British house and tech house producer Josh Baker has achieved a major career milestone, entering DJ Mag’s Top 100 DJs 2026 ranking at No. 40 and securing the Highest New Entry award after a breakthrough year of international performances, successful releases and his first Ibiza residency.

Manchester’s underground house scene has another reason to celebrate as Josh Baker makes an impressive debut in DJ Mag’s annual Top 100 DJs poll.

The British DJ and producer has entered the 2026 ranking directly at No. 40, becoming the highest-ranked newcomer of the year.

The results, announced on October 6, reflect Baker’s growing popularity across the international electronic music scene and mark another important achievement in a career built around underground house, independent record labels and carefully curated events.

While the DJ Mag ranking includes some of the industry’s biggest commercial names, Baker’s appearance demonstrates the increasing visibility of house and minimal-influenced artists within the global electronic music community.

From Manchester’s Underground to International Recognition

Josh Baker has spent years developing his musical identity through the UK’s underground electronic music scene.

Originally from Manchester, a city with a rich history in dance music, he established his reputation through intimate club performances and productions influenced by house, minimal, garage and groove-driven electronic music.

His approach places considerable emphasis on rhythmic arrangements, basslines and musical selection.

Rather than focusing on large festival-style breakdowns, Baker’s productions frequently explore the interaction between percussion, vocals and subtle melodic elements.

Over time, his music has attracted support from international DJs and established an increasingly recognizable identity within the global house scene.

The Success of You&Me and Hide & Seek

Beyond his solo career, Baker has played an important role in developing independent electronic music platforms.

He founded You&Me, a record label and event brand that has grown into an internationally recognized name within underground house culture.

Originally connected to Manchester’s club scene, the project has expanded through record releases and events in several countries.

He is also the founder of Hide & Seek Festival, an event that has contributed to the development of the UK’s contemporary underground house community.

Another important part of his business activity is Bakers Dozen, a platform connected to his wider musical projects.

These initiatives demonstrate how Baker has developed a career that extends beyond DJ performances, combining music production, label management and event programming.

A Landmark Ibiza Residency at Amnesia

One of the biggest milestones of 2026 was Baker’s first official Ibiza residency at Amnesia.

Throughout the summer, he hosted You&Me every Thursday at the internationally recognized nightclub.

The 14-week residency featured a diverse selection of guest artists, including Cloonee, KETTAMA, Saoirse, Shanti Celeste, Christian AB, Olive F and Peach.

For Baker, the opportunity was particularly meaningful.

Having previously attended Amnesia as a clubber, he returned years later as the artist responsible for curating an entire residency.

The season concluded on October 1 with an extended 14-hour celebration, marking the end of an important chapter in his international development.

The event included special performances from Baker, with recordings also planned for BBC Radio 1’s Essential Mix.

Successful Releases Strengthen His Reputation

Baker’s success has been supported by an active release schedule.

During 2026, he continued expanding his catalogue with productions including Feel This Way, created alongside Silva Bumpa and Paige Cavell.

Another notable release, Down To The Bone, featured British vocalist Eliza Rose.

Both tracks demonstrate his interest in combining underground rhythms with memorable vocal elements.

Earlier productions, including Something To Me, Back It Up with Omar+ and You Don’t Own Me with Prospa and RAHH, also helped introduce his sound to wider audiences.

His music reflects a balance between club-focused production and increasingly accessible songwriting.

A New Generation of House Artists Enters the Top 100

Baker’s debut arrives during a notable shift in DJ Mag’s ranking.

House and tech house artists are becoming increasingly prominent, with John Summit, Mau P, Chris Stussy and Michael Bibi among the names gaining recognition in the 2026 poll.

However, Baker’s direct entry at No. 40 stands out as the highest debut of the year.

The ranking is determined by public votes rather than technical judging, making it a reflection of international audience support.

For an artist whose career developed through underground clubs and independent events, the result demonstrates how far his music and brand have reached.

With his Ibiza residency completed, an established international touring career and an expanding catalogue of releases, Josh Baker enters the next chapter of his career with greater visibility than ever before.

Josh Baker is officially DJ Mag’s Highest New Entry of 2026, securing the No. 40 position in the Top 100 DJs ranking.