With more and more DJ's evolving every day, this contest becomes that much harder to choose just 5 of my favorite DJs. I could name my top 50 DJs let alone my Top 5. This reminds me of my MySpace days when you'd choose a Top 8 and if one of your friends wasn't in your Top 8 there would be tons of drama. I've kicked around who I would choose for about a month now, but I think I've been able to narrow it down just enough. I know there will be some people who don't agree with this list and that's fine by me, because this is just personal preference anyways.
5. Avicii
Tim Bergling, otherwise known as Avicii is my 5th pick for the Top 100 DJs this year. Not only has Avicii created one of the most played songs of the decade with “Levels”, but he has also revolutionized the Electronic Dance Music culture. Every day when I hear a big room or house track I hear “This guy can be the next Avicii.”
My favorite part about Avicii is that he doesn't just live off of his hit track “Levels.” No one ever says, yea that Avicii is just a one-hit wonder. Avicii has so many sick tracks and he proves this during his live sets. DJing is also very much about the performance in my opinion and with his recent addition of the face stage that he uses during his sets, it only adds to the appeal to this guy as a Top 100 DJ.
4. Porter Robinson
Porter Robinson is one of the young superstars of EDM that has proven himself time after time. In my opinion, Porter released The Top track for the year 2012 called “Language.” It has been remixed and played by some of the top DJs aross the world. Porter is incredibly energetic during his sets and is a joy to watch.
3. Kaskade
Kaskade has been my favorite artist ever since being introduced to EDM way back when. I am biased on this one, but who can knock him for producing sick tracks and having one of the biggest attendances for an EDM event in history (Staples Center). I particularly loved Kaskade's set at Coachella and it is still one of my favorite performances ever by any EDM Artist.
2. Armin Van Buuren
When I put AVB at the #2 spot I clearly want to state that Trance is not Dead for all of you haters out there. Armin is the King of Trance music and shows it proudly during his live sets. When I saw him at EDC Las Vegas I was blown away with not only his choice of songs, but also his performance. Armin not only is the King of Trance, but he is one of the idols of the EDM culture. His fan base around his podcast channel “A State of Trance” is iconic and so is his Record Label Armada Music.
1. Tiësto
My Number 1 Choice for the Top DJ of the Year goes to Tiësto! There is so much to say about Tiësto this year that easily makes him my number one pick. As Elle mentioned in her choices this year for DJ Mag Top 100, Tiësto is Rich as Hell. He really doesn't have to put as much effort into his career as he has been. In my opinion, Tiësto is the front runner for Electronic Dance Music. Tiësto has one of the strongest fan bases with his Podcasts called “Club Life” and also a very thriving music label called “Black Hole Recordings.” He is constantly touring as you can see from his Tiësto's Club Life Episodes on Youtube. In addition to his music career, Tiësto has two different Clothing lines called “Clvb Life” and is now a brand off of “Guess Jeans.” Tiësto is the hardest working DJs and definitely deserves the Title this year as DJ Mag's Top 100.
Runner Ups:
Morgan Page, Dash Berlin, Dada Life, Madeon
Artists to be Lowered In Ranking:
Alesso, David Guetta, Infected Mushroom