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Nero have been included in the longlist for the Sound of 2011.

Nero is made up of producers Dan Stephens and Joe Ray, and vocalist Alana. Like Magnetic Man, Chase & Status and Sub Focus, Nero have found crossover success with a big room sound which merges drum ‘n’ bass and dubstep with elements of ‘Nineties commercial house and trance. Their music mashes euphoric synth stabs and soaring diva vocals with grinding halfstep beats and overdriven, electro basslines creating a emotional, club-friendly hybrid.

Nero first came to widespread attention with a devastating remix of The Streets Blinded by the Lights which transformed Mike Skinner’s bittersweet original into a monstrous UK bass banger. They’ve subsequently twisted La Roux’s I’m not Your Toy and Deadmau5’s Ghosts 'N' Stuff into strange new shapes.

Radio 1 and 1Xtra are fans with Zane Lowe, Annie Mac and Mistajam all giving the band air play. Nero’s next single Me and You is released in January 2001 and is followed by their debut album.

Find out more about this artist on bbc.co.uk/soundof2011.