The end of another year is a list-maker’s wet dream as the top films, fashions and even derrières of 2008 must be decided. But in the end there can be only one - no not fantasy immortal highlander, but Disc Jockey at the summit of DJ Mag’s Top 100. Wednesday saw the culmination of the poll - regarded as the definitive award of the vinyl-spinning fraternity - voted for by over 350,000 dance-heads from 167 countries. Last year, Armin van Buuren was the Connor MacLeod of clubland, battling with his 12 inches all the way to numero uno. And thanks to the continued success of his radio show ‘A State of Trance’ and a seemingly endless string of global headlining slots, the Dutch law graduate retains his post as the best in the business for 2008…
In fact, the top ten is dominated by the Dutch trance nation, who hog four of the first six spots. Mr Trance himself Tiesto is a non-mover in second, with both Above & Beyond and Ferry Corsten climbing two places to snatch fourth and sixth respectively. German euphoric floor-filling PvD (that’s Paul van Dyk to you and me) transverses his way to third, while Parisian David ‘F*** Me I’m Famous’ Guetta becomes the highest placed house DJ at five. Sasha, John Digweed, Markus Schulz and Infected Mushroom make up the rest of the top 10.
If like us you’ve been following the emergence of Deadmau5 (pronounced dead mouse) and jiving helplessly to his electro offerings over the last annum, it won’t surprise you to know that he’s the highest new entry (ever!) at 11 this year. Editor of DJ Mag Lesley Wright really captured the rapid ascent of Deadmau5: “He’s gone from being a relative unknown to being one of the biggest electro house players in the space of just a year. You’ve gotta take your hat off to him.” However, it seems this honour may be lost on the Canadian - when speaking on the subject of DJs he said: “I don’t really see the technical merit in playing two songs at the same speed together… It’s so middle man, they’re like fucking lawyers. You need them, but they’re fucking c**ts.” He’s not a man to mince his words.
While Deadmau5 slowly seethes in a cauldron of contempt, we remain upbeat, especially after hearing RealMusic Blog favourite Daft Punk stormed up the chart a stunning 33 places - impressive as they only played once all year (and that was at the Grammys).
Listen to Top 100 DJs Of 2008 Radio on RealMusic
For the full list of DJ Mag’s Top 100 DJs of 2008, click here
(Liam Fitzpatrick)
