Long gone are the days of the sceptics. We live in a new world full of industry opportunity and there’s never been a time better than now if you’re interested in becoming a DJ.
In the early stages of my own career I managed a relatively unknown DJ who in a matter of a few short years took to the world stage in a major way. That DJ was an eighteen-year-old, fresh-faced bedroom producer named Tyson Illingworth, AKA tyDi. Not knowing the full extent to which the electronic age was booming, Tyson’s Dad was particularly concerned about his son’s choice in career path. Just two years later tyDi débuted at number 52 in the DJ Mag Top 100. Soon after learning of his son’s new-found DJ profits, tyDi’s father began to understand the legitimacy of DJing as a career.
The next time someone tells you that you’re too young, too old or the chances of success are just too slim – think again. If becoming a DJ is really what you want to be doing with your life and you’re willing to take the necessary action in order to succeed, in the words of Sir Richard Branson, “Screw it… just do it!” Passion and determination will take anyone a long way in this world.
Here’s a look at a selection of A-list DJ’s at the top of their game. These artists have all worked tirelessly to master their art and passion, ultimately bringing them out on top regardless of their age or background.
Netherlands: Tiësto Vs Hardwell
Pictured: Hardwell
Tiësto is arguably the most famous DJ of all time remaining at the top of the industry for over twenty years. His achievements are unmatched and include monumental events such as playing the opening ceremony of the Athens Olympics in 2004. He was the first DJ to sell out solo stadium tours and to this day continues to do so. His list of achievements stretch far beyond what most could ever hope to accomplish, from being the first to be named DJ Mag Top 100’s number 1 DJ in the world for three consecutive years to harnessing over 14 million fans on Facebook.
Largely influenced by Tiësto and the popular dance music scene on MTV, Robbert Van De Corput began DJing at only thirteen years of age. Little did he know that a mere six years down the track he would be the artist known as Hardwell who before his twentieth birthday had toured and collaborated with his fellow Dutch idol. Hardwell is currently one of the most prolific EDM artists on the planet, ranked number 6 on the DJ Mag Top 100 and has one of the highest rating radio shows that is syndicated globally.
Germany: Paul Van Dyk Vs Zedd
Pictured: Zedd
Grammy Award winning Paul Van Dyk has held a spot in the world’s top 10 DJ’s since 1998 and in 2005 and 2006 was ranked number one. His record sales stretch well into the millions and with timeless classics such as ‘For An Angel’ accredited to his name, it’s no wonder. PVD is another veteran who remains at the top of the game due to hard work, passion and perseverance.
Electronic newcomer Zedd is quickly honing in on his fellow countryman’s success in the industry at a ripe age of just twenty-three. At the beginning of 2013, Zedd reached a landmark new to the entire industry by becoming the first DJ to play live as a musical guest performer on David Letterman. Famed for his remixes that are drawn from songs in the pop industry and his breakthrough single ‘Spectrum’ featuring Matthew Koma, Zedd is currently producing Lady Gaga’s upcoming album ‘ARTPOP’. Despite being 18 years PVD’s junior, Zedd is forging a promising future in a rapidly evolving industry.
Italy: Benny Benassi Vs Daddy’s Groove
Pictured: Daddy's Groove
Benassi is best known for his worldwide smash hit single ‘Satisfaction’ with the track’s iconic bass line infiltrating charts in both the pop and dance world. Since the explosive success of ‘Satisfaction’ 10 years ago, Benassi has continued to work alongside international superstars such as Chris Brown.
Daddy’s Groove, an Italian house music group composed of Carlo Grieco, Gianni Romano and Peppe Folliero, formed in 2011. Upon release, their work fast caught the attention of Benassi and a cast of world-renowned producers. Already to date, the group have remixed songs by hit artists like James Blunt, Enrique Iglesias, The Wanted, Axwell, Sebastian Ingrosso, Angello and Laidback Luke.
Australia: Andy Van Vs tyDi
Pictured: tyDi
Andy Van has accomplished more as an artist under multiple monikers than anyone could ever hope to achieve under one sole act. As one half of the duo Madison Avenue, Andy produced and performed Aria award-winning hits like ‘Don’t Call Me Baby’ and ‘Who The Hell Are You?’ which reached platinum status in 1999, a time when dance music was almost completely absent from the charts. Still producing and performing around the world under the alias Vandalism with his wife Cassy, Andy has not only stayed at the forefront as an artist and producer, but also as an industry entrepreneur.
tyDi was only fifteen years old when he decided to sell his drum kit and buy his first set of decks, trading in the analogue instruments for the life of an aspiring electronic producer. Winning a DJ competition a year later, he earned himself a residency in a nightclub that he was not yet old enough to enter, needing to be escorted in and out of his shows by supervising security. These days tyDi travels the world and headlines festivals and club events with artists like Tiësto and Armin Van Buuren and is signed to Universal Music Group America, residing in Los Angeles.
France: David Guetta Vs Madeon
Pictured: Madeon
David Guetta is the DJ that changed the game forever pioneering the possibility for club music to cross over into the mainstream. He started learning how to DJ back in the late 1980’s and has been climbing the ladder of success ever since. Shooting to international and mainstream fame with his album ‘One Love’ in 2009, with tracks like ‘When Love Takes Over’ (featuring Kelly Rowland) and ‘Sexy Chick’ (featuring Akon) Guetta was topping charts all over the world. Guetta has paved the way for many DJ’s hoping to collaborate with pop singers and break into the mainstream.
Making his way into the scene through social media with his ‘Pop Culture’ video on YouTube, successful French DJ Madeon, despite having a lot less years under his belt, has garnered an impressive portfolio. Madeon started producing music at the age of eleven, has produced tracks featured in large popular culture brands like ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ in May 2012, in-game soundtrack of ‘Forza Horizon’, EA Sports' FIFA 13 as well as the ‘Need For Speed Most Wanted’ franchise.
USA: Roger Sanchez Vs Porter Robinson
Pictured: Zedd (left) Porter Robinson (right)
Sanchez, one of the idols of our very own Stafford Brothers, has worked with the biggest names in the music industry mixing hit tracks for stars like Kylie Minogue, Daft Punk, Madonna, The Police, No Doubt and Maroon 5. The Grammy award winning DJ hosts a weekly radio show called ‘Release Yourself’, with over fifteen million listeners worldwide and is responsible for global hits like ‘Another Chance’ and ‘Turn On The Music’.
Porter Robinson is another DJ who has found success in the industry at a young age, being only thirteen when he first started producing. In 2011 he performed at major music festivals like ‘Ultra Music Festival’, ‘Electric Daisy Carnival’, ‘Electric Zoo’ and many more as well as playing alongside high profile DJ’s like Skrillex, Tiësto and Deadmau5. He is revered as one of the hottest production talents on the block and titles like ‘Language’ have been supported by the who’s who of music including BBC Radio One’s Pete Tong.
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