Top 10 Best Electronic Artists
Daft Punk was a French electronic music duo consisting of producers Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo and Thomas Bangalter. 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 quote artists because people attempting to recite bad poetry while a metronome drowns out their vocals is not music. The same goes for the people who think computer noises are better than real instruments that Daft Punk includes in their songs. They've hit every genre right on the head and revolutionized every single thing they've touched upon. They're up there with legends; perhaps past them.
Daft Punk is indeed very special, especially in those modern times where fame and wealth are often the final goal to modern artists. Unfortunately, this mentality and culture costs us of legends comparable to those legends of the 60s - 90s, which we don't see anymore... except for Daft Punk who managed to reach this level of quality with their own modern genre. The key difference is that they do this because of their genuine interest in creating unique quality music for us, the lucky bastards who get to profit from their musical generosity. Being famous and making millions is not on their radar, so getting those millions anyway as collateral to their true intentions is a nice bonus, very well deserved!
Very sad to see them dissolve, robbing us of one of the very few remaining gods of music of all times.
Daft Punk without a doubt deserves to be number 1 on any "Greatest EDM artist" list. Thomas and Guy-Man have shown to many people of all ages that electronic music can be something amazing and enjoyable to listen to. Even people who don't normally listen to electronic music like them! Their first album Homework is definitely a really excellent 90s dance album. The album Discovery (my personal favorite) isn't just another good dance album but it has so much emotion in it. Human After All isn't their best, but it shows that they are willing to explore, and Random Access Memories pays an excellent homage to 1970s dance music that has an influence on today's dance music. Despite being robots they really have soul and emotion in their songs that get you to groove or are gold for your ears. Their music doesn't really ever age, it feels like it's something timeless from space. Wither "Get Lucky" or "One More Time" is on while your listening at home, or your dancing at a club. Daft Punk's ...more
These guys...without them, electro music would've been nothing. Everybody today just plays the same repetitive sound, and there is a lack of creativity within electro artists. Daft Punk, on the other hand, are unique. Not only did they formalize the genre, they're the maestros of it as well; out of all of today's DJs, these guys have the best music and the most talent! If you presumptuously say you love and listen to this genre of music without knowing who Daft Punk are, go die in a hole. Period!
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. Deadmau5 was who introduced me to this genre with his amazing song "Professional Griefers." This song and video was so amazing and absorbing that I literally had to change the channel just to not get into it. I rewatched the same show it had it in and BOOM, I had to go online to get that song! I was into the genre already. 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!
Deadmau5 will forever rule, if you've ever heard his music. You will fall in love, I've listened to his music ever since I was ten. His music displays so many emotions, if you want to be happy. listen to his happy music. if you want to feed your depression, you can do that too, or in general good music to work to? You've got it right there. This is why I love his music, Thank you and thank Joel Zimmerman. AKA deadmau5
Daft Punk deserves their spot, which puts deadmau5 in the perfect place. He kicks Skrillex's butt, and his music is much better than the mediocre crap you'll find on Monstercat. For people who think his tracks are repetitive and boring, it's really impressive that he can hold a melody for 10+ minutes. Give his song "Strobe" a try, you probably won't regret it.
Deadmau5 is electronic music God, he has this style of having simplicity with the genius music that he makes. Maybe only 20% of songs in his Discography are amazing but still those 20% are enough to make my no1. easily. I don't get what is special about Daft Punk, I mean, as music artists they are grrat but when it comes specifically to Electronic music, nothing beats Deadmau5!
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. He is also the co-founder of Rephlex Records with Grant Wilson-Claridge. Aphex Twin is the greatest electronic artist of all time. Full stop. He is an amazing music producer, musician, and inspired millions upon millions of people. Few could rise to how good he is.
One of the most influential names in electronica. I'm so glad he is above Skrillex and a lot of the other mainstream EDM artists who wouldn't have existed without him.
Ask yourself, who in this list is going to be remembered for centuries? Whose music and legacy will be studied in colleges and universities around the world in the same way Mozart, Beethoven, Shakespeare, and other legends are in the years to come? Who not only changed the game but is completely irreplaceable and is the only person in the world capable of making music the way he does? This guy right here. However, I suppose I understand why he's not number 1 on this list as a lot of these artists are here because of their current popularity or whatever. Come back in a decade and this list may change dramatically- but you'll certainly see him still here on this list, probably closer to number 1.
