Here we are, finally, where 2022 meets 2023. Luckily, the past year saw a return to relative normalcy in the DJ world – parties, clubs and festivals came back in a big way.
So, as we wrapped up ’22, we conducted a quickie poll to DJs of all stripes and from all over the world, inquiring about the past year. We asked three simple questions: What’s your top tune of the year? What was your best accomplishment? What was the best DJ/musical moment you experienced?
Here are the first 100 responses we got. Off we go…
Tune: Lizzo’s “About Damn Time.”
Accomplishment: My second album, Exotica, released in October 2021, reached over 1 billion streams.
Musical Moment: My first performances at Coachella Festival & on the Main Stage at Tomorrowland.
2 Paul Oakenfold, Perfecto Records, L.A.
Tune: Whoriskey’s “Observa.”
Accomplishment: The release of my new album, Shine On, and my autobiography, “Ready Steady Go.”
Musical Moment: DJing at Madison Square Garden & The Hollywood Bowl this year on The Unity Tour!
3 Alison Wonderland, Astralwerks, L.A.
Tune: Fred again.. X Swedish House Mafia’s “Turn on the Lights again..” feat. Future.
Accomplishment: Releasing Loner, my favorite album that I’ve ever made.
Musical Moment: Definitely playing Red Rocks, but Life Is Beautiful, Hard Summer & EDC Orlando were also really memorable moments… as well as playing my album-launch party in a laundromat to a small group of fans.
4 Paul van Dyk, VANDIT Records, Berlin
Tune: Analog Jungs’ “Tadasana” (Sean & Dee Remix).
Accomplishment: I made a phenomenal chicken soup.
Musical Moment: The SHINE Ibiza season was an amazing experience, thanks to all of you!
5 DJ Spen, Quantize Recordings, Baltimore
Tune: Melvo Baptiste’s “Gonna Be Alright” feat. Jamie 3:26 & Annette Bowen.
Accomplishment: Pulling off our 10-year anniversary party for Quantize Recordings at London’s Ministry of Sound with Crystal Waters, Barbara Tucker, members of Jasper Street Company, alongside many of my favorite performers & DJs.
Musical Moment: Playing the Defected party early this year for the closing night of De Marktkantine in Amsterdam – insane!
6 John Digweed, Bedrock Records/Transitions Worldwide Radio Show, London
Tune: Bicep’s “Meli (II).”
Accomplishment: I am just happy that things started to return to some sort of normality this year in clubland, so I have enjoyed seeing this for the nightlife industry the most. So, this accomplishment is best for everyone involved.
Musical Moment: Played the closing set at Noisily Festival & was blown away by how amazing & authentic this festival was with such a genuine & fun-loving crowd.
7 Gryffin, The Darkroom/Interscope, L.A.
Tune: Fred again..’s “Danielle (smile on your face).”
Accomplishment: Releasing my sophomore album, Alive, this past November.
Musical Moment: Doing my biggest headline show ever at Los Angeles Historic Park for 18,000 people.
8 Mark Knight, Toolroom, Maidstone, U.K.
Tune: Janet Jackson’s “Love Will Never Do” (Sgt Slick’s Discotizer ReCut). Really clever mash-up of the backing track with Janet’s vocal on top. If you’re a fan of ’80s funk & boogie, this is for you.
Accomplishment: Starting my own football club – Toolroom Academy FC.
Musical Moment: I’ve just remixed an unreleased Whitney Houston record – set to be released in line with an upcoming film biopic. Proud of this one!
9 Markus Schulz, Coldharbour Recordings, Miami
Tune: Vintage Culture & Goodboys’ “This Feeling.”
Accomplishment: Surviving another Ibiza residency.
Musical Moment: Debuting my latest project at EDC Mexico City, The X Project. Also, seeing Sasha & Danny Tenaglia B2B for the first time ever at Art Basil.
10 Barry Ashworth/Dub Pistols, Cyclone Records, London
Tune: Bou & Trigga “Veteran” (Alix Perez Remix).
Accomplishment: Curating, producing & selling out my own Festival Mucky Weekender.
Musical Moment: Headlining Glade Area Glastonbury & the live experience returning to The Electric Castle festival in Romania.
11 Claptone, Golden Recordings, Berlin
Tune: CID & Westend’s “Let Me Take You.”
