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DJ Mag Top100 DJs
27
Alan Walker
9

“This year has so far been packed with a lot of exciting collaborations with different artists and brands,” British-born, Bergen-raised Alan Walker says about his 2019, boasting that so far he’s worked with Sabrina Carpenter and Farruko, A$AP Rocky, PUBGM, and smart. “And of course,” he says, there’s still his upcoming Aviation tour. 

To say the 22-year-old Norwegian DJ and producer has risen meteorically would be putting it lightly. He burst onto the scene in 2015 with his hit single ‘Faded’, which received diamond certifications in Germany and Poland and multi-platinum certifications in over 10 countries, including the US and the UK. Overnight, he was inducted into EDM’s premier league, touring the globe before becoming the Highest Climber in the Top 100 DJs 2017. In 2018, he released his debut studio album, ‘Different World’, and in 2019 continued climbing up the DJ Mag poll — he’s up nine places this year. 

This year he also dropped ‘Are You Lonely’ featuring Steve Aoki and ISAK, and his collab with Sabrina Carpenter and Farruko, ‘On My Way’, has been viewed over 217 million times. It seems Walker truly is walking the walk.

Do you submit your DJ setlists to the relevant royalties collecting society?

“Yes.” 

What more can we do to combat the mental health crisis in our scene?

“Always be around for each other, talk to each other and be more open about what we are going through.” 

Are you personally doing anything to improve the gender balance of line-ups?

“I’m not fully sure of what I can do about it, but lately I think it’s been super-cool to see how successful women are and to see more women headlining festivals such as Rezz.” 

What changes have you made this year to be more environmentally friendly?

“I’ve had the campaign to create a ‘Different World’, where we look for more eco-friendly alternatives when it comes to commuting, travelling and doing shows.” 

What was your favourite toy when you were a kid?

“I would say my favourite toy(s) that I could spend hours and hours playing with were Lego.” 

What’s your guilty pleasure?

“Mainly a Red Bull before going on stage.”