The last couple years in EDM have seen a considerable amount of upheaval. DJs overall are being more open about their mental health, leading to inconsistent touring, as well as engendering them with a broader audience. New artists are making waves, main stage DJs are stagnating, and younger artists are showing their stamina and drive more than ever. Now that the full results of this year’s DJ Mag Top 100 have been revealed, let’s take an in depth look at how this year compares to previous years.
New blood
Whereas 2017 has sixteen new entries, 2018 only had five. This year, there were twelve new entries, including two powerhouse women in techno, Peggy Gou and Charlotte De Witte. Other names like Henri PFR, Solardo, and Deniz Koyu have been in the game for a while and seem to be finally gaining recognition, at least within the scope of the Top 100.
But notable among the new names are Illenium and Fisher, who came in at 64 and 63, respectively. Illenium has long been eligible for the list, but it appears that his notoriety has finally hit a fever pitch. With major shows at Madison Square Garden and Red Rocks, as well as a stellar third album, he deserved it this year more than ever. On the same note, Fisher has become something of an icon and his placement in the list is no surprise at all.
Women continue to rise
Four women made it on the DJ Mag Top 100 in 2017. That number rose to six in 2018. Now, it stands at eight with the additions of Peggy and Charlotte. Better yet, with the exception of Miss K8, every single female DJ rose in the ranks. In fact, Alison Wonderland is the highest climber this year moving up an astonishing 52 places.
Strangely, or perhaps not, a DJ at least her equal — Rezz — is not featured on the list. This is not quite a surprise as she doesn’t have as large an international following, and her fanbase appears less likely to vote on the Top 100 overall. Still, her absence entirely is notable.
The top 10 gets shaken up even more
In our breakdown last year, we made note of the top 10 shake up, but this year features the most volatile top 10 the ranking has ever seen. With the exception of Armin van Buuren, every spot on the top 10 changed.
For the first time in so many years, Hardwell is out of the top 10. As I mentioned in my opening paragraph, this was no doubt influenced in large part by his lack of touring in all of the last 12 months. Marshmello moves further into the top 10 and becomes the highest ranked American of all time at #5. Oliver Heldens continues to move up, as well, overtaking the legend Tiësto, who falls into the bottom three for the first time in years, as well.
David Guetta breaks back into the top three, Martin Garrix relinquishes his #1 title for the first time in 3 years, and Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike are back on top. What a year.
The main stage is stagnating
While a lot of artists rose this year, a lot of DJs that one might find at the main stage fell in the rankings, some of them for the second year running. Zedd, Alesso, Diplo, Deadmau5, and Kygo all dropped lower for the second year in a row. With the exception of deadmau5, who steadfastly campaigns against the DJ Mag Top 100, the others have taken routes out of EDM in their productions.
On the other hand, Above & Beyond, Carl Cox, Adam Beyer, Timmy Trumpet, and Calvin Harris all had major jumps in their rankings, so it can’t be all bad.
View the complete DJ Mag Top 100 DJs list below.
100. Solomun [Down 9]
99. Swanky Tunes [Down 28]
98. Florian Picasso [Down 36]
97. Henry PFR [New Entry]
96. D.O.D [New Entry]
95. Sub Zero Project [New Entry]
94. Rave Republic [Up 4]
93. Julian Jordan [Re-Entry]
92. Daddy’s Groove [Down 12]
91. Paul Kalkbrenner [Up 4]
90. Black Coffee [Re-Entry]
89. Thomas Gold [Re-Entry]
88. Solardo [New Entry]
87. Paul van Dyk [Down 32]
86. Marco Carola [No Movement]
85. Boris Brejcha [New Entry]
84. Tom & Collins [New Entry]
83. Vicetone [Re-Entry]
82. Robin Schulz [Down 22]
81. Deniz Koyu [New Entry]
80. Peggy Gou [New Entry]
79. Andy C [Highest D&B] [Up 11]
78. Lucas & Steve [Up 14]
77. Yellow Claw [Down 30]
76. Cedric Gervais [Up 11]
75. Warface [Re-Entry]
74. Charlotte De Witte [New Entry]
73. Carl Nunes [Up 26]
72. Carta [Up 1]
71. deadmau5 [Down 12]
70. 3 Are Legend [New Entry]
69. Miss K8 [Down 4]
68. Da Tweekaz [Up 8]
67. Diplo [Down 25]
66. Richie Hawtin [Down 5]
65. Deorro [Up 24]
64. ILLENIUM [New Entry]
63. Fisher [Highest New Entry]
62. Breathe Carolina [Up 15]
61. Alesso [Down 16]
60. Nina Kraviz [Up 37]
59. Ferry Corsten [Up 16]
58. Steve Angello [No Movement]
57. Will Sparks [Down 1]
56. Yves V [Re-Entry]
55. Diego Miranda [Down 5]
54. Mike Williams [Up 12]
53. Claptone [Highest House] [Up 4]
52. Kygo [Down 20]
51. MATTN [Up 21]
50. Zedd [Down 6]
49. Mariana Bo [Up 19]
48. Adam Beyer [Up 31]
47. Vintage Culture [Down 28]
46. Cat Dealers [Up 2]
45. Martin Jensen [Up 9]
44. Alison Wonderland [Highest Climber] [Up 52]
43. Tujamo [Up 3]
42. Swedish House Mafia [Up 21]
41. Danny Avila [Down 3]
40. Kura [Down 1]
39. ATB [Up 10]
38. Wolfpack [Down 3]
37. Nicky Romero [Up 6]
36. Blasterjaxx [Up 1]
35. Carl Cox [Highest Techno] [Up 18]
34. Bassjackers [Down 4]
33. Angerfist [Down 4]
32. Ummet Ozcan [Down 9]
31. Vini Vici [Up 3]
30. Fedde Le Grand [Down 8]
29. Headhunterz [Highest Hard] [Down 1]
28. VINAI [Down 2]
27. Alan Walker [Up 9]
26. The Chainsmokers [Up 5]
25. QUINTINO [No Movement]
24. Nervo [Up 3]
23. DVBBS [Down 7]
22. Above & Beyond [Up 22]
21. Skrillex [Highest Bass] [No Movement]
Top 20
20. Lost Frequencies [Down 3]
19. Calvin Harris [Up 21]
18. W&W [Down 4]
17. Eric Prydz [Up 3]
16. DJ Snake [Up 8]
15. KSHMR [Up 3]
14. R3HAB [Down 2]
13. Timmy Trumpet [Up 20]
12. Hardwell [Down 9]
11. Alok [Up 2]
Top 10
10. Steve Aoki [Up 1]
9. Afrojack [Down 1]
8. Tiësto [Down 2]
7. Oliver Heldens [Up 2]
6. Don Diablo [Highest Future House] [Up 1]
5. Marshmello [Highest American Act] [Up 5]
4. Armin van Buuren [Highest Trance] [No Movement]