Trance artist of the decade:
Airwave
For me there is not much to consider. Laurent Veronnez is the only trance producer who kept the same high standards in his productions throughout these 10 years. Airwave and MIKE made Bonzai the label that it is today and the latter would be under consideration if his sound didn't alter so much the last few years. Is Airwave the only great trance artist this decade? Absolutely not. Tiesto, Armin and to a certain extent Van Dyk are names that will be remembered for a long time for introducing this music to the big masses and for inspiring the new generation of producers and DJs. But Airwave is in a league of his own.
House artist of the decade:
Nick Warren
Undisputed choice. I realize I have bored so many people with my Nick Warren obsession, but the guy is a legend. Period. The longest-running artist on legendary label Global Underground, Warren has toured the world and is still doing it despite being in his mid-40's (so they say). He was my artist of the year in 2008 and even though 2009 witnessed a small dip in form, Nick is still here whether it is solo or with Jody Wisternoff. There are a lot of good days ahead of him and we certainly haven't seen the last of the big guy. Other artists and DJs who were in the running and who are equally as inspiring as Warren: Tenaglia, Howells, Lawler and many many more.
And for the last category I realized a lot of people would jump on my throat if I don't add it and call me a racist and a child molester. So for the final category:
Techno artist of the decade:
Richie Hawtin
There can only be one. And this one is Plastikman. He was there for the early days, he was there during the decadence and he is still here during the resurgence. The guy has been phenomenal whether it is during his early blonde days or during his Kojak days. Many have come and gone or come back but fact is Hawtin was there and while he's always been a controversial figure, the guy is a cornerstone of the techno music in this decade. I was tempted to pick someone else such as Carl Cox (who could have been selected in any of the 3 categories actually), or Laurent Garnier or Derrick May or even Tomcraft. I ended up choosing Hawtin because that's a personal choice and because I highly doubt the scene would have blossomed the way it has.
Here are mine now who are yours??
