From: Spain

DJ style: “Bliss house.”

Best known for: “Successful releases ‘Dare Me’, ‘WHO’ and ‘Everybody Dance Now’.”

Fave tune of 2022: “Wax Motif ‘Bump Bump Bump’.”

Rising star DJ/producer of 2022: “Wax Motif.”

Plastik Funk, aka Spanish DJ and producer Rafael Ximenez-Carrillo, has spent the last 12 months living what he calls “the best life”. While last year saw him play 60 shows in total, he managed that many times over just this summer, maintaining a non-stop schedule between June and September — at one point playing three parties in 24 hours. Included in this was a recent Asian tour, DJing to a sold out 10,000-capacity crowd in Saigon, as well as various high-profile European festivals such as SMAG Sundance Festival and Gestört aber GeiL, where he performed a back to back with 2elements.

None of this appears to have hampered his productivity in the studio. With 12 tracks released since the year began, recent releases have showcased the many facets of his sound. The latest, ‘Funky Sound’, incorporated elements of disco, ‘Can’t Help It’ revelled in main stage energy and ‘Say Goodbye’ showcased his trademark dirty bass. ‘Sideways’, meanwhile, a collaboration with Rudeejay, was an uplifting full-vocal banger featuring Crooked Bangs. 2022 was a year in which his Funk Family has continued to expand.

What’s the best DJ set you’ve seen this year? 

“Malaa at Ultra Miami.”

Name one great festival you played for the first time this year…

“Untold Festival.” 

What’s the longest DJ set you’ve ever played?

“Nine hours.”

What’s one piece of studio hardware you wish you owned?

“SSL Matrix 2 Hybrid Mixing Console Matrix2.” 

What’s the last tune you bought?

“Beltran ‘Smack Yo’ on Solid Grooves.”

What’s the next big sound?

“Bliss house.”