Words by Ross Goldenberg and Zach Salafia.
If we’ve said it once, we’ve said it a million times: ISOxo and Knock2’s meteoric rise over the past few years makes us feel like proud parents, and our admiration reached new heights in 2024.
After wrapping up a landmark 2023 — highlighted by ISOxo’s debut album and their multi-night performance at The Shrine — ISOxo and Knock2 kicked off their shared Dancing Astronaut 2024 Artist of the Year campaign just 16 days into the new year. Their latest back-to-back performance series, ISOKNOCK4, was set to take place at the iconic Coachella festival. We could recount every thrilling detail from Polo Grounds for hours, but we’ll just say we were fortunate enough to witness the incredible energy that unfolded under the Sahara Tent.
Before heading to the desert, ISOxo planned a debut album tour for 2024. Despite their numerous joint accomplishments this year, both artists also made waves individually, headlining festivals like Ultra, Electric Forest, and Lightning in a Bottle, while showcasing their ISOKNOCK brand at North Coast Music Festival and Ultra Japan.
Following his kidsgonemad tour, which later saw a deluxe edition release, ISOxo reunited with Knock2 to give fans who missed Coachella a chance to experience ISOKNOCK in Seattle, Brooklyn, San Francisco, and even Japan — marking their first international performance as a duo — culminating in a homecoming weekend that deserves its own spotlight.
But let’s pause the talk about their live show triumphs for now. A month after their ISOKNOCK performance beneath a Brooklyn bridge, ISOxo and Knock2 made a significant mark in trap music history with the release of “SMACK TALK.” This track, a collaboration with RL Grime, was the first taste of their upcoming album 4EVR, an ambitious eight-part project they dropped unexpectedly on streaming platforms in August, earning a spot on Dancing Astronaut’s Top Albums of 2024.
However, fans were left with one burning question, echoed in their comment sections and on billboards around the city: When would they return home? They not only answered that in early December but also penned a heartfelt tribute to San Diego. ISOxo and Knock2 transformed the outskirts of Snapdragon Stadium into a festival-like experience, complete with top-notch production, a star-studded lineup featuring RL Grime and Madeon, two electrifying ISOKNOCK performances, and an exciting announcement for their new event, Niteharts Fest, set for 2025. This full-circle weekend felt like a triumphant victory lap, solidifying their case for Dancing Astronaut’s 2024 Artist of the Year title.
One might think this is where their story concludes, but there’s more. Shortly after their SD 4EVR celebration, Knock2 announced the release of nolimit, his eagerly awaited 17-track debut album, scheduled for the beginning of the new year.
It’s important to reflect on Dancing Astronaut’s journey alongside ISOxo and Knock2. Observing their evolution from Dancing Astronaut’s Artists to Watch in 2021, to Breakout Artist of 2022, and now Artist of the Year, is a dream for any music fan who believes they’re witnessing the rise of future superstars.
Their incredible influence on the scene deserves applause in its own right. What truly sets them apart from others in the dance genre is their rockstar-like performance style, the infectious energy they bring to every show, their genre-defying music, and the endorsement from industry legends like Skrillex, RL Grime, and Zedd. They consistently find ways to raise the bar, from captivating performances inside a suspended shipping crane to curating a mini-festival right in their hometown.
This year, ISOxo and Knock2 reached new heights, dominating the scene in a way that feels unprecedented in recent memory, and we are honoring their substantial impact by naming them our top choice.
Congratulations to ISOxo and Knock2, Dancing Astronaut’s 2024 Artist of the Year.
Featured image: Eric Dew
Categories: Features
