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DJ Mag Top100 DJs
5
Tiësto
| NON MOVER

It’s been yet another year of chart-topping and globe-trotting for Dutchman Tijs Verwest, better known to the world as Tiësto. For the man who has been going strong in the EDM scene since before such a genre classification existed (fellow ‘90s ravers, we know you remember the days), life appears to be a continuous whirlwind of success.

From his residency at Vegas super-club Hakkasan to headlining the biggest festivals on the planet, to his popular Club Life radio show and compilation album, the superstar DJ/producer holds steady in the upper echelons of the DJ Mag Top 100.

Tiësto’s sound has evolved along with the scene as he replaced the fast-paced, euphoric trance that he made his name on with a decidedly more mainstream, pop-EDM sound — but his popularity keeps growing, year after year, despite the stark shift in fan base.

2015 has seen the superstar collaborating with plenty of other superstars, such as Martin Garrix, The Chainsmokers, and Don Diablo. While this year didn’t see an artist LP release, Tiësto kept fans satiated by delivering another mixed compilation album in May.

‘Club Life: Volume Four New York City’ is the fourth installment of his successful ‘Club Life’ compilation series and reached the #2 spot on Billboard’s US Dance/Electronic Albums chart.

Among the more popular tracks on the album is ‘Secrets’, a collaboration with Kashmiri-American producer KSHMR featuring Australian singer Vassy on vocals that charted in 12 countries — certainly, nothing new for Tiësto but a repeat occurrence that serves to underscore his popularity. What Tijs Verwest touches, often turns to dance chart gold.

Massive popularity comes with massive responsibility. While plenty of artists eschew it, the 46-year-old veteran producer appears not to take it lightly. Recognizing the contribution of women in dance music, for instance, Tiësto told The Miami New Times in an interview earlier this year, “I’m very aware and appreciative of [women’s roles in EDM].

I don’t really know why there’s not more of a female DJ presence out there. I mean, there are some great female names on the scene, but it would be great to see more.” He went on to admit, “female artists have been crucial to the development of dance music.”

Indeed, the dance music world sees a plethora of women featured on vocals, particularly in the brand of music Tiësto and his peers produce, but relatively few behind the decks.

In keeping with his pursuit of quality, though, he also acknowledges that he will only feature what sounds good — x and y chromosomes regardless.

One thing is certain: if the ever-influential, Dutch superstar can do for up and coming female DJs what he has done for equally promising male talent in recent years, the world of EDM will likely see the gender scale start to balance.

ERIN SHARONI