NYLON has officially expanded its presence in electronic music culture with the launch of its first-ever NYLON House Dance 100 list, a new annual ranking spotlighting the artists shaping the global dance music landscape. Topping the inaugural list is John Summit, who earns the title of No. 1 DJ of 2026 and graces the cover of NYLON’s debut Dance 100 issue.
The Dance 100 list arrives as a cornerstone of NYLON House, the publication’s newly launched editorial platform dedicated to dance music and nightlife culture. Marking a significant step into the global electronic scene, the initiative signals NYLON’s long-term commitment to covering dance music as a defining force across culture, fashion, and youth identity. A special print edition of the list will also be distributed during Miami Music Week, further embedding the brand within one of the industry’s most influential annual gatherings.
“Dance music has become one of the most influential forces in global culture, shaping everything from nightlife and fashion to how young audiences experience music,” said Bryan Goldberg, CEO of Bustle Digital Group. “NYLON has always been at the center of major cultural movements, and NYLON House is our way of building a true editorial home for the artists, communities, and scenes driving dance music forward.”
To assemble the Dance 100, NYLON brought together a global panel of more than 60 industry professionals, including promoters, agents, managers, label executives, venue operators, tastemakers, and media leaders. Rather than relying on fan votes or algorithm-driven metrics, the list was determined through expert evaluation, with each artist scored across six key categories: streaming impact, live performance presence, cultural influence and virality, audience engagement, artistic innovation, and professional standing.
Designed as a snapshot of the current state of dance music, the ranking prioritizes both recent momentum and sustained relevance. Judges were also encouraged to spotlight underrepresented talent, reinforcing NYLON House’s aim to reflect the full spectrum of the global dance ecosystem—spanning genres, regions, and career stages.
With the debut of the Dance 100 list, NYLON positions itself as a serious voice within electronic music media, offering a curated, industry-backed perspective on the artists defining today’s dancefloor and shaping its future.