What’s Happening in the Hard Techno Scene? Allegations of Sexual Abuse Shake the Industry

The hard techno scene is going through a moment of crisis: multiple DJs and key figures in the industry have reportedly been accused of sexual abuse and abusive behavior. In response, the platform Me Too DJs has been activated, aimed at providing support to victims and witnesses within electronic music.

The scandal reportedly began with the allegations of Brad No Limit, a former employee of the agency Steer, which managed more than 35 artists and coordinated around 3,000 performances per year.

Allegations of Abuse Rock the Techno Scene in Europe

Brad claimed that several DJs and influential figures in the scene allegedly engaged in abusive and sexually violent behavior, sparking a wave of social media testimonies and igniting intense debate about the internal culture of the techno industry.

Among those reportedly accused are artists such as Shlømo, who has allegedly been implicated in rape, sexual abuse, grooming of minors, and other misconduct.

Basswell is reportedly accused of sexual assault against a Colombian woman and sending sexual photos to fans, and there has even been speculation that his song Smack My Bitch Up might have been inspired by such behavior.

Odymel is said to have allegedly tried to buy a victim’s silence, although he claims the incident occurred during sleepwalking and that he does not remember the events.

CARV reportedly admitted to infidelities and sending explicit images but denies any non-consensual acts or criminal wrongdoing.

Public details regarding Fantasm remain limited.

DJ Abuse Allegations Shake the Scene

The industry’s response has been swift. Several festivals reportedly canceled performances or removed the accused artists, including Hive Festival and Sea You Festival in Germany, Glitch Festival in Malta, Pitch Music & Arts and Digi Festival in Australia, The Riot in Mexico, Verknipt Festival in the Netherlands, and Blackworks in Spain.

The agency Steer, previously associated with the accused artists and where Brad once worked, has announced that it is suspending its collaborations with those involved.

In a statement, the agency emphasized that while it has always aimed to support the artists it represents with dedication and professionalism, in light of the growing allegations, "inaction is not an option."

Steer also noted that it is conducting a thorough internal review of the information available to them, stressing that while they are neither a court nor an investigative authority, they will provide further updates as additional factual elements emerge.

Some DJs in the community, such as Marten Hørger and Alley Kay, have voiced support for the allegations, while the agency Steer reportedly suspended its collaborations with the accused artists and announced an internal investigation.

Festival, DJ, and Industry Reactions

At the same time, the platform Me Too DJs has become a resource for victims and witnesses, offering psychological support, legal information, guidance toward specialized associations, and the possibility of communicating with the press.

So far, most of the allegations have circulated on social media through screenshots and stories, many of which disappear after 24 hours. No judicial proceedings have been confirmed, though updates are expected in the coming days. What is clear is that the hard techno scene is facing a moment of reckoning: the visibility of alleged abuses and the demand for accountability could mark a turning point in the culture of the genre.