Beatport takes a stand against cheaters, but raises larger questions
The Beatport Top 10 has been the target of criticism since very early in its inception. Ghost-producing and pay-to-win tactics have plagued it since early in its lifecycle, but it's not the charts or Beatport's fault. Rather, the fault lies in that of the industry itself, and the a fundamental flaw by which success and popularity are actually measured. An endemic obsession with quantifiable rankings has overshadowed the focus on quality music. When so much of the attention is targeted at a chart based on revenue, it completely misrepresents the actual popularity or the true trends of a highly ephemeral culture. The fact that it can be manipulated so blatantly is just the cherry on top of a larger problem and further diminishes its value in the conversation.
Armin van Buuren x Mercer – Ping Pong (Late Night Edition) [Free Download]
With less than two weeks away from his EDC New York takeover, French phenom MERCER twists up Armin van Buuren's "Ping Pong" in an elastic band of gritty electro destined for main stage indoctrination. One of big room electro's most promising talents, his take on AvB's latest smash matches the original's panning pongs with an elephant dose of Acid arps and massive kicks to match.
Nom De Strip & Wiwek – Annihilation (Original Mix) [Preview]
Electro house masterminds Nom De Strip and Wiwek have joined forced and put their malicious minds together to concoct their latest festival-barn burner. Appropriately dubbed "Annihilation," the pair incorporate their own unique touches into the final output, each representing his own style with ease in the mix. An aggressive array of gritty electro house courtesy of Nom De Strip is matched in equal intensity by Wiwek's carefully honed festival house talents, leaving behind the next high-octane output from Rising Music.