DJ magazine celebrates 20 years!

The June issue of DJmag, out now, marks 20 years since the magazine launched in its present incarnation. The special commemorative issue is marked by a bumper 196-page edition, and comes with a free ‘20 Years On The Dancefloor’ covermount CD, mixed by the legendary Danny Tenaglia.

 As well as all its regular quality features, news, reviews, fashion and Tech sections, the mag features an extensive historical piece charting the history of the magazine. Detailing the twists and turns in its 20-year existence — from primitive early beginnings through a succession of publishers and near-closure into the thriving behemoth it is today — it’s backed up by testimonials from staff past and present and from a number of top DJs such as Armin Van Buuren, John Digweed, Mr C, Fatboy Slim, Paul Woolford and dubstep don Hatcha.

 You can read all this in the magazine, but here are a few more quotes from well-wishing DJs that we didn’t quite receive in time for the magazine’s deadline...

 CARL COX: “DJmag has always meant a lot to me as I was the first DJ to be voted No.1 in the Top 100 poll, the first two times it was voted for by the punters. I have always felt that DJmag really does a great job on reporting what is happening on the world’s dancefloors and getting the right stories from the DJs, clubs and the music scene in general — worldwide, not just in the UK. I am sure that's why DJmag is still going very strong today. Happy 20th anniversary DJmag, you guys have rocked it!”

 MARKUS SCHULZ: “First getting into the Top 100 DJs poll was an incredible feeling — a true pinch-yourself one. Your first thought is ‘I've made it!’ and then a week later you stop and realise that you've got so much further left to go.

“Dance music’s shape has changed so much since 1991. It’s been invaluable to have a magazine that's been able to jump on those transformations, advancements and sub-genre evolutions in the scene and with such incredible speed.”

 JUSTIN MARTIN: “Congrats to DJmag on 20 years! I still have my DJmag from my first gig overseas back in 2003. I would pick up at copy at the airport and read DJmag from start to finish trying to soak up whatever knowledge I could with the hopes of someday making it as a successful DJ. It is an amazing guide to global nightlife, and was a major source of inspiration to me during my early career. Congratulations on 20 years and thank you for inspiring people like me.”

KRAFTY KUTS: “DJmag’s been extremely important. It has always been about the music, not fashion, and this has helped it stand the test of time. The Top 100 poll has always been an exciting feature and helped many DJs become big around the world, thus taking dance music to countries where they had never had international acts play. It’s exposed talent old and new together, mixing it up, and the music reviews have always been a big part for me to see what new tunes are coming out. But mostly, it has kept its format, never really changed, but moved with the times, so this has helped maintain a consistency in the music industry.”

ANNE SAVAGE: “I’ve loved working with DJmag over the years, I think my first front cover was with Sister Bliss and Heaven, way back! But as long as I can remember, and as far back as when I was buyer at Eastern Bloc and Flying Records, DJmag was THE BIBLE and we'd fight over it to see what was hot and what's not. The first time I made it into the Top 100, you had to cut out a form and post it off. I hosted the one and only DJmag Top 100 party interviews that were televised on ITV2 — think I made it to No.86 that year!”

 MAT PLAYFORD: “DJmag to me, when I was younger, was a Mecca of information and, I’m not afraid to admit, very alluring. I was obsessed with electronic music from age 13, and for me, DJmag joined all the dots. Back in those days, the American artist ruled the roost and to read interviews on all of those artists was nothing but pure inspiration. I dearly hope that we have another 20 years and the youth of today get the same from it that I did!”