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Billboard Dance's Ones to Watch: June 2018

Shervin Lainez
Chelsea Cutler

It's that time of the month again, when the Billboard Dance crew brings you a list of heat keepers to have on your radar. This month sees a cool collection of music makers representing happy hardcore from the U.K., alternative indie from Connecticut, boss-level bass from Austin, introvert vibes from England, and pure dance floor beats from Berlin.

Whether you're in the mood to get lost in the groove or get hype with hard-edge beats, this month's Ones to Watch has what you need.

Chelsea Cutler

Dance fans may know Chelsea Cutler from her wonderful features on Louis The Child's "Slow Down Love" or Chet Porter's "Stay," but it's her standalone work that has spoken volumes about her potential. The singer, songwriter and producer dropped her debut LP Sleeping With Roses on June 8 and has already been greeted by nearly 10 million streams on Spotify. Her fall 2018 tour has quickly clocked in 14 sold out dates and counting, plus arena-hopping star Halsey just announced her as support for the final installment of her Hopeless Fountain Kingdom Tour. It's been a momentous past couple of months for the blossoming act and it seems to be just the tip of the iceberg. -- Dave Rishty

WAVEDASH

These three Austin teens are injecting fresh energy into the bass music scene and it's not going unnoticed. Supported heavily by low-end luminaries like Skrillex, NGHTMRE and SLANDER, WAVEDASH signed with Slush Management and United Talent Agency and can already boast festival bookings like EDC Las Vegas, Middlelands and Nocturnal Wonderland. Mat Zo released their most recent Devil Music EP with QUEST on his Mad Zoo label, hailing the trio as "brilliant young producers" who display "a sophisticated side to them, well beyond their years." -- Matt Medved

Gammer

Gammer got his start in the early 2000s as a heavy hitter in the happy hardcore scene, but these days, he's expanding his sonic horizons in sweeping shades of bass. He's stepped into the world of dubstep with doom and boom tracks "Let's Get Crunk" and "The Drop." He's experimented with melodic future bass with Kayzo on "Over The Edge." He's even mashed some trending pop techniques with hardcore headbang drops on "Stay Tonight." He's hitting a creative stride as he finds the confidence to try new sounds on for size, and it seems to be working. He also recently sold out shows in Phoenix and Huntington Beach, Ca. Definitely look out for more from Gammer in the months to come. -- Kat Bein

Laxcity

Joshua Mbewe, or Laxcity, was born in Zambia and is currently based in the UK where he makes exquisite downtempo electronic music that tugs on listeners' heartstrings. He's received early support from producers like Ekali, as well as Apple Music, with placement on their Today's Chill playlist. Mbewe describes himself as introvert and even goes to say that the project is a "shoutout to introverts" in his bio. We recommend listening to "Good Morning," "Introvert" and "Catch Me." Laxity's debut album arrives later this year on Majestic Casual, a tastemaker label which has served as a crucial launching pad for many artists such as Two Feet, who is now signed to Republic Records. -- D.R.

Tim Engelhardt

Tim Engelhardt defines the notion of an underground prodigy. The young German producer has already released on the likes of Diynamic, Innervisions, and Bedrock -- an astounding feat for an artist of any age, yet all the more impressive when one considers the fact that Tim is only 20 years old. What’s more, Engelhardt has already crafted a truly unique live show in which he performs all original music via an assortment of analog gear. With noteworthy performances in 2018 at the Brooklyn Mirage in New York and Desert Hearts festival in California, Engelhardt is quickly on his way to becoming an international icon in the underground. -- Michael Sundius