#1 HARDWELL
Style: Energetic, big room — between progressive and electro, although I always like to call it ‘Hardwell music’.
Best known for: “My productions and DJ sets.”
Tune of the year: “Dyro ‘Leprechauns & Unicorns’ on my label Revealed. I’ve played it every set for the last eight months.”
Have DJs' fees got out of hand?: “No. People always say ‘DJs are the new pop stars’, but when Rihanna, Jay-Z or Lady Gaga is selling out an arena and get a ridiculous amount of money, everyone is handling that ok. If a DJ like Tiësto or Calvin Harris does it, everybody is like, ‘Wow, can they take that amount of money?’ But they are doing the same thing.”
Has dance music become the new pop?: “Dance music is still the same thing — the mainstream is just playing it more. Pop is just the word for popular, and dance music is really popular now.”
If you could be any animal, what would you be?: “A penguin, I love penguins. If you go to a zoo and see a penguin, it acts super-funny.”
Should DJs do "heart hands": “Yeah, why not? Every DJ is doing it, otherwise how do you show your love for the crowd?”
Do DJs have a duty to speak out about drugs?: “I don’t think it’s our job to do that, to be honest. Dance music shouldn’t be related with drugs, y’know?”
What would be on your fantasy rider?: “A crowd that will never lose its energy.”
Best known for: “My productions and DJ sets.”
Tune of the year: “Dyro ‘Leprechauns & Unicorns’ on my label Revealed. I’ve played it every set for the last eight months.”
Have DJs' fees got out of hand?: “No. People always say ‘DJs are the new pop stars’, but when Rihanna, Jay-Z or Lady Gaga is selling out an arena and get a ridiculous amount of money, everyone is handling that ok. If a DJ like Tiësto or Calvin Harris does it, everybody is like, ‘Wow, can they take that amount of money?’ But they are doing the same thing.”
Has dance music become the new pop?: “Dance music is still the same thing — the mainstream is just playing it more. Pop is just the word for popular, and dance music is really popular now.”
If you could be any animal, what would you be?: “A penguin, I love penguins. If you go to a zoo and see a penguin, it acts super-funny.”
Should DJs do "heart hands": “Yeah, why not? Every DJ is doing it, otherwise how do you show your love for the crowd?”
Do DJs have a duty to speak out about drugs?: “I don’t think it’s our job to do that, to be honest. Dance music shouldn’t be related with drugs, y’know?”
What would be on your fantasy rider?: “A crowd that will never lose its energy.”
#2ARMIN VAN BUUREN
Style: Trance and progressive.
Best known for: #ASOT
Tune of the year: Armin van Buuren feat Trevor Guthrie ‘This Is What It Feels Like’.
Have DJs' fees got out of hand?: “If the amounts that people usually hear are true then yes, but mostly it's incorrect. All kinds of costs that have to be deducted aren't taken into account — visuals, lights, sound, pyro, the agent, flights and sometimes hotels. If you take those into account, fees are much more reasonable. Having said this, most top 100 DJs have a very comfortable living.”
Has dance music become the new pop?: “There's a whole new generation of young people listening to EDM like my parents listened to the Beatles. Popularity has its good and bad sides. A lot of people consider EDM ‘theirs’ and don't want it to commercialise. I can understand that and I feel that too. But I also think all the attention for EDM gives room for new interesting things to happen and for new talent and sounds to be born.”
If you could be any animal, what would you be?: “A cat so I can catch up on sleep.”
Should DJs do "heart hands": "There's nothing wrong with showing love for a crowd but please, don't over do it.”
Do DJs have a duty to speak out about drugs?: “Yes, it's good to raise awareness, also warning people about damaging your ears for example. But people also have their own responsibility and we have to look after each other.”
What would be on your fantasy rider?: "A spaceship for all my fans so we could celebrate ASOT 1000 on the moon in 2020!”
Best known for: #ASOT
Tune of the year: Armin van Buuren feat Trevor Guthrie ‘This Is What It Feels Like’.
Have DJs' fees got out of hand?: “If the amounts that people usually hear are true then yes, but mostly it's incorrect. All kinds of costs that have to be deducted aren't taken into account — visuals, lights, sound, pyro, the agent, flights and sometimes hotels. If you take those into account, fees are much more reasonable. Having said this, most top 100 DJs have a very comfortable living.”
Has dance music become the new pop?: “There's a whole new generation of young people listening to EDM like my parents listened to the Beatles. Popularity has its good and bad sides. A lot of people consider EDM ‘theirs’ and don't want it to commercialise. I can understand that and I feel that too. But I also think all the attention for EDM gives room for new interesting things to happen and for new talent and sounds to be born.”
