Sonny Fodera Artistfacts

November 10, 1985
Sonny Fodera grew up in Adelaide, South Australia, where he first got into making hip-hop beats as a teenager. His direction changed entirely at age 18 when he saw Chicago house pioneer Derrick Carter play at a club called Electric Circus in Adelaide.

"Something magical happened," he told Music Radar. "The combination of the people, the space, the sound system, those beats and the other stuff changed my entire life. At that moment, I said, 'This is what I'm going to do. I'm going to make house music.'"
Unlike many electronic artists who invent a stage alias, Sonny Fodera kept his birth name when he began releasing house music.
Fodera relocated to the United Kingdom, where the house music scene - particularly in London - offered more opportunities for touring and collaboration. "I think it's just the scene and the culture for dance music," he said. "People say LA, but it's London. It's all about London."
He founded his own record label, Solotoko, in Ibiza in 2017. As well as releasing his own music, the label has put out records by Dom Dolla, John Summit and James Hype, among others. It is distributed globally through ADA, the independent arm of Warner Music Group, a partnership renewed in January 2025.
His 2019 track "One Night" with MK and UK vocalist Raphaella became a major club anthem and chart success, introducing him to a wider pop audience beyond the dance scene.
Fodera has collaborated with some of the biggest names in dance and pop music, including Becky Hill and Jazzy. In 2018 he remixed Calvin Harris' UK #1 hit "Promises."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

More Songfacts:

Watching The WheelsJohn Lennon

In the late '70s, John Lennon slowed his roll, becoming a househusband who baked bread and took care of his young son Sean. This inspired his song "Watching The Wheels," where he discovers the benefits of taking it easy.

Last NightGood Charlotte

Good Charlotte's video for "Last Night" reconstructs the TV show "Family Double Dare," complete with host Marc Summers.

I'll WaitVan Halen

Michael McDonald co-wrote the Van Halen song "I'll Wait."

StrongerKanye West

A 2011 Gold's Gym poll found "Stronger" by Kanye West the best song to work out to. Second place was the Rocky theme.

The Rubberband ManThe Spinners

"The Rubberband Man" is a "short, fat guy" with rhythm and grace. Spinners producer Thom Bell wrote it to boost the self-esteem of his rotund son.

My GenerationThe Who

Pete Townshend wrote the lyrics for "My Generation" by The Who during a train ride from London to Southampton on his 20th birthday when he was thinking about "trying to find a place in society."