Here we are, finally, where 2021 meets 2022… and, hopefully, a little more normalcy is just around the corner (variants be damned).
So, as we wrapped up ’21, we fired off a quickie poll to DJs of all stripes, asking how 2021 looked to them in the rear-view. We asked three simple questions: What’s your top tune of the year (one that’s not yours)? What was your best accomplishment of 2021? What was the best DJ/musical moment (live, streaming, or studio)?
Here are the first 100 responses we got. Ready, steady, go…
1. Anabel Englund, Ultra Music, L.A.
Tune: “What You Need” by Kaytranada feat. Charlotte Day Wilson.
Accomplishment: Getting my fifth No. 1 on U.S. Dance Radio with “Midnight Rapture.”
Musical Moment: Playing Space in Miami was so epic –definitely a huge accomplishment for me.
2. Plastik Funk, Hexagon/Spinnin, Ibiza, Spain
Tune: It’s still Laurent Garnier’s “Man With the Red Face.”
Accomplishment: I released 12 tracks on my favorite labels with massive DJ support.
Musical Moment: I was the first international artist who got a visa for Vietnam in April. After a two-weeks hotel quarantine, I headlined my first gig and celebrated my birthday with 1,000 fans in Saigon – one of the most special events of my career.
3. Wax Motif, Divided Souls, L.A.
Tune: Anti-Up’s “Something’s About to Go Down.”
Accomplishment: Playing B2Bs with Zhu, Tchami & Chris Lorenzo.
Musical Moment: Closing Gold Rush Festival with Loz in Arizona with drum-n-bass.
4. Herbert Holler, Freedom Party/My House, NYC
Tune: “You Need Me” by Black Coffee feat. Sun-El Musician & Maxine Ashley.
Accomplishment: Bouncing back from the pandemic in better form, both physically and mentally, than I’ve ever been.
Musical Moment: Bringing 1,500-plus people to the first party back in a park in Brooklyn, then doing it again on a boat in Philly.
5. Wankelmut, Perfect Havoc, Berlin
Tune: Burns’ “Talamanca.”
Accomplishment: I managed to release 14 tunes this year, all while touring & becoming a father! It’s been a wild 12 months.
Musical Moment: My gig at Club Revellin in Dubrovnik, Croatia – insane location & a crowd with unbelievable energy.
6. Mike Walter, Elite Entertainment, Tinton Falls, N.J.
Tune: Olivia Rodrigo’s “good 4 u.” I didn’t play it every gig, but when I did it was a banger.
Accomplishment: I did 112 events, including 108 weddings – most I’ve done in two decades.
Musical Moment: Spinning at the DJ Expo this past August in Atlantic City – it’s a rush playing music for my industry peers.
7. ATTLAS, mau5trap, Toronto
Tune: Promises, an album by Floating Points, Pharoah Sanders & The London Symphony Orchestra
Accomplishment: My first JUNO nomination for Electronic Album of the Year.
Musical Moment: The first show back was incredibly special, in Salt Lake City, Utah, a city I’ve never played before.
8. AVAION, RCA Local, Nürnberg, Germany
Tune: “About You” by KREAM.
Accomplishment: Getting Platinum-certified for my song “Pieces.”
Musical Moment: Playing the Open Beatz Festival in a sold-out arena as a main act – an amazing experience.
9. Martin Jensen, disco:wax, Silkeborg, Denmark
Tune: Shouse’s “Love Tonight.”
Accomplishment: Taking my “Me, Myself, Online” concept to the live crowd, filling up two huge venues with a branded “Me, Myself, Live” event.
Musical Moment: Following Taylor Swift and her journey – year after year is something very special.
10. DJ Mike Márquez, Mix93fm, NYC
Tune: Shouse’s “Love Tonight.”
Accomplishment: Presenting my “Expanding Your Brand with Twitch: One DJ’s Story” seminar at the ’21 DJ Expo in Atlantic City.
Musical Moment: Completing 52 consecutive weeks of Twitch streaming outdoors with a celebration with fans & onlookers in the middle of Times Square.
