Electronic Dance Music, or EDM, is most of the world’s favourite music genre, purely because it’s easiest, and fun, to dance and groove to. Club/Pub/Lounge/Disco/Party culture regulars can vouch for this since the late 80’s. Most of our favourite and famous musicians are Disc Jockeys, or DJs, who are killing it in the electronic music scene.
Hardwell, Martin Garrix, David Guetta, Swedish House Mafia (now defunct) – these are just some of the names which have become world renowned. But there are also other artists who produce excellent beats behind the spotlight, unknown to many.
Here are 20 such DJs you should definitely listen to:
1. KSHМЯ
KSHМЯ is Niles Hollowell-Dhar, who bounced on to the California EDM scene in early 2014, and debuted at #23 of DJ Magazine’s Top 100 DJs of 2015 list. Frequently collaborating with other artists such as R3hab, Firebeatz, and even Tiësto. His first single was ‘Megalodon’ in 2014, which brought him into mainstream focus. His other tracks, such as ‘JAMMU,’ and ‘Delhi’ highlight his love for his Indian ethnicity.
Chart favourite: Bazaar (Sunburn Goa Official Anthem)
2. Vicetone
Dutch duo Ruben Den Boer and Victor Pool form the electronic collective Vicetone. Active from 2012, they were voted at the 60th spot in DJ Magazine’s Top 100 DJs of 2013. They rose to fame after that when they toured Northern America, supporting Nicky Romero. They’re rising to fame after hitting a Beatport #1 single ‘Let Me Feel’ alongside Romero. They regularly release tracks for Monstercat, Spinnin’ Records, and also Hardwell’s Revealed Recordings.
Chart favourite: United We Dance
3. Starkillers
Nick Terranova slowly climbed the DJ scene with his eclectic mixture of multiple musical signatures. According to his Facebook bio, he started his career way back in 2004. Starkillers launched his first track, Discoteka, about four years ago, and it was an instant hit, featuring at the top of Beatport and Billboard Dance charts. He finished 2014 by launching Brawla Records, his own answer against the music industry that never stops changing.
Chart favourite: Let The Love
4. Sam Feldt
Dutch electronic artists are all the rage, and have been since the advent of the new age of electronic music. Sam Feldt isn’t one to be left behind. Still in his early twenties, he’s racked up quite a fanbase with his hit ‘Show Me Love,’ which he released after signing with Spinnin’ Records. Sam has already toured all over the world, with big names like Kygo and Robin Schulz. His regular Soundcloud mixtapes hit some serious numbers every time.
Chart favourite: Show Me Love
5. Sultan + Shepard
DJ duos also are a thing in current times, and Sultan + Shepard are not ones to be left behind. Born Ossama Al Sarraf and Ned Shepard, the duo met in Montreal, Canada during a partying night after Sultan saw Shepard perform. They are one of the few DJs with the honour of a residency spot at XS Nightclub in Las Vegas. One of their hit singles, ‘Walls,’ propelled them to international acclaim when Tiësto featured it on his Club Life Miami compilation.
Chart favourite: When We Were Young
6. EDX
Swiss producer Maurizio Colella, better known by his stage name, EDX, is well known to fans of the nightclub scene. He held a residency in 2011 at the world’s best nightclub, Space, in Ibiza, Spain. Having worked with top-rated artists like Axwell, Benny Benassi, and Deadmau5, EDX spent two years mastering his 14-track album, ‘On The Edge,’ which he released in 2012, containing chart-topping singles ‘Give It Up For Love’ and ‘This Is Your Life’.
Chart favourite: Belong
7. Dyro
Yet another Dutch DJ on the list! Dyro, born Jordy van Egmond, was discovered by Laidback Luke on a forum when one of his FL Studio mixes impressed him. Following that, he became one of the first artists to sign with Hardwell’s Revealed Recordings. Dyro’s first official worldwide single was ‘Daftastic,’ released in 2011, under the Revealed label. He was recently awarded no. 27 on DJ Magazine’s Top 100 DJs of 2014.
Chart favourite: Paradise
8. DubVision
DubVision are a Dutch electronic producer duo, brothers actually. Victor and Stephan Leicher were forced to play an instrument as kids, and both gravitated towards the piano. The elder brother soon followed the younger one into mixing electronic music. They’re best known for their hit single, ‘You & I,’ which was released on Spinnin’ Records. DubVision have topped the Beatport Progressive House and Beatport Electro charts.
Chart favourite: Broken
9. Vinai
Vinai are an Italian DJ duo, again brothers, going by their birth names Alessandro and Andrea Vinai. They reached mainstream fame with their 2014 single ‘Raveology’ in partnership with Canadian duo DVBBS. Raveology went on to top the Beatport charts for a long time and garnered support and recognition from famous artists like Tiësto, Hardwell, David Guetta, Dimitri Vegas, and Like Mike. They are currently signed to Spinnin’ Records.