Accomplishment: “The Masquerade” season in Pacha Ibiza & “The Masquerade” events worldwide.
Musical Moment: Dombresky.
12 Nicole Moudaber, Mood Records, London/Miami
Tune: Chris Liebing’s “Fault Line” (6 AM Club Mix).
Accomplishment: “In the Mood” Tour across London, Canada and the U.S. – sold-out shows across the board.
Musical Moment: It would have to be the B2B with Carl Cox in New York. It was his first-ever B2B with his hybrid set-up.
13 Kayzo, Welcome Records, L.A.
Tune: Luude & Mattafix’s “Big City Life.”
Accomplishment: Settling into a home with my girlfriend & pets.
Musical Moment: Announcing my largest bus tour for ’23, with my biggest show ever in L.A. at the Kia Forum – & building my dream studio.
14 Flux Pavilion, Circus Records, London
Tune: Wavedash’s “Satin Cash, Pt. 2.”
Accomplishment: Writing more demos than the previous five years combined.
Musical Moment: Working with original Frank Zappa stems.
15 Radio Slave, Rekids, Berlin
Tune: Mark Broom’s “Late Nite Rave Muncher.”
Accomplishment: Finishing my forthcoming third album.
Musical Moment: It’s just been an incredible year to reconnect with people & finally hear music being played in the clubs.
16 Vintage Culture, So Track Boa, São Paulo, Brazil
Tune: The Martinez Brothers & Gordo feat. Rema’s “Rizzla” (Mochakk Remix).
Accomplishment: Completing two weekly residencies with Hi Ibiza & Tao Group Las Vegas on different continents & thousands of miles apart, all summer long.
Musical Moment: Performing on the Mainstage at Tomorrowland was a magical moment & something I’ve dreamed of since the day I started.
17 Maya Jane Coles, I/AM/ME, London
Tune: FM-3’s “Money Talks.”
Accomplishment: Finally releasing my collab EP, “LDN,” with Chasey Jones, an old school friend – it’s a project close to my heart.
Musical Moment: Watching Björk play a DJ set at a Gucci party in London recently was pretty epic.
18 Dave Audé, Audacious Records, Nashville
Tune: Dom Dolla’s “Miracle Maker” feat. Clementine Douglas.
Accomplishment: I finally released my first full-length artist LP, Motions!
Musical Moment: Twitch put me on the front page early in 2022, & I have 200,000 viewers for my “Wake & Shake” stream.
19 Cedric Gervais, Armada Music, Miami
Tune: Vintage Culture’s “Fractions.”
Accomplishment: Taking in lots of shows & getting inspired while in Ibiza to make fresh new music.
Musical Moment: Seeing Tale Of Us during Miami Music Week.
20 Joel Corry, Atlantic Records, London
Tune: Supermode’s “Tell Me Why” (Meduza Remix).
Accomplishment: Having the Beatport overall chart No. 1 & No. 2 positions at the same time with “Liquor Store” and “The Parade.”
Musical Moment: Playing the main stage at Tomorrowland – a dream come true!
21 ACRAZE, Thrive Music, Orlando, Fla.
Tune: Mau P’s “Drugs from Amsterdam.”
Accomplishment: The opportunity to tour the world.
Musical Moment: When I brought out Cherish for “Do It to It” during my EDC Las Vegas set in front of 80,000 people.
22 Ferry Corsten, Flashover Recordings, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Tune: BLR & anamē’s “Influencer.”
Accomplishment: Finally, being able to tour my “What The F” open-to-close shows where I exclusively play my own productions, bringing together my past & future self under one roof.
Musical Moment: It would have to be playing at Printworks, London, as I’ve always loved the venue & I’m incredibly grateful to have played there before they shut the doors forever.
23 Ultra Naté, BluFire/Peace Bizquit, Baltimore
Tune: David Morales’ “Life Is a Song” feat. Michelle Perera.
Accomplishment: Successfully releasing my 10th album, ULTRA, as an independent in a very volatile dance music industry.
Musical Moment: Performing live at Wembley Stadium for the Women’s Euros historic championship game.
24 DJ Tay James, Playbook/Justin Bieber, L.A.
Tune: J.I.D’s “Surround Sound” feat. 21 Savage x Baby Tate
Accomplishment: Performing at the Grammy Awards.
Musical Moment: DJing at Rock in Rio in front of 200,000 people.
