Tommie Sunshine: Hailing from Chicago’s legendary early-1990s dance scene, Tommie Sunshine is a true veteran of American electronic music. As the head of Brooklyn Fire Records, he has spent decades bridging the worlds of club culture, electro-house, and alternative rock. Known widely for his genre-bending remixes for major pop and rock acts—ranging from Katy Perry to Fall Out Boy—Sunshine has been a driving force and tastemaker through multiple eras of the global dance music boom.
Soul Slinger: A foundational pillar of the global drum & bass and jungle movement, Soul Slinger is best known as the mastermind behind New York City’s legendary Liquid Sky record store and label on the Lower East Side. In the early 1990s, he was instrumental in introducing authentic UK jungle sounds stateside, famously fusing them with ambient, industrial, and experimental jazz elements alongside avant-garde icons like Bill Laswell. His work helped shape the DNA of the American underground bass scene.
Salty: Bringing a sharp, forward-thinking edge to the decks, Salty anchors the bill with deep underground selections, high-octane rhythms, and a fresh kinetic energy that honors the rich traditions of late-night dance floor culture.
History Evolves Itself
By pairing these generational architects of house, jungle, and underground groove with cutting-edge production, events like GHOST3D provide a masterclass in how electronic music’s past seamlessly fuels its future.
There is a lot of debate over what makes a good opener. For 25-30 years people have argued about what type of set or music an opening act should play and whether or not they should tone it down. At the end of the night, a DJ that reads the room, has deep crates, and builds trust with the dance floor becomes the ultimate support artist. For almost as long as there have been live performances, there has been supporting artistsS. The main act is never alone, at grassroots events supporting artists are the key to community. It is the liaison between the ‘industry’ and the ravers. Underground artist that support grassroot events often carry fan bases rooted in relationship. These relationships are the foundation and body of the scene. Without the underground, large-scale events don’t exist. Without the underground, there is no scene.
READ THE ROOM Everyone has heard it, but what does that actually mean? What does that look like? It starts even before arriving at the gig. A good DJ is already considering who their audience is, the venue, the lineup of artists, and the type of event. It’s not only about what music will be played, but who the DJ is playing for. Once in the booth, the right opener will warm up the room based on the temperature of the floor. Attendees at the bar and conversations are not to compete with; they just need a proper invitation to the dance floor.
DEEP CRATES Opening DJs need deep crates to effectively serve the room. No matter how dialed in to the floor the DJ is, they cannot play the right tune at the right time if it is not in their collection. An experienced DJ often carries a large collection of music whereas the underground talent is most likely bringing locally sourced tracks and vibes. Recognizing the needs of the dance floor may require more than “one-size-fits-all” approach. The opening act is going to set the tone for the night, (good or bad). Make sure the opener has good taste, a Selector DJ.
BUILDING TRUST Let’s face it: the crowd may only be there for the headliner. A DJ that understands how to build trust with the dance floor is essential to the vibe. In the hours leading up to the main act, the support artist has a job: to get the people on the floor energized and ready to ‘lose their minds for the main set.’ A good opener is playing something familiar to warm up a cold dance floor. They prepare the room with increasingly energizing tunes. The opening act is building a set that inspires the dancers to “stay for one more song.” Building trust includes playing tunes that are NOT the headliner’s music (unless asked). Building trust includes getting everyone on the floor, moving, and excited for the main event. The room is going to remember the way the DJ made them feel. The attendees remember if they felt welcomed to the floor and their anticipation was high or low. If the floor goes crazy, the headliner looks good, leading to overall success. .
It is important to mention that many of the arguments surrounding support acts are about upstaging the headliner. As a hired artist, do your art. As the DJ and the one responsible for the dance, do what is right for the night.
Many of the greats have preached: Don’t ever get bigger than the music. The moment you think it is about you, you have lost the plot. It has always been about the music. One Love.
Corporate vs. Alt Style? You Don’t Have to Choose.
There’s this idea floating around that if you step into a corporate space, you have to leave your identity at the door. Neutral tones, safe fits, no personality. But that’s outdated thinking. The reality now? You can move through professional spaces and keep your alternative edge, you just have to know how to translate it.
This is where the “Corporate Goth” or “Soft Alt” mindset comes in. It’s not about toning yourself down, it’s about refining how you show up.
It Starts With Structure
If you’re coming from a more expressive or street-driven alt style, the biggest shift is structure. Think tailored pieces: clean blazers, sharp trousers, fitted skirts. You’re still in your lane, just elevated.
Black becomes your anchor. Not flat or lazy black, but intentional black. Layered textures, different fabrics, subtle contrast. That’s how you keep depth without breaking dress codes.
Details Speak Louder Than Loud Fits
You don’t need to go full statement to be seen. In fact, subtlety hits harder in corporate environments.
Swap oversized or chaotic accessories for pieces that feel intentional, rings with edge, minimal chains, polished boots, maybe a belt with personality. It’s controlled expression. People notice, even if they don’t immediately clock why.
Same with makeup and hair. You can still go alt, just cleaner. Sharper lines, more refined finishes. It reads as powerful instead of rebellious-for-the-sake-of-it.
Fabric and Fit Change Everything
Here’s where a lot of people miss: quality matters more than aesthetic in corporate spaces.
Velvet, satin, structured cotton, wool—these materials carry presence. Even something simple hits differently when it fits right and moves well. You’re not just dressing alt, you’re presenting it with intention.
A well-cut piece will always outshine something loud but sloppy.
Read the Room, Then Move Smart
Every workplace has its own energy. Some are relaxed, some are still locked into traditional expectations.
Don’t come in trying to disrupt everything day one. Start subtle. Introduce one piece, then build. Let people get used to your presence before you push boundaries.
