top100 dj revealed!

On October 22 2011 01:21 garlicface wrote:
Holy shit. Gratz Skrillex on #19.

On October 22 2011 01:26 Sclol wrote:
who is armin van buuren Oo

On October 22 2011 01:26 Sclol wrote:
who is armin van buuren Oo

On October 22 2011 01:32 norterrible wrote:
These people at the top are barely even DJs at this point, but more a platform to sell their songs. They hawk their label's products and play really predictable sets to appeal to their mainstream fanbase. Some weeks there just aren't any good trance song released, but that doesn't stop armin from playing the same old tired sets. They aren't trying to make the perfect mix anymore, they just want to make as much money as possible before they get old.

So I don't really agree with the list, but as a popularity contest I think this is probably pretty accurate.

On October 22 2011 01:32 norterrible wrote:
These people at the top are barely even DJs at this point, but more a platform to sell their songs. They hawk their label's products and play really predictable sets to appeal to their mainstream fanbase. Some weeks there just aren't any good trance song released, but that doesn't stop armin from playing the same old tired sets. They aren't trying to make the perfect mix anymore, they just want to make as much money as possible before they get old.

So I don't really agree with the list, but as a popularity contest I think this is probably pretty accurate.

On October 22 2011 02:23 HeaDStrong wrote:
uhh how else are you going to rank them if not by popularity?

On October 22 2011 02:23 HeaDStrong wrote:
uhh how else are you going to rank them if not by popularity?

On October 22 2011 02:27 DivinO wrote:


Yeah... you make a good point. But it does only prove that it's a popularity contest.

On October 22 2011 02:09 defnotGeorge wrote:
No Bassnectar. I am disappoint.

On October 22 2011 02:30 HeaDStrong wrote:


What is popular? It's what people like. And if people like you are you not a good DJ?

You could probably also assemble a team of music critics and judges that would... I don't know... judge the artistic input into their music dj'ing? But that's not really what matters... So yeah it's a popularity context but I don't say as if it's a bad thing.

On October 22 2011 02:20 Arathore wrote:
Was surprised to see people like Daft punk not in top 10 O.o And skrillex? ewww imo. Avicii is alright but not #1 imo.

On October 22 2011 02:41 DivinO wrote:


I guess I don't really have a good rebuttal. If people like you, that means you are a popular DJ. That doesn't necessarily mean you're good. It's sorta like Bieber. He's popular. But is he good? That's debatable. (I'm not saying anything about Bieber's person, or how hard he has worked, or anything of that sort. I only say that Bieber's music is not by any means musically deep, and is as a general rule not enjoyed by anyone who considers themselves a musical connoisseur)

In that sense, then, one can look at the relevance of music as indicated by its long-lasting impact on music. Bands like Metallica and Nirvana weren't at the top of the charts when they were considered relevant, but they are still considered relevant because of their long-term effects on music. In the same vein, perhaps the artists that are popular now may not be the artists that are considered good in the long term.

I don't know what I'm saying. I'm not really arguing with you. I mean you're right. I guess I just wanted to give an opinion.

On October 22 2011 02:03 EAGER-beaver wrote:
How do you rank Djs? Isn't music pretty subjective? Do they go based on record sales? Or the amount of drug induced hipsters you can coral into an enclosed space?

On October 22 2011 03:27 bovineblitz wrote:
Uh... deadmau5 and skrillex aren't very good as DJs, they're good at producing their stuff... but they suck at live performances.

Nero is 88 but Skrillex is top 20? Lol...

On October 22 2011 03:30 turdburgler wrote:


this x10

apparently people who set up these polls / people who vote in them dont actually know what a DJ is and just vote for their favorite producer ;/

On October 22 2011 01:38 Woony wrote:


People like Armin and Tiesto are allready super millionaires no idea why they keep going when they basically have admitted themselves that they have no musical integrity left.

And it's only really a accute depiction of the internet fanbase. Trance is very minor in the real clubbing world (maybe a few clubs per city that invite majo trance acts a few times a year) yet in this pole like 30 of the top 50 are Trance DJs

On October 22 2011 03:42 GypsyBeast wrote:
oh god, i shouldn't watch this but i will, god i hate these Dj's

Edit

OHHHHHHHHH GOD ITS WORSE THEN I THOUGHT.

the 1st page almost made me puke guetta? tiesto? deadmau5? avillici? markus shultz? flux pavillion not even on the top 100?
fuck this gay earth. it feels like this was voted by junior high school kids.
at least dirty south made it on.