If you could be any animal, what would you be?: “A cat so I can catch up on sleep.”
Should DJs do "heart hands": "There's nothing wrong with showing love for a crowd but please, don't over do it.”
Do DJs have a duty to speak out about drugs?: “Yes, it's good to raise awareness, also warning people about damaging your ears for example. But people also have their own responsibility and we have to look after each other.”
What would be on your fantasy rider?: "A spaceship for all my fans so we could celebrate ASOT 1000 on the moon in 2020!”
#3AVICII
Style: EDM
Best known for: "Levels"
Tune of the year: "Wake Me Up"
Has dance music become the new pop?: "It’s definitely on top of its game right now, and I think we’ve broken a lot of barriers in understanding the wide range of musical genres that can be included in the songwriting and production. We have to make sure it keeps changing, or else people will get sick of it.”
Should DJs do "heart hands": “Why not?”
Do DJs have a duty to speak out about drugs?: “No, not more than any other type of artist or public figure has.”
What would be on your fantasy rider?: “Clouds.”
Best known for: "Levels"
Tune of the year: "Wake Me Up"
Has dance music become the new pop?: "It’s definitely on top of its game right now, and I think we’ve broken a lot of barriers in understanding the wide range of musical genres that can be included in the songwriting and production. We have to make sure it keeps changing, or else people will get sick of it.”
Should DJs do "heart hands": “Why not?”
Do DJs have a duty to speak out about drugs?: “No, not more than any other type of artist or public figure has.”
What would be on your fantasy rider?: “Clouds.”
#4TIESTO
Style: “Provocative.”
Best known for: “Continuing being a legend.”
Tune of the year: “Danny Avila 'Tronco'.”
Have DJs' fees got out of hand?: “I think you need to look at this question from a larger perspective. People make the same comments about athletes and actors with regards to salaries. It’s the business of entertainment and clubs are not paying a DJ and incurring enormous production fees unless they can see a return, or at least break even on the expenses.”
Has dance music become the new pop?: “I don’t know if you can call it the new pop because pop encompasses many different genres of music. Basically anything you hear on commercial radio and it’s broad. Certainly dance music has a major hand in the production of many of today’s pop hits and some breakthrough tracks as well; 'Clarity' being one of them.”
Do DJs have a duty to speak out about drugs?: “I know a lot of dance music fans really look up to DJs and certainly this topic — along with some other topics — do deserve a discussion. The educational process is continuous.”
What would be on your fantasy rider?: “Probably the best pizza in the world (I like to have pizza back stage before my shows) and some of my favourite hard-to-find drinks. This along with my best friends would be an amazing experience.”
Best known for: “Continuing being a legend.”
Tune of the year: “Danny Avila 'Tronco'.”
Have DJs' fees got out of hand?: “I think you need to look at this question from a larger perspective. People make the same comments about athletes and actors with regards to salaries. It’s the business of entertainment and clubs are not paying a DJ and incurring enormous production fees unless they can see a return, or at least break even on the expenses.”
Has dance music become the new pop?: “I don’t know if you can call it the new pop because pop encompasses many different genres of music. Basically anything you hear on commercial radio and it’s broad. Certainly dance music has a major hand in the production of many of today’s pop hits and some breakthrough tracks as well; 'Clarity' being one of them.”
Do DJs have a duty to speak out about drugs?: “I know a lot of dance music fans really look up to DJs and certainly this topic — along with some other topics — do deserve a discussion. The educational process is continuous.”
What would be on your fantasy rider?: “Probably the best pizza in the world (I like to have pizza back stage before my shows) and some of my favourite hard-to-find drinks. This along with my best friends would be an amazing experience.”
#5DAVID GUETTA
Style House
Best known for: “Being titanium. I’ve been a DJ for 30 years now — I’m solid enough to be still here after all this time.”
Tune of the year: “I’m very impressed by ‘Wake Me Up’ by Avicii. I know it’s not politically correct to say that, but in terms of the originality and personality of the production, I think it’s amazing.”
Have DJs' fees got out of hand?: “As long as the promoter is happy, the DJ is happy and the crowd don’t have to pay too much of an expensive ticket, then things are good. Everybody’s happy.”
Has dance music become the new pop?: “Obviously, yes, there’s no doubt about this, and I celebrate it because pop means popular. I’ve spent my life fighting for this music to crossover, to be recognized in the same way that hip-hop and rock was, and it’s finally happening. We’re the biggest musical movement on the planet right now.”
