Thinkin 'bout you more

We say

Our final Ones To Watch 2026 is Birmingham-based bassline DJ/producer Denon Reed. It’s been a standout year for the 23-year-old, who has emerged as one of the key figures driving bassline’s modern resurgence. First known locally as a rapper, Denon shifted focus in 2023, launching his own bassline promotions platform, Cru2, and quickly building a community-led movement around the sound. From running a label to hosting sold-out raves of 3,000–5,000 capacity across the UK, Cru2 laid the foundations, but 2025 saw Denon’s producer career properly take flight. Over the past year, he’s clocked up over 95m streams, landed two Top50 UK Official Singles Chart entries, spent 15+ weeks on the charts, firmly establishing himself as one of the genre’s most exciting new names and making Denon the third biggest selling new UK artist to debut on the OCC Top100 in 2025 behind only Skye Newman and EsDeeKid. Breakout hit ‘I Need To Know’ pushed him into the mainstream, peaking at no.49 on the UK Top 100, surpassing 10m streams, and earning a high-profile remix featuring Dizzee Rascal. Summer follow-up ‘Let Him Go’ kept that momentum rolling, reaching no.36, before November’s track ‘Thinkin ’Bout You More’ revealed a more nuanced side to his sound. Balancing bassline’s physical punch with a warmer, late-night melodic edge, highlighting his range beyond pure high-energy club weapons. Radio tastemakers have shown their support for his music, with playlists at BBC Radio 1, Capital Dance (including a MistaJam Tune of the Week), and KISS FM, alongside backing from bassline stalwarts TS7 and Jamie Duggan, plus strong DSP support across dance and bassline playlists. With chart momentum, tastemaker backing and a grassroots scene behind him, Denon Reed is no longer just reviving bassline - he’s actively shaping it for the new generation. 

Contact

Label: Ben Coates & Neha Panchmatia, Relentless
Distributor: Sony Music UK
Publishing: Outcaste Music Publishing
National Radio: Mark Murphy, Dawn Promotions 
Regional Radio: Aaron Labbate, Plug and Play
International: Kyarah Boon, Sony Music 
Live: Seth Buckle, MB Artists