners rushed in to experience Nicky Romero’s music production lecture right in front of their eyes.
Additionally, interview videos with top Japanese DJs/artists who support this project, such as YOJI BIOMEHANIKA and DJ TORA, have been released on GIANTKILLERZ’s YouTube channel.
[Interview]YOJI BIOMEHANIKA to Japanese creators aiming for the world｜GIANTKILLERZ
[Interview]DJ TORA to Japanese dance music creator | GIANTKILLERZ
For this year’s program, we solicited DJs/artists active in Japan (regardless of nationality, gender, or age), and Protocol Recordings staff were surprised to see a total of 120 groups and over 150 original sound source entries from artists. A large number of high-level sound sources were gathered.
After strict screening by Protocol Recordings staff and avex EDM staff, the following award-winning artists were determined.
The award-winning artists for each award are as follows.
WINNER: TOYMATZ *Winning song title: “Way You Lie (TBD)”
2nd WINNER: AXON *Award winning song title: “Find My Way”
avex EDM Prize: Chicken Vibes / clrwtr / ITSUKI MUSIC / KOYAN /TAIGA
The award-winning original songs by WINNER’s TOYMATZ and 2nd WINNER’s AXON are scheduled to be released by Protocol Recordings or their affiliated label Protocol Lab. Also invited to the dance music conference “Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE) 2024”.
In addition, the winning songs of the five artists who won the avex EDM Prize are scheduled to be released by avex EDM.
While we look forward to the release of each award-winning artist’s music, there are also plans to hold club events in Japan in which they will perform, so please look forward to those as well.
Although entries for this year’s GIANTKILLERZ have ended, this project will continue from next year onwards.
I hope that the undiscovered talents who are honing their skills in bedrooms and underground areas across Japan will seize the opportunity with GIANTKILLERZ, literally go giant killing with this project, and reach their dreams.
[TOYMATZ Profile]
Born in Aichi Prefecture, 27 years old, DJ/Producer. He started playing the electric bass at the age of 17, and while listening to a variety of music, he was influenced by dance music and started producing music on his own in 2020. Characterized by groovy songs, in 2021, one year after starting their activities, they signed a contract with Belgian label “Loud Memory Records” and released “Not Afraid”. After that, the song won a remix contest sponsored by the same label and was officially released.
・X:https://x.com/musicbytoymatz
・Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/toymatz_music/
[AXON Profile]
Born in Tokyo in 2000. A Japanese house DJ/producer who is attracting attention both domestically and internationally. Since their debut in 2020, they have taken fans all over the world by storm with over 20 original songs and various collaborations. Their first overseas performance was held in Indonesia (Bali), and in 2024 they will perform in Malaysia, South Korea, and the United States. Also, it is fresh in my memory that they won the winner at “S2O JAPAN GLOBAL AUDITION 2024” and appeared as the opening act of “S2O JAPAN 2024”. He has also released songs on top dance music labels such as Sub49Collectiv, HouseViews, 2Dutch/Greenroom, Drop Low, Diverge Records and Den Haku. AXON’s songs are listened to and supported not only by Japanese listeners but also by many overseas listeners.
・X:https://x.com/musicby_AXON_
・Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/musicby_axon/
・YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@axon4482
[GIANTKILLERZ Official]
・Official site:https://giantkillerz.jp/
・YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@GIANTKILLERZ_JP
・X：https://x.com/GIANTKILLERZ_JP
・Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/giantkillerz_jp/
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