✮ ✮ ✮ ✮ ✮ ✮ ✮ ✮ ✮ ✮ Nadia Ali ✮ ✮ ✮ ✮ ✮ ✮ ✮ ✮ ✮ ✮ ✮
Grammy-nominated, IDMA-awarded vocalist and songwriter Nadia Ali gained worldwide recognition as the front woman of "iiO" with the acclaimed 2001 hit, "Rapture". Quickly leaping to #2 on the UK Singles chart, "Rapture" would propel Nadia into the spotlight and foreshadow her imminent success. Described by MTV as one of the “enduring empresses” of electronic dance music, Ali’s mastery of captivating vocals in combination with upbeat dance music has attracted a massive international following. Nadia has worked with an endless list of the finest DJs and producers, including Armin Van Buuren, Avicii, Afrojack, Hardwell, Alesso, Morgan Page, Gareth Emery, Sander Van Doorn, Sultan & Ned Shepard, Thomas Gold, Cedric Gervais, Cazzette, Arty, Sydney Samson, Starkillers, BT, EDX, Alex Kenji, Serge Devant, Dyro, Dannic, Schiller, and TyDi.
Born in Libya to Pakistani parents, Nadia Ali grew up in Queens, New York. In a family environment heavily influenced by education, she was expected to pursue a career as a doctor or lawyer. Nadia’s musical influences stem from her Middle Eastern background, popular culture in Queens, and musicians like Madonna, Sade, Stevie Nicks and Bono. Her cultural background has helped her stand out in the entertainment industry, and her climb to the top has set examples for many women all over the world to pursue their dreams. Nadia’s parents are now her greatest supporters.
Soon after releasing the album “Poetica” with iiO in 2005, which included No. 1 American Billboard Hot Dance Club Play “Is It Love,” Nadia left the project to embark upon a solo career. In September 2009, she released her first solo album “Embers” on her own record label, Smile in Bed Records. It included the hit “Crash and Burn,” the first single which became a club success and peaked at No. 6 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Club Play Chart. The second single, “Love Story” reached No. 1 on the Billboard Dance chart and nabbed her an International Dance Music Award nomination for Best Progressive/House Track at the 2010 Winter Music Conference.
Due to her upbringing in Queens and the fact that her music was predominantly played at nightclubs, Nadia cleverly named her next album “Queen of Clubs.” This album included the re-release of “Rapture” with remixes by Tristan Garner, Gareth Emery, and Avicii. Also, Morgan Page’s remix of “Fantasy” gave Nadia her first Grammy nomination under the "Best Re-mixed Recording" category. In 2011, Ali released “Call My Name” with Sultan & Ned Shepard, reaching No. 5 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play Chart. Also in 2011, Nadia teamed up with Armin Van Buuren to create the dance track "Feels So Good," and she was a featured guest on Van Buuren’s sold-out "Armin Only Mirage" world tour. Nadia then released the track “Pressure” with Starkillers and Alex Kenji on Spinnin’ Records. The Alesso Remix of “Pressure” became arguably the biggest club and festival anthem of 2011. At the 27th International Dance Music Awards, Nadia was honored with two major victories. “Feels So Good” won “Best Trance Track” and “Pressure (Alesso Remix)” won “Best Progressive Track.”
In early 2012, Nadia and Starkiller’s track “Keep It Coming” hit No. 1 on Beatport. Her first release of the year was “This Is Your Life” with Swiss DJ EDX, followed by “Believe It” with Spencer & Hill including a remix by Cazzette. Next, she joined forces with Morgan Page yet again to release “Carry Me”. Her most recent single, “Must Be The Love” with BT and Arty, was recently nominated for “Best Trance Track” at the 28th Annual International Dance Music Awards. Currently, Nadia is working on a number of fresh dance collaborations as well as experimenting with new sounds for her next solo releases. Although Nadia’s music has maintained itself in the world of EDM, her unique sound and innovative melodies can stretch to all genres of music; and considering her hard work and determination… the possibilities are endless.