This isn’t about conforming, rather presenting with strategy. Blend, Don’t Clash.
There’s a difference between expressing yourself and fighting the environment you’re in.
The goal isn’t to reject corporate style, but Instead to merge with it in a way that still feels like you. When you do it right, you don’t look out of place… you look elevated.
🧠Adobe AI Integration: More Than Just a Feature Adobe’s AI platform, known as Adobe Firefly, isn’t a standalone tool—it’s deeply embedded across its creative suite, including Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, and more. This isn’t just “AI added on.” It’s AI woven into the creative process itself. 🔍 1. Generative Fill: Redefining Image Editing Generative Fill in Photoshop allows artists to: Add entirely new objects with a text prompt Extend backgrounds seamlessly Remove elements while intelligently rebuilding the scene PNG Example Concept: Before: A portrait with a plain background After (AI Fill): The same subject placed in a futuristic cityscape This is especially powerful because it respects: Lighting direction Perspective Color grading- The result feels like a natural extension of the original artwork—not an obvious edit.
🖌2. AI as a Digital Brush Traditional digital art required hours of manual rendering. Now, AI acts like a responsive brush. With Firefly integration, artists can: Paint rough shapes → AI refines them into detailed textures Sketch characters → AI enhances anatomy and lighting Apply style prompts to transform entire compositions PNG Example Concept: Input: Rough line sketch of a model Output: Fully rendered fashion editorial image with lighting and fabric detailThis mirrors traditional painting—but with exponential speed.
👓3. Non-Destructive AI Workflows One of Adobe’s biggest advantages is that AI edits are non-destructive. That means: You can undo or tweak AI generations at any time Layers remain editable Artists retain full control over the final result This is critical for professionals who need precision—not randomness. ️ 4. Cross-Platform AI Integration Adobe isn’t limiting AI to static images. Across its ecosystem: Premiere Pro: AI-assisted video editing, auto-cutting, scene extension After Effects: AI motion tracking and generative backgrounds Illustrator: Text-to-vector generation PNG Example Concept: Frame 1: Raw video still Frame 2: AI-enhanced cinematic lighting and background This creates a seamless pipeline from concept → image → motion.
5. Blending Traditional Art with AI The real magic happens when artists combine: Hand-drawn sketches Photography AI-generated enhancements Workflow Example: Draw a concept on paper Import into Photoshop Use Generative Fill to expand the scene Paint over AI output manually PNG Example Concept: Stage 1: Pencil sketch Stage 2: AI-enhanced environment Stage 3: Final polished artwork with manual detailing
AI becomes part of the process—not the final product. ⚖️ The Balance: Control vs Automation Let’s be clear—AI can generate impressive visuals instantly. But without direction, it’s just noise. Adobe’s approach stands out because it keeps: The artist in control The workflow familiar The output editable This is why professionals are adopting it—not resisting it.
The Future of Art Creation With tools like Firefly integrated into everyday software, the definition of an artist is evolving: Less time on repetitive tasks More time on creative direction Greater ability to experiment without risk The barrier to entry is lower—but the ceiling for creativity is higher. Final Thoughts AI isn’t replacing traditional art—it’s amplifying it. And platforms like Adobe are proving that the future isn’t about choosing between human creativity and machine intelligence… …it’s about combining them into something entirely new.
The underground drum and bass scene is exploding in 2026, and if you’re not paying attention, you’re already behind. At Rebel Network, we live and breathe the underground — and we’ve got our eyes on the artists pushing the culture forward this year.
Whether you’re deep in the DNB rabbit hole or just discovering the genre, these are the names you need to know.
## Why Underground DNB Is Having a Moment
Drum and bass has always had a loyal underground following, but 2025-2026 has seen a massive surge in new listeners. Search trends for “DNB music,” “jungle music,” and “underground rave events” have all spiked significantly. The culture that was once hidden in warehouse basements is now reaching global audiences — while still keeping its rebellious soul intact.
That’s exactly what Rebel Network is about.
## Underground DNB Artists You Need to Hear in 2026
-The BassPushers Crew (Cincinnati, OH) If you haven’t heard of **BassPushers**, founded by Danny “Fatchick” Abbott, you’re sleeping. With over a decade invested in rave culture and a focus on DNB, they’re behind **WANT MORE DNB** — one of the most exciting ongoing DNB projects in the Midwest. Nick Scott and Fatchick together are a force.
– Artists Featured at Unity In Music **Unity In Music** is a weekly event that consistently showcases multi-genre lineups of well-known and up-and-coming DJs. Their commitment to high vibes and good intentions makes them a reliable source for discovering the next breakout underground artist. If they’re booking someone, pay attention.
The American drum and bass scene is having a major breakthrough, with drum and bass music USA rapidly gaining popularity among electronic music fans. Once dominated by the UK, DnB artists in the US are now pushing the genre into the spotlight with fresh sounds, high-energy performances, and viral releases. Leading this new wave are rising names like Kumarion, Justin Hawkes, and REAPER. Kumarion is helping define modern drum and bass with a mix of melodic builds and heavy bass drops, making him a standout in festival drum and bass and EDM bass music circles. Justin Hawkes brings a more emotional edge, blending liquid drum and bass with experimental production, appealing to fans searching for deeper, more atmospheric sounds. Meanwhile, REAPER is dominating the harder side of the spectrum, delivering neurofunk drum and bass and high-energy DnB tracks that are quickly becoming staples in DJ sets. As drum and bass in America continues to trend upward, these artists represent the future of the genre. With growing interest in underground electronic music, bass music festivals, and new DnB artists, the U.S. scene is positioning itself as a major force in the global drum and bass movement.
