5 more DJs who actually deserve to win a Top 100 DJ list
Yesterday, we ran a story titled ‘5 DJs who actually deserve to win a Top 100 DJ list’ as an answer to the pervading dissatisfaction that inevitably follows every annual DJ ranking list. The response was emphatic. Like us, our readers are fed up with polls such as DJ Mag which clearly do not paint an accurate picture of the dance music landscape. Not only have such rankings become a rampant popularity contest, but they no longer measure actual DJing ability — in fact, as Dillon Francis points out, no one is entirely sure what they measure at all.
On the back of yesterday’s feature, where we spotlight the likes of Eric Prydz, Carl Cox, Bassnectar, John Digweed, and A-Trak, we’ve picked 5 more DJs deserving of such a title (once again, in no particular order).
Here are 5 more DJs who actually deserve to win a Top 100 DJ list:
Richie Hawtin
Richie Hawtin has been pioneering cutting edge dance music for over twenty years under the guise of Plastikman and his legendary ENTER. parties. His expansive knowledge of mixing has earned him an honorary Doctorate of Music Technology degree, while his world-class sets never fail to take listeners on transcendent jouneys. Hawtin is a master of conjuring mayhem just to the point of chaos and then reeling it back under control. Wielding both Ableton Live and Traktor in his set up — and beatmatching between the two — his performances have become a glorious spectacle of live techno.
Marco Carola
Marco Carola is the king of the marathon DJ set. The Italian veteran regularly drops 10 hour+ sets — and if he had it his way, he’d likely play twice that long. His summertime Music On sets at Amnesia Ibiza have become the stuff of dance music legend, and for good reason: when Marco is in his element, there’s no one better. As far as DJing stamina and long-winded techno sets go, Carola is in a league of his own.
Paul van Dyk
Paul Van Dyk is lovingly known as the “Godfather of Trance” by many fans. As one of the genre’s oldest purveyors and pioneers, the Berlin native is known for his stunning live performances which oftentimes feature a complex live setup comprised of multiple decks, keyboards, and various hardware additions. What’s more, his biggest track, the 1993 classic “For An Angel,” continues to be one of the most played and beloved trance anthems. Having just recovered from a traumatic head injury incurred at ASOT NL, the Vandit label boss is slowly getting back into full swing and continues to captivate his audiences, holding down his reputation as one of the best DJs in the world.
Andy C
Mixing drum ‘n’ bass is hard enough. Add in four decks running simultaneously and it’s all but impossible –unless your name is Andy C. The English native and RAM Records boss is likely the most venerated drum ‘n’ bass DJ in the world. Having built a steady career over the last twenty years, Andy C consistently makes DJing bass music look like a breeze.
Maya Jane Coles
A decade has passed since Maya Jane Coles’ entrance into dance music, and she only gets better with time. While already well-known for her pulsating and deep house cuts which she approaches with careful precision, her adaptability behind the decks is even more fascinating. Maya seemingly plays well in any environment, from grungy dark warehouses to tropical outdoor climates. The UK-based femme fatale continually wows her fans with her superb mixing by incorporating multiple musical influences into each of her sets to form a cohesive story. These days, demand for her presence is at an all-time high: Maya has proven herself as one of the most celebrated DJs in the world.