Top 10 Best Electronic Artists

The Top Ten
1 Daft Punk Daft Punk was a French electronic music duo consisting of producers Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo and Thomas Bangalter.

This was the duo that got me into electronic music, and also music in general. In fact, they used to be the only artists I ever listened to. Now that I have continued my musical journey, I still listen to them quite frequently. Still not as much as before, but I still absolutely love their music.

Daft Punk has opened my mind to music. All other electronic "music" nowadays just sounds like a collection of noise that should be featured in a "Call of Duty" montage. Daft Punk's music has soul, unlike the other music being produced today by the world's top "artists". I use the term "artists" in quotes because people attempting to recite bad poetry while a metronome drowns out their vocals isn't music. The same sentiment applies to those who think computer noises are superior to the real instruments that Daft Punk incorporates into their songs. They've hit every genre right on the head and revolutionized everything they've delved into. They're on par with legends, if not surpassing them.

2 Aphex Twin Richard David James (born 18 August 1971), known by his stage name Aphex Twin, is an Irish-born English electronic musician and composer. He is known for his influential and idiosyncratic work in electronic music styles such as IDM and acid techno in the 1990s, for which he won widespread critical acclaim... read more

Ask yourself, who on this list will be remembered for centuries? Whose music and legacy will be studied in colleges and universities globally, just like Mozart, Beethoven, Shakespeare, and other legends? Who not only changed the game but is irreplaceable and is the only person capable of producing music the way he does? It's this guy. However, I can see why he's not number one on this list. Many artists are here due to their current popularity. Return in a decade, and this list might look very different, but he'll likely still be here, possibly even closer to the top spot.

3 Deadmau5 Joel Thomas Zimmerman (a.k.a. deadmau5) is a Canadian DJ producer, formerly a web developer, who produces a wide variety of electronic musical genres, such as electro and dubstep, but is best known for popularizing work in the areas of progressive house and electrohouse, along with the genres themselves... read more

Deadmau5 was the one who introduced me to this genre with his amazing song "Professional Griefers." This song and video were so amazing and absorbing that I literally had to change the channel just to avoid getting into it. I rewatched the same show it was in and BOOM, I had to go online to get that song! I was already into the genre. Although I voted for Daft Punk because of obvious reasons, if I had to vote twice, I'd vote for Deadmau5 hands down! I love them both! Deadmau5 with "Professional Griefers" and Daft Punk with "Around the World."

4 Skrillex Sonny John Moore (born January 15, 1988), known professionally as Skrillex, is an American EDM producer who is known for popularizing dubstep. He is part of the bands Jack Ü (DJ) and From First To Last (Lead Singer). His album Recess debuted at 4 on the BB200, tying him with Zedd for the highest debut... read more

I totally listen when I'm angry, or just really happy. I can't believe he rose and fell so quickly. He used to be massive, but now it seems like you hardly hear about him anymore.

He truly is great. I feel that people only dislike him because he suddenly became very popular, and many mistakenly believe he's the only artist that produces electronic music, assuming all electronic music is dubstep. Don't resent the artist. Instead, resent the ignorant masses that don't understand electronic music and consequently make Skrillex appear in a negative light. If you genuinely don't like Skrillex because of his music, and not due to his challenging fan base, then I respect your opinion. Everyone is entitled to their thoughts. However, if you've barely listened to any of his music and your dislike stems from his mainstream appeal or problematic fan base, then it's time to mature. Judge an artist's music based on the music itself, nothing else.

5 Kraftwerk Kraftwerk is a German electronic music band formed by Ralf Hütter and Florian Schneider in 1970 in Düsseldorf. The band was fronted by both Hütter and Schneider until Schneider's departure in 2008.

I'm not a regular listener, but I still love their stuff. It's also cool to see that they are still touring after so long. Keep it up!

