Another Top 10 Superstar EDM Producers and DJs of All Time
Being a good DJ takes more than just pressing play. Join http://www.WatchMojo.com as we count down our picks for Another Top 10 Superstar DJs and Producers of All Time. For this list, we're excluding anyone who was on our previous list of Top 10 Superstar EDM Producers and DJs. To broaden the scope, we've decided to include duos, trios and groups this time around.
Special thanks to our users Luis Bolaños, mattwatchmojo, DGstar offial and davidarad02 for submitting the idea on our Suggestions Page at WatchMojo.comsuggest.
#10: Markus Schulz
This German DJ has been influential on the trance music scene since 1990. While he’s best known for his weekly radio show, Global DJ Broadcast, it definitely doesn’t stop there. The unicorn slayer, as his fans call him, has released six mix compilations and four albums under his name – and that’s not even counting his numerous remixes and collaborations with the likes of Madonna, Jewel, Fatboy Slim, and Depeche Mode. Active for over two decades now and still performing regularly, Schulz is a fixture in the EDM scene.
#9: Hardwell
Staying in Europe for our next entry, Robbert van de Corput, better known as Hardwell, began his career in his native Netherlands in 2005. A slow burner career-wise, he didn’t find mass recognition until his 2009 bootleg “Show Me Love vs. Be”. Since then, his electro house star has risen high and quickly, with his headlining sets and major festivals Tomorrowland and Ultra Music Festival garnering over 100 million views. In 2011, Hardwell entered DJ Magazines Top 100 poll at #24, but was awarded the #1 spot in 2013 and 2014.
#8: Swedish House Mafia
The name says it all, except for the mafia part. An electro-house super-group consisting of DJs Axwell, Steve Angello, and Sebastian Ingrosso, their short 5 years together saw them transition from playing bars in Stockholm in 2008, to headlining Ultra Music Festival in their final show together in 2013. Their whirlwind career saw them become the faces of modern house music, and their successes have continued as solo artists to this day.
#7: Skrillex
From post-hardcore to dubstep, Sonny Moore aka Skrillex, has been around the block. Initially on the scene as vocalist for From First to Last, he began performing as Skrillex in late 2008. Though other DJs like Rusko and Datsik are seen as the pioneers of dubstep, Skrillex is credited with bringing it into the mainstream. Having collaborated with everyone from The Doors to Damien Marley and producing an album for Korn, Skrillex’s spot is as deserved on this list as his three Grammy Award triumphs.
#6: Diplo
Taking his name from his favourite dinosaur, Diplodocus, Diplo has been active in the EDM world for over a decade, and has become one of the most sought after producers. The former Philadelphia school teacher has shown he’s business savvy as well, spearheading the record label Mad Decent on top of his Jamaican dancehall project Major Lazer. Collaborating with artists such as Beyoncé, Justin Bieber, Snoop Lion and more, we’d be amazed if you haven’t heard a Diplo track. Paper Planes by MIA? Yep, that was him.
#5: Calvin Harris
If you haven’t heard this man’s name over the last few years, we might question whether or not you live under a rock. Hailing from Scotland, Harris found success in the United States after his club hits “We Found Love”, “Bounce”, and “Feel So Close” dominated the airwaves in 2012. Thanks in part to another superhit, “Summer”, he has broken the record for most top 10 hits on the UK charts, surpassing the King of Pop, Michael Jackson. There’s no wonder why he was the top paid DJ in 2012 and 2013.
#4: Deadmau5
Joel Zimmerman, or Deadmau5, has been the introduction to electronic music for many millennials. If you’ve never heard his tracks, we’re sure you’ve seen his trademark ‘Mau5’ helmet that he wears during performances. He adopted his name as a teen when his computer overheated, and upon opening it, revealed a dead mouse tangled amongst the wires. When he isn’t producing progressive house music, you’ll probably find him running his label Mau5trap. That or taking his celebrity friends for coffee runs on YouTube.
#3: Avicii
Another Swedish producer to make our list, Avicii is known for all plenty of earworm-y electronic hits. Among them is the Grammy nominated ‘Levels’ and the 2014 chart topper ‘Wake Me Up’. He must be doing something right, as he has experimented with non-traditional EDM sampling of soft rock and bluegrass music while still finding success. Sticking to his unpredictable musical style by collaborating with Chinese singer Wang Leehom, Armenian metal vocalist Serj Tankian and more, the question is: What’s next?
#2: Kraftwerk
Definitely the oldest group on our list, Kraftwerk was founded in 1970 by German duo Ralf Hutter and Florian Schneider. While their style has developed over the years, Kraftwerk still classifies themselves in the Krautrock genre, fusing traditional electronic elements with experimental rock. 10 albums and 25 singles later, and Kraftwerk is still performing to this day with fully 3 dimensional concert experiences! It’s no wonder why Kraftwerk as nominated as 2015 inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
- Steve Aoki
- Zedd
- A-Trak
- Afrojack
- RL Grime
- Flux Pavillion
#1: Daft Punk
A French duo that has a habit of turning everything they touch into gold, Daft Punk is EDM success personified. Most active in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Daft Punk is responsible for many of our favourite dance hits such as ‘One More Time’, ‘Around The World’ and ‘Harder Better Faster Stronger’. After two brief hiatuses, our favorite robots were back with 2013’s Random Access Memories, which won them 5 Grammy awards. Any EDM artist looking to surpass them would have to get very, very lucky.
Do you agree with our list? Who is your favorite EDM producer or DJ? For more body groovin’ top 10s published every day, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.