By Kyle:
With less then two weeks to go in DJ Mag's Top 100 DJs poll, we at EDMBoston decided to get our acts together and will be letting you know the staff's top 5 artists through the next couple days.
Here is Kyle's Top 5 DJ's of 2012
1. Derek Vincent Smith aka Pretty Lights
has been a part of the emerging EDM scene for a while now and can be attributed to the major growth recently. After dropping out of UC Boulder, Smith could be found opening such acts as STs9 and the Disco Biscuits as well as playing festivals including Rothbury(Electric Forest) and Camp Bisco. Smith went on to start his own label, Pretty Lights Music, which includes a star studded list of artists including Paul Baskc, Michael Menert, break science, Gramatik and Elliot Lipp. All Pretty Lights music is available for free download on prettylightsmusic.com. Remember that Avicci song that was just oh so popular? You're probably humming it as you read. Well Derek actually sampled the song first before sometimes I get a good feeling became an EDM anthem. Smith has been on the leading edge for a while and can be found headlining Electric Zoo and North Coast Festival in the upcoming weeks as well as his Fall Illumination Tour hitting over 40 cities, including Boston at TD Garden on Halloween.
2. Bassnectar
One of the most high energy DJs in the game today. With a cult like following built up around his raw persona, Lorin Ashton never seems to disappoint whether performing live, releasing a new album or even just a free mix he is releasing to his die hard fans. Bassnectar has a way of reading the crowd like no other DJ I have ever seen and it reflects in all
His performances.
3. Afrojack
He has been on fire since 2010 and nobody has been able to put this guy out. Winner of two Grammys and many more accolades, Nick van der Wall has a skillset unparalleled to others within the same category. His music is so unique with his progressive style it is easy to see why he is always at the top of the charts and headlining such festivals as EDC.
4. Armin Van Buren
He's been ranked among the top DJs for a while now and you really have to see this man perform
Live to fully grasp his epicness. After seeing AVB for the first time at the Main Stage at EDC NYC I had to check him out the day after when he headlined the State of Trance tent. Both shows will be remembered as one of the best live performances I have seen to date
5. Diplo
He has surely made a name for himself among EDM superstars. I have been listening to Diplo since his album entitled "Florida" and have loved his beats since. Diplo is featured on BBC radio 1 weekly with his Diplo and friends show which features many artists from his label, Mad Decent, as well as many other artists. Diplo also performs with Major Lazer and is constantly crossing over genres, most recently creating tracks for Snoop Dogg's new Jamaican inspired album under the name Snoop Lion.
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