If you could be any animal, what would you be?: “I’d be that track called ‘Animals’ by Martin Garrix — a big EDM track. He’s a 17-year-old kid.”
Should DJs do "heart hands": “Actually, I started this! I have to say I do it a little less now, because it’s been done too much.”
Do DJs have a duty to speak out about drugs?: “I don’t think we’re here to preach to anyone, and I don’t think we’re here to promote drugs either. So I don’t really think so. I don’t think it’s the job of a magazine to promote drugs either, like a lot of music magazines are doing — DJ Mag has never done that. No, it’s true.”
What would be on your fantasy rider?: “I wish stage managers could be sexier sometimes. Sexy girls instead of fat guys with tattoos and beards.”
Best known for: “Being titanium. I’ve been a DJ for 30 years now — I’m solid enough to be still here after all this time.”
Tune of the year: “I’m very impressed by ‘Wake Me Up’ by Avicii. I know it’s not politically correct to say that, but in terms of the originality and personality of the production, I think it’s amazing.”
Have DJs' fees got out of hand?: “As long as the promoter is happy, the DJ is happy and the crowd don’t have to pay too much of an expensive ticket, then things are good. Everybody’s happy.”
Has dance music become the new pop?: “Obviously, yes, there’s no doubt about this, and I celebrate it because pop means popular. I’ve spent my life fighting for this music to crossover, to be recognized in the same way that hip-hop and rock was, and it’s finally happening. We’re the biggest musical movement on the planet right now.”
If you could be any animal, what would you be?: “I’d be that track called ‘Animals’ by Martin Garrix — a big EDM track. He’s a 17-year-old kid.”
Should DJs do "heart hands": “Actually, I started this! I have to say I do it a little less now, because it’s been done too much.”
Do DJs have a duty to speak out about drugs?: “I don’t think we’re here to preach to anyone, and I don’t think we’re here to promote drugs either. So I don’t really think so. I don’t think it’s the job of a magazine to promote drugs either, like a lot of music magazines are doing — DJ Mag has never done that. No, it’s true.”
What would be on your fantasy rider?: “I wish stage managers could be sexier sometimes. Sexy girls instead of fat guys with tattoos and beards.”
#6DIMITRI VEGAS & LIKE MIKE
Style: “Big room progressive electro.”
Best known for: “[Being] ambassadors of Tomorrowland.”
Tune of the year: "Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike 'Mammoth'.”
Have DJs' fees got out of hand?: “It’s pretty much the same in any industry to be honest — the more money that is generated on all levels, the more fees of everyone involved goes up and everyone takes a share.”
Has dance music become the new pop?: "Just because it’s now more widely played on daytime radio, TV, used in adverts, the audience has become exponentially larger and it gets played a lot more.”
If you could be any animal, what would you be?: "Would love to be a T-Rex — ain’t no messing around with a T-Rex!”
Should DJs do "heart hands": "We don’t have any issues with that and think everyone should just do whatever they like or feel is fitting for their act, we’re really not fans of judging what someone else does.”
Do DJs have a duty to speak out about drugs?: “It’s a very touchy subject — but it’s up to us to give a good example and we feel that drugs just aren’t needed to have a great party!”
What would be on your fantasy rider?: "A top chef cooking us whatever we want, on the spot, whenever we want!”
Best known for: “[Being] ambassadors of Tomorrowland.”
Tune of the year: "Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike 'Mammoth'.”
Have DJs' fees got out of hand?: “It’s pretty much the same in any industry to be honest — the more money that is generated on all levels, the more fees of everyone involved goes up and everyone takes a share.”
Has dance music become the new pop?: "Just because it’s now more widely played on daytime radio, TV, used in adverts, the audience has become exponentially larger and it gets played a lot more.”
If you could be any animal, what would you be?: "Would love to be a T-Rex — ain’t no messing around with a T-Rex!”
Should DJs do "heart hands": "We don’t have any issues with that and think everyone should just do whatever they like or feel is fitting for their act, we’re really not fans of judging what someone else does.”
Do DJs have a duty to speak out about drugs?: “It’s a very touchy subject — but it’s up to us to give a good example and we feel that drugs just aren’t needed to have a great party!”
What would be on your fantasy rider?: "A top chef cooking us whatever we want, on the spot, whenever we want!”
#7NICKY ROMERO
Style: “Energetic!”
Best known for: “Like Home' with Nervo.”
Tune of the year: “Avicii 'Wake Me Up'.”
Have DJs' fees got out of hand?: “That's easy. If you do the maths, and you see the venue and what the promoters charge, I think the fees are pretty normal. If they're worth it, why not? But the ticket price should be affordable for every single fan.”
