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Armin van Buuren

This man, Armin van Buuren, is fueled by an unbridled and relentless passion for music. He is a born perfectionist, dedicated to maintaining his position at the pinnacle of the industry he has significantly contributed to. Known as the flag-bearer of the trance movement, Armin van Buuren stands as one of the most influential figures in the realm of EDM on a global scale. Despite his exceptional lifestyle as one of the most renowned DJs on the planet, he has managed to retain his humble nature, staying grounded in his roots. Armin van Buuren is in a constant state of motion, whether it be crafting music in his studio or traveling to his next prestigious club or festival performance across the world.
Armin once expressed, ‘It’s not merely a love for music, it’s my profound passion. It transcends mere appreciation and surpasses a mere pastime. It embodies a way of existence. Music is indispensable to my very being.’ For over two decades, this Grammy-nominated artist from the Netherlands has thrived in the realm of international success on his own terms. His consistent top-ranking position in the renowned DJ Mag Top 100 DJs poll stems from his unwavering dedication to his fans, his innovative work in the studio, the perseverance evident in his weekly radio show ‘A State of Trance,’ and the infectious energy he radiates to his audience. Despite the immense pressure that accompanies his status as one of the world’s most celebrated DJs, Armin has unwaveringly centered his focus on the music itself, which, in turn, fuels his enduring passion and drive for his craft.

Loud Luxury

Describing their sound as ‘deep house with a shot of tequila,’ Los Angeles-based Canadian duo Loud Luxury make bright, ecstatic dance-pop with wistful lyrics, inspired by Disclosure, the Weeknd, and Calvin Harris. They broke through with ‘Body,’ a 2017 single featuring brando, which charted in numerous countries and earned diamond certification in Canada. The group won two Juno awards, and further hits like ‘I’m Not Alright’ (with Bryce Vine) and the EPs Nights Like This (2020) and Holiday Hills (2021) followed. Loud Luxury continued placing singles in the Canadian charts, including 2022’s ‘These Nights’ (featuring Kiddo).
Andrew Fedyk and Joe De Pace met as students in London, Ontario, and began making music together in 2012. They started posting remixes and original tracks online, and within a few years the pair had gained support from taste-making DJs such as Tiësto and Oliver Heldens. Fedyk and De Pace moved to Los Angeles in 2015 and began touring more extensively, opening for artists like Arty and Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike. A collaboration with Borgeous titled ‘Going Under’ was released in 2016, followed by ‘Fill Me In’ and ‘Show Me,’ both issued by Tiësto’s AFTR:HRS imprint. Loud Luxury also garnered attention with their remix of Martin Garrix’s ‘Scared to Be Lonely,’ as well as their single ‘Body’ (featuring brando), which was issued by Armada Music in 2017 and charted in dozens of countries, eventually winning a Juno for Dance Recording of the Year.
In 2018, they paired with Anders for the single ‘Love No More.’ The duo charted another hit with 2019’s ‘I’m Not Alright,’ which saw them working with rapper Bryce Vine. Soon after winning the 2020 Juno for Group of the Year, Loud Luxury issued the EP Nights Like This. A series of additional singles (including ‘Aftertaste’ featuring Morgan St. Jean and ‘Like Gold’ with Frank Walker featuring Stephen Puth) preceded 2021’s Holiday Hills, their second EP. ‘These Nights’ (featuring Kiddo) appeared in 2022. ~ Paul Simpson, Rovi

Peggy Gou

Peggy Gou is a South Korean-born DJ, producer, and songwriter based in Berlin. During the 2010s, she became internationally renowned for her energetic DJ sets, which dreamily flow through various styles of techno, house, and electro. A 2019 volume of the DJ-Kicks series demonstrated her eclectic approach. Her own tracks, such as the acclaimed 2018 single “It Makes You Forget (Itgehane)” and 2021’s “I Go,” are vibrant, joyous productions that echo vintage deep house and post-disco without sounding like throwbacks. Taking her sound in a more accessible direction, she released the dance-pop single “(It Goes Like) Nanana” and the Lenny Kravitz collaboration “I Believe in Love Again” in 2023. Both tracks were featured on I Hear You, her 2024 debut album.

Gou seemed to appear out of nowhere in 2016, releasing no less than four 12″ EPs of bright, slightly hazy house tracks during the course of the year. In actuality, she had been producing and DJing for several years — she learned to beatmatch in Korea in 2009 and resumed the hobby a couple years later, when she was attending the London College of Fashion. After racking up gigs during the next few years, as well as moving to Berlin, she made her breakthrough in 2016, releasing two Art of War EPs on Radio Slave’s Rekids imprint, “Day Without Yesterday” on Phonica White, and Seek for Maktoop on Technicolour. She also played dozens of gigs across the globe, including dates with Moodymann, the Blessed Madonna, Jackmaster, and others.