11. gardenstate, Anjunabeats, Helsingborg, Sweden
Tune: Pete Oak’s “Between Two Worlds (Losless Remix)”
Accomplishment: Releasing our debut album, Inspirations, was big.
Musical Moment: Playing at ABGT450 in London was massive.
12. Joe Bermudez, Mass Movement Radio, Boston
Tune: “Sun Came Up” by SOFI TUKKER & John Summit.
Accomplishment: That I was still able to avoid getting a “real job,” even with the lack of club gigs during & post-lockdown.
Musical Moment: Playing DJ Expo’s opening party in Atlantic City this past August. Not only did it feel amazing to be back behind the decks, but it was extra special to get to share that moment with my fellow DJs.
13. DJ Spen, Quantize Recordings, Baltimore
Tune: It would have to be “Higher” by Terry Hunter.
Accomplishment: The release of my album, Soulful Storm, which was also Traxsource’s No. 1 album of the year.
Musical Moment: The “Dance For Stevie” fundraiser – for DJ/promoter Steve Laviniere of Bobby & Steve fame – at Ministry of Sound, with such a plethora of DJs in attendance, including David Morales, Simon Dunmore, and Mark Knight.
14. Terri B!, The HouseCrunch Radio, Hamburg, Germany
Tune: Mark Knight & Beverly Knight’s “Everything’s “Gonna Be Alright.”
Accomplishment: Signing one of my biggest hits, “Get Down,” to Spinnin Records for 2022 with Moguai.
Musical Moment: Playing in Taipei, my first big set as a DJ.
15. Mark Knight, Toolroom, Maidstone, U.K.
Tune: “The Shake” by Ellis Moss.
Accomplishment: Definitely releasing my album, Untold Business. It’s been a long time coming, but time off touring, due to the pandemic, gave me the headspace I needed to dedicate the necessary time to it. I’m super-proud of the project.
Musical Moment: Manchester (All Night Long) at Joshua Brooks. It was my first gig back after a year out, so it was not only great to be back, but to play open-to-close and be able to play a wide range of music was something I won’t forget for a while.
16. Wooddrowe, Build Up Records/Beatclan, Nashville
Tune: Shouse’s “Love Tonight.”
Accomplishment: I released 25 DJ “weapons,” which are my custom remixes tailored for professional DJs.
Musical moment: Dropping my “Weapon Remix” of “Love Tonight” while opening for Gorgon City at AREA15 in Las Vegas.
17. Tobtok, Perfect Havoc, Stockholm, Sweden
Tune: Jungle’s “Keep Moving.”
Accomplishment: Hitting 50 million streams on Spotify.
Musical Moment: When Adele’s “Easy On Me” was released – it’s something people will sing at karaoke in 20 years’ time.
18 . LP Giobbi, Femme House, Austin, Texas
Tune: DJ Tennis’ “Atlanta.”
Your best accomplishment of 2021? When my non-profit, Femme House, launched She Is The Producer to create a free month-long bootcamp teaching women & gender-expansive people how to produce music, in partnership with Alicia Keys’ She Is The Music and Emily Lazaar’s We Are Moving The Needle. We had 3,300 enrollees from 1,400 cities and 77 countries.
Musical Moment: Getting to play for Hulaween’s magical dancefloor.
19. Sleepy & Boo, Transmit Recordings, NYC
Tunes: ARTBAT’s “Flame” was a powerful dancefloor track & we loved Maceo Plex’s rework of Faithless’ “Insomnia.”
Accomplishment: We’re really grateful to have released so much music in 2021.
Musical Moment: We’ll never forget our first night back on the decks in Brooklyn in June, after NYC had lifted most of the COVID restrictions for indoor gatherings. People were going wild to every single track. So much love, so many hugs.
20. Parnassvs, Enhanced/Blackhole Recordings, Manilla, Phillippines
Tune: Allen Watts’ “GDL” (Yoshi & Razner Remix).
Accomplishment: Getting signed to Enhanced under Daniel Kandi’s label and establishing our first Festival series, “Elevation,” in Manila.
Musical Moment: Seeing international artists on “Elevation 2021” online festival!
21. Pagano, Toolroom/Tronic, London
Tune: An album, Kommit, by Der Dritte Raum.