How is it possible that the band which has been sampled more than any other, and has created iconic beats like "Numbers", "Mensch Maschine", and "Trans Europa Express", is not ranked number 1 here? They invented the entire synth-pop genre and, in the process, birthed a brand new style in the electro-rap genre. Many musicians credit them as their primary influence. So, the only logical move is to place Kraftwerk at NUMBER ONE on this list!

6 Boards of Canada

BoC provides their listeners with a truly unique sound. Their discography is self-explanatory and they are criminally underrated on this list as well. Listen to Music Has the Right to Children, Geogaddi, The Campfire Headphase, In a Beautiful Place Out in the Country, Twoism, Hi Scores, Tomorrow's Harvest, etc., and you'll quickly learn why they are some of the most innovative artists to ever emerge out of the Electronic music scene. Remember that Electronic stems far beyond club music and dancing. These guys create some of the most melodic, nostalgic, and emotion-evoking music you'll ever find, and they've always managed to avoid the mainstream, which makes their persona that much more mysterious yet every bit as fascinating. - Dan MacLean

7 Radiohead

Wow! I'm surprised they're not first. They are the most creative artists on this list. Everything by them is great. I'm not sure if they are the most electronic artists, but I think they are one of the greatest rock and electronic artists in existence. Your life will never be complete unless you listen to at least one Radiohead album (I mean stuff from the late '90s and the 2000s).

Radiohead is like my favorite band granted they are mainly alt-rock, but they are still really great. But I think Thom Yorke's solo work and his side band, Atoms for Peace, are more in the electronica genre.

8 The Prodigy The Prodigy are an English electronic music group from Braintree, Essex, formed by Liam Howlett in 1990. The members were originally Liam Howlett (keyboardist and composer), Keith Flint (dancer and vocalist), Maxim (MC and vocalist), Leeroy Thornhill (dancer and occasional live keyboardist), and a female... read more

The Prodigy has the strongest roots in the club scene, the birthplace of electronic music. They continue to utilize 90s electronic music equipment to produce a sound that is unparalleled, surpassing Daft Punk, Deadmau5, Skrillex, and other artists in terms of originality, intensity, and technical quality. The Prodigy will forever dominate the electronic genre.

Definitely #1 in my opinion. The Prodigy just has more classic songs than any other electronic artists, and their music is incredibly diverse and imaginative. Besides, if you asked Skrillex and Deadmau5 who the best electronic artists of all time were, they would probably either say Aphex Twin or The Prodigy.

9 Massive Attack Massive Attack are an electronic music duo from Bristol, England, who use distorted, psychedelic, dynamic atmospheres as a definitive style of their music. They are noted as one of the most influential acts in electronic music to date, whose musical style was claimed to be far ahead of its time, and... read more

Massive Attack shaped the urban scene in Britain. They have some classic tracks to their name, like Unfinished Symphony. Why aren't these guys ranked higher?

Daft Punk is annoying, Owl City is just a one-hit wonder, so Massive Attack is the best.

10 Knife Party Knife Party are an Australian electronic music duo comprising Rob Swire and Gareth McGrillen, two members of the drum and bass band Pendulum.

From the perspective of an avid listener of both the dubstep and electronica genres, I was a huge fan of Pendulum's drum and bass sound. Knife Party's emergence into the electronica and club music genre has made a significant impact, in my opinion. They have some really strong beats to dance to, in addition to their unique sound. Internet Friends is just the beginning. Move into Rage Valley and the new Haunted House EP and you'll truly discover the talent these individuals possess.

The Contenders
11 Mike Paradinas
12 Glitch Mob

Absolutely incredible. Every one of their songs is an adventure. My personal favorite tracks of theirs are Starve the Ego, Feed the Soul and Carry the Sun. Their songs aren't too over the top, but they aren't too tame either. Best of all, they know how to use vocals in an electronic song in a way that does not detract from the beats but adds to them. The only downside about them is that there still isn't enough of their music.

