Why is it that every year, news articles around the globe wait with baited breath to announce the would be cream of the crop, the DJ Mag Top 100 DJs? The name suggests that this contains the best and brightest in the world of electronic music and DJing, and most people assume this. Well, most people are wrong, and here’s why.
They manage to compile a solid list of who’s who in the electronic music world, if that chosen list was by a rabid pack of teenage ravers who haven’t heard music or seen a DJ live yet. The type of artists you kind of chuckle when you hear on the radio and change the dial. You know who we’re talking about, it’s easy to see the demographic they’re aiming for, and it’s working!
Do I really need to say it?
Going through the list, it’s clear that they’re not completely out of touch. Not every DJ on here is on the same calibre of mediocre as the number 6 winner The Chainsmokers. Farther down the list you have veteran drum n bass DJ Andy C (77), bass house originator Jauz (73), and of course, no list would be complete without OWSLA daddy and prodigy Skrillex (a respectable 16).
Don’t fret, we still think you’re better.
But honest to god, as you go higher and higher up, it’s like the air gets thinner and rationality goes out the window. Now, this has no bearing on DJ Mag themselves, but their taste in DJs, especially considering their name, quality, and integrity of work, is certainly surprising
Starting with number one, a great place to start, is last year’s winner Martin Garrix. We feel the same way now as we did back then, confused, enraged, and wondering if these guys had ever actually SEEN Martin Garrix DJ. He’s not top of many lists, let alone a list of DJs. Followed by rave grandpas Dimitri Vegas and Like Mike, trance giant Armin Van Buuren, big room pioneer Hardwell and of course, Tiesto, who doesn’t need an identifier considering he’s been on every single one of these lists.
Who are you kidding?
It continues on, but we think you get the point. Once again, DJ Mag proves that to be a top DJ, all that you really need to do is jump on a table, loop the same 4 beats. And of course, never stop making the exact same music you always did, no matter who tells you not too.
It’s not like we’re low on talented DJs in this world. The phenomenon of the superstar DJ with a lack of talent isn’t a new concept. While we may risk gaining the label as jaded, old ravers, we have to ask: what ever happened to scratch routines and style? Of course we still have the DMC championships and the like, but really, why should some of these DJs with too much spare time and money deserve a feature over them? Mind boggling.
Who do YOU think should make up the list of top DJs? Tell us in the comments!
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