Accomplishment: Participating in live-stream sessions from Beatport and by techno legend Christian Smith for his Tronic Thursdays. Also, reaching No. 1 on Beatport Techno with my album, Infinite Regress.
Musical Moment: Seeing Adam Beyer playing my track “Panta Rhei” at a sold-out Printworks in London totally took me by surprise.
22. Lopezhouse, Bedrock, Valdepeñas, Spain
Tune: “True” by Danny Elfman & Trent Reznor.
Accomplishment: Finishing Apollo, our debut album on Bedrock Records.
Musical Moment: The Live from the Bunker session with John Digweed & our gig in San Isidro, Madrid.
23. SLANDER, Heaven Sent/Gud Vibrations, L.A.
Tune: RIOT’s “Juggernaut.”
Accomplishment: Selling out our first solo headline show at Red Rocks.
Musical Moment: Headlining Lollapalooza with THE EYE!
24. Yves V, Spinnin Records, Antwerp, Belgium
Tune: Tiësto’s “The Business.”
Accomplishment: “Complicated,” my collaboration with Steve Aoki & Ryan Caraveo.
Musical Moment: Being able to tour again, including my live show at Shalvata in Tel Aviv!
25. Howard “HK” Kessler, In The Mix with HK, Minneapolis
Tune: Olivia Rodrigo’s “Driver’s License.”
Accomplishment: Helping our millions of radio listeners stay home, healthy, sane, and entertained through the pandemic every weekend.
Musical Moment: My first live gig back in front of an audience & crushing the dancefloor for four hours.
26. The Scene Kings, Sektor Records, NYC
Tunes: “Do it To It” by ACRAZE & “Kill the Lights (Audien Remix)” by Alex Newell, Jess Glynne and DJ Cassidy feat. Nile Rodgers.
Accomplishment: We had a release on Liftoff Recordings that’s done very well for us.
Musical Moment: Just DJing to in-person crowds again.
27. DJ Yoshi, Army/Big Ten Football DJ, NYC
Tune: Shouse’s “Love Tonight.”
Accomplishment: Learning Ableton Live as a production tool, instead of utilizing is as a sample-triggering program. Also, starting a talk show on Twitch called Studio Series.
Musical Moment: Fans returning to arenas & stadiums. There is no better feeling as a DJ than playing for 80,000 people & watching them sing, dance & smile.
28. AUDIO1, Twitch Music Streamer, San Francisco
Tune: Tchami’s “Buenos Aires.”
Accomplishment: Continued recovery from the stroke I suffered in 2020. The progress I’ve made in 2021 has been remarkable. Grateful and thankful for this second chance at life.
Musical Moment: My return stream on Twitch six months after the stroke was a pivotal moment. The amount of love and support was truly overwhelming.
29. Matsu, DJcity/Beatsource, NYC
Tune: Duck Sauce’s “Smiley Face.”
Accomplishment: My debut EP, “R U With Me,” supported by myriad of DJs, blogs, playlists & record pools worldwide.
Musical Moment: Series of live streams on Twitch, Slow Roast Sundays, with Craze throughout the first half of the year.
30. DJ Vivona, King Street, Palermo, Italy
Tune: Gil Bokobza feat. Loren’s “Heaven Or Hell.”
Accomplishment: Remixing “Piece of Meat” by Byron Stingily, an artist I’ve always admired. His voice is magical.
Musical Moment: Returning to play in the beautiful island of Favignana in southern Italy.
31. Lubelski, dirtybird, L.A.
Tune: Red Axes’ “Some Lights.”
Accomplishment: Releasing my second album, Happy Accidents.
Musical Moment: Headlining Sound Nightclub in my hometown of L.A.
32. Luda Weigand, 4AM, NYC
Tune: Paul Woolford, Diplo & Kareen Lomax’s “Looking For Me.”
Accomplishment: DJing a luxury-brand event in The Hamptons
Musical Moment: Any of James Hype’s live-streams is an experience!
33. Collin Oliver, Brooklyn Fire Records, NYC:
Tune: Wh0 Feat. Nile Rodgers & Josh Barry’s “Better Day.”
Accomplishment: Getting to tour again.