The guy's been doing what he actually loves since '85. He's not as popular as he should be but Skrillex who's above him actually took much from Richard David James. And kudos to Aphex for "coming out of shadows" and releasing Syro and getting a Grammy for best Electronic Album of the Year in 2014. If you've ever heard of Ambient you can thank Aphex Twin and Bryan Eno for being the greatest pioneers of the genre. Aphex is also a major pioneer of Acid and Drum and Bass, and don't say that Drukqs isn't one of the most creative albums ever... Richard you're my favorite artist period. Thanks for sharing your passion and ingenious work with the world
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. He truly is great. I feel that people only hate on him because he's gotten so popular all of the sudden, and a lot of stupid people think that he's the only artist that makes electronic music (although they think all electronic music is dubstep). Don't hate the artist, hate the ignorant mass of people that don't know anything about electronic music, and make skrillex look bad. (If you truly don't like skrillex because you don't like him music, and not because of his awful fan base, then I have nothing against you. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. However, If you barley listen to any of his music, and you just don't like him because he's gotten more mainstream and has an awful fan base, then grow up. Judge someone's music on their actual music, and nothing else. )
Skrillex is one of the best DUBSTEP artists out their and yes I say Dubstep. Its sad how some to many of his fans don't even know that dubstep is a sub genre to electronic music. To the electronic music is dubstep. And this may make skrillex look bad. However on the other side if you just hate skrillex because he has too much fame then just call yourself a hipster (ha ha hipsters don't call themselves hipsters) Skrillex did a nice job on his new EP with my new Favorite song The Reason. You should check it out. However even if Skrillex is the best Dubstep producer you should check out other sub genres like House or Electronica.
Really? Would you really put Skrillex before The Prodigy?
While Skrillex was being emo in a hardcore band, there were other Djs writing the history of the electronic music.
Without any doubt Skrillex brought the Dubstep genre to national and bigger scale but he's still to fresh to compete against groups like The Prodigy, Daft Punk or Chemical Brothers. Mine is just a personal opinion I agree with his music and talent but disagree on this high rank positioning.
Better producer than most modern artists, more pioneering than 'Deadmau5' and basically started a whole subgenre of electronic music and kept it to himself. The adolescent bombastic appeal to many of his compositions continue to irk me but his production skills are really top notch, and his mixes pristine. Later releases like EP Leaving show that his music has the potential to mature in interesting ways.
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. An electronic pioneer, one of the most influential, important, and foundational artists in the electronic scene. The world would not exist as we know it today without them.
There can be only one choice for number 1 and that has to be the band that most of the others on this list sampled. Kraftwerk is the only choice for number 1.
How can it be, that the band which was more sampled as any other band and which created such unbelievable beats like "numbers", "mensch maschine" oder "trans europa express", is NOT the number 1 here? They invent the whole synthi-pop-genre and besides created a complete new style in electro-rap genre. You can read anywhere that other musicians name them first, when they was asked who influenced them most. So do the only senseful thing here and put KRAFTWERK on NUMBER ONE here in the list!
Yes, if these guys were never around everything after would not exist. All others have used their style and soun in some way; including Daft Punk! Even those two would most likely tell you how these guys were the true pioneers. Can't always go with the newest when Kraftwerk are the pioneers. If younger people have no idea who they are you need some schooling!
Radiohead isn't electronic enough to be classified as full blown Electronic music… They belong on a Rock list, not this one and somehow they are ranked at #7, much higher than other well deserving actual Electronic music artists. It must be their cult following just blindly voting for them. Also, Thom Yorke's voice is overrated and annoying. Isn't one Bono enough for the music world?
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.
Radiohead should be way higher on this list. They completely got me into the genre of electronica. It's just real intelligent music and Radiohead are way better than Skrillex.
Extremely talented duo that has created some of the most unique, beautiful, and emotional music I've ever heard. They belong easily in the top five or even number one!
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
Boards of Canada are just in a league of their own entirely. Their signature sound (distorted synths, hip-hop breakbeats, eerie samples) is nothing like any other music. To anyone reading this list who hasn't listened to them: do yourself a favor and listen to Music Has the Right to Children or Geogaddi in their entirety. You won't be disappointed.
This list badly needs people born before 1995 to rate on it. Some fantastic electronic acts criminally low here. I think I'll have to refresh and vote for massive attack, new order and portishead and chemical brothers now
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 dancer and vocalist called Sharky, however, both Leeroy and Sharky left the band for different reasons. The Prodigy have the strongest roots in the club scene, birthplace of electronic music. They still take advantage of 90s electronic music equipment to produce an unparalleled sound that surpasses Daft Punk, Deadmau5, Skrillex, or any other pretentious posers in terms of originality, intensity, and technical quality. The Prodigy will forever dominate the electronic genre.
Definite #1 in my opinion. The prodigy just have 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.
