Producers With Exclamation Points in Their Names

In the electronic music world, your name can be everything. There are times when a producer's moniker is the PERFECT representation of where their sou

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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In the electronic music world, your name can be everything. There are times when a producer's moniker is the PERFECT representation of where their sound is that, and lately, there's been this thing of producer aliases having exclamation points in their names. We're not sure why this is a thing, but it's happening often. Sometimes more than one exclamation point are in their names. What could be the reasoning? Is it to let people know that their music is that hard? Whatever the case may be, some of our favorite artists (and cats who should be your favorites) are rocking the !s in their guises.

UFO!

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Many of you recently got put on to UFO! due to his work in a number of different EDM genres, showcasing his prowess at trap and moombahton with ease. He even put out an album with Bro Safari, Animal, that received loads of critical acclaim. We figure many haven't realized that he's been in the electronic music scene since 1998, back when he was one of the more integral figures within the California drum & bass scene. One of the most important tracks from that movement, "Enemy Infiltration," showcased three different variations on a track over a nine-minute masterpiece, and UFO! spent time from 1998 through 2004 putting on for the American dnb scene. Today, he's showcased a "genres be damned" attitude to music, putting out what he wants, when he wants, via his China Black imprint (among others).

ETC!ETC!

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ETC!ETC! has spent the last year lighting a fire in the trap and moombahton scenes. We're not sure if it's the fact that he's had a string of solid material or that this material has been released on imprints like Mad Decent, Dim Mak, Firepower, Slow Roast, Fool's Gold, and other important imprints in the scene, but his stock has risen relatively quickly. His work with Brillz, which resulted in tracks like "Bueller" and the intense remix of "Simon Says" helped push the trap scene into the stratosphere in 2012, and he's ridden that wave into top spots and placement all over.

D!RTY AUD!O

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D!RTY AUD!O is a youngin', but he's out there getting the job done. While he's not old enough to legally buy alcohol, he's already racking up huge releases on imprints like Dim Mak and Party Likes Us while getting support from big dogs in the scene, from Diplo to Sidney Samson. He has his own podcast, and is steadily gaining international bookings. Listening to his tracks is like listening to the future of the scene.

MUST DIE!

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MUST DIE! is a force to be reckoned with. He's only been in the game for two years, but he's already excited us, giving us chills every time we hear new material from him in 2013. He's already racked up released on Dim Mak, Never Say Die, Mad Decent, SMOG, and Firepower, and is just as brilliant at trap music as he is at dubstep as he is (surprisingly) at house. He's a man of many talents who's name will be in your mouths, no doubt.

Decade!

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Decade! is one of those artists that you might not know, but should get to know. Just for the fact that he regularly uploaded inventive bass remixes of popular dance tracks, he's giving you alternatives to the norm. His music has been featured on the BBC, and we even documented his work with six free cuts he's posted. This Phoenix producer is already on the radars of Diplo, Borgore, Laidback Luke, Carnage, and Flosstradamus, so get on the boat NOW before it sails away.

CRIMES!

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Over the last two years, CRIMES! has carved out a bass-shaped niche for himself, giving his all for imprints like Dub Cartel and Abducted to getting looks from Ultragore, Dim Mak, and Shift. He spent the first part of his career making sure people understood his dubstep prowess, but 2013 has seen him branching out, diving into the trap scene while churning out cuts like "Running Circles," which owe just as much to the jungle/drum & bass sound than anything else.

MOVES!!!

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A funny thing happened when we got a promo of Seclusiasis' Street Bass Anthems Vol. 6 release; we heard the massive "No Mercy" by MOVES!!! and were blown away. Then we sat back and thought "who the hell is MOVES!!!?" and realized that, damn, this was an old Starkey alias from about five years ago! We're not sure if he'll be bringing this AKA back out on the regular, but we're damn glad he revived it for this banger.

¡El Cucuy!

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"El Cucuy" is representative of what Americans know as the "boogeyman" in many Spanish-speaking countries, so it makes sense that dance music would have its own "boogeyman" presiding over the bass-charged riddims like Cucuy knocks out. He's managed to drop everything from footwork-inspired riddims to more "now" trap bangers, and seems to add a certain swing to his tracks. This is one boogeyman you need not be shook over.

LOUISAHHH!!!

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"LOUISAHHH!!! loves playing and making records more than anything else in the whole world" is how her Facebook "About" page begins, and we assume that's why she's rocking three exclamation points (although she says it can be seen as a war cry or a "shriek of delight.") She's not only part of Staccato with Gina Turner, but her more recent affiliations have been with Bromance, who put out her first "serious" solo EP earlier this year. In a genre that can feel devoid of female input, it's great to know that a producer this captivating is putting her stamp on the scene in such a boisterous way.

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