History – Names
This is not an exhaustive list—this list is a work in progress, and we’re still updating it with more names.
Thomas Edison
Invented the phonograph, enabling recorded sound playback (USA).
Reginald Fessenden
Conducted the first radio broadcast, paving the way for radio DJing (Canada/USA).
Jimmy Savile
Credited with being the first DJ to use twin turntables for seamless mixes (UK).
Alan Freed
Popularized the term “rock and roll” and brought DJing to mainstream radio (USA).
Terry Noel
One of the first nightclub DJs in the US, incorporating records into sets (USA).
Francis Grasso
Introduced beatmatching techniques, revolutionizing DJ mixing in clubs (USA).
David Mancuso
Opened “The Loft” in NYC, a key space for disco and early house music (USA).
DJ Kool Herc
Credited as the founder of hip-hop; introduced breakbeat DJing (Jamaica/USA).
Giorgio Moroder
Pioneered electronic disco music; influenced DJ culture with synthesizers (Italy/Germany).
Larry Levan
Started DJing at NYC’s The Loft and later became the resident DJ at Paradise Garage. Revolutionized DJ culture with his residency at Paradise Garage (USA).
Frankie Knuckles
Known as the “Godfather of House Music”; transformed DJing with house music (USA).
Ron Hardy
Resident DJ at Chicago’s Music Box; pushed the boundaries with raw, experimental sets that influenced house music (USA).
Afrika Bambaataa
Released “Planet Rock,” blending hip-hop with electronic music, laying the foundation for electro (USA).
Shep Pettibone
Renowned remixer and producer, popularized extended dance remixes for tracks by Madonna and others (USA).
Tony Humphries
Defined the “garage” sound as resident DJ at Club Zanzibar in New Jersey (USA)
Grandmaster Flash
Innovated turntablism techniques and gained mainstream success with “The Message” (USA).
Jellybean Benitez
Resident DJ at Funhouse, became a renowned remixer and producer working with artists like Madonna (USA).
Juan Atkins
Released “Techno City,” cementing his role as the “Godfather of Techno” (USA).
Jesse Saunders
Released “On and On,” considered the first house music record (USA).
Farley “Jackmaster” Funk
Pioneer of Chicago house music; released the hit “Love Can’t Turn Around” (USA).
Marshall Jefferson
Released “Move Your Body,” known as the “anthem of house music” (USA).
Derrick May
Released “Strings of Life,” a defining Detroit techno track that influenced the global scene (USA).
Lil Louis
Released “French Kiss,” blending house music with sensual rhythms, a massive club hit (USA).
Louie Vega
Revolutionised house music with a fusion of Latin, jazz, funk, and soulful elements.
Kenny Dope Gonzalez
A rhythm innovator blending hip-hop, funk, and house into timeless beats.
Paul Oakenfold
Started popularizing the Balearic beat sound after visiting Ibiza, influencing rave culture (UK).
Kevin Saunderson
Popularized Detroit techno with his group Inner City and the hit “Good Life” (USA).
Carl Cox
Emerged as a leading figure in acid house and techno, becoming a global icon. Became an international superstar DJ and innovator in techno and house music (UK).
Ricardo Guedes
A leading Brazilian figure in establishing DJ culture in Brazil, renowned for his exceptionally precise mixing skills (Brazil).
Danny Rampling
Opened Shoom nightclub in London, spreading the acid house movement in the UK (UK),
Sasha
Began his career as a DJ known for blending house and trance, rising to fame in the UK club scene (UK).
John Digweed
Partnered with Sasha; elevated progressive house and became a global DJ icon (UK).
Richie Hawtin
Released early techno tracks under aliases like Plastikman, shaping minimal techno (Canada/UK).
Jeff Mills
A pioneer of Detroit techno, co-founded Underground Resistance, and brought techno to Europe (USA).
Goldie
Released Timeless, bringing drum and bass to a mainstream audience (UK).
Marky
A pioneering Brazilian DJ renowned for his impeccable musical taste and seamless mixing across diverse genres. He has become a globally recognised Disc Jockey icon (Brazil).
Laurent Garnier
Helped popularize techno and house in Europe; known for his residency at Rex Club in Paris (France).
Aphex Twin
Released Selected Ambient Works, influencing experimental and ambient electronic music (UK).
Daft Punk
Released their first singles, leading the French house movement and becoming global icons (France).
Pete Tong
Hosted BBC Radio 1’s Essential Mix, becoming a central figure in electronic music broadcasting (UK).
Memê
A pioneering Brazilian Producer DJ known for his original tracks and remixes with top Brazilian artists and international DJs (Brazil).
David Morales
Released Needin’ U and became a pioneer of soulful house music and remixes (USA).
The Chemical Brothers
Released Exit Planet Dust, defining big beat and blending rock with electronic music (UK).
Fatboy Slim
Helped popularize big beat music with the release of Better Living Through Chemistry (UK).
Armand Van Helden
Released The Funk Phenomena, a defining track in house music (USA).
Paul van Dyk
Released For an Angel, which became one of the most iconic trance anthems (Germany).
Sven Väth
Founded Cocoon, fostering techno and electronic music in Europe (Germany).
Tiësto
Began gaining recognition as a trance DJ, later becoming one of the world’s top DJs (Netherlands).
Armin van Buuren
Released his first trance compilation Boundaries of Imagination, beginning his rise in the trance scene (Netherlands).
Carl Craig
Innovated Detroit techno with a fusion of jazz and classical elements (USA).
Frankie Bones
Key figure in the U.S. rave scene, promoting techno and house in underground spaces (USA).
Richie Hawtin
Revolutionized techno with digital DJing and minimal soundscapes, pushing boundaries with Traktor software (Canada/UK).
David Guetta
Released Just a Little More Love, bridging house music with pop and mainstream audiences (France).
Deadmau5
Began releasing progressive house tracks, popularizing the use of digital production and his signature mouse helmet (Canada).
Justice
Released We Are Your Friends and became leaders in the French electro-house movement (France).
Swedish House Mafia
Began collaborating, shaping the progressive and big room house sounds (Sweden).
Eric Prydz
Released Call on Me, merging progressive house with mainstream appeal (Sweden).
Avicii
Released his first tracks and began his rise as a global EDM icon (Sweden).
Skrillex
Transitioned from emo rock to electronic music, eventually popularizing dubstep (USA).
Diplo
Founded Mad Decent, blending global sounds like moombahton and dancehall with electronic music (USA).
Calvin Harris
Released Ready for the Weekend, becoming a key figure in dance-pop fusion (UK).
Afrojack
Released Take Over Control, influencing big room house and EDM festivals (Netherlands).
Zedd
Released Clarity, blending EDM with pop, earning him a Grammy and mainstream success.
Martin Garrix
Released Animals, defining the big room house sound and becoming a global superstar (Netherlands).
Disclosure
Released Settle, reviving UK garage and deep house for a new generation (UK).
Flume
Released Flume Deluxe Edition, pushing future bass into the mainstream (Australia).
Kygo
Popularized tropical house with hits like Firestone, creating a relaxed EDM subgenre (Norway).
Diplo & Major Lazer
Released Lean On (feat. MØ), a global hit blending dancehall, pop, and EDM.
DJ Snake
Released Turn Down for What and Lean On, becoming a leader in global EDM anthems (France).
Peggy Gou
Global icon blending house and techno with modern cultural influences (South Korea).
This is not an exhaustive list—this list is a work in progress, and we’re still updating it with more names.