Musical Moment: Electric Zoo Supernaturals at Randall’s Island, N.Y.
34. Luis Martinez, Mix93fm, Tampa
Tune: Vintage Culture & Fancy Inc. feat. Roland Clark’s “Free.”
Accomplishment: Being able to express my music & passion to make people feel happy & free again on the dancefloor.
Musical Moment: Traveling around the globe & experiencing how the different cultures react to my music.
35. Phoenix Lord, La Chapelle Records, Montreal
Tune: “So Free” by Todd Terry, Kokiri & Jem Cooke.
Accomplishment: My song “I Believe” with Robin S was No. 1 on a radio station in Prague, Czech Republic, thanks to the remix of Czech DJ Jean Luc.
Musical Moment: I loved producing my remix of “We’re Gonna Make It” by Bruno Kauffmann & D’Layna.
36. Sly Chapel, Mix93fm, Montreal
Tune: “Feelin’ Feelin’” by the amazing Inaya Day.
Accomplishment: Producing my own single, “Abracadabra.” I wrote this song to make people believe in magic & that dreams are made to become true.
Musical Moment: Recording “Abracadabra” in the studio with a 9-year-old girl who brought so much character and theatricality.
37. The Archer, There Is A Light, L.A.
Tune: “Lights Go Down” by Drinks On Me & Why So Low
Accomplishment: Starting the label, There Is A Light Records
Musical Moment: In the studio, creating a lot of great music for 2022.
38. Oliver Nelson, Perfect Havoc, Stockholm, Sweden
Tune: “Marea (We’ve Lost Dancing)” by Fred again… feat. The Blessed Madonna.
Accomplishment: Releasing my remix of The Wombats’ “Greek Tragedy.”
Musical Moment: Being part of Donna Summer’s I’m A Rainbow Recovered & Recoloured album.
39. Michelle Sparks, Octopus Recordings, Phoenix
Tune: Simina Grigoriu’s “Contraband.”
Accomplishment: Had a lot of time in the studio that was super-productive & did a long-running live-streaming series for the year.
Musical Moment: A live gig in Philly for the Fold Theory crew – it was a sold-out, wild, sweaty & a full-on vibe the whole night.
40. Kmyle, Arts/Mord/Skryptom, Toulouse, France
Tune: System F feat. Marc Almond’s “Soul On Soul (Elektrochemie LK Remix).”
Accomplishment: The debut of my own record label, Kmyle Records.
Musical Moment: Hybrid b2b live with my friend Laurent Garnier at Bikini in Toulouse.
41. The Crystal Method, Ultra Music, L.A.
Tune: Habstrakt’s “The Sound.”
Accomplishment: Completing The Crystal Method’s seventh studio album, The Trip Out.
Musical Moment: Scoring two scenes & the end credits for Guillermo del Toro’s Netflix animated movie, “Trollhunters: Rise of the Titan.”
42. DJ Tsu, Mixed In Key, Campina Grande, Brazil
Tune: John Summit’s “Human.”
Accomplishment: Resuming my DJ/producer project & playing some gigs again, especially those long sets that we all love.
Musical Moment: I played an eight-hour set at a local club called Vegas Pub & the crowd’s vibe was amazing.
43. Feather, Indie DJ/artist, Nashville
Tune: “Anywhere” by SLANDER & Au5 feat. shYbeast & PLYA
Accomplishment: Releasing my EP, “Becoming,” was a big step, a very full-circle moment creatively.
Musical Moment: Playing my very first headlining show in Minneapolis, my hometown, was a humbling & inspirational experience.
44. Austin Millz, Boom.Records, L.A.
Tune: Fred again… feat. The Blessed Madonna’s “Marea (We’ve Lost Dancing).”
Accomplishment: Releasing my EP, “Midas.”
Musical Moment: Performing the “Midas” songs live in front of people – fulfilling.
45. Melissa Nikita, Minitech Recordings, NYC
Tune: Noir’s “Undone (Electric Rescue Remix).”
Accomplishment: Working with Serato DJ again for its live-stream video showcase of the new Denon DJ LC6000 PRIME controller.
