Monstercat’s Virtual Riot & Tokyo Machine Compete Against NCS’ Glitch Cat & ProdBigMike For The ‘Sound Design Master’ Title

With the Monstercat vs. NCS debate reaching its final round, the “Sound Design Master” showdown is bringing the six-week battle to a massive conclusion. Representing Monstercat, heavyweights Virtual Riot and Tokyo Machine go head-to-head with NCS powerhouses Glitch Cat and prodBigMike, delivering two explosive tracks dropping Wednesday, September 16th that will put everything on the line and determine which label takes the crown. 

Finishing the showdown for Monstercat, Virtual Riot and Tokyo Machine reunite on “STATIC,” to bring their complex, forward-thinking sound design together for a high-energy collision of bouncy house grooves, nostalgic gaming sounds, and hard-hitting production. With Tokyo Machine launching his project on Monstercat in 2016 and Virtual Riot first appearing on the label in 2013, their latest collaboration feels like a full-circle moment, especially after teaming up on the fan-favorite “The First Time” from Virtual Riot’s recent Monstercat album. Now, they’re running it back for the label’s 15 year anniversary, flipping late ’90s video game-inspired sounds through a modern lens to create a playful, jumpy anthem with plenty of weight behind it. The track not only celebrates their history with Monstercat, but showcases exactly why both artists have earned their reputation as masters of pushing sound design forward. 

Representing NCS in the showdown finale, Glitch Cat and prodBigMike answer back with “once more,” a robotic, dancefloor-ready complextro cut that fuses jazz-inspired touches with bouncy, high-energy electronic production. Packed with intricate sound design, futuristic textures, and infectious grooves, the track feels like the soundtrack to a high-speed gaming session followed by a chaotic, playful, and impossible to sit still to. The track taps directly into NCS’s roots in gaming and internet culture while showcasing the label’s ability to turn detailed production into an adrenaline fueled experience. After seeing success from NCS and Monstercat releases throughout the campaign, the collaboration arrives as a strong final contender for NCS, with Glitch Cat and prodBigMike pushing their sound design as the showdown’s closing statement. 

Discovered back in 2011, NCS and Monstercat quickly became defining forces in internet music culture, introducing a generation of listeners to electronic music through YouTube, gaming, creator content, and online communities. As both labels grew, so did the crossover between their audiences, fueling a friendly rivalry that has kept fans debating which catalog reigns supreme for more than a decade. Now, 15 years later, NCS vs Monstercat: 15 Year Anniversary turns that long-running debate into reality, bringing both sides together to celebrate the legacy they built, the communities that grew alongside them, and the artists pushing electronic music forward. 

For more than a decade, fans have debated NCS vs Monstercat; now, as both labels celebrate 15 years, that rivalry is becoming reality. Kicking off August 12 and running through September 16, the six-week campaign brings artists from both catalogs together for a weekly series of collaborative releases, each inspired by a shared theme and leading into a full compilation.

Founded in 2011, NCS and Monstercat became defining forces in internet music culture, helping introduce a generation of listeners to electronic music through YouTube, gaming, creator content, and online communities. As their audiences grew, so did the crossover between them, fueling a friendly rivalry that has kept fans debating which catalog reigns supreme.

Now, 15 years later, NCS vs Monstercat: 15 Year Anniversary turns that long-running debate into a celebration, bringing both sides together to honor the legacy they built while spotlighting the artists shaping electronic music's next chapter.

Charlotte Lee, General Manager of NCS shared "for the last 15 years, the friendly rivalry between NCS and Monstercat has been one of the internet's favourite debates. It was never something we created – it was built by the community, fuelled by incredible artists, unforgettable records, and millions of fans championing the label they loved. While we've always taken different paths, we've shared the same passion for discovering talent and soundtracking the internet. Bringing both labels together for our 15th anniversaries felt like theperfect way to celebrate that history, honour the communities that made it all possible, and look ahead to the next generation of artists and fans," said Charlotte Lee, General Manager, NCS

Orri Sachar, Vice President of Monstercat added “This partnership feels so unexpected it’s almost taboo, like the kind of fan fiction crossover that would never actually happen. But we’ve been close with Charlotte, Dan and the NCS team for years, and with our 15-year anniversaries falling just weeks apart, it felt like the perfect opportunity to celebrate the rich, interconnected history of two of the internet’s biggest record labels.”

Neils “Nins” Raes, Project Manager of Monstercat & Jack Davies, Social Media Manager NCS share, “when we first met at ADE 2025, we both joked about doing something together for our 15th anniversaries. When we pitched the idea to our teams, they were immediately on board. We both grew up with the sounds of Monstercat and NCS, so being able to bring a campaign to life that we once dreamed of as community members is a surreal feeling.”
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UPCOMING EVENT DATE

Oct [TBA] —  ADE: NCS vs. Monstercat Tram Pop Up — Amsterdam, Netherlands

About Monstercat:

Founded in 2011 by Mike Darlington and Ari Paunonen, Monstercat is one of electronic music's most influential independent record labels. Now part of Create Music Group and led by longtime team members President Daniel Turcotte and Vice President Orri Sachar, the global company operates across its Uncaged, Instinct, and Silk brands, championing a wide spectrum of electronic music while prioritizing artist sustainability, creative freedom, and long-term development.

Reaching more than 200 million global audio streams monthly, Monstercat has released music from artists including Alan Walker, Seven Lions, Pegboard Nerds, Vicetone, DJ Diesel AKA Shaquille O’Neal, Koven and more, with landmark releases such as Marshmello’s 5x platinum-certified “Alone.” Beyond recorded music, Monstercat has built a powerful presence across gaming, live events, licensing, and digital culture through partnerships with Fortnite, Rocket League, Beat Saber, and other major platforms. With offices spanning Vancouver, Los Angeles, and Singapore, Monstercat continues to shape the future of independent electronic music on a global scale.

About NCS:

Founded in 2011 by Billy Woodford, NoCopyrightSounds (NCS) is a pioneering independent electronic music label and one of the world’s largest music platforms for digital creators. Built around making high-quality electronic music accessible for use by creators, NCS has grown from a YouTube-first channel into a global music brand spanning 34 million+ subscribers and 12 billion+ views. With a catalog crossing house, bass, drum & bass, trap, pop, and electronic music, NCS has helped introduce artists including Alan Walker, Koven, Brooks, and Syn Cole, while continuing to bridge music, gaming, and creator culture through innovative licensing and partnerships.