Chart favourite: How We Party
10. R3hab
DJs often employ catchy names to attract attention. Morrocan-Dutch DJ Fadil El Ghoul follows the same vein with his stage name R3hab. He is known to be famous for making the Dutch House scene famous, with Afrojack and Chuckie. R3hab won the IDMA Award for Best Breakthrough Artist in 2012, after which he was signed by Afrojack to his Wall Recordings label, and has been one of their most successful acts.
Chart favourite: Burnin
11. Harrison
Harrison is a UK-born artist, bursting out on the electronic scene. At the age of 22, he’s bagged collaborations with the world’s top DJs, David Guetta and Hardwell. His vocal and electronic performance for ‘Sally’ on Hardwell’s artist album ‘United We Are’ earned him a big name. At #7 on the Beatport charts, Harrison has released major anthems and party rockers for all major labels like Spinnin’, Revealed, Armada, etc.
Chart favourite: Take Me Home
12. Quintino
Quinten van den Berg is a Dutch DJ, well known by his stage name Quintino. He appeared on DJ Magazine’s Top 100 DJs of 2014 on no. 86. In spite of this not so great position, he has gone on to produce remixes and original content which have become club staples over the world. The fact that he was 18 when Laidback Luke discovered him speaks a lot. He also worked with Tiësto and Alvaro to produce the anthem for Ultra Music Festival in 2013.
Chart favourite: Escape (Into The Sunset)
13. twoloud
twoloud is a German DJ and electronic music collective, consisting of members Manuel Reuter, Alexander Thomas, and Dennis Nicholls. Previously from Spencer & Hill, Reuter and Nicholls joined Reuters to release their first single, ‘Big Bang’ in 2013, after which they were immediately signed to Spinnin’ Records. twoloud were rumoured to be the joint project of Hardwell and Tiësto because the original members chose to remain anonymous.
Chart favourite: Drop It Like This
14. Tony Junior
Tony Peroni Junior, or Tony Junior, ANOTHER Dutch DJ, started off as part of a duo with Nicolas Nox. After pondering over a solo career, his club remix of ‘Feelin’ Kinda Strange’ got him into the main stage spotlight. After delivering a #9 charter track called ‘Michael Jordan’ with Carnage, he produced many other party anthem potentials with major DJs like DVBBS, Starkillers, and Steve Aoki. He is currently signed to Spinnin’ Records.
Chart favourite: Immortal
15. San Holo
These Dutchmen are really giving DJs of other nationalities a run for their money. Sander van Dijck took on the stage name San Holo (yes, that is a play on Han Solo, and he also has a lawsuit against him for that) and remixed Dr. Dre’s The Next Episode, garnering approximately 67 million hits on YouTube. His EP, Cosmos, which came out in late 2014, was featured in the Top 100 Electronic category of iTunes’ catalogue.
Chart favourite: We Rise
16. Mat Zo
Matan Zohar, son of Kazakhstani-British painter Israel Zohar, is a British DJ and record producer. Originally starting out as a drummer in a jazz band and a bassist in a rock band, he gravitated towards the electronic scene after witnessing famous acts such as Daft Punk. In November of 2013, he released his debut album, ‘Damage Control,’ which was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Dance/Electronic Album.
Chart favourite: Easy
17. Uberjak’d
Uberjak’d is an Australian electronic musician. Born Ben John Grzywacz, Uberjak’d was among the first ones to pioneer the new era of Australian DJs who became important names on the global charts. Uberjak’d mixed Ministry of Sound’s Clubbers Guide 2013 and Annual 2014 albums while also delivering new beats on iTunes Australia’s #1 podcast, his own. He’s currently on a world tour.
Chart favourite: Jet Fuel
18. Slumberjack
Upcoming DJ duo Slumberjack are made up of Perth, Australia-based artists, Morgan Then and Fletcher Ehlers. Slumberjack achieved success with their debut EP through OneLove Recordings, ‘Slumberjack,’ which showcased their trap-heavy tunes ‘Body Cry’ and ‘Horus.’ Rising to #2 of iTunes Electronic charts in late 2014, their debut EP was born out of their home studios, built by themselves. With little mainstream artist support, this duo is rising in the ranks of global artists out of Australia.
Chart favourite: Horus
19. The Disco Fries
Nick Ditri and Danny Boselovic make up American electronic duo The Disco Fries. They met in their first year at Berklee College of Music. Having a deep-rooted knowledge and love for music, both start experimenting with electronic music. They released their debut EP, ‘Autonomous,’ in 2015 which charted to the Top 50 of the iTunes Dance Album charts. They have achieved #1 hits multiple times on Hype Machine.
Chart favourite: Chant
20. BRKLYN
BRKLYN are American DJ duo Cameron Alexander and Cody Nadeau. Notably famous for their ’emotional’ productions, BRKLYN employ live instruments, touching vocals, and top-of-the-range synths to deliver their extensive electronic repertoire. BRKLYN have worked behind the scenes with big names in the music industry, such as Lana Del Rey, Ellie Goulding, Kanye West, and Eminem. Their latest work has been released through Enhanced Recordings.
Chart favourite: Steal Your Heart
So many artists who were once nothing unknown to the world rise to fame every year solely because of a little promotion and a lot of public appreciation. So support your local artists as well as those whose music you truly like, and let this world have more music.