PHX
Born and raised in London, Max Dean has carved out his own space within the new wave of house music. Driven by a passion for music, the culture that surrounds it and a dedication to his craft, he has developed a distinctive sound across both his productions and DJ sets. Deeply connected to the scene around him, he continues to build his path through a genuine love for the music and the community behind it.
Over the last few years, he has grown from one of the UK’s most promising young producers into a globally recognised artist. Early releases on respected labels such as Hottrax, Eastenderz and Positiva helped shape his identity as a producer, laying the foundation for what was to come.
2025 marked a major breakthrough. His collaboration with Locky and Luke Dean, Can’t Decide, reached No. 16 on the Official UK Singles Chart, introducing his music to a wider audience. Later that year, Max launched the label DX3N, debuting with a collaborative EP alongside his cousin Luke Dean. The project included Gets Like That, which also charted in the UK Top 40, and marked a new creative chapter with Max featuring his own vocals across all four tracks for the first time, opening the door to a broader artistic direction.
Momentum continued into the autumn of 2025 with a sold-out hometown show at Drumsheds, before taking NEXUP to ADE and The Warehouse Project in Manchester, where he joined his brother Joss Dean and cousin Luke Dean for a B3B, reflecting the family spirit at the heart of everything he does. Alongside this, NEXUP has evolved beyond a label or event series into a community focused on supporting the next generation. Since launching the imprint, Max has used it to champion emerging artists, release music from rising talent and build showcases where established and upcoming artists share the same stage, earning a reputation as a tastemaker committed to helping others grow alongside him.
That mindset has continued into 2026. Max returned to Miami Music Week, hosting a NEXUP showcase at Factory Town, continuing to spotlight emerging talent. Just weeks later, Max and Luke Dean made their highly anticipated Coachella debut, with sets built almost entirely from original and unreleased material, offering a clear glimpse into the next phase of his sound and creative direction.
As an artist, Max’s sound has naturally evolved over time, blending house with rap and vocal influences, with more of his own voice now appearing in the music. Collaborations with Nafe Smallz and a growing catalogue of unreleased tracks have become a key part of his sets. With an Australian tour, further US dates, an Amnesia residency and a debut album on the horizon, he enters his next chapter with strong momentum, continuing to evolve as a DJ, producer, vocalist, and label owner, building a world around his music while bringing the NEXUP family with him every step of the way.