25 Carneyval, Astralwerks, L.A.
Tune: Central Cee’s “Doja.”
Accomplishment: Getting on the front page of Apple Music with my Today’s Hits Mix.
Musical Moment: Being in the studio working on a song when Ryan Tedder walked in & said it sounded great.
26 Maxim Lany, Armada Electronic Elements, Gent, Belgium
Tune: Delerium feat. Sarah McLachlan’s “Silence” (AVIRA Extended Remix).
Accomplishment: Being able to turn the tide around after COVID & get back to touring, releasing new music & connecting people all over the world through music.
Musical Moment: Playing for a sold-out festival show in Dreamfields Mexico on the Armada Music stage & testing brand-new music.
27 Sara Simms, Simmetry Sounds, Toronto
Tune: Eli Brown’s “Believe.”
Accomplishment: I performed at Electric Island, a summer festival series in Toronto.
Musical Moment: I opened for Victor Ruiz at Discopussy in Las Vegas for Elation Events. It was an amazing show.
28 Tokyo Fan Club, Bedrock Records, U.K./Italy
Tune: Kaz James’ “Footprints.”
Accomplishment: Releasing our amazing album, We Live Electric, on Bedrock.
Musical Moment: Seeing Hernan Cattaneo play our tune, “All I Need,” on Music To Die For in front of 50,000 people – that was a head-spinner.
29 Miles Atmospheric, Bedrock/Atmospheric Existence, Brighton, U.K.
Tune: Helen Copnall’s “Lotuses in a Sea of Fire.”
Accomplishment: Releasing my album, Ancestral Communication, on John Digweed’s Bedrock & being a part of the seminal Quattro series (Quattro III).
Musical Moment: Performing at Audio Farm Festival in Wales with my 9-year-old daughter dancing next to me in the DJ booth.
30 Howard “HK” Kessler, In The Mix with HK, Minneapolis
Tune: Glass Animals’ “Heat Waves.” This song just won’t go away & there’s so many great remixes to sustain programming life. Tough competition this year. Could have easily been something from Harry Styles, Doja Cat, Lil Nas X or newcomer Gayle.
Accomplishment: My syndicated radio show being No. 1 in the ratings on broadcast radio across the country & our podcast being heard in 28 countries.
Musical Moment: Going to No. 22 in 2022 on the Mixcloud Global 100 Remix.
31 Joey Dino, Philly Video DJs/Boogie Nights, Philly
Tune: David Guetta & Bebe Rexha’s “I’m Good (Blue).”
Accomplishment: Expanding my brand beyond nightlife & into the corporate/private events market has been a rewarding challenge for me this year.
Musical Moment: I celebrated 15 years of nightlife & pro DJing this past year & consider myself blessed to have worked alongside so many talented people for this long.
32 Karma Fields, Sweat It Out, LA
Tune: Poté’s “Young Lies” feat. Damon Albarn.
Accomplishment: Producing a good chunk of the new Tove Lo album & hearing it everywhere.
Musical Moment: Getting to work with Max Martin on a few tracks.
33 Venessa Michaels, 2090 World Music, LA
Tune: Ferra Black’s “Vibra.”
Accomplishment: Completing my first full-length project, to be released at the top of 2023.
Musical Moment: Opening the Sahara Stage at Coachella & closing out the campgrounds.
34 Gl0bal, Rebirth Records, Kelowna, B.C.
Tune: Drake & 21 Savage’s “Jimmy Cooks.”
Accomplishment: Finding better mental peace in this music space
Musical Moment: Finishing my debut album.
35 Maddy O’Neal, Mammoth Music Group, Denver
Tune: GRiZ x CloZee’s “Color Of Your Soul.”
Accomplishment: The release of my sophomore, 10-track album, Ricochet.
Musical Moment: Getting to play Lollapalooza – because it was the first festival I ever attended as a fan.
36 SoDown, GetDown Records, Denver
Tune: “Jack Harlow & Pooh Shiesty’s “SUVs (Black on Black).”
Accomplishment: Releasing my first album, Worlds Beyond.
Musical Moment: Playing at Red Rocks Amphitheatre!
37 Frameworks, Foreign Family Collective, Manchester, U.K.
Tune: Fred again..’s “Faisal (Envelops Me).”
Accomplishment: Finishing my new album that will be released in 2023.
