Do I know you? 10 artists and their alter-egos

It’s a fascinating phenomenon that some artists throughout all history and across all disciplines choose to produce work under an alias. Pseudonyms have been used from day to hide a person’s identity whether it be writers, recording acts, graffiti artists, even in online chatrooms. An alias allows you to create your own identity.

In music, often acts who start off underground choose a stage-name or carry through a nickname into their work. In electronic music, as well as hip-hop and dancehall, even jazz, DJs and producers often utilise an alter-ego. We’re going to look at 10 artists who sought to re-invent themselves or branch out into new realms of electronic music through the almighty power of an alias.

 

Maceo Plex vs. Maetrik

Top of the list is one that’s certainly no secret. American Maceo Plex is a titan of deep and funky house and tech. His Maetrik alias (we’ll ignore Mariel Ito and Estornel for now) is just as reputable and synonymous with dark, domineering techy grooves.

 

 

Richie Hawtin vs. Plastikman

Another fairly well-known case of split personality is Richie Hawtin. An English-born Canadian, Hawtin’s alter-ego Plastikman was a big player in the mythical second wave of Detroit city techno with his robotic, minimal approach. He’ll no doubt go down in dance history as a legendary DJ but he’s been a prolific producer under both nicknames. His list of aliases is healthy but Richie Hawtin and Plastikman are the two we’ll look at here.

 

 

 

Flume vs. What So Not

While you could be forgiven for confusing a Maceo Plex track with a Maetrik cut, likewise Plastikman and Richie Hawtin, next up is a more chalk and cheese affair. Electronica/indie dance don Flume has graced the game with his uber-hip, sui generis take on electronic music. The Australian DJ/producer teamed up with Emoh Instead to form What So Not at the arse-end of last year and that’s a combo to look out for if their first wave of double-hard trap releases are followed up.

 

 

 

Foamo & RacknRuin vs. Gorgon City

Gorgon City is another conglomerate pseudonym of house-spinnin’, Rinse resident Foamo and RacknRuin whose “haunting, deep, woozy yet bashy sounds – roping everything in from grime and dubstep to bashment to garage, jungle and beyond – are replicated through his no-nonsense DJ sets.” Need we say more?

 

 

 

 

Masters at Work vs. Hardrive

Taking it back to the old school now. Living legends in house music, MAW’s Kenny ‘Dope Gonzalez and ‘Little’ Louis Vega had a string of releases under several aliases including Sole Fusion Nuyorican Soul as well as being the two crude dudes behind Hardrive. These guys are that ‘90s house and garage sound that’s got the kids going crazy again. Kids who weren’t even born the first time around.

 

 

 

Kevin Saunderson vs. Inner City

Motor City tech giant Kevin Saunderson was the producer behind everyone’s favourite ’80s house group Inner City, with Paris Grey adding the vocals to tracks like ‘Big Fun’. One of Saunderson’s many projects, like Peter Pan, somehow their two most infamous tracks never seem to get old; when used in moderation. Sadly if you’re a regular at Manchester’s Northern Quarter bars, the sounds are probably etched into the fabric of your very conscience like grooves on a broken record. Then again you probably deserve it.

 

 

 

Cajmere vs. Green Velvet

If you’re even halfway cool, you’ll know Chicago house mainstay Cajmere is also the man behind the Marvel comic hero lookalike Green Velvet. The green-haired “electro punk” has been switching between the two identities (as well as Curran Stone and Gino Vittori to name a couple) since way back in ’93. An amazing ability to remain true to his roots but continue to evolve and adapt to the game, even if the same qualities can’t be said of his hairstyles.

 

 

 

Marcus Intalex vs. Trevino

Mancunian, soulful drum and bass DJ/producer Marcus Intalex moonlights as Trevino to relieve his house urges and spurt out a load of 4×4. One of the busiest guys on the drum and bass circuit for years, his ability to peak on both channels is testament to his craft.

 

 

 

Scuba vs. SCB

There’s not much between the names or the music with deep, open house beats, tight basslines and mesmerising vocal play. Goosebump-inducing live or in the studio, his music manages to do what only an extreme few have ever mastered – pure euphoric moments with absolutely zero cheese.

 

 

 

Paul dB vs. Paul Kalkbrenner

Any excuse to get a certain song in for us. We finished on probably the biggest anti-climax revelation-wise but something pretty frickin’ special in terms of a track we wanted to finish on. Before establishing the BPitch Control imprint, Ellen Allien she was throwing BPitch parties all over Berlin. It was at one such party where Kalkbrenner along with friend and fellow producer Sascha Funke met the Allien and started a relationship that would lead Kalkbrenner to release the ‘Friedrichshain’ EP under the alias of Paul dB+. The rest is histreh.