Amazing! I love every song by these guys. Their new album Love Death Immortality is just mind-blowing. Not to mention, even some of their older songs are just as amazing, like Fortune Days and We Can Make the World Stop. They are the greatest band of them all.

13 Björk Björk Guðmundsdóttir, (born 21 November 1965) is an Icelandic singer, songwriter, composer, record producer and actress. Over her four-decade career, she has developed an eclectic musical style that draws on influences and genres including electronic, pop, jazz, experimental, trip hop, alternative,... read more

Forget all these DJs and trendy groups in the top ten. Without this woman's artistic brilliance in the '90s, today's DJs would still be playing underground gigs and living paycheck to paycheck. "Post" and "Homogenic", along with Madonna's "Ray of Light", paved the way for today's DJs and electronic musicians. She deserves to be in the top five. And where is Brian Eno?

The best female vocalist I've ever heard. Forget all the female pop stars that get so much publicity. Björk's music is a work of orchestra and also a piece of art. Anyone who says otherwise does not understand art in music.

14 Orbital

85? This isn't happening! Why is Orbital so low? They are incredible! They are so much better than those mainstream artists. If you aren't familiar with Orbital, go check them out. My personal favorite albums by them are Blue Album, In Sides, Snivilisation, and Brown Album. Go listen to them. You won't regret it. It took me some time to get used to them. I would recommend In Sides for a beginner. I loved that one instantly.

If you want crappy, poppy electronic music, then by all means vote for Daft Punk. But if you want proper electronic music that is inventive and unique, vote for the Hartnoll brothers. They are the best British electronic band ever!

15 Flying Lotus

He inspired so many fantastic artists and is a master at blending genres. It's pathetic to see him ranked this low.

16 Zedd Zedd is a Russian- German DJ known for his hits such as Clarity, Transmission, and Break Free. He is best known for his album True Colors, which has the highest debut on the Billboard 200 for an EDM album (tied with Skrillex's Recess). He is one the the richest EDM artists in the industry.

Zedd is the highest honor on this list when it comes to electro-pop. Only rivaled by Avicii, Zedd doesn't fit into a specific niche. He is really all over the place with his style, and definitely has the most respectable discography with many hits such as "The Middle," "Stay," and my personal favorite, "Clarity."

You don't even need to know the name of the song to know it's Zedd when you hear it! His style may not appear different and unique the first time you hear it, but as you listen to more of his music, you soon notice things that make his style unique.
He is great.

17 Autechre

Autechre is amazing! Their music is extremely complex and takes time to understand, but that's the beauty of it. Despite being very complex and mechanical, there is something strangely emotional about their music that I cannot put my finger on. All around amazing!

I thought Orbital being low on the list was bad enough, but Autechre at #121 is just insulting. "Flutter" is genius.

With over 10 albums and their debut in 1993, they deliver an incredible dark ambiance and genuinely creative electronic compositions, not just mainstream DJ mixes. Y'all are trifling.

18 Pendulum Pendulum is an Australian drum and bass and electronic rock band founded in 2002. Pendulum originally formed in the Australian city of Perth, Western Australia by Rob Swire, Gareth McGrillen, and Paul Harding.

Sorry, Captain Hipster, but Pendulum IS mainstream, especially in Australia. I'm still surprised they aren't ranked higher on the list. Their music is some of the best available. It's unfortunate they disbanded. Nonetheless, we now have Knife Party to enjoy.

Pendulum is by far the best, even surpassing Daft Punk and Deadmau5! I never thought it possible to blend electronic dance music with rock and still maintain quality. Vote for whoever you prefer, but Pendulum holds the number one spot for me. Also, Aphex Twin is a close second.

PENDULUM ONLY AT 23!? These guys should at least be in the top 15, though I'd easily rank them in the top 10 or even top 5. They are incredibly talented and introduced me to Drum & Bass. Pendulum is really underrated.