Musical Moment: Filming for the Melodic Underground’s annual New Year’s Day 24-hour live-stream festival.
46. Mr. Black, HYBIT/Revealed Recordings, Tel Aviv, Israel
Tune: Tiësto’s “Adagio For Strings 2021 (Extended Remix).”
Accomplishment: Opening the imprint HYBIT together with Hardwell’s Revealed.
Musical Moment: The moment I went off-stage at Tomorrowland after performing for thousands of people.
47. John Hohman, MetroMix, Pittsburgh
Tune: Elton John & Dua Lipa’s “Cold Heart (PS1 Remix).”
Accomplishment: Creating the MetroMix Top 15 Dance Countdown with John Hohman.
Musical Moment: Just seeing my mixshow grow on more radio stations.
48. Ship Wrek, Big Beat, L.A.
Tune: Zeds Dead & MKLA’s “Alive.”
Accomplishment: Building our dream studio. It kept us motivated earlier this year when shows weren’t happening.
Musical Moment: The rush of having three or four shows a week again when touring picked back up.
49. DJ Nikis, Mix93fm, Boston
Tune: Alesso & Marshmello’s “Chasing Stars.”
Accomplishment: Getting my show on two more FM radio stations, with weekly mixes.
Musical Moment: Doing a noontime workout mix three times a week on an FM radio station for The Klubjumpers.
50. Surf Mesa, Astralwerks, L.A.
Tune: “I Wanna Run Away” by R3HAB, Mr Eazi & Wafia.
Accomplishment: The Life Is Beautiful festival in Las Vegas, because I flew out my family from Seattle to watch me perform for the first time.
Musical Moment: At Life Is Beautiful, I saw Green Day – such a thrilling experience to be around a legacy band. They still got their rock-star energy.
51. Joee Cons, Simmetry Sounds, Toronto
Tune: Faithless’ “Insomnia 2021 (Maceo Plex Remix).”
Accomplishment: Creating two remixes for the same track, “Finally” by Sara Simms feat. JEI.
Musical Moment: Playing a seven-hour set.
52. AMÉMÉ, One Tribe NYC, Berlin
Tune: Jamie Jones & Alan Fitzpatrick’s “Sundancing.”
Accomplishment: Building a team comprised of the best management & agencies in the world.
Musical Moment: Black Coffee at Void Mykonos.
53. Lauren Mia, Harabe, L.A.
Tune: Pan-Pot’s “Sleepless (Stephan Bodzin Remix).” My moment of epiphany to pursue music professionally.
Accomplishment: Playing the Anjunadeep Open Air at Brooklyn Mirage.
Musical Moment: Playing my record, “Labyrinth,” at The Concourse Project in Austin – I’ll never forget the crowd’s reaction.
54. XIE: Create Music Group, L.A.
Tune: “I Found You” by Fred again…
Accomplishment: Co-directing & editing my first music video.
Musical Moments: Being direct support for two sold-out shows at Exchange with Adventure Club & ARMNHMR.
55. Tracy Young, Ferosh Records, Miami
Tune: Acraze’s “Do It To It.”
Accomplishment: Getting a Grammy nomination for my “Fashionably Late Remix” of k.d. lang’s “Constant Craving.”
Musical Moment: David Morales’s Sunday Mass on Twitch.
56. Ravell, Kazaa Records, L.A.
Tune: Dubdogz, Mariana Bo & Flakkë – “Drop It.”
Accomplishment: The release of my song, “Siento.”
Musical Moment: Insomniac’s Park ‘N Rave.
57. Kito, Astralwerks, L.A.
Tune: Rain Radio & Craig Gorman” “Talk About.”
Accomplishment of 2021? Making my EP, “Blossom.”
Musical Moment: Art Basel in Miami – just such an explosion of energy, music, art and friends.
58. 22 Weeks, House of Hustle, Brussels, Belgium
Tune: ZOF’s “Cupcake.”
Accomplishment: Releasing music on the labels I really like – Low Ceiling, House of Hustle, OFDM, Safe & Wildcard.
Musical Moment: Playing at Amsterdam Music Event again felt really awesome.