Following an even busier 2017, which included her first American tour and a month-long BBC Radio 1 residency, Gou returned to the studio. Her Once EP was released by Ninja Tune in 2018, led by “It Makes You Forget (Itgehane),” a catchy single featuring Gou’s Korean-language vocals. “Travelling Without Arriving” was issued by Phonica White soon afterward. In 2019, she released the two-song Moment EP on her own Gudu Records, as well as her first mix CD, a volume of !K7’s long-running DJ-Kicks series. She was featured on “Jigoo,” the lead track from Maurice Fulton’s Gudu-issued Earth EP, in 2020. The following year, Gou released the downtempo single “Nabi” (featuring OHHYUK) and the electro-disco tune “I Go.” Remixes of the song, by Soulwax, DJ Koze, and Fulton, appeared in 2022. She remixed “Can’t Get You Out of My Head” by Kylie Minogue the same year.

Gou made her mainstream breakthrough in 2023, when “(It Goes Like) Nanana,” a Euro-dance-influenced single issued by XL, went viral, eventually topping club and pop charts around the world. She followed the hit with “I Believe in Love Again,” a collaboration with Lenny Kravitz. I Hear You, Gou’s debut full-length, appeared in 2024, including both previous singles as well as the trancey, festival-sized anthem “1+1=11.” ~ Paul Simpson

Tiësto

Tiësto, a Grammy-winning Dutch DJ and producer, has been a pioneer in electronic dance music since 2000. Known for his extended live sets and pop-oriented crossover appeal, Tiësto has delivered multiple hit singles, including “Red Lights,” “Feel It in My Bones” with Tegan & Sara, “Wasted” with Matthew Koma, and “Jackie Chan” with Dzeko, Preme, and Post Malone. Throughout his career, Tiësto has been a Top Ten fixture in the DJ Mag Top 100 Ranking, earning numerous accolades such as a Grammy in 2015 and the prestigious title of Officer of the Order of Orange-Nassau.
Born Tijs Verwest in Breda, the Netherlands, Tiësto began his DJing career at a local club called the Sprock, where he was discovered by the GM of Basic Beat Recordings. This marked the start of his journey in the music industry, leading to the formation of Black Hole Recordings with Arny Bink. Tiësto’s global recognition grew rapidly, with his unique style influencing the dance music scene. He released successful albums like “Elements of Life” and “A Town Called Paradise,” achieving Billboard number ones and Top 20 rankings. Tiësto’s lasting impact is evident through his chart-topping collaborations, genre-defining remixes, and continuous innovation in the electronic music landscape.

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Galantis

Galantis is the dance music project of Christian Karlsson (aka Bloodshy). RIAA gold-certified debut album Pharmacy reached No. 1 on the Billboard Dance album chart on the strength of platinum-certified single “Peanut Butter Jelly” and 3x platinum certified smash “Runaway (U & I)” – the latter of which earned a GRAMMY nomination for “Best Dance Recording” – while 2017’s sophomore album The Aviary (featuring 2x platinum-certified single “No Money”) saw a top 10 debut in 23 countries. The third Galantis album, 2020’s Church, featured the chart-topping gold-certified single “Faith” with country music icon Dolly Parton featuring Mr. Probz, which saw a #1 debut on Billboard’s Dance/Electronic Chart before quickly reaching #1 on the Dance/Mix Show Airplay Chart where it remained for 5 weeks. Meanwhile, gold-certified collaborative single “Heartbreak Anthem” with David Guetta & Little Mix proved a global sensation, spending 10 weeks on the Billboard Global 200 chart and 13 consecutive weeks in the top 10 on the UK Official Chart. Latest album, Rx, is Karlsson’s most deeply personal creation to date – featuring pop banger “Lighter” with Guetta and 5 Seconds of Summer which landed No.1 on the US Dance Radio chart. Galantis has received over 7.3 billion cumulative worldwide streams and over 1.9 billion video views to date.
Galantis is the dance music project of Christian Karlsson (aka Bloodshy). RIAA gold-certified debut album Pharmacy reached No. 1 on the Billboard Dance album chart on the strength of platinum-certified single “Peanut Butter Jelly” and 3x platinum certified smash “Runaway (U & I)” – the latter of which earned a GRAMMY nomination for “Best Dance Recording” – while 2017’s sophomore album The Aviary (featuring 2x platinum-certified single “No Money”) saw a top 10 debut in 23 countries. The third Galantis album, 2020’s Church, featured the chart-topping gold-certified single “Faith” with country music icon Dolly Parton featuring Mr. Probz, which saw a #1 debut on Billboard’s Dance/Electronic Chart before quickly reaching #1 on the Dance/Mix Show Airplay Chart where it remained for 5 weeks. Meanwhile, gold-certified collaborative single “Heartbreak Anthem” with David Guetta & Little Mix proved a global sensation, spending 10 weeks on the Billboard Global 200 chart and 13 consecutive weeks in the top 10 on the UK Official Chart. Latest album, Rx, is Karlsson’s most deeply personal creation to date – featuring pop banger “Lighter” with Guetta and 5 Seconds of Summer which landed No.1 on the US Dance Radio chart. Galantis has received over 7.3 billion cumulative worldwide streams and over 1.9 billion video views to date.

