From: The Netherlands            

DJ style: “Hard but accessible vocal tracks, blending hardstyle with other genres.”

Best known for: “’Imaginary’, ‘Lose My Mind’, ‘Fight For Something’ and many more.”
 

Dutchman Brennan Heart says that the last 12 months have mostly been about "self-care, studio time and touring." The hardstyle hero sure has been on the road a lot, with notable performances at Fantasia in Belgium, Tomorrowland and Defqon 1 amongst many more all reminding fans why he is still so well thought of in the scene despite having started out way back in 2001.

Just after last year's poll he dropped the huge 'Sweet Caroline', a collab with fellow Top 100 regulars Dimitri Vegas, Like Mike and Timmy Trumpet, and followed it up with a number of other tracks that push the upper limits of any BPM counter and came with plenty of emotional synths, as has always been his way.

"Lately I’ve been getting my spark for euphoric sounds back," he says, adding: “So there are a lot of exciting tracks and projects coming!” These include lots of new Brennan Heart and Blademasterz sounds but the artist also laughs and says, “Maybe I should just do an album!” There have been seven of them 
 

Hero of 2023: “Fred again..”
 

Fave tune of 2023: “Latest album by Lewis Capaldi.”
 

Best DJ set you’ve seen in 2023: “DJ Anime at a Hardcore Festival this summer. Such energy!”
 

What was the most exciting tech development of 2023? “AI, with all its pros and cons, the speed of development is fascinating to see.”
 

Rising star DJ/producer of 2023: “Aversion (hardstyle DJ).”
 

What gives you hope for 2024? “All the love and dedication that I have received from fans so far this year!”