David Guetta lands the number one spot on Top 100 DJs List. Contributed Photo
Every year, at the end of August, throughout the social media spectrum, thousands of DJs request of their fans to do only one thing: “Vote for me, get me into the Top 100.”
Since its inception, the DJ Mag Top 100 has been the reference from which top promoters and clubs choose which DJ will be a part of their lineups.
But what separates DJ Mag’s list from the rest of those Top 100 charts?
It’s simple; the DJ Mag Top 100 is a public vote. Voters enter the DJ Mag website (they don’t have to be subscribers) and write their list of who they thought were the top five DJs of the year.
Their number one pick receives five points, their second pick four points, and so on.
The results are then tabulated, and the winner is revealed at the DJ Mag Top 100 DJs party in mid-October.
Last Thursday marked the first time the event happened outside of England, as
this year’s event took place at the Amsterdam Dance Event in Holland.
The results of this year’s votes clearly demonstrate a shift in popularity. The Top 10 is evenly split between the DJs who play “Trance/Progressive” and those who play “House.”
The results were somewhat predictable (along with this year’s winner) because clearly House is on the rise, especially in the American market.
The level of popularity that House has achieved in America these last two years is such that you have probably heard of the top three winners (even though you might mispronounce their names):
Contributed Photo
5. ABOVE & BEYOND (Trance/Progressive): Probably the greatest Trance group of all time, Paavo Siljamäki, Jono Grant and Tony McGuinness have secured a spot in the Top Five yet again.
It’s easy to understand why with tracks such as “Alone Tonight,” “Sun & Moon” and “Can’t Sleep.” They’ve recently released their third album, which is “Group Therapy.”
“Alone Tonight” by Above & Beyond
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JU2HjLR-ts]
4. DEADMAU5 (House): For a second year now, producer Joel Zimmerman has reached the Top Five without ever playing a single record.
Yes, that’s right; Deadmau5 is not a DJ in the traditional sense.
He has never played music from a turntable or a CDJ during his live performances. Such is the popularity of “the mau5” that he didn’t even campaign this year and he still kept his spot.
If you haven’t heard “Faxing Berlin,” “Ghosts N Stuff” or “SOFI Needs a Ladder,” you’ve been living under a rock for the past three years.
“Ghosts N Stuff” by Deadmau5
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7ArUgxtlJs&ob=av3e]
3. TIËSTO (Trance/Progressive): Tijs Verwest has been able to stay on top for so long because he constantly revamps his sound.
This year he changed things up by moving into the middle ground that is “Progressive House.”
His first releases on his new label Musical Freedom, his collaborations with Diplo (“C’Mon”) and Hardwell (“Zero 76”), and the start of a new mix series with “Club Life Vol. 1: Las Vegas” have kept him in the Top 3 for one more year. His latest track is “Maximal Crazy.”
“Maximal Crazy” by TIËSTO
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AxI4rxCf2E]
2. ARMIN VAN BUUREN (Trance/Progressive): The 2007-10 winner (four times, more than any DJ in history) has kept the “Trance/Progressive” genre alive for another year with the release of his fourth album “Mirage”, as well as with his massive “Armin Only” sets.
“A State of Trance” is still the most listened electronic dance music (EDM) show in the world, attracting an average of 15 million listeners worldwide every single week. His latest track is “Stellar” under his moniker: Gaia.
“Stellar” by Armin van Buuren
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJesce6OXo0&ob=av2e]
1. DAVID GUETTA (House): Producing for Madonna, the Black Eyed Peas and Flo-Rida; collaborating with Akon, Kid Cudi, Kelly Rowland, LMFAO, Nicki Minaj, Jennifer Hudson, Pitbull and Timbaland, David Guetta is responsible for the new wave that has now saturated the American pop market.
His latest album, “Nothing But The Beat” has broken new ground. The first disc is pop, while the second disc is pure House and has attracted new listeners to the genre.
David Guetta has brought House into the mainstream, and after years of jumping in and out of the Top 10, he has deservedly taken the elusive top spot.
The rest of the Top 10:
10. Swedish House Mafia (House)
9. Markus Schulz (T/P)
8. Dash Berlin (T/P)
7. Afrojack (House)
6. Avicii (House)
For the full list
go to DJMAG.COM/TOP100.
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