On October 22 2011 03:50 Sosha wrote:



well, yea, Armin and Tiesto may be super well off financially from their work, but granted! They've been in the business for liek 10+ years (I remember listening to Tiesto as 1 of the very 1st Dj's I ever heard when discovering trance). Musical integrity? Like they have something to prove? I'm sure they like the status and visual/physical evidence of being voted #1 Dj in the world each year as it kinda justifies their work - but i'm really sure they put in the work because they love that aspect of the job, if u could call it that. It's like the most amazing field in the world - being able to travel all over the world playing music you love to fans who appreciate the hell out of it, how could u get tired of that?

plus, yea, they may be known for trance as their main genre or specialty, but thats not the only one they deploy, or at least, there are many different sounds and styles throughout the trance genre and they well, can pretty much electrify dancefloors w/ the sounds they produce so im not surprised that a lot of them are in the top dj of the world selection - I mean, what type or genre do you think mostly encompasses dj'ing? techno is like watered down trance, house is, well, the same beat for 8+ minutes, dubstep is just O.o so there are only the variations of those genre's, like hardstyle, jungle, drum n bass..

I am happy to hear that other exicting dj's made it on to the list this year, like Avicii. He's really been entertaining to hear from lately - Skrillex's even been putting out some pretty good tracks that i've enjoyed. Good to see some of the top 100 thats made improvements to climb higher on the ladder. But alas, it is a bit sad to see that Armin isnt #1.. and I haven't heard much from David Guetta, at least I dont think I have, but ima sample some of his stuff and I have a feeling im going to be dissapointed.


gl all
<3 EDM

On October 22 2011 03:54 MyNameIsAlex wrote:


plz dont compare schulz to the rest of them, he was a legit guy till 2009.

On October 22 2011 03:50 Sosha wrote:



well, yea, Armin and Tiesto may be super well off financially from their work, but granted! They've been in the business for liek 10+ years (I remember listening to Tiesto as 1 of the very 1st Dj's I ever heard when discovering trance). Musical integrity? Like they have something to prove? I'm sure they like the status and visual/physical evidence of being voted #1 Dj in the world each year as it kinda justifies their work - but i'm really sure they put in the work because they love that aspect of the job, if u could call it that. It's like the most amazing field in the world - being able to travel all over the world playing music you love to fans who appreciate the hell out of it, how could u get tired of that?

plus, yea, they may be known for trance as their main genre or specialty, but thats not the only one they deploy, or at least, there are many different sounds and styles throughout the trance genre and they well, can pretty much electrify dancefloors w/ the sounds they produce so im not surprised that a lot of them are in the top dj of the world selection - I mean, what type or genre do you think mostly encompasses dj'ing? techno is like watered down trance, house is, well, the same beat for 8+ minutes, dubstep is just O.o so there are only the variations of those genre's, like hardstyle, jungle, drum n bass..

I am happy to hear that other exicting dj's made it on to the list this year, like Avicii. He's really been entertaining to hear from lately - Skrillex's even been putting out some pretty good tracks that i've enjoyed. Good to see some of the top 100 thats made improvements to climb higher on the ladder. But alas, it is a bit sad to see that Armin isnt #1.. and I haven't heard much from David Guetta, at least I dont think I have, but ima sample some of his stuff and I have a feeling im going to be dissapointed.


gl all
<3 EDM

On October 22 2011 02:49 InDaHouse wrote:And all you people that Dj:ing and playing House in clubs around the world, without David Guetta no one would be able to play House because the ordinary people wouldn't know House.

On October 22 2011 04:11 3Form wrote:


What are you on about? I just don't know what to write back to this. Let me put it this way, David Guetta did not introduce me to house music.

On October 22 2011 04:16 bovineblitz wrote:


Apparently he's saying that a French guy whose career began in the late 80s invented a style of music that originated in Chicago in the early 80s?

On October 22 2011 07:36 Warfie wrote:
How many on that list are actually DJs? :p

On October 22 2011 07:50 xJacky wrote:
I really don't understand the hate on "mainstream" music. So because it's popular it's suddenly bad? It's MAINSTREAM because people LIKE it.

It really frustrates me when people use "mainstream" as a insult. Isn't it a good thing that many people like their music?

On October 22 2011 07:57 nanoscorp wrote:
My boy Kutski didn't make it, but a lot of hard music producers made it. I like what DJ Coone, Headhunterz, D-Block and S-te-fan do but honestly, I don't think they're as good as Kutski behind the decks. Wildstylez, Psyko Punkz, Showtek all in the top100 too without DJ Isaac? I dunno man.

On October 22 2011 04:01 Woony wrote:


Being voted #1 doesn't prove anything about musical integrity. Or do you think the people at the top of the mainstream charts make the best music?

Also judging by your description of genres you don't know a lot about dance music.