Musical Moment: Playing a set at The Caverns in Tennessee.
38 Crooked Colours, Atlantic Records, Fremantle, Australia
Tune: Skin On Skin’s “Burn Dem Bridges.”
Accomplishment: Releasing our first major-label album, Tomorrows.
Musical Moment: Finally, getting to perform at the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Denver after three cancellations due to being locked down in Australia during COVID.
39 Amtrac, Openers, L.A.
Tune: Braxe + Falcon’s “Step By Step” feat. Panda Bear
Accomplishment: Slowly, but surely, becoming a better chef – I put as much time into music as I do cooking.
Musical Moment: Being able to bring my live show to a festival for the first time was magical – Okeechobee Festival is one to note.
40 Young Franco, Astralwerks, Sydney, Australia
Tune: Hope Tala’s “Party Sickness.”
Accomplishment: This year’s Lollapalooza Festival was a huge moment for me.
Musical Moment: Getting to seeing Jungle live at Portola Fest was incredible. I’ve been a huge fan for a while.
41 Joe Bermudez, Mass Movement Radio, Boston
Tune: David Guetta & Becky Hill & Ella Henderson’s “Crazy What Love Can Do.”
Accomplishment: Being one of the opening acts for Alan Walker’s “Walkerverse” tour.
Musical Moment: Seeing the brand-new 200-foot LED wall at Brooklyn Mirage for the first time.
42 Herbert Holler, Freedom Party/My House, NYC
Tune: Dua Lipa “Levitating” feat. DaBaby. Still seems to get everyone on the dancefloor, more so than other songs.
Accomplishment: I had more gigs this year than ever before.
Musical Moment: Doing my Freedom Party’s Michael Jackson Tribute at Le Poisson Rouge – ’twas heaven!
43 Jonas Blue, Astralwerks, London
Tune: LF System’s “Afraid To Feel.”
Accomplishment: My residency in Zouk Vegas again this summer – to be a resident in Vegas was always a dream of mine.
Musical Moment: Listening to the final mix of my single “Don’t Wake Me Up” with Why Don’t We, I absolutely loved working on it & it’s always a pleasure to play this one out.
44 Melissa Nikita, As You Are Recordings, NYC
Tune: Dubfire’s “Bottom Dweller.”
Accomplishment: Playing the main stage at DJX in Atlantic City. After being a part of the show for 10 years & being able to showcase techno, my way, was so important to me.
Musical Moment: Having a chance to play the “As You Are” event, brought to you by my brother Anthony Nikita.
45 Rob Garza/Thievery Corporation, Magnetic Moon, San Francisco
Tune: The Shapeshifters feat. Ramona Renea & Fiorious “Slippery People.”
Accomplishment: Traveling to Yemen with the World Food Program & working on a music project with Yemeni refugees.
Musical Moment: Opening for Duran Duran & Nile Rogers – two big childhood influences – at the at the Chase Center in San Francisco
46 Ship Wrek, Astralwerks, L.A.
Tune: Kx5’s “Escape” feat. Hayla.
Accomplishment: Selling out our debut L.A. headline show.
Musical Moment: Collaborating with The Chainsmokers on “The Fall.”
47 Pri yon Joni, Sheeva Records/Pioneer DJ, Des Moines
Tune: Top Gun: Maverick (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) by Harold Faltermayer, Lady Gaga, Hans Zimmer & Lorne Balfe. The entire score is a musical masterpiece.
Accomplishment: My YouTube channel crossed 50,000 subscribers!
Musical Moment: I made two appearances to speak about spinning music for a class of 2nd graders in Iowa, as well as a DJ class at M.I.T.
48 Topic, Astralwerks, UAE
Tune: Swedish House Mafia’s “Time” feat. Mapei.
Accomplishment: Consistency in the gym.
Musical Moment: Playing Tomorrowland’s mainstage.
49 Sky White, Afrocentric/Musiqbuk, Maputo, Mozambique
Tune: Enoo Napa & DJ Merlon’s “Two Zulu Men In Ibiza.”
Accomplishment: Creating my new “Leave Me” EP on Afrocentric.
Musical Moment: Playing at the UR Home event in South Africa.
50 Samantha Michelle, The Kagency, NYC
Tune: Bakermat’s “The River.”
