There’s no two ways about it, 2020 has been yet another big chapter in Louie Vega’s remarkable story. Racking up an impressive 14 tracks in this year’s Soulful House Top 200 (of which 3 are in the top 21) he has continued to deliver, reliable as always, time and time again.

As usually one of the world’s busiest touring DJs, there’s no doubt 2020 looked slightly different. However thanks to his ‘Lockdown Sessions’ show on Worldwide FM, he was able to keep flexing his awe-inspiring selection to fans from all over the world. It was the year that delivered a seemingly endless stream of magical moments: ‘Let It Go’ - Louie’s beautiful debut with The Martinez Brothers feat Marc E. Bassy. Not only was it the smooth and soulful soundtrack to a long and hot summer that we all needed - it was also an ode to NYC’s vibrant scene told through the lens of two different generations, and, undoubtedly yet another timeless classic in the making. It was also the year that Louie started to drop teaser EPs for his much anticipated ‘Expansions In The NYC album’ - the first gave us ‘A Place Where We Can All Be Free’ feat. Janine Sugah Lyrics Lyons - arriving as the ultimate indication as to the maestro’s aspirations for his upcoming body of work, with ‘Vince Montana Tribute’ alongside Rick Wilhite featuring on Part 2.

His remix of Tony Momrelle’s ‘My Paradise’ felt like the sound of Summer, with his remix of Jovonn and Casioware’s ‘Turnin Me Out’ serving up a soulful alternative to its original. Not to mention his EOL remix of the Luisito Quintero Percussion Madness classic jam ‘Our Love’ with Anane on lead. And. Breathe. What a year. Congratulations Louie Vega - the legacy continues!

NUMBER 38 - IAN FRIDAY

Armed with a passion for the arts, Ian Friday is on a creative mission. This New Yorker has been seen on stage and film and has performed throughout NYC as a poet.

In 1994 he founded a nonprofit arts organization called the Tea Party which provided a platform for upcoming and established artists such as Erykah Badu, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Saundra St. Victor, Vernon Reid, Corey Glover, Saul Williams, The Antibalas and the Last Poets. The Tea Party also featured one of the hottest and well respected open mics in NYC as well as a party with Ian at the deejay helm.

Ian has spread his wings into the arena of music. He has worked closely with Blaze, remixing their song "We Are One" on King Street Records and produced their first mixed cd, "The Found Love Mix CD" on West End Records. His first release on West End Records entitled "The Island Life EP" features the now classic, "Carib's Leap".

Ian started Tea Party Music in 2006 to present quality global soul music. The first release, "Life Starts Today" (Byron Moore) has received astonishing support from all the major soulful deejays. This tune has become a staple in the sets played by the likes of Timmy Regisford, Louie Vega, Osunlade, Danny Krivit, Joe Clausell and Kevin Hedge, to name a few. The second release "Everything" (Ian Friday featuring Erro) has been met with similar enthusiasm. The current release, "Theorema Del Faya"(Tea Party Vocal) - Anto Vitale has been heralded as one of the hits of the 2007 Winter Music Conference and can also be heard on "Lust: Art & Soul", a cd compiled by Louie Vega. With forthcoming productions featuring Manchildblack, Corey Glover, Kelli Sae and Shelley Nicole, Tea Party Music has quickly become a record label to be reckoned with. In the fall of 2006, Ian was rewarded with the Choice Award for "Best Emerging Talent".

With good music abound, the deejay side of Ian Friday has been heard for years at major clubs in NYC and around the world. He has played several times at Louie Vega and Kevin Hedge's wildly popular weekly party, "Roots" at Club Cielo. He has also done several guest spots at Timmy Regisford's legendary "Shelter" party. He has a monthly residency at The Sapphire Lounge doing an event called "Libation". This party has featured many visual artists musicians and guest deejays. Out in the world Ian has played at Canvas, Herbal and AKAin London, Djoon in Paris, Billionaire Club in Italy, Yellow in Tokyo, Grand Cafe in Osaka to name just a few.

Mr. Friday's dance mix has been also heard throughout New York Radio; WRKS (Kiss Club Classics), WBAI (The Liquid Sound Lounge), WNYC (The Candy Shop). Now, this Renaissance man can be heard internationally on his biweekly internet program, "Tea Party Music Live" on CyberJamz Radio.

NUMBER 51 - BOBBY & STEVE

It could be their 'Zoo Experience' radio show, the longest running show on London's Kiss FM, or the legendary parties that were 'Garage City' and Soul Heaven? Perhaps it's their ultimate dance weekender Summervibes, or their sell-out parties at the Miami Winter Music Conference? Maybe it's the famous Klub Zoo, or their Friday night residency, Groove On @ Heaven or it might just be their exciting agenda of plans they have for 2005 the list is endless. Exactly what makes Bobby & Steve so successful is hard to define, but one thing is for sure, they've come a very long way from their weekly slot at Simpson's Wine Bar in East London's Forest Gate.

