We anticipated another year to discover which DJ had the most extensive advertising budget. Now, the DJ Mag Top 100 rankings are out, a list that has lost its enchantment over time. What is the essence of this annual poll, supposedly electing the “best” DJs? It provides a distorted view of EDM music, presenting an inaccurate picture of what defines a “good DJ.”
If you sought to identify the “best DJ,” DJ Mag Top 100 is undoubtedly not the appropriate source. Positioned as a quantitative measure, DJ Mag fails to serve as an indicator for the world’s top DJs, as it relies on subjective voting rather than objective criteria.
With no independent judges evaluating the technical skills and productions of DJs, the process is reduced to a popularity contest, where the victor is the one with the most votes and exposure throughout the scene.
The misnomer of the poll becomes apparent – “Top” should be “Pop.” It is not a definitive guide to the world’s best DJs but a survey conducted by a magazine to determine the most popular DJ, ultimately boosting readership.
This year’s winner, David Guetta, stands out as a ghost-produced, inadequate representation of the EDM industry, desperately clinging to relevance. Inclusion in the list extends to DJs who have never performed beyond their home country, merely because they had the financial means to drive clicks and votes.
And the crowd goes mild…
The DJ Mag Top 100 is an underwhelming affair, disclosing not the most talented DJs but those with the most substantial marketing budgets. It is more about generating buzz than showcasing genuine talent in mixing and a distinctive musical identity.
For those seeking technical prowess, innovation, and a significant impact on the EDM scene, the DJ Mag Top 100 is not the go-to source. It’s a list tainted by financial influence, where genuine talent takes a backseat to popularity and financial backing.
At the end of the day, DJ Mag lacks authority in determining the world’s top DJs. There exists no definitive benchmark or trophy for DJing prowess, and DJ Mag has no monopoly on what defines a “Top” DJ. Honestly, we’d wager some highly underrated Wedding DJs, worthy contenders, are unlikely to find a spot in the Top 100. Therefore, let’s not mistake the DJ Mag Top 100 for a legitimate measure of DJing prowess; it’s nothing more than a disguised popularity contest.