Accomplishment: I got to spin in six different countries over the last six months, spreading joy, love & boogie vibes far & wide.
Musical Moment: Opening for Duran Duran & Nile Rodgers at the Budweiser Stadium in Toronto – it’s where I’m from & where I attended my first-ever concert. It was a magical, full-circle moment, lovingly nodding to my inner Canadian kid.
51 Solu Music, Solu Music, NYC
Tune: Beyoncé’s “Break My Soul” (Terry Hunter Remix).
Accomplishment: After being away for 15 years, we’ve returned to the scene with two brand-new tracks – & the great response reminded us why we love making music.
Musical Moment: Traveling to Jacksonville to work with Gabby Law, hearing her voice vibe with the music, & Sknowing something special was happening.
52 Paris, Guerilla Funk, Sydney
Tune: Bonobo’s “Otomo” feat. O’Flynn
Accomplishment: Having the pleasure of remixing a track for Lane 8 & releasing it on his label, This Never Happened.
Musical Moment: Playing the main stage at Pitch Music & Arts Festival in Victoria, Australia.
53 Bruise, Foundation Music, London
Tune: Jungle’s “Good Times.”
Accomplishment: Finally releasing the first tracks from Bruise “EP2.”
Musical Moment: Playing “Brass Tacks” & “The Dassy Slide” live at North Fest 10 Carnival & seeing the great reaction on the dance floor
54 Jacana People, Hide The Moth, London
Tune: Villager’s “In Town.”
Accomplishment: Playing our first U.K. live tour with a show at Printworks as well as supporting George Fitzgerald and T.E.E.D.
Musical Moment: Lost Village Festival was an amazing time – Elkka’s set at the Junkyard stage was ridiculous
55 Leaps, Headroom Records, London
Tune: TSHA’s “Giving Up” feat. Mafro.
Accomplishment: Having the lead single off my forthcoming EP, “Close,” played on BBC Radio 1 by Jaguar.
Musical Moment: Experiencing the Cercle Festival, based at the Muśee de l’air et de l’espace in Paris, was truly a moment I will never forget.
56 Nocui, Shapeless Culture, Berlin
Tune: Sofia Kourtesis’ “By Your Side.”
Accomplishment: Opening my own record label!
Musical Moment: Hiro Kone’s concert here in Berlin.
57 Avaion, Sony Music, Berlin
Tune: Nu Aspect’s “Strings Attached.”
Accomplishment: I’m really proud of all the music that I’ve released this year & my overall growth as an artist. It feels like I’m heading in the right direction.
Musical Moment: When I played my single, “Pieces,” in front of a couple thousand people at a festival in summer & everyone was singing the lyrics back to me – simply breathtaking.
58 Arkley, Spirit of Rave, York, U.K.
Tune: Matt Guy’s “Set My Mind Free.”
Accomplishment: Having only launched in 2021, I feel I really found my own style & hit a creative groove now – a ’90s-dance-influenced, ravey groove!
Musical Moment: My livestream for Clubbing TV back in the summer was a blast!
59 Mike Walter, Elite Entertainment, Eatontown, N.J.
Tune: David Guetta & Bebe Rexha’s “I’m Good (Blue).”
Accomplishment: Personally rockin’ over 80 weddings & overseeing over 1,000 for our company.
Musical Moment: Spun an ’80s set at an industry event that was very well received – there’s nothing like getting my fellow DJs dancing!
60 DJ Zhangye, Cyanhill Music, Beijing, China
Tune: Fred again.. X Swedish House Mafia’s “Turn on the Lights again..” feat. Future. By far the coolest song released this year. I love the angle Fred again.. has to his productions & the combination with Swedish House Mafia has really paid off.
Accomplishment: Releasing my own music & compositions – the best is yet to come.
Musical Moment: Collaboration with KARRA and Janieck, even though it was remotely, was an inspiring experience.
61 North Street West (Ashley Beedle, Darren Morris & Jo Wallace), Ramrock Records, Ramsgate, U.K.
Tune: Emma Jean Thackray’s “Venus” (Black Science Orchestra Remix)
Accomplishment: Being commissioned to rework and compose a brand-new bed under the original version of The Last Poets’ “When the Revolution Comes.” Out on Charly Records soon.
Musical Moment: Feeling the spirit of Charles Stepney in the studio when we worked on Groove Armada’s “We’re Free.”
