Top 10 Best EDM DJs
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... read more The king of pop melodies - what else can I say? I consider him more of a musician/producer than a DJ because his talent lay in making music in the studio. He was never a performance artist or a poser like so many other mainstream DJs dominating the festivals today. It was being pushed out of his natural habitat, the studio, to perform for crowds that contributed to his health issues.
From a critical listener's perspective, his mixes are so full-bodied. He employs minimalist techniques, layering new lead melodies to keep things interesting. From a lyrical standpoint, without delving into the obvious success of his second album, Stories, his earlier songs like "Seek Bromance" have differentiated verses that take you on a musical journey. Some of his EPs can be as long as 8 minutes, and not once have they bored me!
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 is the #1 DJ of all time. Why? Strobe has an amazing drop, Ghosts 'n' Stuff is an EDM classic originally released in 2004 as Old Hotels, then in 2008 as an instrumental, then in 2009 with vocals from Rob Swire of Pendulum. Animal Rights sounds cool and robotic. He started before Daft Punk, David Guetta, or Tiesto. He started in 1995, Tiesto in 2000, Daft Punk in 1997, and David Guetta in 2009. He is the start of EDM for me.
Deadmau5, the pinnacle of electronic music. His music is amazing. He's got so many songs that there's got to be at least one you like. Ghosts 'n' Stuff, I Remember, Aural Psynapse, and of course, Strobe, are just a few of his greatest works. What really makes Deadmau5 stand out from other electronic artists is his ability to hold a melody for over 10 minutes without it becoming boring. The mediocre artists on Monstercat can't do it for five minutes, but Deadmau5's longest song is a baffling thirteen minutes long, and it's interesting the entire way through. Hail the Mau5!
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 He is the poster boy for dubstep. Ask anyone who the first person is that comes to mind when they hear the word dubstep. Ninety percent of the time, someone will answer Skrillex.
Plus, Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites has become a classic in the EDM genre. He's left a big impact on electronic music history.
What? Why is he not at the top? He has the hardest dubstep drops, like a million Grammy nominations, and is just an incredible musician overall.
He is the King of Dubstep. Hear his music, and you will find out that you are listening to the sickest beats in the world!
Adam Richard Wiles, known professionally as Calvin Harris, is a Scottish DJ, record producer, singer, songwriter and remixer. He is known for his hit singles like Summer, This Is What You Came For and How Deep Is Love. I've always really liked Calvin. The problem he now faces is that a lot of his songs have become more mainstream (not sure whether by accident or very deliberately). I'm guessing he may slip down this list soon. Whether it's his 2008 music or 2017 music, I still love it. He's done many collaborations but still some solos, and they are always mixed well. Whether he's popular or not, I'm still going to be a fan.
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. Before everyone goes into a tirade about Zedd having songs played on pop radio, remember that he DOES have other music (e.g., Dovregubben, Epos, Scorpion Move). And he isn't just a DJ. He plays other instruments and has been trained in classical music. He uses that to make his absolutely amazing songs.
No one outranks Zedd. Not only is he an instrumental genius, but he also knows how to find the correct vocals to go with the instrumentals. Take Break Free (ft. Ariana Grande) or I Want You To Know (ft. Selena Gomez) or even Stay (ft. Alessia Cara). He is the total package of an EDM artist.
Martijn Gerard Garritsen, known professionally Martin Garrix, is a Dutch DJ, record producer and musician. The youngest DJ ever nominated for the number one spot in the top 100 DJs at AMF Amsterdam. His signature songs, like Tremor, Animals, In the Name of Love, and Forbidden Voices, are iconic. He should be around the top three on this list.
When I realized he released Animals at 17, I was shocked. That much talent? Not many 17-year-olds can say they've been that successful at that age. Now 20, and he's released so many great tunes.
Why shouldn't he be number one? I mean, to me, he is. This is a big name in the industry, yet he is really young. I am a huge fan!
Daft Punk was a French electronic music duo consisting of producers Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo and Thomas Bangalter. Not only are they the original DJs, but the quality of their music tops any other. Even their remixes of themselves are better than anyone else's! Just listen to Discovery, and you'll see that any song with auto-tune past 2001 (all of them) sounds like a cheap, dull, repetitive knock-off. Daft Punk made auto-tune and synth pop what they are today. Without them, there would be no dubstep, no booming techno bass, no masked DJs, and more. They made techno popular today, and without Daft Punk, 99% of these DJs would be lost, no lie. They were pioneers, and they are still the best. Unlike other artists who rise in popularity and then disappear (Kanye, Black Eyed Peas, Gorillaz, etc.), Daft Punk has maintained ultra-popularity for almost 30 years! They are unprecedented. They are EDM incarnate.
Kyrre Gørvell-Dahll, commonly known by his stage name Kygo, is a Norwegian DJ, songwriter, record producer and musician. God of tropical house and chill vibes music. My favorite EDM artist, haha.
