Table of Contents
Grown from the small underground rave scenes into global cultural phenomena, EDM has bred some of the most iconic DJs and producers in the music industry of today. Each of them not only produced unforgettable tracks but also revolutionized the production or performance of electronic music in their own unique ways. Here are some of the best EDM DJs in the world: from those who have contributed to the development of electronic music to the current sensations of the charts and festivals.
1. Tiësto: Godfather of EDM
Tiësto is often considered the “Godfather of EDM.” He is among the most influential figures in electronic music. Born in the Netherlands, Tijs Michiel Verwest started his career in the 1990s, orienting himself to trance. The album In My Memory (2001) served as a real breakthrough and featured hits like “Lethal Industry” and “Suburban Knights.”
It is actually from the ease with which he moved through the trends in music that one could trace the origin of Tiësto’s longevity-from trance to progressive house and big room sounds; the latest works, such as “The Business,” showcase mastery of mainstream appeal. Already a world icon, he was the first DJ to perform at an Olympic Games eleven years ago, in Athens in 2004.
2. Armin van Buuren: The Trance Maestro
One other Dutch legend who has been synonymous with trance music for many years is Armin van Buuren. His radio show A State of Trance (ASOT) has been a cornerstone for the genre’s fans, drawing in millions of listeners around the world every week. Tracks such as “This Is What It Feels Like” and “Communication” have become anthems within the EDM community.
Armin Van Buuren is a monumental live show, joining emotional melodies and electric energy. Five times topping DJ Mag’s Top 100, the name of this legendary DJ says it all when it comes to unparalleled talent and influence.
3. Daft Punk: The Robots That Revolutionized Music
Though being much better described as producers, rather than touring DJs, the impact and influence of Daft Punk on EDM cannot be quantified. Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo found their identities as the French electro duo with albums such as Homework (1997), Discovery (2001), and Random Access Memories (2013).
The tracks “One More Time,” “Around the World,” and “Get Lucky” were all innovative masterpieces of house, funk, and pop. Their persona of robots will be remembered for a lifetime, and their live performance, especially Alive 2007, set a gold standard that very few EDM acts around the world can manage.
4. David Guetta: A Bridge for EDM and Pop
David Guetta made the genre mainstream, producing collaborations with some of the biggest pop names, including Rihanna, Sia, and Usher. Songs like “When Love Takes Over,” “Titanium,” and “Sexy Chick” reached worldwide attention and placed Guetta in the mainstream.
Guetta’s ability to make chart-topping hits while remaining true to his DJing roots has made him a link between underground EDM and more mainstream electronic music. Most importantly, his reinvention as the alias Jack Back was versatile and a real show of commitment to self-change.
5. Calvin Harris: The King of Crossover Hits
Scottish DJ and producer Calvin Harris is one of the most consistent providers of crossover hits in EDM history. He has used dance music combined with pop to his advantage, having previously worked with Dua Lipa, Sam Smith, and Florence Welch.
From “Summer” to “Feel So Close” to “We Found Love” featuring Rihanna, he has shown his great ability in crafting infectious melodies combined with dancefloor-friendly beats. In 2012, he released the album 18 Months, which broke records by spawning nine UK Top 10 singles and sealed his status in EDM history.
6. Swedish House Mafia: Progressive House Legends
Swedish House Mafia, the supergroup made up of Axwell, Steve Angello, and Sebastian Ingrosso, became synonymous with an anthemic progressive house in the 2010s. There are few more timeless festival anthems than “Don’t You Worry Child,” “Save the World,” and “Greyhound.”
Even after their breakup in 2013, their reunion in 2018 brought back the fire from their fans. Besides the music, they led a charge of producers toward huge, emotive sounds.
7. Skrillex: The Dubstep Pioneer
Indeed, most consider Skrillex as a catalyst for blowing dubstep up in America; sonically speaking, Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites EP of 2010, his introduction to the world, was all with heavy bass drops and frenetic sound design. Then there’s those instant classics “Bangarang” and “First of the Year (Equinox)” when Skrillex was just getting warm.
He is yet another producer who has a keen sense of production, and incursion into genres like trap, and pop amongst others; Skrillex has collaborated with artists like Justin Bieber and Diplo. Undeniably, he is one of the leading influences within the modern electronic scene, winner of multiple Grammy Awards.
8. Deadmau5: The Iconic Mau5head
Joel Zimmerman, more commonly known as Deadmau5, is a Canadian producer who accompanies his intricate productions with an oversized persona. On tracks such as “Strobe”, “Ghosts ‘n’ Stuff”, and “The Veldt”, one can take note that he is great with progressive house, which features his hypnotic melodic soundscapes.
Never in the world will one walk away from a Deadmau5 show. The cutting-edge stages at every show, each boasting his iconic Mau5head, have polarized him as one of the liked personalities within EDM due to the frankness in his personality and dedication toward artistic integrity.
9. Avicii: The Melodic Genius
The late Avicii was an internationally known Swedish DJ and music producer born Tim Bergling, thanks to his melodic and emotive productions that took the revolutionary front in EDM. His 2011 single “Levels” is considered the track that brought EDM to the world market. Other iconic tracks like “Wake Me Up” and “Hey Brother” show his capability of mixing electronic music with the influence of folk and country.
The tragic death of Avicii in 2018 was a blow to the music industry, but his legacy lives on through his timeless music and his influence on the genre.
10. Carl Cox: The King of Techno
Carl Cox is a living legend in techno and house music. Over the years, during his four-decade-long career, he managed to turn himself into an integral part of the global dance music scene. With his famous marathon DJ sets and infectious energy, he headlines the biggest festivals in the world.
This is what really has made him a legend, apart from the tracks such as “I Want You “, that will eternally stay in their fans’ hearts. Literally, he’s the only figure with much respect from the underground movement, thus making Cox an instant innovator.
11. Martin Garrix: The Young Prodigy
Martin Garrix burst onto the scene in 2013 with his song “Animals,” a behemoth of a tune in the EDM world. By then, well, not a kid, Garrix practically leaped right into headliner status at major festivals from Tomorrowland to Ultra Music Festival.
For instance, “Scared to Be Lonely” and “There for You” showed how he balanced being mainstream and an electronic artist. He is very young, full of youthful energy, and with all that passion poured into what he does, his future certainly looks bright ahead in these forthcoming years.
Conclusion
The best EDM DJs of all time have built influence in the genre through innovation, creativity, and love for the craft. As EDM continues to evolve, these legends stand in testimony to this genre’s capability of inspiring, uniting, and moving millions worldwide.