62 Joy Anonymous, Astralwerks, London
Tune: Arctic Monkeys’ “Mr. Schwartz.”
Accomplishment: Playing in a Robin Hood-themed water park in Benidorm, Spain, at 5 a.m.
Musical Moment: Our top DJ moment of ’22 was seeing Four Tet, Skrillex and Jamie xx play at Moth Club after we had just supported Fred again.. at Village Underground. Seeing those three play for five hours in a tiny club like that felt like a rare treat.
63 Chris D’Amico, D’Amico Entertainment, Roxbury N.J.
Tune: Lizzo’s “About Damn Time.”
Accomplishment: Being a speaker in a packed room at DJX in Atlantic City & getting a standing ovation.
Musical Moment: DJing & performing live music with former New York Giants Super Bowl champions.
64 Robbie Wilde, Queenpin Recordings, Atlanta
Tune: Anyma + Chris Avantgarde’s “Consciousness.”
Accomplishment: Finishing all my new original productions.
Musical moment: Hearing Mochakk play – my choice for DJ of the year.
65 Henry Fong, Banzai, Jupiter, Fla.
Tune: Anti-Up’s “Chromatic.”
Accomplishment: Headlining Exchange LA
66 DJ Jess, DJ/MC/Event Hostess, Pittsburgh
Tune: Waka Flocka Flame’s “No Hands.”
Accomplishment: Doing a self-led work retreat where I curated a “Client Experience” that fosters connection & increases my value.
Musical Moment: Dancing with my girls DJ Dayna & Megan Taylor & not getting out of breath – because I quit smoking, finally!
67 Steller, Bassrush Records, Miami
Tune: Odesza’s “The Last Goodbye” feat. Bettye LaVette.
Accomplishment: Playing Lollapalooza and having it streamed on Hulu.
68 Surf Mesa, Astralwerks, L.A.
Tune: Lane 8’s “Watermelon Wormhole.” I highly recommend playing this song on a long drive!
Accomplishment: I re-signed my record deal with Astralwerks/Capitol Music Group. I’m so excited to continue this music journey with them.
Musical Moment: Playing Outside Lands festival. I’ve never seen so many people in a crowd before – it was amazing!
69 Niiko X Swae, Armada Music, L.A.
Tune: Disco Lines’ “Baby Girl.”
Accomplishment: Releasing collabs with artists we have always looked up to such as Deorro and Nicky Romero.
Musical Moment: When our “Typical Love” hit No. 2 at U.S. Dance Radio.
70 Lost Kings, Disruptor/RCA Records, L.A.
Tune: Steve Lacy’s “Bad Habit.”
Accomplishment: Making our Coachella debut and playing it twice.
71 SKYLER, Monstercat, L.A.
Tune: RL Grime & Hex Cougar’s “Silo” feat. fknsyd.
Accomplishment: Playing overseas for the first time at Tomorrowland, hands down!
Musical Moment: Being able to remix a tune for the legend Flux Pavilion.
72 Michael Canitrot, Monumental Tour, Paris
Tune: Bob Moses & Kasablanca’s “Afterglow.”
Accomplishment: My first international show with my “Monumental Tour” concept, in Lisbon City Hall Square in front of more than 5,000 people.
Musical Moment: Fred again.. for his performance at the Elysée Montmartre in Paris.
73 NURKO, Astralwerks, L.A.
Tune: Skrillex, Noisia, josh pan & Dylan Brady’s “Supersonic (My Existence).”
Accomplishment: Signing a deal to a major record label.
Musical Moment: My Escape Halloween set was an energy I’ve never felt before, and was so grateful.
74 Avi Sic, Skink/Blanco Y Negro, Chicago
Tune: Dom Dolla’s “Miracle Maker” feat. Clementine Douglas.
Accomplishment: Playing over 300 live shows & still making the time to produce music.
Musical Moment: DJing as direct support for Joel Corry to a massive, sold-out room.
75 Smokey Bubblin’ B, Armada Music, London
Tune: Gorgon City’s “Sidewindah” feat. Flirta D.
Accomplishment: The birth of my son!
Musical Moment: Fred again.. playing one of my tracks on his already iconic Boiler Room set.
76 Disco Fries, Liftoff Recordings, New Jersey/Virginia
Tune: James Hype & Miggy Dela Rosa’s “Ferrari.”
