2023 music ranked, a data-driven approach 🧵 I wrote a program that analyzes my DJ play history and spits out a ranked list of tunes based on how many times I played them. So, here are my top 20 tracks of 2023, based on my gig data (+some reflection @ the end)

Got to watch a great award-winning doc short #TakingBackTheGroove, about music pioneer Richie Weeks & fight to reclaim his music rights, produced by @Raekwon and @AtishMusic. Engaging trip down memory lane & reminder of dark side of music biz! Watch here:

Music tip: If you need to tune your instrument but don't have a tuner handy, simply clap 440 times per second and the resultant sound will be an A

let's about talk about my favorite part of the Olympics, one of the things that that originally got me into art and graphic design as a child: pictograms. the first I can remember are from Seoul 88. you might recall these.

Love this about Desert Hearts fest. No VIP, anyone can come backstage. That’s my vibe for sure

@atishmusic and @nhiimusic join Rebellion with their latest EP Shola. Check out their live studio performance of 'Shola' as they beautifully build off each other. This tracks references Atish's South Asian roots with an obscure 1983 Hindi/Urdu sample. https://t.co/Wmcu4arkgK

Cameraman sacrificed his job for this

6/ If you've made it this far, thanks! And you can check out my music at: https://t.co/5BFmYeF7G8

5/ I hope you had a 2023 filled with music you love and danced to. And if you danced to and/or loved some of my music, I deeply appreciate your support <3

4/ If you want to run my script against your own Traktor library, the github link is here: https://t.co/uIXFFGqmKi

3/ Worth clarifying this list is a reflection of the music I PLAY - not necessarily the music I think is the most interesting, innovative, or edgy. As a DJ, I stand by every track I play, but often times dance floor functionality trumps groundbreaking change-the-game art music.

2/ South Asian sounds are creeping into my sets, both through playing some of my originals and other artists' tracks. Not really a judgement as a good or bad thing here, simply an observation of the evolution of my sound.

Personal reflections: 1/ 2023 was a milestone year for me as a producer - never have I played my own music so much in my own sets, so I'm really pleased about this artistic growth. I've had an insecurity that I'm not good enough as a producer, and now that is diminishing. Yay!

20. atish + Vridian - Instant Transmission (Mihai Popoviciu & Markus Homm Remix) [Manjumasi] Both Homm and Pop are masters of the groove, and I was so happy to have them take on remix duties on @vridianmusic and my's tune. Super playable. Solid. https://t.co/UnXm7L7z8g

19. Aili - Toki Doki (Stones Taro Remix) [Eskimo Recordings] Love the magic spacey synths, the human-feel breakbeat, and of course the Japanese Vocals. Definitely gets the floor's attention whenever I play it. https://t.co/8lwMN5cF0L

18. Josh Butler - Infinite [ORIGINS RCRDS] Similar to above, another functional track that does its job without any fuss. Chugs and holds a floor steady, as Josh Butler's tunes are known to do. https://t.co/ynn5JSgO79

17. Leeni - Higher Groove [Acker Records] A tune that doesn't change the world, but it's super functional and grooves well. I often play this one early in my sets to set a proper footing to get a feel for the dance floor. https://t.co/l8eVwXQKBz

16. KIRIK - Town House [LTF Records] 2023 was definitely a year of the Korg M1 synth revival, and this one bubbled to the top of my favorite of the lot. Housey, groovy, melodic. That's my vibe! https://t.co/dAAGxGtMl7

15. Zone+ - Every Step [SATYA] I already mentioned how much I love Zone+, but I didn't mention how Yokoo's SATYA is my favorite label of 2023. Smart, playable, melodic minimal. Right up my strasse https://t.co/F3FdLfzPPZ

14. Bonilla - Blessings Been playing a few Bonilla tunes this year, and this one is just a straight ahead tech-house banger with some soul. I'm not known for playing tech-house, but when I do, Bonilla's in the mix. https://t.co/TWQtNKJBlt

13. Black Space - Feed the Demon [ICONYC] Chunky, prog-influecned, and some mean octave-portamento synths. Appropriately titled, too. I use this tune functionally to transition in and out of prog sections in my sets https://t.co/so7hdIIybB