Since its inception in 1991, DJ Mag’s Top 100 has emerged as the largest artist ranking poll in EDM, and the music world entirely. The yearly ranking, released in the Fall, is not without controversy- whipping up conspiracy theories and debate, from artists and fans alike. While the DJ Mag Top 100 is influenced by three months of fan-voting (so they claim), Billboard is relying on data, and statistics, to create a new “credible and comprehensive” dance music Top 100 of its own.
Launched Monday, the Billboard Dance 100 is the media titan’s biggest foray into the world of electronic dance since 2015, when the company initially established an EDM component as the genre surged in mainstream popularity.
[pullquote]”The Billboard Dance 100 fills the need for a holistic, data-driven ranking of dance music’s diverse range of talents,” says Matt Medved, Billboard’s Director of Dance and Electronic Programming.[/pullquote]
Billboard’s editorial and chart teams will determine the dance 100 by weighing chart statistics (streaming, track sales, album sales and radio airplay), alongside touring data (show capacities, festival bookings, and residencies), and a fan-voted poll, according to the company’s website. These factors will give fans, and artists, a deeper look at who is thriving in the industry- with concrete data to back it up.
The Dance 100 will be revealed during Miami Music Week, a few days before Ultra. Fan-voting is currently underway. You can learn more about the Billboard Dance 100, and vote for your five favorite artists here. Fans can vote once, and any voting “irregularities” will be disqualified, according to polling restrictions. Already, this looks like the top 100 the dance music industry, and we, the fans, deserve!
What does your top 5 favorite DJ/Producer list look like? Let us know in the comments below!
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