Ellen Allien Essentials

Few DJs personify the changing face of Berlin better than Ellen Allien. Born Ellen Fraatz, she grew up on the west side of the Wall and got her start playing techno in post-reunification clubs like Tresor and E-Werk; early albums Stadtkind and Berlinette paid tribute to her hometown. By the mid '00s, her label BPitch Control had grown into an electronic powerhouse, thanks to acts like Paul Kalkbrenner, Modeselektor and Apparat, with whom she recorded 2006's lush Orchestra of Bubbles. She continues to release hard-hitting club tracks and DJ clubs around the globe.