As the year goes on, it’s become more and more apparent that electronic dance music is dominating the charts…and the pop charts. While this has made the genre something of a joke among fans, it has also led to an explosion of fresh talent, as tracks by established artists are now being co-opted by up-and-coming producers.
The biggest names in electronic entertainment always seem to be in the spotlight. These artists and DJs rule entertainment in the current and future music scene, from the biggest electronic events like Electric Daisy Carnival to the freshest and hottest new sounds. Below, we take a look at the international faces that will impact the electronic music world when we hit 2021.
- Calvin Harris
Calvin Harris is one of the most successful songwriters and producers in the world right now. His music is known to be catchy and dance-party-friendly. He has collaborated with huge names such as Ellie Goulding, Rihanna, and Drake.
- Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike
Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike are an electronic music duo from Greece consisting of Dimitrios Kambouris and Nicky Romero. The duo has released two extended plays, two studio albums, five singles, one remix, one collaborative work, one collaborative single, one charity single, eight music videos, one commercial for a soft drink, and eleven collaborations to date.
- Martin Garrix
In the world of electronic dance music, Martin Garrix is a well-known name. In 2017, Martin Garrix broke into the mainstream with his hit Like I Do, and he has the potential to become the next big EDM star.
- David Guetta
David Guetta has made his name as an internationally renowned DJ, but this Sunday, he’ll be bringing EDM to the stage at the first-ever ‘Daft Punks’ concert.
- Armin van Buuren
Armin van Buuren is one of the most in-demand DJs in the world. He travels around the globe to perform and meet fans and has over 1.1 million followers on Twitter.
- Marshmello
Marshmello is a performer, musician, and songwriter. His first hit was “Warmed Up” back in 2012. Now he is the first DJ ever to have his “own” annual world tour.
His stage name, Marshmello, is a combination of his birth name, Marco Benato, and his first name, which means “cool” in Italian. His first single was “Alone” in 2013. Now he is the first DJ ever to have his “own” annual world tour.
- Tiesto
Tiesto is an electronic dance music artist and DJ and is perhaps the most influential and best-known DJ in the electronic dance music scene. He started his record label, A&R Records, and is now the owner of Black Hole Recordings, a record label under the Universal Music Group. Tiesto has gained great success with songs such as “How Many Times” and “Sunset Boulevard.”
- Zedd
Zedd is no stranger to playing live gigs, especially when it comes to his music career. He has played at numerous festivals, including Coachella, Lollapalooza, Ultra Music Festival, and many more. He has also performed alongside artists like Lady Gaga, M.I.A., and Major Lazer.
- The Chainsmokers
The Chainsmokers were on top of their game when Billboard first named them one of the best songs on the radio. Now, the American duo has become a household name and one of the biggest names in EDM. Their first release, “Paris,” brought them to the top of the charts and kept them there for months, making them one of the most successful international artists in the business. The Chainsmokers are everywhere.
- Afrojack
EDM is a thriving genre, and Afrojack is one of the most popular artists in it. Although he has been around for a while, he remains a relatively new face in the EDM world—his stage name was not applied until he gained popularity in 2011. He has since gone on to achieve a level of fame and recognition that many other artists only dream of. While his career has been influential in the development of the EDM scene, he is best known for his original music. His tracks “Take Over Control” and “Feel Good” are both well-known and popular, and his recent hit “Sunset Boulevard” has landed on iTunes charts around the world.
While most of the stars dominating the scene today haven’t announced any plans to retire, I think most of them will be on the road by then. Yeah, pretty much my prediction for this year’s top artists is the same they’ve been for nearly my entire career—the top artists will be the ones with the most energy, the freshest ideas, and the ones who refuse to settle.