59. Matt Bishop, Trance Mind State/Mix93fm, Tampa
Tune: Above & Beyond and Justine Suissa’s “Almost Home (Club Mix).”
Accomplishment: Staying in the mix and doing what I love, while we all dealt with COVID.
Musical Moment: Seeing Armin van Buuren.
60. Bleu Clair, Insomniac, Jakarta, Indonesia
Tunes: Biscits’ “Wait A Minute.”
Accomplishment: Releasing my debut EP, “Prelude.”
Musical Moment: Performing at EDC Las Vegas.
61. Nick Spinelli, SCE Event Group, Howell, N.J.
Tune: Silk Sonic’s “Fly As Me.”
Accomplishment: My YouTube channel.
Musical Moment: I got a grandma to twerk to Cardi B at a wedding this year – God bless America.
62. ONEDUO, Overdrive Mgmt, NYC
Tune: Machine Gun Kelly’s “papercuts.”
Accomplishment: We shot our first-ever music video for our new style/genre that we’re debuting in the new year.
Musical Moment: Playing EZoo in front of our hometown crowd.
63. Paradoks, Purified Records, Brussels, Belgium
Tune: Undercatt’s “Oraculum.”
Accomplishment: Growing as an artist despite the pandemic, all while finishing a master’s degree.
Musical Moment: My recent Argentina tour.
64. Rick Wonder, 4 AM/Deep Root, NYC
Tune: ABBA’s “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight).”
Accomplishment: Coming out of the pandemic bigger & touring more aggressively than before.
Musical Moment: Doing the halftime show at Madison Square Garden for the Knicks.
65. Patricia Baloge, Platoon, NYC
Tune: Rosalinda de la Espada’s “Quiribi (Yamil Remix).”
Accomplishment: The release of my debut EP, “Womb.”
Musical Moment: In the studio, producing new music & finding my voice.
66. NURKO, Proximity, NYC
Tune: “Supersonic (My Existence)” by Skrillex, Noisia, Josh Pan & Dylan Brady.
Accomplishment: Signing a major record deal.
Musical Moment: When I accidentally upgraded my synth stack, which is a secret sauce I use in my drops now.
67. SOHMI, Permission, L.A.
Tune: Alan Fitzpatrick & Lawrence Hart’s “Warning Signs.”
Accomplishment: Launching my label, Permission, & going on my first tour.
Musical Moment: Having Beatport live-stream my set from Seismic Dance Event.
68. Franky Wah, Ministry of Sound, Yorkshire, U.K.
Tune: Chromatics’ “Shadows (Maceo Plex Remix).”
Accomplishment: Selling out my first-ever U.K. headline live tour.
Musical Moment: My “All Night Long” set at London’s Fabric.
69. James Juke, Late Night Jackin’, San Francisco
Tune: Demuir feat. Phil Weeks’ “To Be A Star (Mat Lunnen & Darren Marshall Remix).”
Accomplishment: Released my debut EP, “Where The Party Starts.”
Musical Moment: Louie Vega’s set at Halcyon in San Fran – a true master at work.
70. KICE, DistroKid, Chicago
Tune: KC Lights feat. Lowes’ “Share A Little Love.”
Accomplishment: Playing Spring Awakening Music Festival.
Musical Moment: My release, “Pusher.”
71. Mannix, Dafia Records, Vienna, Austria
Tune: The Pleasure Principle feat. Heidi Vogel’s “Coral Drive Hustler (Expressive Records).”
Accomplishment: Building up my new label, Dafia Records, with eight great singles & releasing my debut album, Standing Right Here.
Musical Moment: On the live-streams, DJ Meme was good and funny.
72. Tibasko, Three Six Zero, Welwyn Garden City, U.K.
Tune: Overmono’s “So U Kno,” a lethal club banger.
Accomplishment: Our debut gigs at Creamfields and The Warehouse Project.
Musical Moment: Playing in Athens, Greece, in a 120-year-old train museum was such a unique experience.
73. Topic, Polydor Records, Solingen, Germany
Tune: Fred again… feat. The Blessed Madonna’s “Marea (We’ve Lost Dancing).”
Accomplishment: Buying my first house.