Has dance music become the new pop?: “Dance music is part of pop music now. Dance music blends in everywhere now. It's a big part of the pop industry.”
If you could be any animal, what would you be?: “Two things. I'd love to be an eagle, to have the eagle's eye, fly over everything, see what's happening, and have that freedom. The other one would be a panda. So relaxing in the woods, eating on sticks. Just relaxing and being lazy.”
Should DJs do "heart hands": “It works for a particular crowd.”
Do DJs have a duty to speak out about drugs?: "If you do, it's your own responsibility. I'm not a fan but there's a part of my crowd that does. I worry about the health of people, so just make sure you know what you're doing.”
What would be on your fantasy rider?: “A Bugati Veyron. Maybe a combat helicopter. And my family. I don't think they'd fit in the Bugati, so maybe I'd ask for four of them.”
Best known for: “Like Home' with Nervo.”
Tune of the year: “Avicii 'Wake Me Up'.”
Have DJs' fees got out of hand?: “That's easy. If you do the maths, and you see the venue and what the promoters charge, I think the fees are pretty normal. If they're worth it, why not? But the ticket price should be affordable for every single fan.”
Has dance music become the new pop?: “Dance music is part of pop music now. Dance music blends in everywhere now. It's a big part of the pop industry.”
If you could be any animal, what would you be?: “Two things. I'd love to be an eagle, to have the eagle's eye, fly over everything, see what's happening, and have that freedom. The other one would be a panda. So relaxing in the woods, eating on sticks. Just relaxing and being lazy.”
Should DJs do "heart hands": “It works for a particular crowd.”
Do DJs have a duty to speak out about drugs?: "If you do, it's your own responsibility. I'm not a fan but there's a part of my crowd that does. I worry about the health of people, so just make sure you know what you're doing.”
What would be on your fantasy rider?: “A Bugati Veyron. Maybe a combat helicopter. And my family. I don't think they'd fit in the Bugati, so maybe I'd ask for four of them.”
#8STEVE AOKI
Style: “Electro.”
Best known for: “My live shows and one of my big songs of the year ‘Boneless’ (Steve Aoki with Chris Lake & Tujamo).”
Tune of the year: “Imagine Dragons ‘Radioactive’.”
Have DJs' fees got out of hand?: “The most important thing is that there’s not one promoter just taking all the money and then giving a small percentage to DJs. If the artist is driving the audience to the show, the artist should be making the majority right? It would be fucked if a promoter took the majority of the money.”
Has dance music become the new pop?: “I don’t think so because pop is always driven by a big vocal hook while you could say the majority of dance music is driven by the actual music and the beat. Of course there’s a very small minority of dance music that breaks into the radio. With pop it’s a necessity to break radio if you want to succeed, in dance you don’t need the radio at all.”
If you could be any animal, what would you be?: “I’d be a winged monkey. Because I love the idea of flying and they love having sex and eating.”
Should DJs do "heart hands": “I don’t give a fuck what you do. You want to do heart hands, do heart hands. If you’re having a fucking good time and you want to express yourself, you do it in your own way.”
Do DJs have a duty to speak out about drugs?: “I respect people that do because it’s not cool, in the general perspective of what cool is, to say, ‘Say no to drugs’. The thing is, there’s very little education on the misuse of drugs. You can’t stop these people if they’re going to do it but at least educate them.”
What would be on your fantasy rider?: I’d have a spaceship and also an Iron Man suit. Then I could just fly wherever I wanted at a gig. Maybe four of those so I can have one for my whole crew.”
Best known for: “My live shows and one of my big songs of the year ‘Boneless’ (Steve Aoki with Chris Lake & Tujamo).”
Tune of the year: “Imagine Dragons ‘Radioactive’.”
Have DJs' fees got out of hand?: “The most important thing is that there’s not one promoter just taking all the money and then giving a small percentage to DJs. If the artist is driving the audience to the show, the artist should be making the majority right? It would be fucked if a promoter took the majority of the money.”
Has dance music become the new pop?: “I don’t think so because pop is always driven by a big vocal hook while you could say the majority of dance music is driven by the actual music and the beat. Of course there’s a very small minority of dance music that breaks into the radio. With pop it’s a necessity to break radio if you want to succeed, in dance you don’t need the radio at all.”
If you could be any animal, what would you be?: “I’d be a winged monkey. Because I love the idea of flying and they love having sex and eating.”
Should DJs do "heart hands": “I don’t give a fuck what you do. You want to do heart hands, do heart hands. If you’re having a fucking good time and you want to express yourself, you do it in your own way.”