Robbert van de Corput, who performs under the stage name Hardwell, is a Dutch big room house and electro house DJ and music producer. Hardwell was the DJ who made me fall in love with EDM. Even though I had heard other songs before, he was the one who made me watch live sets. His Ultra Miami Music Festival 2013 set is still my favorite DJ set of all time. It made me see how EDM can connect people from different cultures and bring many nations together. To boot, his songs are amazing. Even though I prefer the 2012, 2013, and 2014 Hardwell, I will always have a soft spot for him and will always love his work. In 2017 and 2019, his songs started to regain his style, and I just hope that in 2020 he makes a comeback.
Alan Olav Walker (born 24 August 1997) is a Norwegian DJ and record producer. His songs "Faded," "Sing Me to Sleep," "Alone," "All Falls Down" (with Noah Cyrus and Digital Farm Animals), and "Darkside" (with Au/Ra and Tomine Harket) have each been multi-platinum certified and reached number one on the... read more Alan Walker is a young man who has found brilliant success in the EDM industry. He started making music when he was only fifteen, and he released Faded, his mega-hit, when he was 19. Nineteen, I tell you! He's 24 now, and he just released another banger called Alone, Pt. 2. Other successful songs he has released are Force, The Spectre, Darkside, and Sing Me To Sleep.
Alan Walker has come a long way. He has so many great songs, including his big hit Faded. Alan deserves the fame he has and more. All his songs are great and have a meaning we need to understand. Alan is great and a very huge inspiration to me and probably to other people.
The Newcomers
Most of her live sets are amazing, and her music is just chef's kiss.
She's the reason why I listen to midtempo.
Honestly, he needs to rank higher. He's creative as hell, a kind-hearted person, and his music is amazing!
His sets are incredible as well. 10/10 would recommend if you want to get someone into EDM.
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". He is one of the legends of DJing. However, today's generation may prefer artists such as Skrillex or David Guetta. If they were to discover the beauty of EDM with its pleasing tones overlapping one after the other, their opinions might change. Many people today like artists who produce only loud noises, but their songs might only be pleasing in a club or at a party. However, if you want to peacefully sleep, artists such as Tiesto, Armin, Above & Beyond, Deadmau5, and PVD are the best choices. Listen to "Adagio for Strings" by Tiesto (7:23), and you may experience one of the greatest hallucinations of your life.
Needs to be much higher. Not only is he great at producing hard-hitting, heavy dance music such as Say My Name and the Spitfire EP, but he also made more melodic tracks such as Language, Shelter, and Easy. He also made Worlds, one of my all-time favorite albums, full of beautiful melodies and emotions. The new Virtual Self EP is also great, and I'm interested to see where this new project goes. He is simply the best.
Easily the best. To see his Worlds tour live was like being put in a dream where I was on a quest. Emotional and euphoric.
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. Why the heck is Guetta 10? He should definitely be in the top three, in my opinion. Listen to Alphabeat and you'll know.
Guetta is the name! He mixes a song better than anybody!
This guy rivals Calvin Harris and even Avicii. He should be ranked higher.
Christopher Comstock, known professionally as Marshmello, is an American electronic music producer and DJ. Marshmello is a great producer with a unique sound. He combines future bass and trap music to create his music. Sure, he has a few mainstream songs that aren't the best ("Friends," we're looking at you), but he still has many good songs like "Alone" and "Shockwave." Definitely a DJ not to be overlooked. He's probably the best "new" EDM artist right now.
Marshmello is the most popular EDM artist of all time. He deserves to be in the top five. His songs are amazing, and I just love them! #Mellogang Yay!
Mello brings something unique to the table with his brand of future bass and trap. Do not overlook this guy.
The Chainsmokers are an American DJ and production duo consisting of Alex Pall and Andrew Taggart. The EDM-pop duo achieved a breakthrough with their 2014 song "#Selfie", which was a top twenty single in several countries. I actually really like their music. Before Closer got really popular, I listened to Roses, Don't Let Me Down, etc., and I really fell in love with their music. They make really good tracks, and their beat is so good.
Sure, their attitude isn't the best, but their music is amazing. Zedd and Avicii are good, but The Chainsmokers' music is the best.
They deserve much more than 12. Have you not heard "Don't Let Me Down"?
Swedish House Mafia is a Swedish house music supergroup consisting of Axwell, Steve Angello and Sebastian Ingrosso. Greyhound, Don't You Worry Child, Save the World, Antidote, Miami 2 Ibiza, and many more. Other DJs are also great, though.
They're awesome! They deserve to be on top of the list. Their songs have so much life in them!
Don't You Worry Child! The best song ever.
Armin van Buuren is a Dutch remixer, music producer, DJ, musician, pianist and songwriter from South Holland.
Illenium has distinguished himself from the myriad of others through his unrivaled ability to create an immersive emotional experience of highs and lows that pulls on the heartstrings and leaves the listener awestruck. He displays an adeptness for creating aural arrangements that vary in style, yet always maintain beauty, complexity, and emotional depth.
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 As this trio has evolved, the power still lives within. Congratulations to NERO, as they still hold up. Not many can do what they did.
Have you heard "Doomsday" by Nero? It'll completely change your impression of him, for the better.
OK, Madeon should honestly be at least in the top 20. People have compared him to Skrillex, Deadmau5, Zedd, and a few more familiar artists.
The Adventure album. Enough said.