“The drums reached me,” she says of her initiation at New York’sinfamous Tunnel Club. Ever since then, the Nigerian-born Lebanese star hasdedicated her immense energy to finding ways to share that vibe.

After years as a promoter – first in her native Lebanon, then inLondon – and a long self-apprenticeship in her studio, Nicole burst onto thescene like record-wielding Athena. Carl Cox, a close friend and mentor, tippedoff DJ Mag in 2009, calling her “the mostunderrated DJ.” Four years later, Ms Moudaber is no longer waiting in thewings.

The irrepressible techno maven’s debut album Believe (Drumcode) ruled the charts in 2013. It was Number 1 for amonth on the Beatport techno, tech house and deep house lists (eight monthslater, it’s still in the techno top 15!) Nicole garnered features in Billboard and Rolling Stone and her trademark explosion of curly hair has becomea familiar sight in the international music press.

Nicole doesn’t let her rigorous recording schedule, which includescollaborations with Carl Cox, Adam Beyer, Skin, Victor Calderone and DannyTenaglia, interfere with her manic tour diary. She was an unofficial residentfor Carl Cox @Space, Ibiza; rocked Music On with Marco Carola; and gave the Ibizaseason an unforgettable send-off by playing the final set at Space Closing2013.

Her shows sold out across the world with fans snapping up tickets tosee Nicole spin at festivals including Time Warp, Electric Daisy Carnival, and Monegros.She’s also become a byword for marathon sets at Output and Montreal’s StereoClub, among others. “I played for nine hours and they said they’d never seensuch an atmosphere,” she grins. “That means more to me than money.”

Nicole kicks off with 2014 withgigs in Philadelphia, New York, and at Mexico’s BPM Festival, followed by aNorth and South America tour (keep an eye out for a mini-documentary!) The newyear also brings her own globally syndicated radio show, produced by the teambehind shows from Carl Cox, Adam Beyer, etc. “It’s a chance to play all themusic I love,” she says, promising a set-list that ranges from liveperformances to deep house to driving techno. Music she loves will also appearon her MOOD Records imprint, ensuring fans a steady supply of the drum-fuelledelectronic goodness they crave.

“The underground is strongerthan ever,” Nicole declared in 2013. Thanks to her, it is set to grow evenbigger and bolder as she continues to shape and share her vision of the “loving,amazing, ritualistic vibe” of dance music.