Musical Moment: Exit Festival – first festival with a real crowd after two years.
74. Crystal Skies, Lost in Dreams, Minneapolis/Denver
Tune: Steve Brian & RENEE’s “Sweet Little Lies (Myon Summer of Love Mix).”
Accomplishment: Writing & completing our debut album.
Musical Moment: Playing Lost Lands.
75. Skyler Madison, Monstercat, L.A.
Tune: Can’t pick just one!
Accomplishment: Making my label debut with Monstercat, hands down!
Musical Moment: Just growing as an artist in the studio.
76. Marc Tattoo, Mix93fm, Vancouver
Tune: Marsh’s “Healer” (Guy J Extended Remix)
Musical Moment: Seeing James Deron.
Accomplishment: Not totally losing my mind & surviving 2021.
77. KSHMR, Dharma Worldwide, L.A.
Tune: Greta Van Fleet’s “Heat Above.”
Accomplishment: Releasing my debut album, Harmonica Andromeda. I really put everything that I have into that.
Musical Moment: In NYC, I headlined EZoo Fest & then, directly after, I had a show at the Brooklyn Mirage – a crazy night & extremely fun.
78. ARMNHMR, Monstercat, L.A.
Tune: Illenium & Tori Kelly’s “Blame Myself.”
Accomplishment: Being able to really establish our “Infinite Skies” brand.
Musical Moment: A tie between our Circuit Grounds set & our Hollywood Palladium shows.
79. Mister Lady, Record Union, L.A.
Tune: Ramon Tapia’s “Last Step.”
Accomplishment: Releasing my first EP, “The Feeling.”
Musical Moment: Seeing Kai Tracid at EDC Las Vegas – a perfect genre-bending combo of trance & techno.
80. Ed Unger, Mix93fm, Miami
Tune: Zato DJ feat. Treekoo’s “Pepas” (Remix).
Accomplishment: DJing in the Bahamas a couple of times after the pandemic.
Musical Moment: A tie between seeing James Hype & Bob Moses in Miami.
81. Luna, Indie Artist, L.A.
Tune: “Silhouette (Feed Me Remix)” by Bad Computer feat. Skyelle
Accomplishment: Headlining the Whisky a Go Go.
Musical Moment: Kaskade Live with deadmau5 at SoFi Stadium in July.
82. House of Cheetah, House of Cheetah Records, Maui, Hawaii
Tune: Paul Johnson feat. Zoe Thorn’s “You Drive Me Crazy (Supernova Extended Remix).”
Accomplishment: Launching House of Cheetah Records & getting out our first three releases.
Musical Moment: The Lab: 10 Years Party… five hours of back-to-back legends beaming in from bedrooms & beaches around the world.
83. EchoStorms, Force of Habit, Warsaw, Poland
Tune: Nick Raff’s “Ballin’.”
Accomplishment: Reaching No. 1 on the Beatport Tech-House Releases Chart and No. 2 overall with “Delirious.”
Musical Moment: James Hype live in Warsaw – he’s the best in the game as a DJ, a brilliant showman.
84. tau0n, Slothacid/Modarnity, L.A.
Tune: Township Rebellion’s “Definition of Mimosa.”
Accomplishment: Playing our first festival and out-of-state shows.
Musical Moment: Performing our first live set at Academy for Insomniac’s Day Trip.
85. Doc Brown, Unlearn:Records, Miami
Tune: Hotswing’s “Pump Up” – a total vibe.
Accomplishment: Putting together a festival on Twitch was both the most challenging & the most rewarding.
Musical Moment: Performing at EDC Orlando was extra special.
86. Daniel Orpi, elrow, London
Tune: The Martinez Brothers feat. Fuego’s “Pendiente al Paso.”
Accomplishment: Five No. 1s on Beatport.
Musical Moment: My debut at Fabric London.
87. Mihalis Safras, Sola, Athens, Greece
Tune: Eskuche’s “Concentrate.”
Accomplishment: My 10th collab with Green Velvet.
Musical Moment: Winning at the Ibiza DJ Awards.
88. Michael Alevras, LB Entertainment, Washingtonville, N.Y.
Tune: “Levitating” by Dua Lipa feat. DaBaby.
