Returning for his second year as an unusual entrant into the Top 100, Quentin Mosimann is a former winner of the French reality-TV show,, a performer who combines his already proven vocal talents with some massive EDM tunes behind the decks. However, he asserts that his history as a DJ stretches back to before he ever went in front of a TV camera.

“I was already a DJ for three years,” he told DJ Mag. “I was playing in the funky room of Pacha Ibiza, and the show was really interested in how I mix and sing at the same time.” Following his win in Star Academy, and the release of his two electro-pop albums, by 2010, Mosimann followed the call of EDM.

“A lot of ‘haters’ didn’t believe in me, so I worked hard every single day, went on tour to spread the word to different crowds, I released electro and progressive house tracks, and then boom! I entered the Top 100 poll last year. I worked for my own convictions, and it paid off, so I’m glad to be free now to do what I want.” Keep an eye out for his third album later this year.