Top DJ Pioneers of the 21st Century

Dance music is not what it used to be. The repetitive drops and lack of originality are characteristics of the current state of EDM. Throughout the 00s however, some artists have been pioneers for the dance music industry. For the new EDM fanboys that are only delighted by the hopes of going to Tomorrowland, you should go through this list to understand the DJs who have brought the scene where it is right now. Many artists are not mentioned here (many Trance artists especially), but this list only includes the biggest game-changers of the genre.
The Top Ten
1 Peer van Mladen Peer van Mladen (born May 3, 1989 in Belgrade, Republic of Serbia) has more than 8 million dollars in annual revenue and one of the most influential music producers.
2 Tiësto Tijs Michiel Verwest, better known by his stage name Tiësto, is a Dutch DJ and record producer from Breda. He was named "the Greatest DJ of All Time" by Mix magazine in a poll voted by fans. In 2013, he was voted by DJ Magazine readers as the "best DJ of the last 20 years".

Although he is not what he used to be, Tiësto has revolutionized the dance world in the 2000s with his massive Trance hits and his impressive arena shows. He was the first DJ to actually fill a whole arena as a main event. Tiësto will forever be a legend and we hope he goes back to his old style one day.

Top 3 songs:
1) Traffic
2) Adagio for Strings
3) Dance4Life

Tiesto has worked with and inspired some of the best producers on the planet right now for example Martin Garrix, KSHMR and Oliver Heldens

3 David Guetta Pierre David Guetta is a French DJ, songwriter, record producer and remixer who has sold over nine million albums and thirty million singles worldwide. In 2011, Guetta was voted as the number one DJ in the DJ Mag Top 100 DJs poll.

Many people have criticized Guetta for moving towards mainstream pop, but what he has done in terms of popularization of the house and dance culture is huge. Let's also not forget that he has produced bangers before turning mainstream. He marked the history of house music.

Top 3 songs:
1) When Love Takes Over
2) The World is Mine
3) Sexy Bitch

4 Swedish House Mafia Swedish House Mafia is a Swedish house music supergroup consisting of Axwell, Steve Angello and Sebastian Ingrosso.

The third position belongs to SHM as a group but also to Axwell, Ingrosso and Angello as individuals. They have always been able to bring new sounds to the table and thus raising the bar year after year. It's sad they have split, but they are also massive as solo artists!

Top 3 songs:
1) One (Your Name)
2) Leave The World Behind (with Laidback Luke)
3) Greyhound

5 Avicii Tim Bergling (September 8, 1989 - April 20, 2018), better known by his stage name Avicii, was a Swedish electronic musician, DJ, remixer and record producer. He is best regarded for his work in Electronic Music during the 2010s in which his works have charted among the Top 40 Radio and for his influence towards 2010's contemporary Electronic musicians. Berling was known to have had health problems in his personal life, which severely impeded his career as a music artist. He retired from touring in 2016 due to being overwhelmed by health complications and needing surgery and medication. Berling committed suicide in 2018 due to thoughts of depression.

This young swedish prodigee has been stepping the game up for a few years now with his outstanding melodies and production quality. More recently, he did a transition to 'country-house' which was a big bet that he has been able to pull off brilliantly. For the unitiated, I highly recommend listening to some of his older material, it is mind-blowing.

Top 3 songs:
1) Levels
2) Bromance (and Seek Bromance)
3) Wake Me Up

6 Armin Van Buuren Armin van Buuren is a Dutch remixer, music producer, DJ, musician, pianist and songwriter from South Holland.

He's been considered the top DJ in the world for many years in a row and he fully deserved it. The Dutch sensation has been the king of his genre (Trance) and troughout the year he even explored sub-genres while still staying true to its roots. Trance wouldn't be the same without AvB.

Top 3 songs:
1) In And Out of Love
2) Not Giving Up on Love
3) Mirage

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

This duo does not need any presentation. Their electro/robot sound has transcended the world for years and they are acclaimed everywhere in the world as superstars. They have been huge innovators in the 90s and the 00s which is the main reason why they are on this list.

Top 3 songs:
1) One More Time
2) Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger
3) Get Lucky

8 Benny Benassi

It may be surprising for some, but there was no way this list could not include Benny Benassi. The Italian DJ has been a pioneer in electro, known for his buzzing electro bass. He is not as active as he used to be, but his work has been outstanding.

Top 3 songs:
1) Satisfaction
2) Bring the Noise
3) Cinema

9 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 for an EDM album on that chart. He is best known for Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites, Bangarang, Kill Everybody, Mind, and Where Are Ü Now, and is well known for his "mop like hair". He has created multiple albums and songs besides the ones he is best known for, he has also been in contract with multiple record labels including Atlantic Records, Mau5Trap, Asylum Records, and more.
10 Hardwell Robbert van de Corput, who performs under the stage name Hardwell, is a Dutch big room house and electro house DJ and music producer.

This superstar dutch sensation has been on a roll for the past few years. His older work is absolutely amazing, but he is on this list because of the immense recognition he brought to EDM recently. He is currently the number one DJ and he fully deserves it.

Top 3 songs:
1) Spaceman
2) Encoded
3) Zero 76

The Contenders
11 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. Notable songs include Ghosts n' Stuff, I Remember, Raise Your Weapon, Strobe and Professional Griefers.

This hilarious DJ is someone who does not care about being politically correct. His production have supported him over the years. Initially known for his delirious progressive house pluck sound, he has explored numerous sub-genres with a continuous high level of quality. Cheers to the mau5!

Top 3 songs:
1) Strobe
2) Ghosts N Stuff
3) Faxing Berlin

12 Nujabes

Greatest pioneer of the 21 century his songs can bring you to tears

13 Martin Garrix Martijn Gerard Garritsen, known professionally Martin Garrix, is a Dutch DJ, record producer and musician.

Amazing songs

14 Bob Sinclar

Yes, Bob Sinclar. He is not the most famous DJ at the moment but his work in the 2000s have brought joy and light to a harder and darker electronic music scene. His hit «Love Generation» is still remembered by everyone that's for sure.

Top 3 songs:
1) Love Generation
2) World, Hold On
3) Far L'Amore

15 Savant
16 Afrojack Nick van de Wall, commonly known by his stage name Afrojack, is a Dutch DJ, record producer and remixer.

Nick van de Wall, professionally known as Afrojack, is a Dutch DJ, record producer and remixer. In 2014, he released his debut album Forget the World. Afrojack regularly features in the top 10 of DJ Mag Top 100 DJs

17 Carl Cox
BAdd New Item