On October 22 2011 08:17 Supamang wrote:
I dont get it. I never really listened much to David Guetta and I dont know much about this top 100 djs thing or how they score it. So apparently David Guetta is the best DJ in the world?

On October 22 2011 08:22 FliedLice wrote:


most popular*


People were able to vote their top5 DJs over the last couple of months. Not sure whether this was the only source they took for their rankings, but I guess it makes it obvious why David Guetta got first.

On October 22 2011 01:25 FaCE_1 wrote:

I agree.
first year and already top 20.. GJ

i really like most of his stuff

On October 22 2011 02:49 InDaHouse wrote:
Man it's so embarrasing moment when Guetta enters the stage and people are silent and then some start buhuhuing.

I'm not a David Guetta fanboy but when trance fanboys calls Guettas music cheesy, that's just wtf. Armin and Tiesto nowadays only produce super-cheesy real fucking crap. Their old/classic tunes were epic though. Guettas new productions and collaborations with R&B stars in America are good radio music and some more "heavy" club mixes works very well in the clubs.

And btw Guetta has always had someone else produce his work, even in the early days of his career.

Guetta is just very smart and should get credit for that. He creates trends and introduces catchy sounds that people wants to listen to, and he found a way for commercial House from Europe could merge with the rap/R&B from USA.

And all you people that Dj:ing and playing House in clubs around the world, without David Guetta no one would be able to play House because the ordinary people wouldn't know House.

On October 22 2011 07:51 acidfreak wrote:
Comercial shit all over. To be exptected from DJMag. You want a real top 10? Resident advisor. The best visionary, best sound, best use of technology Richie Hawtin nr 45? LOL what a joke. He should be top5 in any electronic music dj top. Along side Sven Vath, DJ Sneak, Raresh... Those are real DJs who love music above money and fame. The sound at a Hawtin gig is unearthy, he manges to do all those sick drops, godly rhythms and of course his Plastikman side always shows it's face at points in his sets. Sven Vath is a real DJ, best crowd interaction, he is just another raver rolling his face off with the rest of us. DJ Sneak has so many rare and unrealsed tracks (most of them on vinyl), his tracklist is always a beatifull plethora of house sometimes combined with things like the random super obscure Prince track from an early promo album to things like Riders on the storm in between two banging house music that makes you jack your whole body off. Raresh loves house music like fish love water. He eats, drinks and breathes house music. In his early 20's his music culture is so good and so huge it's amazing. He puts so much soul in the music that he transmits it to thousands of people. Those are real DJ's, not some melodic crap that is on the radio and has music videos on MTV and that shit. Those are not even DJ's to me. They are nothing.

On October 22 2011 09:46 John Madden wrote:
Guetta aint a joke though, Deadmau5 I am not so sure

On October 22 2011 10:00 Mohdoo wrote:


David Guetta:+ Show Spoiler +
Armin Van Buuren:+ Show Spoiler +
David Guetta is a joke in the context of good DJs. He makes catches tracks that manage to get a lot of time on the radio. But that doesn't make him a good DJ.

On October 22 2011 11:41 machination wrote:
Can't believe Daft Punk is #28...

On October 22 2011 01:25 FaCE_1 wrote:

I agree.
first year and already top 20.. GJ

i really like most of his stuff

On October 22 2011 12:37 Mobius_1 wrote:
Saw that yesterday and almost spilled my drink at the sight of Guetta on the top spot. I mean, he is there purely because he produced pop/dance tracks for big pop stars (I won't derail the thread by discussing the merits of those songs), and if he is so good at DJ'ing, where the heck was he in the past many, many years?

Armin is a good DJ, Tiesto is a good DJ, Deadmau5 is an awesome DJ, and Guetta is good at copying and pasting the same tune again and again.

But I haven't been listening to trance and house properly for the past year, who the heck is Avicii? And Skrillex is dubstep, right? Awesome :D

On October 22 2011 10:15 cari-kira wrote:
first cool guy Carl Cox comes on #31, richie hawtin only on 45?
what a joke competition.
if "lady gaga" would've stated she was DJing now, she surely had won this
everyone's a "dj" today it seems.
commerce ruling, dont let yourself be fooled.
thats casual music voted by casual listeners

On October 23 2011 00:52 Chimpalimp wrote:
I can live with David Guetta being on top, though I do think that AvB has done more for electronic music throughout the year, even if he hasn't produced the most awesome new stuff. I suppose 2nd place will do for AvB. Grats to David Guetta and AvB.