Daniel Allan

Daniel is a versatile artist who excels in both music production and songwriting. With a passion for creating captivating melodies and meaningful lyrics, Daniel’s work embodies creativity and originality. His dedication to the craft shines through in every note and every word, captivating audiences with his unique style. Daniel’s musical talent knows no bounds, as he seamlessly blends different genres to create a sound that is uniquely his own. Through his music, Daniel invites listeners on a journey of emotion and inspiration, drawing them into his world through the power of songwriting.

Gryffin

Gryffin, a classically trained multi-instrumentalist, has emerged as a pivotal figure in the electronic music scene, renowned for his dynamic live performances. His journey began with a foundation in classical piano and guitar, enabling him to create music with a depth that resonated widely. His debut album, Gravity soared to the top of Billboard’s Dance/Electronic Albums chart in 2019, establishing him as a leading force in music. This album, alongside platinum hits like Tie Me Down (with Elley Duhé) showcased his knack for infectious melodies and rhythms.
2022 saw the release of Alive his second album, further highlighting his versatility. This project blended a variety of dance music genres, maintaining the emotional connection that defines his sound. It featured collaborations with notable artists such as OneRepublic and MØ, reflecting Gryffin’s ability to merge different musical styles seamlessly. Gryffin’s junior album, “PULSE,” released in August of 2024. Having been his most ambitious and experimental project yet, the album explored new dimensions of dance music, underpinned by Gryffin’s signature melodic and anthemic approach. “PULSE” is not just an album but a journey into diverse musical landscapes, offering a fresh experience for fans. Alongside this release, Gryffin is set to enhance his live presence with his North American headline shows in fall of 2024 and major festivals like EDC, as well as a renewed residency at Wynn Nightlife in Las Vegas.

VASSY

VASSY is a powerhouse vocalist, songwriter, and producer who has scored multiple number one hits on Billboard’s dance charts and earned several platinum and gold certifications. The Greek-Australian artist’s dynamic singing style draws from soul, jazz, and reggae, and her most successful songs are uplifting big-room house and EDM club anthems. Since first breaking through with 2012’s ‘We Are Young’ (from her second album, Beautiful Day), she has released singles with dance heavyweights such as David Guetta, Tiësto, Afrojack, and Scooter. Her music has been featured in several ad campaigns and movies, and she has performed at major EDM festivals like Ultra Music Festival and Tomorrowland Belgium. Her 2021 song ‘Chase’ (with Bonka) continued her run of U.S. dance chart-toppers, additionally reaching the pole position on the Australian club charts.
Born Vasiliki Karagiorgos in Darwin, Australia, soulful singer/songwriter VASSY rose to fame in 2003 after winning national radio station Triple J’s Unearthed Song of the Year competition. Picked up by Warner Bros. that year, she released her debut album, My Affection, in 2005, which was preceded by the single ‘Wanna Fly.’ A U.S. distribution deal in 2006 helped bring her music to a new, larger audience; VASSY’s songs were used in the Queen Latifah movie Last Holiday and the television shows Grey’s Anatomy and Ugly Betty, as well as in commercials for Chevy, Skechers, Sprite, and Hilton Hotels. The year 2008 saw VASSY move to the U.S. and ink a new deal with Ultra Records. Releasing her U.S. debut single in 2010 — the Richard Vission-produced ‘History’ — VASSY continued to plug her music via national club tours and campaigns with Google, Target, Victoria’s Secret, and Nike. In mid-2012, she released her sophomore album, Beautiful Day, which featured production work from the likes of Tim Myers, former member of OneRepublic. One of its singles, ‘We Are Young,’ topped Billboard’s dance chart, making her the first Australian artist to hit number one with her debut charting solo single. (The song was also featured on the trailer for Disney’s Oscar-winning Frozen as well as Tina Fey’s film Admission.)
Teaming up with David Guetta and Showtek for the single ‘BAD’ in 2014 saw VASSY’s profile explode, with the track reaching the Top Ten in France, Australia, and Sweden, while also placing high in the U.K., Belgian, and Austrian singles charts. (It ultimately reached double platinum and gold certifications with over a billion streams.) ‘BAD’ won VASSY an IDMA Award for Best Featured Vocalist Performance. Her 2015 collaboration with Tiësto and KSHMR on the single ‘Secrets’ proved to be another dance smash in multiple countries, including triple platinum in Sweden, platinum in the Netherlands and Finland, and gold in Canada and Denmark; it also scored an IDMA award for Best Electro Progressive/House track. That same year she released We Are Young, an album that fused indie pop and soul with bright electronica. In 2016, VASSY teamed up again with Tiësto to co-produce her standalone single ‘Nothing to Lose,’ which hit number one on Mediabase’s U.S. Dance Airplay chart and number one on Billboard’s Dance Club Songs chart. She also joined the EDM giant for several high-profile festival appearances, including spots at Tomorrowland, Electric Zoo, and Ultra Miami. The following year, she collaborated with Afrojack and Oliver Rosa on ‘Lost,’ another chart-topper.