Brought up on and inspired by the greats of soul music, such as Teddy Pendergrass, Loose Ends, The Chi-Lites, Leroy Burgess, McFadden & Whitehead, Barry White, Thelma Houston, and the Jones girls. Born and bred East End twins Bobby & Steve's musical heritage rests firmly on the shoulders of soul funk and disco. In 1984, at just twenty years of age the twins landed their first regular DJ gig at a local wine bar, 'Simpson's', and soon afterwards were holding regular Saturday night warehouse parties, searching out illegal venues which were big enough to hold the hoards of followers as the word spread. Bobby & Steve soon became both instrumental and respected figures in the eighties warehouse party scene, through playing their favourite soul and funk music at their own parties alongside fellow guest DJ's Norman Jay, Linden C and Trevor 'Madhatter' Nelson.

News of the success of the boys' parties soon spread, and it wasn't long before Bobby & Steve were approached by Gordon Mac, initiator and pioneer of London's biggest (then) pirate radio station Kiss FM, who offered them a weekly slot. The already established 'Zoo Experience' was born. Ten years on and the 'Zoo Experience' was Kiss 100 FM's longest running specialist show. Hosted by Bobby & Steve, the 'Zoo Experience' broadcast each and every Friday night between the hours of 10.00 pm and 12.00 am.

Once Kiss FM was granted its legal place on the airwaves in 1990, the twins decided to do the same with their now somewhat legendary Klub Zoo night. Originally held every Wednesday night at Munkberry's in the heart of London's west end back in 1988, the timing was perfect for the return of Klub Zoo every Friday night with it's new found home at the Soho Theatre. Famed for its mix of classic soul, disco grooves and very early house music, the Zoo regular following would flock religiously to the club each week to hear their favourite Salsoul, Prelude or Philadelphia International grooves. Klub Zoo ran for Three successful years and Bobby & Steve and the club later became instrumental in planting the UK roots for what would later become more commonly referred to as US House and Garage music.

However, it was a trip to New York at the tail end of the eighties that was to mark a major turnabout in the futures of Bobby & Steve and Zoo. A visit to Larry Levan's infamous Paradise Garage club gave the twins their first taste of a new sound dubbed 'Garage' music, a sound which American jocks such as Levan and Tony Humphries were championing. Evolving from the more soulful and gospel parts of disco, garage music with its soaring vocals, intricate melodies and jazzy instrumentals, captured the ears of the twins. They had found their sound, dance music that still contained their beloved soulful influences.

NUMBER 79 - MR V

Experiencing Mr. V's DJ sets, original productions, or remixes is like taking a trip back in time to dance music's golden age. Before superstar DJs took over the spotlight, dance music was a cultural phenomenon that did what no other form of music could do - BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER.

It didn't matter what race or sexual orientation you came from because dance music was all about embracing our differences and creating a homogeneous vibe.
The music was built heavily on traditional song structures and lots of heart and soul. DJs played whatever it took to get the party going and the music was never predictable.
It is with this classic spirit and enthusiasm that New York City's Mr. V targets today's dance music world.

Growing up in the 1980's the open-minded Mr. V was heavily influenced by House, Hip-Hop, Latin, Garage and Disco classics, Rhythm & Blues and Jazz.
Mr. V was enamored by the role a DJ commanded over a crowd and was taken by the talents of his DJ friend Lord G., who had a weekly Thursday night party in New York City. Despite wanting to be a professional DJ, it wasn't until he met the legendary Louie Vega that he found his calling. "Louie Vega used to be a resident at this party called "Underground Network," and that's where I discovered a deeper taste for house music.
I always wanted to be a DJ, but Louie's type of music, the style - that whole soulful sound - is what I wanted to play," says Mr. V.

Louie Vega saw the drive and potential in Mr. V and hired the young Nuyorican DJ / producer as his assistant at the world famous Masters At Work label. In this position Mr. V was given a rare glimpse into the global dance scene and before long was taking to the decks alongside his mentor.
Mr. V is one of the most well known names in the Dance Music Industry.
Stylistically, Mr. V has a wildly eclectic sound that brings spontaneity back to the art of DJing. "Sometimes I just pull stuff [out of the DJ bag] out of the blue. I like to keep people guessing. I play things that I don't think other people are playing, It's always different and depends on the vibe," he says.

In addition to his busy DJ schedule - Mr. V has displayed his DJ talents at many popular nightclubs across the globe - he also made a name for himself as a producer, remixer & vocalist. In 2001, Mr. V launched his own label Sole Channel Music as a way to release music with complete control and artistic freedom. To date, he has released many singles on the label including his most famous track, "Jus Dance".

Mr. V has also released vocal collaborations, productions and remixes for other labels including Vega Records, Defected, Strictly Rhythm, King Street Sounds, Ultra Records, Subliminal, Simma Black, Dopewax Records, Muzik 4 Tomorrow, Toolroom, Soma, Large Music and many more.

Combining his multifaceted skills as a DJ, Producer, Remixer, Vocalist and with an ear towards dance music's roots,
Mr. V is the name to always remember when it comes to House Music.