On October 22 2011 02:41 Mooncowtime wrote:

Agreed, he is a lot more deserving then most people on that list. He is by far the best live dubstep show out there

On October 23 2011 01:19 veQ wrote:
I thought too that djmag was trolling us..
gueta #1? thats gonna be a joke, and yeah not a good one......
kinda sad that Gareth Emery is 13.. Ferry Corsten 18..
Cosmic Gate 43.. Orjan Nilsen 49...
Andy Moor 50
Im not listening to crap that is being played on radio..
4 times in a row #1..
Armin #1 everywhere and everytime!

On October 22 2011 01:31 irninja wrote:
Where's djWHEAT on this list?

On October 23 2011 03:56 greggy wrote:
People are being a bit elitist moaning about Guetta being #1. He is #1 because he is THAT popular. You might not like it (and some of his newer tracks are pretty shit indeed), but he single-handedly changed house. For good or for bad, that is not for us to decide. If it was my choice, I'd have Markus Schulz as #1. :/

Or, as Gareth Emery puts it,

On October 23 2011 10:04 4u_Noni wrote:
david guetta #1 wtf, avicii is king.

On October 23 2011 07:56 Taryssa wrote:
I expect to see Madeon on this list next time around. Kid has talent.

On October 23 2011 01:18 ProBot wrote:
daft punk and bob sinclar should be A LOT HIGHER and glitch mob who aren't even on the list should be top 10

On October 23 2011 19:09 Chrispy wrote:
Hey so I'm really new to this scene can somebody recommend me a DJ with a similar style to Nero? I was completely blown away by them and the random DJ's I've picked off this list haven't all been to my liking.... at least nothing as awesome sounding as Nero.

On October 22 2011 07:29 mcJ wrote:
Real winner this year was Skrillex from nothing to rank 19, pretty beast.
Top 4 was predictable, Tiesto rank 3, mau5 rank 4 and then a tossup between Armin van Buuren and Guetta. Not liking the #1 Guetta spot though.
And whats with the lack of representation from Drum & Bass? only Nero on the list. Atleast Andy C was on the list last year

On October 23 2011 21:37 Ruscour wrote:

Please don't confuse DJs and producers...deadmau5, Skrillex, Nero et al have live sets where they press Play in iTunes and pretend to be doing shit, DJs are people who actually, y'know, DJ.

Just search for generic mainstream dubstep, it all sounds pretty much the same, Skrillex, Nero etc.

On October 23 2011 19:09 Chrispy wrote:
Hey so I'm really new to this scene can somebody recommend me a DJ with a similar style to Nero? I was completely blown away by them and the random DJ's I've picked off this list haven't all been to my liking.... at least nothing as awesome sounding as Nero.

EDIT: Don't give a rats ass about whether or not they're called a DJ or a Producer or a song creator just want to listen to cool music.

On October 25 2011 05:49 sureshot_ wrote:
Sorry to all the Guetta fans, but he should NOT be #1. I also love how Deadmau5 is ranked so highly even though he doesn't DJ at all. Top 100 DJ chart is pretty silly.

EDIT: Oh and grats Skrillex for making top 20 so fast. o.o

On October 25 2011 05:59 stiLL.SERuM wrote:
Not surprised at all by the changes on the top 10.
Armin, Ferry and Markus Schulz have moved from their respective trance subgenres to a more commercial approach of their sound , in pursuit of what Guetta, Avicii or SHM are known for.
Pop is not their ground, and, clearly Guetta or SHM can pull more profit from this whole 'trouse pop' genre.

Anyways what is this thing about everyone being friends and wanting to sound like Axwell,aoki, mau5, skrillex? Every single track on each different genre sounds the same.Either electro-wobbly fidgety or low bpm-repetitive happy supersaws and neverending rising pitches.

Im happy for this, i prefer all trance to go a little back to the under scene, perhaps how it was around 2007 or 2005. Even promising names such as Arty or MatZo have fallen under this stupid new 'sellout pop trance' concept.

Techno seems to always remain underground. I wish i liked techno a bit more

Disregard that, Tiesto sounds like shit nowadays(5 years ago?).

On October 25 2011 06:25 hifriend wrote:
I don't really see there being a problem with avicii being high on that list, depending on their requirements.

He certainly isn't as technical or adept in djing as many other dj's, but his show overall is pleasing in different ways. He obviously has great production skills and his melodic style hits home with most people, and that's what happens in his sets as well.

He primarily plays his own music and a lot of the times it's custom made mashups and unreleased material that you'll only find at his sets, and all of it has that typical avicii vibe.

So if being a good dj means providing a good experience for the audience by playing the right tunes, creating an atmosphere with good peaks and lows, then avicii is definitely up there. If on the other hand it means you know how to do a lot of shit with turntables then probably no.

On October 22 2011 01:30 pheer wrote:

Armin is #1.
http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=196199