The Prodigy are the greatest of all time because they bridged the gap between alternative rock and electronica and managed to create some of the greatest electronica jams ever conceived. They are also basically the founders of the rave so most electronica artists owe their souls to the Prodigy.
The Prodigy held hands with Daft Punk in the upbringing of electronic music. While they never had the same size commercial peak as Daft Punk, they were definitely more influential. They pioneered mixing electronic music with rock. For this reason they need to be high on the list.
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 have sold millions of copies of their first albums worldwide. Massive attack created the urban scene in Britain. And have some absolute classics up their sleeve like unfinished symphony how are these guys not higher?
Daft punk are annoying, owl city is just a one hit wonder, so massive attack are the best
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 to bot the dubstep and electronica genres, I was a huge fan of Pendulum's drum and bass sound and 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 all their own. Internet Friends is just the beginning but move into Rage Valley and the new Haunted House EP and you'll truly discover the talent these individuals possess
Coming of the hyper massive project "Pendulum," Rob Swire and Gareth McGrillen became household names after following the brostep trend created by Skrillex, and after their release "Bonfire." Definitely a duo for the books.
Knife Party knows exactly what they're doing, and what they are doing is great. "Centipede" is a staple of brutal electronic music, and the reggae beats of songs like "Bonfire" and "Give it up" are surprisingly nice combinations with electronic music. Knife Party, in my opinion, has not reached its peak, and has a long way to go.
Yes sir. KP, while certainly not the most talented group, or even the best technically, is still a force of nature in the dubstep and electro scene. Rage Valley and Trigger Warning are instant classics, and even some of their lesser releases have their moments.
The Newcomers
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. Screw all these DJ's and hip groups in the top ten. Without this woman's artistic genius back in the 90's, the DJ's of today would still be doing underground gigs and living paycheck to paycheck. "Post" and "Homogenic" along with Madonna's "Ray of Light" made the DJ's and aspiring electronic musicians of today popular. She should at least be top five. And where is Brian Eno?
The best female vocalist I've ever herd. Screw all the female pop stars that gets so much publicity, Bjork's music is a work of orchestra & as well a piece of art. Anyone who says other does not know art in music whatsoever.
One album: Homogenic. An album that combines real life strings with icy beats and electronics to make a tundra of emotion. It's THE best electronic album ever and possibly one of the best albums ever PERIOD.
She is the best and really unclassifiable. Incredible blend of human emotion and machine music.
He inspired so many fantastic artist and is a master at blending genres. Probably the most talented guy in the game, pathetic to see him this low
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 niece. 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.
I don't know why but I love his songs. I like how not all of his songs are mindless dance songs, but some actually have passion (not saying every dance song doesn't has passion) but he brings a really good mix of music to the table.
His different style really stands out among other artists, and the way he has brought singers in to feature in his songs is amazing. Definitely a great buy if you are beginning to enjoy house music.
85? This isn't happening! Why is Orbital so low? They are incredible! They are so much better than those main stream artists. If you rant 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 them. I would recommend In Sides for a beginner. I loved that one instantly.
For the last ten years my ears have been pushed more and more outwards by the smile on my face caused by the Hartnoll brothers (Orbital).
Their music has such variety, and live they are just simply the best.
From hard and fast, to soft and mellow, even a recent touch of dub step. Everything Orbital does, is up to the highest in production standards.
If you have never heard of them, I emplore you to listen to a couple of tracks. I suggest:
One perfect sunrise (Beautiful)
The Box (One of my favorites, listen to both parts)
Nothing left (Listen to both parts for a journey)
Chime (The most well known track, amazing)
Halcyon (YOU MUST LISTEN TO THIS)
Never (Another beautiful track)
Where is it going? (Last track off the latest album, and I think the best)
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.
The best British electronic band ever!
Why in the world is Orbital #73? They should be in the top 10 for sure; I've never quite heard an electronic duo quite like Orbital.
Absolutely incredible. Every one of their songs is an adventure. My personal favorite tracks of their 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, and 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 bad part about them is that there still isn't enough of their music.
Amazing! Love every song by these guys. Their new album Love Death Immortality is just mind blowing. Not to mention that even some of their older songs are just as amazing, like fortune days and we can make the world stop. Greatest of them all, this band.
They are by far the best artist on this list, their music is perfect. They don't only do one type of song like most others do, and they are all the best.
I used to get stoned and listen to their "Drink The Sea" album every night after school. The mob sent me into outer space many a time!
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.
10+ albums, first album produced in 1993. Amazing dark ambience and true creative electronic sounds, not some pop DJ. Ya'll is trifling.
They've done everything electronic, just not in the most straightforward ways. Must listen.