Do DJs have a duty to speak out about drugs?: “I respect people that do because it’s not cool, in the general perspective of what cool is, to say, ‘Say no to drugs’. The thing is, there’s very little education on the misuse of drugs. You can’t stop these people if they’re going to do it but at least educate them.”
What would be on your fantasy rider?: I’d have a spaceship and also an Iron Man suit. Then I could just fly wherever I wanted at a gig. Maybe four of those so I can have one for my whole crew.”
#9AFROJACK
Style: “Electronic/house.
Best known for: “'Take Over Control'.”
Tune of the year: "The Spark'.”
Have DJs' fees got out of hand?: “I don’t think so, you are paying to be entertained and whether that is at the theatre, at a sports game or in a club, you pay for the experience. As DJs become more well-known and their music liked, it’s natural more people are going to want to see them, so prices naturally rise.”
Has dance music become the new pop?: “I don’t think it’s the 'new pop' because it’s not pop. I think its fanbase now includes people that probably used to listen to pop, or still do, but dance music will always have a different sound.”
If you could be any animal, what would you be?: “I’d be a wolf. I don’t know why, I just think they’re cool.”
Should DJs do "heart hands": “I have to admit I do heart hands sometimes, so yeah, I think they should!”
Do DJs have a duty to speak out about drugs?: “I think anyone in the public eye has a duty to be a role model. I think we need to not focus on the few people that take drugs at festivals and concerts, and recognize the thousands that have a great time listening to the music on a natural high.”
What would be on your fantasy rider?: “A Ferrari! No, just kidding. I’m pretty simple really. I like snacks… and maybe a Victoria's Secret model.”
Have DJs' fees got out of hand?: “I don’t think so, you are paying to be entertained and whether that is at the theatre, at a sports game or in a club, you pay for the experience. As DJs become more well-known and their music liked, it’s natural more people are going to want to see them, so prices naturally rise.”
Has dance music become the new pop?: “I don’t think it’s the 'new pop' because it’s not pop. I think its fanbase now includes people that probably used to listen to pop, or still do, but dance music will always have a different sound.”
If you could be any animal, what would you be?: “I’d be a wolf. I don’t know why, I just think they’re cool.”
Should DJs do "heart hands": “I have to admit I do heart hands sometimes, so yeah, I think they should!”
Do DJs have a duty to speak out about drugs?: “I think anyone in the public eye has a duty to be a role model. I think we need to not focus on the few people that take drugs at festivals and concerts, and recognize the thousands that have a great time listening to the music on a natural high.”
What would be on your fantasy rider?: “A Ferrari! No, just kidding. I’m pretty simple really. I like snacks… and maybe a Victoria's Secret model.”
#10DASH BERLIN
Style: “Trance 2.0.”
Best known for: “Dashing it up.”
Tune of the year: “Armin van Buuren feat Trevor Guthrie ‘This Is What It Feels Like’ (W&W Remix).”
Have DJs' fees got out of hand?: “I'm not a businessman, but it seems to be a matter of supply and (popular) demand.”
Has dance music become the new pop?: “Dance music has way too many layers to hastily generalise it like that. We must not forget to look beyond the surface of the current hype. Beneath the wave is a whole ocean of fresh sounds.”
If you could be any animal, what would you be?: “Maybe a bonobo ape, did you know they solve their conflicts by making love?”
Should DJs do "heart hands": “Sure, looking all cool like you don't care is so yesterday. It's all about having fun again.”
Do DJs have a duty to speak out about drugs?: “I prefer to inspire by example; I don't do drugs, I don't drink. I'm high on life.”
What would be on your fantasy rider?: “No crazy riders for me, I'm here to play music!”
Best known for: “Dashing it up.”
Tune of the year: “Armin van Buuren feat Trevor Guthrie ‘This Is What It Feels Like’ (W&W Remix).”
Have DJs' fees got out of hand?: “I'm not a businessman, but it seems to be a matter of supply and (popular) demand.”
Has dance music become the new pop?: “Dance music has way too many layers to hastily generalise it like that. We must not forget to look beyond the surface of the current hype. Beneath the wave is a whole ocean of fresh sounds.”
If you could be any animal, what would you be?: “Maybe a bonobo ape, did you know they solve their conflicts by making love?”
Should DJs do "heart hands": “Sure, looking all cool like you don't care is so yesterday. It's all about having fun again.”
Do DJs have a duty to speak out about drugs?: “I prefer to inspire by example; I don't do drugs, I don't drink. I'm high on life.”
What would be on your fantasy rider?: “No crazy riders for me, I'm here to play music!”
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