Accomplishment: Growing our label, Liftoff, which had great success with records from Viiq, Lena Leon & more.
Musical Moment: Being back in Miami for the first time in too long for MMW playing Bingo Beach at the Clevelander.
77 Whipped Cream, Monstercat, Vancouver
Tune: d4vd’s “Romantic Homicide.”
Accomplishment: Playing Coachella & having all my best friends there.
Musical Moment: Bringing Jasiah in to cut vocals on an opera vision, & then filming a music video directed by me. Can’t wait to share.
78 Ned Davis, Queenpin Recordings, W. Palm Beach, Fla.
Tune: Mammoth WVH’s “Horribly Right.”
Accomplishment: Finishing many years of work on my music to finally release to the public & working with incredibly talented collaborators, like Shaun Cuddy.
Musical Moment: Seeing my artist name & my first release, “Mission Scrubbed,” on all the major streaming platforms.
79 Serafin, Sleeping Giant Music/Pitch The Tempo, LA
Tune: Sam Smith & Kim Petras’ “Unholy.”
Accomplishment: Good to be back doing shows, for sure!
Musical Moment: Just getting back on a plane to do shows feels weird now.
80 Cody Chase, Cody Chase Records, Miami
Tune: Eli Brown’s “Believe.”
Accomplishment: Quitting my six-figure-a-year day job to DJ full-time.
Musical Moment: Carl Cox MegaStructure at Ultra Fest.
81 James Hurr, Toolroom Records, London
Tune: Julio Navas, Gustavo Bravetti & David Amo’s “Raw” (Tony Romera Extended Mix).
Accomplishment: Collecting my award in Amsterdam for being in the Top 101 Producers worldwide was a highlight.
Musical Moment: Thanks to Paul Harris – we wrote and produced a record with Tiësto… definitely a moment.
82 DJ Staci, The Track Star, Redlands, Calif.
Tune: Saucy Santana feat. Latto’s “Booty.”
Accomplishment: I’m most proud of re-inventing my DJ business after COVID to focus solely on corporate clients.
83 Moon Boots, Anjunadeep, Brooklyn
Tune: LF System’s “Afraid to Feel.”
Accomplishment: I became a dad in August!
Musical Moment: Playing at Elsewhere in Brooklyn with my wife as opener — this year was all about family for me!
84 MYRNE, Astralwerks, Singapore
Tune: Anish Kumar & Barry’s Can’t Swim’s “Blackpool Boulevard.” I was very fortunate to have grown up on blues, disco, funk, & sample-based music. It’s really amazing to see it executed so beautifully in electronic music.
Accomplishment: I’ve finally figured out what I love, when it comes to my own music! It took several years, but the most favorite record I’ve released has to be between “Secrets” or “Falling Back” – with a good friend of mine, Shallou!
Musical Moment: Playing Ultra Korea, after two years without shows, was extremely fun, & I was glad to finally dance again. My top show highlight would be catching The 1975 live in L.A. They’re truly at their very best.
85 Nick Spinelli, SCE Event Group/Beatsource, Vineland, N.J.
Tune: Bad Bunny’s “Tití Me Preguntó.”
Accomplishment: Having my first child, Nick, Jr.!
Musical Moment: Missy Elliott shared a video of me playing her music.
86 Paradoks, Antinome/Purified, Zurich
Tune: Colyn’s “Oxygen Levels Low.”
Accomplishment: Toured worldwide in over 10 countries, 25 cities & launched my own label, Antinome.
Musical Moment: Playing New York’s Brooklyn Mirage at peak time.
87 DJ Washburn, Washburn Entertainment, Ithaca, N.Y.
Tune: Blasterjaxx & Timmy Trumpet’s “Narco.” It came out a few years ago, but it peaked in popularity this year because the Mets closer, Edwin Diaz, uses it as his entrance song. It’s so catchy & uplifting that it really caught on & became super-popular among baseball, the city of New York, the sports world, & was a banger on many dancefloors.
Accomplishment: Speaking at four national DJ conferences.
88 Mason, Animal Language, Amsterdam
Tune: A-Trak’s “Bubble Guts” (ABraxe + Falcon Remix).
Accomplishment: Creating The Masonettes to play live with me.
Musical Moment: Clubs opening in The Netherlands & thus throwing lots of weird raves throughout the city – the vibe has been unreal.