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. He was the one who got me into electronica and still remains a favorite. I grew up listening to his music and albums like Play and 18 have ingrained themselves into my life like no other albums.
Moby is my favourite electronic artist. I like a lot of music in many genres, and Moby is my favourite.
Moby has highly underrated rapid electronic beats, contrasting with breathtaking ambient pieces, and has powerful and excellent vocals, and hires the guest vocalists from the very top of the list. And what better artist to see live!
His songs have catchy beats like in "Go! ", ambient beats like in "Sunspot" that take you to another world, meaningful lyrics like in "We Are All Made Of Stars" and thought provoking music videos like "In This World".
Moby never let's me down with his music. I love ALL of his albums, each one is a masterpiece, from "Play" and "18" to "Innocents" and "Everything Is Wrong".
Moby has committed a lot to his music to make it unique and excellent. I would say, with all honesty, that Moby put more into his music than the Beatles. And if you automatically vote that down, then fine, be nonsensical, you clearly don't appreciate Moby's all-round ...more
I simply cannot believe that Moby only got 0.8% of the vote!
Seriously, Moby is so underrated; things like Daft Punk are simply obsolete when you look in Moby's direction.
Where would we be without "South Side", "In This World", "Extreme Ways", "Raining Again", "Sunspot", "We Are All Made Of Stars" and several other wonders of musical genius! His upbeat electronic rock and his laid back ambient are both unbeatable!
Listen to Moby as much as you can, get the albums "Play", "18", "Hotel" and "Destroyed"; and your ears will love you for all eternity!
I grew up with Moby, and all of my life, I have been trying ever since to find a music artist that is like him. So far, I can firmly say that there's no music artist quite like Moby. He is definitely my all-time favourite music artist EVER! I'm still looking for a music artist quite like Moby, and will probably not find someone quite so awesome! He is the most unique music artist I know, and definitely the best!
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 it 110%
It's just a great name!
The test and the private psychedelic is the best song I've ever heard in my life! The chemical brothers are always making psychedelic masterpieces much greater than that of daft punk or deadmau5.
"The holy trinity" of Exit Planet Dust, Dig Your Own Hole and Surrender are without a doubt the greatest electronic albums of the past 30 years. Should be top 3 definitely, past skrillex!
Should easily surpass Skrillex, the live performance is electrifying, but the experience such as visual effects is out of this world. How is The Chemical Brothers not top 5?
One of the most interesting acts known to mankind. Handling perfectly both harder and melodic compositions. The true masterminds of electronica.
Nero are an English electronic music trio, specialising in dark vocal dubstep, electro, drum & bass and drumstep, consisting of Daniel Stephens, Joseph Ray and Alana Stephens (née Watson). They are well known for creating a wide variety of styles of dubstep and drum and bass, combining deep vocals ...read more. One of the, if not the best artist I've ever heard. The style, the class, the rhythm, the beat. It all adds up to make an extraordinary experience.
Their music is a step above every other EDM artist. Welcome Reality had a massive influence on electronic music, and their new album is awesome too. They are always doing something new!
When your rank in the top 10 of top electro bands with only ONE album... nero is the best electro band, when talent is there...talent is there.
Nero is the best! I love doomsday they should totally be at the top of this list!
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, 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 t 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 still is and the only band to use old synths in most of their albums. The synth programming alone is hard its self. But songs such as "Enjoy The Silence", "Walking In My Shoes", "Barrel Of A Gun" & "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
Shame on yourselves for not having Depeche Mode higher. If you don't know your music history, you aren't qualified to vote. Forget history, they are still relevant TODAY - more than 30 years later!
Wow this list I messed up... Daft punk number 1 wow that's is hard to believe they real have done nothing for music kinda like deadmau5 to put these bands before depeche mode this list is a joke!
The Best English electronic band from the nineties... Period!
Where are Plaid?!?!?! Best electronic musicians of the last 10 years! Come on guys...
Some really unique awesome electronic content.
Plaid are great musicians, should be in top five!
Lindsey Stirling is an American violinist, dancer, performance artist, and composer. She presents choreographed violin performances, both live and in music videos found on her eponymous YouTube channel, which she created in 2007. Lindsey managed to combine electronic/dubstep and classical violin to create something extraordinary. I'd never thought that two styles from opposite sides of the spectrum could coexist so well. Her original songs such as Roundtable Rival, Shatter Me, and more completely blew me out of the water. I commend her for her creativity and hard work.
She is one of my favorite female music artist. Her musical style is amazing and she should have more appreciation. Her best song is Mirror Haus (very underrated if you ask me).
Just talented. Meshes two genres who have no place in the same room, seamlessly.
She's got mad skill