Top 10 DJ’s of the World
DJing takes a lot of work. You have to learn the basics, gather your equipment of choice, keep up with the constantly shifting scene, and continually improve your skills to satisfy the demands of the clubbing public. Time and money are two things that you are almost guaranteed to sacrifice. The following are ten of the top DJs in the world. The best of the best. Some of them are legendary powerhouses, others are breakthrough revolutionaries whose recent work has launched them into the upper echelon of the DJ elite. (If there were a secret formula though, we have a feeling it might be one of two things: host a radio show; or start collecting Frequent Flyer Miles to a little island called Ibiza in Spain. Better yet, do both. ) Have you heard these names before?
Above and Beyond
It seems like trance isn’t slowing down anytime soon. Above and Beyond is a group specializing in uplifting trance that is made up of Jono Grant, Tony McGuinness, and Paavo Siljamäki. A British group that formed in the early millennium, A&B has managed to earn the support of the likes of Armin, PvD, and Ferry Corsten. The trio does double duty, writing songs and DJing (“Home” won Best Underground Dance Track at this year’s IDMAs). They having been climbing DJMag’s Top 100 since 2004, being ranked sixth in last year, and yes, they do host a weekly radio show, “Trance Around the World.”
Ties to Ibiza: played at Space; holds residency at Cream, Amnesia; recorded Sirens of the Sea on the island.
Markus Schulz
Hailing from Berlin, one of trance’s homes, Markus Schulz is a true globetrotter. You will know him, whether you’re from North America (he’s sold out shows in LA, Chicago, NY, San Francisco, and Miami) or Europe, where he has appeared at the unparalleled Sensation White. While Markus touches down most frequently in his hometown of Berlin and Miami, where he now lives, you will be able to catch him no matter where or when he’s flying by tuning into his radio show, “Global DJ Broadcast.”
Ties to Ibiza: held residency at Amnesia; “Global DJ Broadcast” debuted “Ibiza Summer Sessions” in 2006.
Sasha
One half of superstar duo Sasha & Digweed, Alexander Coe’s style has developed from his earlier dabbling in house music to a self-described “house, trance, progressive house, breaks” mix. Like many DJs though, this travelling artist would prefer not to be pigeonholed in a particular genre. He has picked up talent like James Zabiela and BT and signed them to his Excession record label. He has managed to enthral his audiences with live shows that are a joy to watch, a testament to his ability to connect with spectators and manipulate their passions through music. Among our top ten, Sasha is the only DJ who does not host a radio show.
Ties to Ibiza: played at Space, Pacha, and Amnesia
Aly & Fila
Aly Amr Fathalah & Fadi Wassef Naguib are a trance duo from Egypt. While northern Africa is not exactly a hotbed of trance, it has now been put on the map for spawning this group inspired by the music of Paul van Dyk. Their live mixes are top-par, and “Eye of Horus” has been a hit with DJs like Armin and Tiësto – and you know that if the Dutch like it, the rest of the world will soon catch on. Aly & Fila host a weekly radio show called “Future Sound of Europe.”
Ties to Ibiza: dream is to play at superclub Amnesia.
Digweed
John Digweed is way past the “rising star” stage – this Brit has been named Top Ten by DJMag for the past nine years. If he makes it again this year, it will be a decade of brilliance. Digweed was number three in 2007, making him the highest ranked progressive DJ in a crowd of trance at the top. A DJ who has visited some of the biggest and best clubs around the world, his style of music is ever- varying; the progressive house that Digweed was known for may no longer be recognizable in his experiments with genre. Digweed’s ventures today include his Bedrock label, and you guessed it, a radio show, “Transitions,” that also produces mix albums.
Ties to Ibiza: played at Amnesia, Pacha, and Space.
Sander van Doorn
A Dutch trance (what’s new?) DJ who made his name as Best New Producer at the Trance Awards and Best Breakthrough DJ at the IDMAs, Sander van Doorn has been called the “heir apparent” to Tiësto’s throne. In a somewhat predictable move though, Sander’s style now encompasses not only trance, but also genres such as minimal, house, and techno. His resume is only growing, with expansion to American clubs like Pacha, Avalon, and Space. His internet radio show, “Identity,” airs every fourth Wednesday of the month.
Ties to Ibiza: played at Amnesia; held/holds residency at Eden (Judgment Sundays)
Tiësto
Say what you want about Tiësto, but almost all aspiring DJs would give up an arm and a leg to play at the clubs where he does, and to have the worldwide success that he’s had. This DJ has put out incredible mixes, and his shows are consistently packed full all over the globe. He is the epitome of today’s superstar DJ, and while he was held at number two last year in DJMag’s list, his three year reign at number one will not be soon forgotten. Tiësto is no stranger to enormous crowds, and what bigger stage for him than the Olympic Games? He was the first DJ to play live at the Olympic Games (in 2004), and for Beijing this year, was part of Coca-Cola’s We8 Campaign to support art and music. Tiësto also has a pretty long radio show, “Tiësto’s Club Life,” which runs for two hours.
Ties to Ibiza: pretty much every superclub on the island; currently holds residency at Privilege, the largest club in the world.
Paul van Dyk
Another established top-flight DJ, trance and techno leader “PvD” has been number one for two years. With a unique DJ image fuelled by his unique East Berlin experience behind the Berlin Wall, adapting his style and creative approach to the ever-changing times, van Dyk is also known for his humanitarian and political efforts. He’s won all the awards you could want, and has pretty much universal acclaim for his music. Even his “Vonyc Sessions” radio show is getting in on the awards, winning Third Best Radio Show at the Trance Awards.
Ties to Ibiza: won Best Club Night at the Trance Awards for Cream at Amnesia; mixed a compilation for “Cream Ibiza”; holds residency at Cream, Amnesia.
Ferry Corsten
No, he – oh wait, never mind, he is Dutch. Ferry Corsten (aka. System F) is electro-trance DJ extraordinaire. Equal parts producer and DJ, Ferry at last count has over two hundred releases, but recently has focused more on the DJing side of things. He has also been moving in a new direction of late with his music, namely the L.E.F. (Loud Electronic Ferocious) style, taking electro-house, trance, and techno to the next level. With multiple “Best European DJ” and “Best Global DJ” nominations at the IDMAs for the past few years, Ferry Corsten is a legend in his own right, as he is one year short of a ten year run on DJMag’s Top 100 DJs List. (Yes, he has a radio show too: Corsten’s Countdown, which lets listeners vote for their favourite tracks.)
Ties to Ibiza: named Best Trance DJ Ibiza in 2005 & 2007; played at Eden; holds residency at Cream, Amnesia; takes inspiration from constant travels to the island for musical productions.
Armin van Buuren
He was once an up-and-coming DJ, but now, Armin van Buuren has cemented his rank as one of, if not the best DJ in the world. Ranked number one by DJMag, Armin is the youngest to the reach the top of the polls at age thirty. This trance DJ has been behind other superstars like Tiësto and Paul van Dyk for a few years before making it. He is no stranger to marathon DJ sets lasting eight to nine hours, and of course, like any good DJ, keeps his mind open when it comes to blending genres, having mixed trance, minimal, techno, and electro. You can get a weekly dose of Armin by listening to his insanely successful radio show, “A State of Trance,” which regularly attracts listeners in the millions.
Ties to Ibiza: frequents Amnesia; recorded a live set there in 2007.
