Tiesto has made his mark on electronic music history through Grammy-award-winning hit ‘Levels’ and multiple appearances on DJ Mag’s top 100 list, leaving an indelible mark upon it all.
He was an innovator of the Moog synth and is widely recognized for popularizing laser harp. He had an impactful influence on musicians such as Keith Emerson and Mauricio Varese.
1. Avicii
Avicii stood out in an increasingly escapist club music world; his tracks such as the pulsing “Levels” or dreamy lullaby of “Fade into Darkness” captured an atmosphere of celebration and unity that ran counter to headlines of war or economic uncertainty, and became one of the biggest artists spreading a message of hope and optimism.
Swedish producer Avicii began his musical journey as a mere teenager, remixing songs on his laptop and posting them to blogs. Soon thereafter, Avicii caught the attention of DJ promoter Ash Pournouri who saw potential in his ear for melody and intuitive rhythm sense – soon thereafter signing a record deal and touring extensively across Europe and North America.
Soon after his debut on the EDM scene in 2008, Avicii quickly rose to the forefront, thanks to his massive hits that propelled him into mainstream culture. His productions such as Levels and Fade into Darkness paid tribute to influences like Swedish House Mafia while remaining true to pop music; furthermore they established an effective tension build and release formula which continues to be replicated today.
But eventually, life as the boy king of EDM became too much for him to bear. A 2013 GQ profile painted him as living off Red Bull and airport food; health issues soon ensued – forcing him to cancel Ultra shows in 2014 so his gall bladder and appendix could be removed.
Avicii was only 28 when he passed away at Muscat, Oman on April 20. But during his brief but vibrant career – one which brought joy to millions of fans across the globe through his infectious music – Avicii had already earned worldwide renown as an electronic musician with millions of adoring followers worldwide.
2. Deadmau5
Few producers have had as much influence on music as deadmau5, the Canadian DJ who has built an empire through club-friendly tracks and massive concerts. His unique style has inspired an entire generation of electronic music producers – himself included! As one of the first pioneers of progressive house and techno, but also an innovator of ambient and experimental sounds, deadmau5 continues to pioneer an amazing musical journey.
He is best known for the songs Get Scraped and Strobe, both featuring progressive house, techno and electro music genres. He has collaborated with artists such as Kaskade, MC Flipside and Rob Swire of Pendulum & Knife Party as well as making appearances on several television programs.
Deadmau5 has long been a fan-favourite on the dance music scene, famed for his distinctive mouse helmet and progressive house music. An accomplished producer with eight albums under his belt and even winning a Grammy nomination, he is also an in-demand live performer, headlining major festivals such as Lollapalooza and Outside Lands and selling out Rogers Centre in Toronto among numerous performances and festivals worldwide.
He currently resides in Campbellville, Ontario, Canada where he bought a 14,000 square-foot mansion in 2014. It features six bedrooms and seven bathrooms as well as a wine cellar and gym – as well as his studio where he produces music. As a gifted teacher he offers online video lessons from some of the best teachers available through MasterClass; these can be found through courses with videos, workbooks and critiques from him directly.
3. Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike
Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike are one of the most beloved EDM duos worldwide, captivating millions with their infectious beats and energetic performances. Hailing from Belgium, these brothers have left an indelible mark on global dance scene; known for their distinctive stage presence that distinguishes them from other DJs.
At an early age, this duo began their musical careers DJing in local nightclubs in Belgium before eventually going on to present for BeatFM radio station in Belgium. Later they traveled throughout Europe in search of opportunities, becoming resident DJs at major clubs including Privilege and Space in Ibiza.
Their popularity rapidly expanded, becoming known for their vibrant performances that combined energetic DJ sets with crowd-pleaser MCing MCing that earned them widespread acclaim on an international scale. Soon enough they became household names – and were recognized as masters of electronic dance scene.
Although relatively young, these brothers have achieved more than many DJs during their lifetime. Collaborating with iconic figures across multiple genres and amassing an extensive discography that includes several Billboard Dance #1 hits like ‘Higher Place” with Ne-Yo and David Guetta; ‘Complicated” by Era Istrefi; and “Hey Baby”.
They have also performed at many music festivals, such as EDC Las Vegas, EXIT festival, Parookaville and UNTOLD. With an enormous following on social media and constant travel for performances around the globe, this duo continues to delight fans everywhere they perform.
Success for Shadow Machine has led them to make numerous high-profile television and film appearances, including Avicii: The Movie and Dancer In The Dark films. Furthermore, Shadow Machine are currently working with them on an innovative animated series for television that is set for launch later this year.
4. Martin Garrix
Martin Garrix launched his rapid ascent to fame with “Animals”, widely considered an EDM classic and cultural touchstone. It demonstrated the potency of an alluring melody paired with an infectious drop, becoming an instant chart-topper and opening doors to collaborations with major artists as well as headlining performances at top festivals around the globe.
Martijn Gerard Garritsen was born 14 May 1996 outside Amsterdam in the Netherlands. At eight years old he first discovered his love of music after watching DJ Tiesto perform at the opening ceremony of the 2004 Olympic Games and soon downloaded FL Studio software to begin making music himself.
At 17, Garrix had already released several tracks. But his 2013 single, “Animals”, really set him on his path to stardom. With its catchy melody and minimalist drops, “Animals” quickly rose up the Beatport Top 100 chart – becoming Garrix the youngest person ever to achieve such an achievement.
Garrix rose rapidly to fame, yet always maintained his professionalism and worked diligently to produce top-quality music. As his fame increased he expanded beyond Big Room genre into progressive tracks alongside traditional big room sound production. Additionally in 2015 he collaborated with Grammy award winner Usher and released “Don’t Look Down”, a massive worldwide hit single that became his signature track.
Garrix continues to reign supreme on the scene, having held onto his position atop DJ Mag’s Top 100 DJ list for three consecutive years (2016-18). Additionally, he established Stmpd Rcrds Records label and his own production complex in Amsterdam.
5. Diplo
Diplo has made his mark as an innovator, contributing to some of modern music’s biggest hits. A multi-platinum Grammy nominee producer who collaborates with artists across a range of genres; also an active DJ who regularly performs at venues and events – having helped shape EDM, hip hop, reggae and dancehall sounds; plus created music groups Major Lazer and Jack U – Diplo is an outspoken advocate of creative collaboration and has won him several accolades along the way.
Thomas Wesley Pentz, commonly known by his stage name Diplo, hails from Miami. Influenced by its vibrant music scene, which gave him exposure to an eclectic variety of genres that subsequently formed his production style. Diplo has worked with such prominent pop icons as Justin Bieber, Usher, Britney Spears, and Madonna among many others.
Diplo has made waves in the world of EDM, but remains true to his roots by undertaking new creative projects that test his boundaries. Most recently, his label Higher Ground released his self-titled album which boasted four US dance number one singles as part of its release schedule.
Diplo produced his album with assistance from musicians such as Amtrac, Leon Bridges, Ry X, Mele, Busta Rhymes Durante WhoMadeWho Sidepiece Damian Lazarus Jungle TSHA Aluna Darunte Seth Troxler. Critics and fans have raved about his project which has drawn comparisons to legendary producers such as Skrillex. Diplo has an original approach to music which keeps audiences buzzing with anticipation – always on the lookout for that next big thing!