While Martin Garrix may have once again won the title this year, when it comes to long-term success in the Top 100 DJs, every other DJ in the poll could learn a thing or two from Armin van Buuren. Now 40 years old — but still looking and sounding as fresh as DJs half his age — Armin marks his 16th appearance in the chart in 2017. First placing way back in 2001, the Dutchman jumped in at No. 27; the next year he made it all the way to fifth place, and hasn’t left the top five since! And, while there are still other DJs who’ve won a spot in the poll more times than Armin — Coxy and Paul van Dyk, for example — he still holds the titles for most wins (five) and most wins in a row (four). Now that’s gonna take some beating!

Moving back up one spot into the top three reflects yet another momentous year for the trance legend. Top of the agenda was celebrating 20 years as a DJ and producer, and Armin tells DJ Mag his personal highlight was, of course, marking the occasion with two massive sell-out performances at the Amsterdam ArenA in May (becoming the first DJ to hold a solo show at the venue in the process).

Never one to slack on the production side, Armin also released his singles ‘I Need You’ (a collaboration with Fernando Garibay featuring the vocals of Olaf Blackwood) and ‘Sunny Days’ (with singer Josh Cumbee) — which have accumulated over 11 million and nine million plays on YouTube respectively.

And then, of course, there’s the Dutchman’s beloved radio show, A State Of Trance. Just as his Top 100 career did, the programme launched in 2001, and now boasts well over 800 episodes and tens-of-thousands of listeners worldwide. This year, however, Armin brought the broadcast bang up-to-date by streaming full video versions from a custom-built radio studio at his Armada label’s office in Amsterdam.

So 16 years in and it looks like Armin van Buuren isn’t going to be slowing down anytime soon. Still at the top of his game, he’s still adored by legions of fans — and, here at the DJ Mag offices, we have to admit we’ve got a bit of a soft spot for him too…