The Top 10 – DJMag’s Top 100 DJs (2008)

Steady at the Top
Last year’s top dogs, trance superstars Armin van Buuren and Tiësto are still holding down the top two spots on DJMag’s poll. Last year was a big one for Armin, but no one could have predicted that he would top the craziness that was 2007.

This year, the crowds at his concerts have only gotten bigger, and the same can be said for the audience of A State Of Trance. This radio show draws 27 million listeners, and its compilations have yet to disappoint.

Likewise for Tiësto, huge gigs were the norm for 2008, although it shouldn’t be anything new for this seasoned DJ – his all-nighter at London’s famous O2 arena was received by 20,000 strong. And the endorsements, the reason for many people’s love-hate relationship with him, just kept rolling in. Reebok, Armani Exchange, and Coca-Cola shelled out big bucks for Tiësto’s work, whether it’s artistic design (his line of Reeboks) or just Tiësto doing what he does best: making music.

Between the two Dutch DJs, they probably won enough awards this past year to stuff a trophy case – they have both been recognized (repeatedly) for their immense success both in their homeland of Holland, and of course, on the global stage. Is it any surprise that Armin and Tijs have taken over DJMag too?

Going Up
Number three DJ Paul van Dyk has had a fine year himself – his studio album, In Between, is a dance masterpiece, and has the sales records to prove it. He is one of the few DJs who are loved by North American clubbers (almost) as much as European fans, with one of his shows in New York being forced to move to a larger venue to fit all of the rabid fans. Further along the trance-heavy top 10 DJs, Above & Beyond’s star just keeps getting brighter. Their first show of 2008 drew a million in Rio, and the trio further invaded Asia and Ibiza with their unique sound, which is getting more notice, along with their rapidly growing Anjunabeats label.

The top house DJ (again), David Guetta jumps up five spots to sit pretty at number five. His Brazil gig this year topped even Above & Beyond’s, with two million in the crowd, and if you look at what he’s accomplished this year, that five-spot jump in the rankings should make total sense. DJMag did some number-crunching, and here are the results. Two million albums, three million singles. Billboard Top 10 for all four singles off of Pop Life. Massive shows at the Unighted Party, Love Parade, Bahia Carnival, Queensday, Techno Parade, and Global Gathering, and 180 club gigs this year (don’t even try counting how many people he’s played for). Maybe David Guetta should be higher on the list?

Rounding up the DJs who have moved on up on the list this year are Ferry Corsten and Markus Schulz. Oh look, more trance. Ferry has had a big year with productions; his latest single, “Radio Crash,” has received much love from trance DJs like Armin and Judge Jules, and he’s also recruited some promising protégés for his label, Flashover. On the other hand, Markus Schulz has been keeping busy with jet-hopping between Europe and North America. He’s been big in Ibiza, like so many in the Top 10, and also has a residency at London’s Ministry of Sound. Wonder how many Airmiles he’s racked up?

Sliding
Partners Sasha and John Digweed are sliding down the polls together (Digweed with a larger six-spot drop), but this is not to say that 2008 hasn’t been a great year for them. Their little reunion tour around the US notwithstanding, the big news with Sasha this year has mostly been Invol2ver, a compilation album inspired by the sounds of New York City, and for DIgweed, travelling has been his thing lately, from the Land Down Under to Asia – he’ll be finishing off the year in South America.

Finishing off the Top 10 with a unique psy-trance sound is Infected Mushroom. They haven’t played many gigs this year, but it hasn’t slowed them down. Infected Mushroom made its first appearance at Ibiza to sold-out crowds, and is also busy injecting its blend of metal and dance into the US, while getting some much appreciated help from Paul Oakenfold. How many spots could Infected Mushroom have risen if Erez and Amit had actually done some touring?

Video of DJ Mag Award to Armin Van Buuren:

Links:
Top 10 Dj’s in the World
www.djmag.com
Armin Van Buuren In and Out of Love