19 Depeche Mode Depeche Mode are an English electronic and synth-pop band formed in 1980 in Basildon, Essex. The group's original line-up consisted of Dave Gahan, Martin Gore, Andy Fletcher, and Vince Clarke.

Without Depeche Mode, none of these bands, aside from Kraftwerk, would be doing what they are. They are the top-selling electronic band of all time, nominees for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and have one of the widest international fan bases of any group working today. 37 years later, they are still able to have a top album on the Billboard 200 and have a number one album in numerous European countries. In Eastern Europe, they are as revered as The Beatles.

Depeche Mode should be number 1. Depeche Mode is still the only band to use old synths in most of their albums. The synth programming alone is hard in itself. But songs such as "Enjoy The Silence", "Walking In My Shoes", "Barrel Of A Gun", and "Heaven" make the electronic industry still stand out. If Depeche Mode isn't considered number one or even number two anymore, this generation doesn't know what real music is anymore.

- A DEVOTED FAN

20 Moby Moby is an American musician, who has produced inventive new styles to various subgenres of electronic music, inspired by 1950's gospel as much as by modern rock, and musicians from New Order to David Bowie... read more

Moby is my favorite electronic artist. I enjoy a lot of music across various genres, and Moby tops the list. He produces highly underrated rapid electronic beats and contrasts them with breathtaking ambient pieces. Additionally, he has powerful and excellent vocals and collaborates with top-notch guest vocalists. And seeing him live is an unforgettable experience!

His songs have catchy beats, like in "Go!", ambient rhythms, like in "Sunspot", that transport you to another world, and meaningful lyrics like in "We Are All Made of Stars", accompanied by thought-provoking music videos such as "In This World". I can always count on Moby for outstanding music. I love all of his albums. Each one is a masterpiece, from "Play" and "18" to "Innocents" and "Everything Is Wrong".

Moby has invested so much in his music to make it unique and superb. I believe, with all sincerity, that Moby has contributed more to his music than the Beatles. And if you disagree with that, that's okay. If you can't recognize Moby's all-around brilliance in every aspect of his work, then you're missing out.

21 Owl City Owl City is an American Synthpop/Electronica project created in 2007 in Owatonna, Minnesota; it is the most successful of several projects by singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Adam Young.

Like 99.9% of my playlist is Owl City. His music is just so creative and well made. Everything from the writing to the composing to the vocals is just absolutely flawless. And even though Owl City is his most well-known project, he also has many others. Like, so many. In fact, I can't believe how many other projects he has.

Obviously, he's not as big anymore, but his music doesn't really seem to be geared towards mainstream audiences. He's since begun to stray away from electronic music and has recently started experimenting with other genres, such as pop and rock. But I still love his newer music just as much. His music has been with me through the best times and the worst times. But one thing's for sure: I'll never stop listening, ever. Thanks for so many incredible songs.

22 SALM (Something A la Mode)

G-string is better than the actual thing. Haha. But really, these songs are so amazing that I am in constant awe whenever a new song is released by them. They are an all-around great music group. I recommend them 110%.

23 The Future Sound of London

They are the best English electronic band from the nineties. Period!

24 The Chemical Brothers

Test and Private Psychedelic are the best songs I've ever heard in my life! The Chemical Brothers are always creating psychedelic masterpieces, far superior to those of Daft Punk or deadmau5.

"The holy trinity" of Exit Planet Dust, Dig Your Own Hole, and Surrender are undoubtedly the greatest electronic albums of the past 30 years. They should definitely be in the top 3, above Skrillex.

They should easily surpass Skrillex. The live performance is electrifying, and the experience, such as visual effects, is out of this world. How are The Chemical Brothers not in the top 5?

25 Plaid

Where are Plaid?! Best electronic musicians of the last 10 years! Come on, guys...

They produce really unique, awesome electronic content.

Plaid are great musicians. They should be in the top five.

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