Lee Foss returns to Hot Creations with new GS5 collaboration two-tracker, ‘In The Ghetto’

September 13, 2025

Hot Creations rings in its 15th anniversary with co-founder Lee Foss making a return with his first release on the imprint in five years.

Linking up with the ever-so-talented GS5, the pair deliver ‘In The Ghetto’, a two-track EP that unites one of the label’s trailblazers with one of house music’s most promising new voices. The collaboration strikes a balance between honoring Hot Creations’ roots and carving out new ground for its evolving sound.

For Foss, the release represents more than just new music. “It’s always exciting to come back to the label that started it all for me,” he shares. “Jamie and I put so much into Hot Creations in those early days, and it set up my career for so much success. ‘In The Ghetto’ feels like the perfect release to return with. It has some of the deep, soulful, and abstract elements that marked my early work on the label, merged with the modern, skippy, minimal, and techy trademarks of today. GS5 is an exciting new artist from Denver who reached out with some cool demos and was interested in collaborating, and I knew as soon as we got to work that these would be perfect for HC.”

The title track comes in hot with swagger and groove, riding a bass-heavy strut and hypnotic vocal loops that immediately call back the label’s signature sound. It is the kind of record that fits anywhere, from a sweaty basement dancefloor to a massive festival stage. On the flip side, “Hardest “dials things into a tougher register, with sharp percussion, warped vocal play, and a moody, late-night atmosphere. Together, the package shows Lee Foss and GS5 meeting in the middle, each bringing their own distinct touch while crafting something that feels right at home under the Hot Creations banner.

For GS5, the release carries even deeper meaning. “With Hot Natured being some of my earliest introductions to electronic music, this release means the world to me,” he says. “Being given the opportunity to work with one of my biggest inspirations and to land this on his label with Jamie Jones is a dream come true.” It is not every day that a rising artist gets the stamp of approval from one of house music’s most influential names, and GS5 clearly isn’t taking the moment for granted.

Foss, of course, hardly needs an introduction. From helping pioneer a wave of modern house with Hot Natured, to shaping underground culture with Hot Creations, to dominating charts with his Repopulate Mars imprint, the Chicago-born artist has spent nearly two decades setting the tone. His Ibiza calendar is just as packed, with a return to the Paradise family at UNVRS on September 17th. Meanwhile, GS5 has been carving his own lane with releases on Hood Politics and Material Series, along with sets for Experts Only and range, earning him a reputation as one of the fastest-rising exports from the Denver scene.

With ‘In The Ghetto’, Foss and GS5 remind us why Hot Creations has remained a cornerstone of house music for 15 years. The project balances nostalgia with some forward-thinking sounds, showcasing Foss’ seasoned touch alongside GS5’s rising vision. For longtime fans, it feels like a welcome return, and for new listeners, it offers a glimpse of where the label is headed.

Featured Image Courtesy of Artist Team