Cloonee (real name — David Bissett) is a British DJ and producer from Sheffield and one of the flag-bearers of the modern tech house scene. He is known for his signature groove built on heavy basslines, minimalist yet catchy hooks, and bold use of vocal and genre samples. In the 2020s, he evolved from a promising producer into a global headliner with his own label and a distinctive brand.
Early Years and Formation
Born and raised in industrial Sheffield, Cloonee has been immersed in club culture, hip-hop, house and bass music since his teenage years. Unlike many of his peers, he had no formal musical education and came to production through intuition, experimentation, and working with samples. His approach is to “listen like a listener”: to create tracks that immediately work on the dancefloor without overloading them with unnecessary elements.
His first successes came with local releases and support from the underground scene, after which Cloonee’s name began to appear more and more often in the tracklists of prominent DJs.
Breakthrough
The key turning point came in the second half of the 2010s:
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his debut release on Elrow Music opened the doors to the international tech house circuit;
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subsequent releases on labels such as Repopulate Mars, Sola, Solotoko, and Solid Grooves cemented Cloonee’s status as one of the most promising young producers in the genre.
The decisive moment was the success of the single “Be Good To Me”, which climbed the digital charts and firmly placed him in the global spotlight. The releases that followed proved this was not a one-off success, but the result of a clear, recognizable artistic direction.
Consolidation and Global Hits
In the early 2020s, Cloonee established himself as one of the leading creators of mainstream-leaning tech house:
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“Like What” — a minimalist, “dry” production but highly effective track that became a calling card for his sound;
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his reimagining of classic themes and work with vocal hooks turned his releases into regular fixtures in major festival playlists and radio shows;
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later tracks, including “Sun Goes Down”, followed by a series of powerful singles built around rap and Latin samples, finally secured his place among the most in-demand tech house producers.
Cloonee quickly evolved from a club-focused act into an artist whose releases consistently top charts and help define the sound of each season.
Hellbent Records and His Own Ecosystem
Developing his signature style, Cloonee launched his own imprint Hellbent Records, turning it into a platform for:
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releasing his key tracks,
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supporting new artists,
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building a strong visual identity and merch culture around his brand.
Hellbent is more than just a label; it’s a full aesthetic and live-show concept: aggressive, bold, and focused on maximum fun and freedom on the dancefloor.
Move to the USA and Global Touring
Relocating to Los Angeles boosted Cloonee’s international presence. He gained constant access to the North American club circuit and began actively touring:
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major festivals,
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top clubs across the US and Latin America,
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events run by leading brands on the electronic music scene.
This period led to a deeper integration of Latin rhythms and vocals into his sound, adding a fresh cultural layer to his already recognizable style.
Style and Sound
Cloonee’s trademark aesthetic is built on several pillars:
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Bass and groove. A tight, rolling low-end is the foundation of every track.
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Minimalism. A limited set of elements where every sound “works” for the dancefloor.
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Samples. Vocal chops from hip-hop, Latin music, spoken word: he uses the human voice as the main hook that grabs attention instantly.
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Cross-cultural fusion. A blend of UK club roots, American festival energy, and Latin influences.
The result is music that feels equally at home in underground clubs and on the main stages of global festivals.
Live Performances
Cloonee’s sets deliver an energetic, hard-hitting tech house sound built around:
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long, driving grooves,
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sharp, punchy accents,
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impactful transitions packed with instantly recognizable vocal and sample moments.
He structures his performances so that each next track raises the tension and engagement, with signature hits used as peak moments of the show.
Selected Releases
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“Be Good To Me”
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“Like What”
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“Sun Goes Down”
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“Stephanie”
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“Sippin’ Yak”
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“Still My Baby”
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“To The Beat”
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“Get Stupid”
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releases on Elrow Music, Repopulate Mars, Sola, Solotoko, Solid Grooves, Black Book, Hellbent Records.
(This list can be expanded depending on your portal format and catalog updates.)
Current Stage and Significance
By the mid-2020s, Cloonee stands as one of the key driving forces in global tech house:
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shaping trends in sound through his distinct production and sample choices;
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developing his own label and visual identity;
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maintaining a steady presence in the lineups of major festivals and club series;
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serving as a reference point for a new generation of producers who blend functional club tools with instant viral appeal.
Conclusion
Cloonee is a prime example of an artist who turned a DIY, instinct-driven approach into a global brand. His music is a concentrated formula of straightforward yet foolproof ingredients: heavy bass, infectious vocals, and relentless groove. As a result, he ranks among the artists defining the sound of contemporary tech house while staying true to his minimalist, bold, and dancefloor-focused vision.
