The past two weeks have been particularly tumultuous for the hard techno community, casting a shadow over both artists and fans. What began as a series of serious allegations has escalated into a vital discourse about safety, accountability, and trust in dance music spaces. Accusations were made against several well-known figures, including Shlømo, Basswell, Fantasm, Odymel, and CARV, by Bradnolimit, a former associate of STEƎR management. Recently, we reported on CARV’s public response, where he confronted the allegations and subsequently retreated from the limelight by allowing his team to manage his social media accounts.
In the wake of these accusations, other artists cited in the fallout have begun to share their perspectives. Here, we examine how each individual has chosen to respond, offering a clearer view of their defenses and claims.
Accused Speaking Up
Fantasm: Addressing the allegations, Fantasm shared a video on Instagram directed at Bradnolimit. He pointed out that Brad had been dismissed from his role at STEƎR management and alluded to allegations made against him by multiple women. Fantasm expressed his thoughts on cancel culture, arguing that genuine victims often find themselves marginalized amid public backlash. He called for those with truthful experiences to step forward, emphasizing the necessity of open dialogue without fear of reprisal. The artist claimed that the accusations against him have been persistent over the years, denying their validity and announcing his intention to pursue legal action. He firmly rejected any implication of pedophilia and insisted that he has always acted consensually.
Hades: Taking a somewhat unconventional approach, Hades responded to the allegations through humor, presenting his statement in a mock news-style video. However, this tactic has not been well-received, as evidenced by the backlash in the comments of his Instagram post. In the video, Hades proclaimed himself a victim of cancel culture, arguing the lack of evidence and legal charges against him. Unfortunately for Hades, many in the audience felt that his flippant tone trivialized the serious nature of the allegations, making it difficult for listeners to take his claims seriously.
Odymel: In response to the allegations, Odymel utilized Instagram to communicate his position via several slides, provided in both French and English. He clarified that the accusations came from a singular encounter and explained that he later had discussions about his conduct with the individual involved. Odymel attributed the incident to sexsomnia, asserting that he has no recollection of the event. He indicated that preliminary investigations have taken place and that he has attended confrontation hearings. While offering transparency, he recognized that attributing the incident to sleepwalking could be seen as avoiding accountability. Nevertheless, he apologized and reinforced that he does not endorse such behavior.
Shlømo: His latest social media post placed significant blame on Bradnolimit while unequivocally denying all allegations. Shlømo maintained that he has never engaged in non-consensual relations and has never abused anyone sexually, specifically denying ever having a relationship with an underaged individual. Additionally, he stated his intention to pursue formal legal actions concerning defamation and harassment. However, public reaction has been severe, partly due to the sarcastic undertone of his communication, which has led many, including DJs like Amelie Lens and Nicole Moudaber, to raise concerns about the seriousness with which he approached the matter.
As for Basswell, there has been no public comment to date from him.
Festival Cancellations and Removals From Lineups
In light of the serious allegations surrounding these artists, multiple significant festivals have acted swiftly to remove them from their lineups. Events such as Hive Festival, Unreal Germany, Teletech, and World Club Dome have all taken decisive steps. Moreover, Verknipt has confirmed the removal of certain artists and issued an official statement expressing their concern:
We are aware of the recent developments and allegations involving certain artists and take these extremely seriously. As a result, Basswell, CARV, and Shlømo will no longer perform at our upcoming shows.
In India, the Subvolt team has canceled Shlømo’s event initially planned for February 21. Meanwhile, Malta’s Glitch Festival has announced that Odymel will not participate in its 2026 festival after reviewing the allegations. Across the techno scene, conversations about safety and accountability are intensifying, as many are shaken by recent events, fueling increasing calls for substantive change.
This ongoing situation emphasizes the need for dialogue and the implementation of measures to ensure a safe environment for all participants within the dance music community. Stay connected with EDMTunes for further updates as the story continues to evolve.