Kygo

Whether behind the piano in his studio or headlining a sold-out festival, Kygo quietly reaffirms his status as a prodigious talent, forward-thinking producer, dynamic DJ, and influential global superstar. The Norwegian musician born Kyrre Gørvell-Dahll first introduced himself in 2013 and quietly became one of the most ubiquitous hitmakers in the world while emerging as Spotify’s “Breakout Artist of 2015.” “Firestone” ft. Conrad Sewell and “Stole the Show” ft. Parson James help cement Kygo as “the fastest artist to reach 1 billion streams on Spotify.” In the wake of his chart-topping 2016 full-length debut Cloud Nine, he delivered memorable performances on The Late Late Show with James Corden, Good Morning America, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, and The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Plus, he notably performed “Carry Me” during the Closing Ceremony of the Rio Olympics.
In 2017, he earned one of his biggest hits with the multiplatinum “It Ain’t Me” [feat. Selena Gomez], going Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 and clocking nearly 1 billion Spotify streams. He maintained his momentum on the Stargazing EP and second album, Kids In Love. The ensuing Kids In Love Tour canvased four continents and sold out arenas.
In 2019, Kygo unleashed “Higher Love” with Whitney Houston and generated another 1 billion combined streams and views in addition to leaving his imprint on a classic. He heralded his 2020 third full-length album Golden Hour with the anthems “Like It Is” and “I’ll Wait.

Dom Dolla

Grammy nominated Australian DOM DOLLA is experiencing a meteoric rise, his signature style of house music is connecting with global audiences, and he is recognised as one of the most exciting producers in electronic music. Dom discovered house music when his Mother handed him a copy of Basement Jaxx’ 2001 album ‘Rooty’. In his late teens, Dom spent weekends hosting pub-discos & djing at parties while working as a graphic designer during the week. In 2015, Dom was encouraged to quit his day job to pursue his obsession with music and production.
Dom emerged with a string of critically acclaimed club hits; Define, You, Be Randy, Take It, San Frandisco, Pump The Breaks, Moving Blind and Strangers ft. Mansionair. In 2022, Dom released ‘Miracle Maker’ ft. Clementine Douglas, which was named BBC Radio 1’s Hottest Record In The World, propelling Dom into his global break-out moment with a run of hit singles, Rhyme Dust w/ MK, Eat Your Man w/ Nelly Furtado, Saving Up and girl$, which saw Dom’s catalog surpass 1 BILLION streams, receive a GRAMMY nomination for his remix of ‘New Gold’ by Gorillaz feat. Tame Impala & Bootie Brown, and ARIA award for best ‘Electronic Dance Release’. Dom’s dedication & craft has been recognized by Rolling Stone named ‘Best New Artist’, GQ’s ‘Solo Artist of the Year’, labeled Billboard Dance’s ‘One To Watch’, awarded Dancing Astronaut’s ‘Artist Of The Year’ and celebrated on the cover of DJ Mag.

Coolio

Artis Leon Ivey Jr., known professionally as Coolio, was a prominent American rapper born on August 1, 1963, and tragically passing away on September 28, 2022. Coolio gained immense fame for his iconic single ‘Gangsta’s Paradise’ in 1995, which not only earned him a Grammy Award but also revolutionized the hip hop industry, making it more accessible to a broader audience. His musical legacy includes hit tracks like ‘Fantastic Voyage’ (1994), ‘1, 2, 3, 4 (Sumpin’ New)’ (1996), and ‘C U When U Get There’ (1997). Throughout his career, he released a total of nine albums, with the first three – ‘It Takes a Thief’ (1994), ‘Gangsta’s Paradise’ (1995), and ‘My Soul’ (1997) – achieving significant commercial success. Before his solo career, Coolio gained initial recognition as a member of the influential gangsta rap group WC and the Maad Circle. In addition to his music, Coolio diversified his talents by venturing into television with the creation of the reality show ‘Coolio’s Rules’ (2008) and the online series ‘Cookin’ with Coolio’. He even ventured into culinary arts by publishing a cookbook. Sadly, Coolio passed away at the age of 59 due to an accidental overdose of fentanyl, heroin, and methamphetamine.