We asked DJ Sprinkles, Cassy, Spencer Parker and more to tell us which artists influenced their own careers.

We started our Style Icon column as a regular feature in Electronic Beats Magazine in order to investigate those who inspire the people who inspire us. The series gave our favorite artists the chance to pick a person who influenced them and tell us what exactly impressed them. We’ve rounded up some of our favorites below.

Style Icon: Terre Thaemlitz on Akihiro Miwa 

Terre Thaemlitz (AKA DJ Sprinkles) reflects on the influence of Japanese pop star and transgender personality Akihiro Miwa—even though Terre could never identify with Miwa musically.

Style Icon: Ostgut Ton’s Virginia’s Lifelong Love For Sade

It all started with Stronger Than Pride, Sade’s third studio album. Since then the music of the British band—and especially its lead singer, Sade Adu—hasn’t left Virginia’s house. Here the Ostgut Ton artist goes deep on her continuous love for all things Sade.

Style Icon: What Spencer Parker Learned From Helmut Newton

Work Them records label head Spencer Parker divulges the lessons he learned from the life and work of iconic photographer Helmut Newton and how they informed his outlook on being a travelling DJ.

Style Icon: How Fierce Rocker PJ Harvey Inspired DJ Cassy

The former Panorama Bar resident remembers how discovering the work and fierce individuality of PJ Harvey in the early ’90s had a lasting effect on her life and career choice.