Accomplishment: Our company added a full-service rental company & photography division.
Musical Moment: Again, hosting the parties & night events at DJX this past August in Atlantic City.
89. DJ Serafin, PitchTheTempo.com, St. Petersburg, Fla.
Tune: “Stay” by the Kid LAROI & Justin Bieber – I like the lyrics. Also, Avocuddle’s “Fly Me to the Moon.”
Accomplishment: Opened my DJ/production School. Launched Pitch the Tempo electronic record pool.
Musical Moment: Self-released my single, “Play.” Played with some very interesting artists – you know, the ones that wear masks.
90. DJ Val, Ibiza Live Radio/Mix93fm, Chicago
Tune: Georgie Porgie’s “Life Goes On (2021 Remixes).”
Accomplishment: Keeping my long-running mix shows afloat, while in the midst of a personal crisis – my husband was diagnosed with ALS.
Musical Moment: Learning about production more intensely.
91. Juheun, Octopus Recordings, Phoenix
Tune: “Brainporting” by Luca Marchese.
Accomplishment: Making it through lockdown.
Musical Moment: Playing live for Insomniac TV on Twitch during the lockdown.
92 . Flatfoot Sam, Depth Charge Records, Southampton, U.K.
Tune: “Hyperlandia” by deadmau5 feat. Foster the People.
Accomplishment: Bringing out my first album, TripField.
Musical Moment: Hearing one of my songs on the radio – gave me goosebumps for ages.
93 . Jacob Colon, Nervous Records, NYC
Tune: Chucky73’s “Dominicana (The Martinez Brothers & Florentina Remix).”
Accomplishment: I had five songs rank in the Top 100 dance charts on iTunes in several countries around the world.
Musical Moment: Just the great feeling I get when performing in a different country & fans appreciate the work I put into my music.
94. Ken Bauer, Future Rave Music, Stockholm, Sweden
Tune: Tiësto’s “I’ll Take You High.”
Accomplishment: Being eligible for a Grammy nomination for my track, “The Sirens Are Calling.”
Musical Moment: Collaborating with my friend J-Rob MD on our track “So Alive.”
95. Lenell Brown, Clipper’s Sounds, Thun, Switzerland
Tune: Martin Garrix feat. Tove Lo’s “Pressure.”
Accomplishment: The success of our single, “One Day.”
Musical Moment: Definitely the release & of the “Bring It To Life” video series.
96. NATHASSIA, ArchangelUK Recordings, London
Tune: Oliver Heldens’ “Zapdos.”
Accomplishment: My single, “Lair,” being a No. 1 release on Beatport.
Musical Moment: The explosion of my weekly Goddess Is A DJ radio show has been absolutely amazing!
97. Terry Golden, Sirup Music, Herning, Denmark
Tune: David Guetta feat. Sia “Titanium (David Guetta & MORTEN Future Rave Remix).”
Accomplishment: I doubled my streams compared to 2020, now almost 3 million streams.
Musical Moment: Getting my weekly radio show, Art of Rave, up and running, hitting 37 stations in 15 countries in just 15 episodes.
98. Adam Griffin, Perfect Havoc, London
Tune: Tobtok & Jem Cooke’s “My Carousel.”
Accomplishment: Hitting 3.5 billion streams with all our amazing Perfect Havoc tracks, which is mind-blowing. Musical Moment: I went to Printworks in London three weeks in a row – after starvation came a huge harvest!
99. Kevin McKay, Glasgow Underground, London
Tune: Diplo & Sidepiece’s “On My Mind (Purple Disco Machine Remix).”
Accomplishment: My first Beatport Top 10 & hitting 10 million streams on one of my own tracks for the first time.
Musical Moment: The smiles on the dancefloor and general mayhem when “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!” was dropped post-lockdown by me & many others!
100. Varski, New State Records, Leicester, U.K.
Tune: Acraze’s “Do It To It.”
Accomplishment: Having my track, “Over You” peak at No. 7 in the iTunes dance charts & receiving incredible support from KISS FM U.K.
Musical Moment: Having 1,000-plus ravers singing the words of my track, “Gravity,” back to me.
