Although DJ Mag, Resident Advisor and various other online and physical publications claim to provide accurate lists of the World’s top DJs, these lists are invariably skewed for a variety of reasons. In DJ Mag’s case, the Top 100 DJs list is simply a popularity contest, and in no way represents the actual technical skill of the DJs included in the list. As far as Resident Advisor is concerned, the in-house writers there have a very specific type of artist they like, and any DJs who fall more than a stones throw outside that general genre range don’t get nearly the recognition they deserve in their top 100 list. The simple fact of the matter is that there are well over 1,000 DJs, producers, and live performers of electronic (dance) music who are all highly talented, highly professional, and deserve recognition. Having said that, such a list would and could never exist. So here are ten artists you probably don’t know about but should.

1. Robag Wruhme

Robag Wruhme is an artist’s artist. The German DJ & producer is a quiet member of the underground dance scene, but is widely revered for his deep, melodic, and creatively adventurous techno. His productions are of the highest caliber, and his releases usually grace some of the top indie techno & dance labels such as Monkeytown Records, Project Mooncircle Recordings, and DJ Koze’s cult-following imprint Pampa Records.

2. Martyn

The D.C. native’s record output is both prolific and impressive. His EP and subsequent album on arguably the world’s biggest indie electronic label Ninja Tune was a tour de force in variety and style. His airy and melodic electronica tracks are equally as gripping and impressive as he forays into purer, deeper techno vibes, having collaborated with the widely revered Ben Klock.

3. Tin Man

The Finnish-born, San Antonio raised, Vienna-residing 303 guru is pretty much as underground as one can get, but if you find yourself in Vienna at any point, he happens to be the undisputed messiah of the future acid scene over their. Although his early career featured some cutting edge singles and EPs, the past few years have seen him foray into concept albums, with his most recent album, Ode, meant to be an aid in dealing with post-rave depression.

4. Francesca Lombardo

Based in the dance music Mecca that is London, Francesca Lombardo has steadily established herself as one of house and techno’s most interesting artists. She was a highly successful vocalist and pianist prior to her DJ career, but she’s quickly becoming a revered member of the global underground. Most of her releases these days are coming off massive house and techno label Crosstown Rebels, which has featured releases from global superstars such as Jamie Jones and Maceo Plex.

5. Dauwd

Although he’s only been releasing in earnest since the end of 2011, Dauwd has quickly established himself as one of house and techno’s most interesting and rawly talented producers. With many of his releases coming off Michael Mayer’s behemoth label Kompakt Records, the London producer has been tipped by Beatport as one of their top ten artists to watch in 2015. Expect to start seeing his name on some notable remix packages.

6. slangsdorf

Having received a five star endorsement from international electronica maven Max Cooper, slangsdorf is quietly making some of the most interesting techno around right now. Focusing on complex melodic progressions and intricate rhythmic accompaniments, the German producer has already made several tracks that could very easily be called masterpieces.

7. Joyce Muniz

Brazilian born Vienna native Joyce Muniz got her start in the house music scene as a vocalist, but in the past few years, her personal productions have been featured on some of Europe’s most popular house labels such as Get Physical Music and 2020Vision. She’s remixed scene darlings like Claptone and Maya Jane Coles, and if those credentials aren’t enough to persuade you of her quality, techno legend Richie Hawtin has recently endorsed her music, which is usually a good sign!

8. Nicolas Jaar

There are few artists these days that genuinely stand apart from associations with a particular “scene”. Although he was trained by Berlin legend Acid Pauli and benefited from an early association with legendary Brooklyn label Wolf & Lamb Records, Nicolas Jaar has unwittingly carved out a completely unique space for his music in our social-media frenzied world. The intensity, seriousness, and clear creative vision which the Chilean American brings to his music is rare, to say the least, and his first album “Space Is Only Noise” was considered to be a masterwork. He was 19 when he released it. Having now started his own label “Other-People”, which has grown at a remarkable pace since its inception, it seems that it’s only a matter of time until he becomes widely recognized as one of the world’s premiere musical talents, let alone electronic music’s.

9. Anja Schneider

Berlin native Anja Schneider is one of those house music artists who seems to have the Midas Touch. She just gets it. Her minimalistic but undeniably groovy style hails back to the early Chicago days of Marshall Jefferson. At the helm of Mobilee Records, the German house princess is going nowhere but up.

10. Todd Terry

Although some might balk at “Todd the God’s” inclusion in this list, the truth is that Todd Terry is an artist you simply must know about if you are going to proclaim yourself a fan of house music. What is now classified as deep house and progressive house found their roots in Todd’s productions as far back as the late 80s, and now the legendary DJ and producer is making a serious resurgence on the international scene and is in constant demand all around the globe. The dance music scene as we know it today would not have been possible without Todd Terry, and it seems only natural to conclude this list with a legend of his stature.