✮ ✮ ✮ ✮ ✮ ✮ ✮ ✮ ✮ ✮ Thomas Datt ✮ ✮ ✮ ✮ ✮ ✮ ✮ ✮ ✮ ✮ ✮
Thomas Datt has been a name synonymous with quality trance music since 2003, after having taken his first steps in the global dance arena. From his early remixes to his breakout hit “Alone”, Datt continues to pump out some of the most emotive music going. Having produced original tracks and remixes for some of the biggest labels in trance today, including Discover, A State of Trance, Vandit, Anjunabeats, Adjusted, and Euphonic, it’s no mistake that Thomas continues to be one of the most sought after rising stars of EDM.
A native of Kolberg (Kolobrzeg) Poland, Datt relocated to the United States in 1992. As early as 15 years old he knew he wanted to entertain and express himself through various forms of electronic music. The mid 1990’s saw Datt exposed to a vast array of Euro Dance styles and productions, helping shape and expand his palate for electronic music. It didn’t take long for Datt to realize his true passion was within trance.
Having been heavily inspired by the likes of Paul Van Dyk, Ferry Corsten, Matt Darey, and DJ Tiesto, Datt set up what would become his relatively modest home studio located in Brooklyn, NY. Dedicating a massive amount of time mastering his craft, he eventually secured the skills necessary to become a successful producer.
After the massive success of two of Datt’s early tracks, “2v2” and “Alone”, which appeared on “Tiesto In Concert 2”, and Paul van Dyk’s “Politics of Dancing 2” respectively, Datt quickly found himself behind the decks, fortunate enough to secure DJ gigs all throughout the United States, where legions of loyal trance fans came to witness firsthand the highly intelligent programming of Datt’s DJ sets. Incorporating a fluid mix of his own originals, remixes, bootlegs and exclusive edits, Datt’s gigs always result in a highly enthralling and energetic performance.
In 2009 Thomas was asked to compile and mix a brand new annual compilation for the Recoverworld Label Group called "Underground Anthems". The compilation featured some of the best tracks from the Recoverworld catalogue, as well as brand new Datt productions, and received tremendous fanfare. Later that year, Datt's new single "Mass Effect" was released on Discover, and received massive support from Paul Van Dyk and Ferry Corsten, as well as becoming Tune Of The Month in Mixmag.
After winning yet another remix competition, this time for Ferry Corsten (System F), with his remix of “Soul On Soul”, Ferry was so impressed that he asked Thomas to produce a track exclusively for Ferry’s own "Once Upon A Night 2". The end result was "D.A.T.T. - Eden's Light" which Ferry was quick to take on the road with him, completely mesmerizing club goers with this euphoric 2010 trance anthem.
2010 also saw Datt’s release of “Phoenix Burn” on Discover which picked up heavy support from many of the top Dj’s, while also making it on the “Anjunabeats Worldwide 02” compilation. Shortly after, his release of “Seven Years”, under the alias Asedo, was picked up by none other than Above & Beyond and included in their “Anjunabeats Volume 8” compilation.
His uncanny success didn’t stop here, and the momentum of Datt’s unequaled production prowess even scored him a spot on Armin van Buuren’s A State of Trance 2011, and Max Graham’s “Cycles 2” with a track he co-produced with Robert Nickson called “Godless”.
And while trance has always been Datt’s true calling, he’s not afraid to experiment with the softer side of electronic music. Having teamed up again with Recoverworld, Datt released several ambient and down-tempo tracks for their chill-out compilation “Chilled Trance” in 2010.
Having always been one for quality over quantity, Datt prides himself on his ever-expanding catalogue of productions. Unlike many producers who are simply content sounding alike; Datt approaches each production as a true artist, staying authentic to the genre while incorporating his own uniquely inspired sound.
Stay tuned for more Datt goodness.