89 James Juke, Robsoul/Kitsuné Musique/Brobot, NYC
Tune: There are two… Ridney’s “The Inside” (Richard Earnshaw Remix) &, as a more mainstream option, Honey Dijon’s “Work” feat. David Giles II, Cor.Ece & Mike Dunn
Accomplishment: Releasing an EP on Robsoul, which was one of my biggest goals for 2022.
Musical Moment: As a DJ, playing for a few hundred people at Webster Hall in NYC. As a dancer, seeing Theo Parrish play from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Nowadays.
90 PS1, Columbia U.K., Miami
Tune: Tiësto & Ava Max’s “The Motto.”
Accomplishment: Restructuring & setting up a new team for 2023.
Musical Moment: Playing in Ibiza & hearing the crowd singing along to my songs.
91 Frank Klassen, Purified Records, Bielefeld, Germany
Tune: Fred again.. X Swedish House Mafia’s “Turn on the Lights again..” feat. Future.
Accomplishments: There’s three… having a Beatport Top 10 song (“Alive”), performing in the world’s most legendary clubs and festivals, & getting chosen as one of the “Future Four” by Tomorrowland Radio.
Musical Moment: Every damn show, as I’m so happy after two years to play live again, feel energy, & spread love through art.
92 David Osborne, Sound Insight Productions, Athens, Ga.
Tunes: A tie between Lizzo’s “About Damn Time” & Whitney Houston x Clean Bandit’s “How Will I Know.”
Accomplishment: Launching Blueprintlearn.com, an online DJ training platform, & hearing the massive success stories from both solo-op & multi-op DJs around the country.
Musical Moment: DJing a silent disco in Cancun for some amazing DJ-industry leaders.
93 Amelie Larsen, Kontor, Marburg, Germany
Tune: Fred again.. X Swedish House Mafia’s “Turn on the Lights again..” feat. Future.
Accomplishment: To have turned 18 & finally be able to visit the best clubs.
Musical Moment: I participated in the World Club Dome in Frankfurt & saw so many great artists like Timmy Trumpet & Robin Schulz.
94 Koven, Monstercat, London
Tune: Odesza’s “The Last Goodbye” feat. Bettye LaVette.
Accomplishment: Seeing people sing our lyrics in parts of the world we never dreamed possible.
Musical Moment: Tomorrowland – there was something so magical about the crowd and the moment.
95 Gabor Kiss, Boogie Nights, Atlantic City
Tune: David Guetta & Bebe Rexha’s “I’m Good.”
Accomplishment: After 25-plus years of DJing, I’m still able to passionately do what I love & perform for crowds of all ages.
Musical Moment: Performing for Boogie Night’s ultimate Halloween party.
96 The Second I, Hungry Koala Records, Cologne, Germany
Tune: Neelix, Ghost Rider, The Gardner & The Tree’s “Wonders.”
Accomplishment: Playing different countries in the world.
Musical Moment: We had the most amazing show in Colombia, because the energy was so intense & the people were freaking out – the best feeling in the world!
97 OCULA, Monstercat, Lichfield, U.K.
Tune: Lane 8’s “Reviver.”
Accomplishment: I released my debut album after months of work & determination.
Musical Moment: Starting my journey into performing live & seeing crowds react and dance to music I’d been wanting to play for so long.
98 Joe Bunn, Bunn DJ Company/Crate Hackers, Raleigh, N.C.
Tune: James Hype & Miggy Dela Rosa’s “Ferrari.”
Accomplishment: Crossing over 4,000 Crate Hackers members.
Musical Moment: Putting on & performing my first public event in a decade.
99 Trimtone, Love to be…, Huddersfield, U.K.
Tune: Wh0 & Just Aaron’s “Feels” feat. Jinadu.
Accomplishment: Our tour of the USA.
Musical Moment: Our Ibiza residency, WNDRLND at Eden.
100 Sleepy & Boo, 3Bridge/Transmit, NYC
Tune: Bob Sinclar feat. Steve Edwards’ “World Hold On” (Fisher Rework). This brought a lot of smiles & much-needed positive vibes to the dancefloor this summer.
Accomplishment: Making our return to Europe after missing it due to the shutdowns.
Musical Moment: Bringing our #ILLUSION concept to the beautiful Paradise Club in Times Square.
