ESSENTIAL FREAKS

From the immersive grounds of Electric Forest to the open seas of Groove Cruise, Essential Freaks - the dynamic pairing of FACTORe and Zak Davis - have built a reputation for high-energy, genre-fluid performances that move effortlessly between melodic, progressive, house, breaks, and harder-edged electronic sounds.

FACTORe

Hailing from Chicago, the birthplace of house music, FACTORe has evolved from his underground roots into an internationally experienced DJ and producer. His journey has taken him to major festivals, clubs, and events including Electric Forest, Groove Cruise, Ultra Miami, EDC Orlando, Amsterdam Dance Event, Sunset Music Festival, and MIDEM France.

As a producer, FACTORe continues to expand an already diverse catalog across respected labels including Black Hole Recordings, Avanti, Dissident Music, and his own imprint, 20K Freaks. Recent standouts include “Free” with ZOYA and SCHROEDS, “COLLIDE” with NAIAD and SCHROEDS, and the FACTORe & SCHROEDS mix of “Going Under.” His catalog also includes multiple Beatport-charting releases and a Billboard #1.

Through Essential Freaks, that momentum has continued with releases including “Fantasy” with Zak Davis, “Live And Breathe” with Keith Mackenzie, and collaborations pushing the project deeper into breaks, house, and progressive territory.

Zak Davis

Florida's Zak Davis is a veteran DJ whose musical foundation stretches back to Memphis, where growing up around Al Green's studio immersed him in blues and R&B before electronic music became his calling. That background gives Zak an instinctive ability to read a room and move between styles without losing the energy of the dance floor.

His performances have reached legendary venues and festivals including Electric Forest, Groove Cruise, Ultra Miami, Sunset Music Festival, Starscape, Mansion Miami, and Amphitheater Tampa.

As founder of Essential Freaks, bassic, and Essential Bass - and co-owner of 20K Freaks - Zak has spent years building culture as much as playing music. Essential Freaks' latest chapter includes the 2026 ILL Freaks EP with Keith Mackenzie, featuring NLF Beat, Al Dente, and Want U Back.

Together, FACTORe and Zak Davis continue pushing Essential Freaks forward: underground roots, global stages, original music, and sets built for the journey.