Skip to main content
DJ Mag Top100 DJs
15
KSHMR
3

US musician, producer and DJ Niles Hollowell-Dhar, better known as KSHMR, only began releasing his brand of hi-octane electro-house in 2014. Since his Highest New Entry debut in the Top 100 DJs poll of 2015, he’s quickly been accepted into the upper echelons of EDM and has collaborated on music with artists like Bassjackers, Hardwell, Timmy Trumpet and Tiësto. In a year of several strong KSHMR releases on his Dharma imprint, a few vocal tracks were particularly big: Mike Waters sang on KSHMR’s stadium-banger ‘My Best Life’, and the tropical-esque ‘Bombay Dreams’ with vocals from Kavita Seth, the frantic ‘Lies’ featuring Luciana and ‘No Regrets’ with Krewella all got plenty of DJ traction. 

In 2017 KSHMR performed at Ultra with Timmy Trumpet and live musicians, a show he’s continued to develop in 2019, from his native California to Japan, Romania, Germany, Canada, Holland and beyond: “For the first time, I brought the Live Orchestral Experience to a headlining show in NYC, using live players to create a truly magical EDM/orchestral hybrid. This year I toured with a new, fully 3D animated story in my show as well.”

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

“No.” 

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

“Stop giving DJs so much money. The other DJs.”

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

“I have no interest in gender at all, I work with people who inspire me and occasionally those are women, like Mariana Bo, who I think is extremely talented, but I won't pretend to be an activist.”

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

“I started recycling at my house.”

What was your favourite toy when you were a kid?

“Ninja Turtles action figure.”

What’s your guilty pleasure?

“Cookie Dough ice cream.”