Now that the full results of this year’s DJ Mag Top 100 have been revealed, let’s take an in depth look at how this year compares to previous years. The first thing to remember is how much of a shake up last year was: sixteen new entries, six re-entries, Swanky Tunes fell 72 places, Alan Walker rose 38, Marshmello and The Chainsmokers both made it into the top 10, and more. (See last year’s breakdown here.)
Pop is out, authenticity is in
This year’s list is a lot more tame in terms of movement, but it still reveals a lot about the way dance music (and “dance music” artists, especially) are viewed in today’s EDM climate. If there’s any clear indication of that, it’s that pop-leaning EDM DJs fell by large margins this year. The Chainsmokers are down 25 places, Alan Walker is down 19, Calvin Harris is down 25, Axwell Λ Ingrosso is down 20, Diplo is down 17, and Zedd is down 15. These are all significant drops.
At the same time, Steve Angello moved up 24 places thanks to his album Human, Eric Prydz moved up 14 places to break into the top 20, Vini Vici moved up a massive 38 places, and Angerfist moved up 11. These are just a few examples of how authenticity is being weighted more heavily now than in more recent years past. Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule, as Vinai, Nervo, DVBBS and others also moved up the list this year. 
Women rise
Last year, four women (or female groups) made it onto the list. This year, that number is up to six with the addition of Nina Kraviz and MATTN. While it’s not great (and honestly, we don’t have a specific number that would be “good”), things are at least improving and the list is becoming more representative. Nervo clock in, once again, as the highest ranked female DJs on the list.
The Top 10 has a shake up
Moving into our examination of the top 10, which we’ve already briefly touched on here, Don Diablo finally breaks in, and Oliver Heldens makes his return after being ousted last year. The Chainsmokers make a significant drop from #6 to #31, a fall of 25 places. We’ve actually been quite happy with their performance world wide this year here at Your EDM, especially with their singles and Ultra performance, so we’re not quite sure what this could be ascribed to aside from loss of interest.
Martin Garrix and Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike retain their #1 and #2 spots respectively, as expected, but the biggest shake up in the top 10 comes at the #5 and #6 spots. For the first time since he entered the list at #1 in 2002, Tiësto finds himself out of the top 5. This marks the first time in many years that the top 5 also isn’t dominated by the Dutch, as French David Guetta takes the spot away.
As usual, sentiment from the general public toward the poll remains mostly negative. But as we must remind that same general public, this poll hasn’t claimed to be an objective ranking of the best DJs any more than America’s Got Talent has claimed to be anything more than a reality show. The results are based on votes, whether a DJ promoted themselves or not, and your favorite DJs either didn’t care enough to promote or they didn’t get enough votes. It’s that simple. Lobbing your anger toward DJ Mag does nothing at all.
View the complete DJ Mag Top 100 DJs list below.
100. Slander
99. Carl Nunes
98. Rave Republic
97. Nina Kraviz [New Entry]
96. Alison Wonderland
95. Paul Kalkbrenner
94. Bobina
93. Markus Schulz [Re-Entry]
92. Lucas & Steve
91. Solomun
90. Andy C [Highest D&B Entry]
89. Deorro [Re-Entry]
88. MaRLo
87. Cedric Gervais [New Entry]
86. Marco Carola
85. Wildstylez
84. DJ L [Up 14]
83. NGHTMRE [New Entry]
82. Tchami
81. Mosimann
80. Daddy’s Groove [New Entry]
79. Adam Beyer
78. KOYU
77. Breathe Carolina
76. Da Tweekaz
75. Ferry Corsten
74. Aly & Fila
73. Carta
72. MATTN [Highest New Entry]
71. Swanky Tunes
70. Brennan Heart
69. Radical Redemption [Down 25]
68. Mariana BO
67. Andrew Rayel
66. Mike Williams
65. Miss K8
64. Jay Hardway
63. Swedish House Mafia [Highest Re-Entry]
62. Florian Picasso
61. Richie Hawtin
60. Robin Schulz
59. Deadmau5
58. Steve Angello [Up 24]
57. Claptone [Highest House]
56. Will Sparks
55. Paul van Dyk
54. Martin Jensen
53. Carl Cox [Highest Techno]
52. Jeffrey Sutorius
51. Above & Beyond
50. Diego Miranda
49. ATB
48. Cat Dealers
47. Yellow Claw
46. Tujamo
45. Alesso
44. Zedd [Down 15]
43. Nicky Romero
42. Diplo [Down 17]
41. Axwell ^ Ingrosso [Down 20]
40. Calvin Harris [Down 25]
39. Kura
38. Danny Avila
37. Blasterjaxx
36. Alan Walker [Down 19]
35. Wolfpack
34. Vini Vici [Up 38]
33. Timmy Trumpet
32. Kygo
31. The Chainsmokers [Down 25]
30. Bassjackers
29. Angerfist
28. Headhunterz [Highest Hard DJ]
27. Nervo
26. Vinai
25. Quintino
24. DJ Snake
23. Ummet Ozcan
22. Fedde Le Grand
21. Skrillex
Top 20
20. Eric Prydz
19. Vintage Culture
18. KSHMR
17. Lost Frequencies
16. DVBBS
15. Avicii
14. W&W
13. Alok
12. R3hab
11. Steve Aoki
Top 10
10. Marshmello
9. Oliver Heldens
8. Afrojack
7. Don Diablo
6. Tiesto
5. David Guetta
4. Armin van Buuren
3. Hardwell
2. Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike
1. Martin Garrix
Photo via Rukes.com
It doesn’t surprise me they didn’t chart, for two main reasons.
Firstly, DJ Mag’s Top 100 receives a disproportionate amount of votes from European fans compared to elsewhere in the world. Their dance scene is more developed and pervasive, and that leads into my second point.
Secondly, bass music is essentially right now where hardstyle used to be in Dutch-speaking regions. Since then, hardstyle has grown more mainstream than ever, but it used to be confined to a singular market overall. Bass is on a similar trajectory: definitely gaining momentum but having yet to take other markets by storm. Without international visibility and appeal, they’re not going to be able to get enough votes to make the listing. Even Seven Lions (who has swung heavily in a more ambient house direction) hasn’t made the Top 100 because he is a North American-centric act.
How is the top 5 not dominated by the Dutch when 3/5 are in fact DutchDutch? Over here, we call that a clear majority 😀
Chris Lake is a legend!!