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Behind The Decks
Sep 2, 20194 min read

DO WE NEED THE TOP 100 ANYMORE?


The infamous DJ Mag's Top 100 has long been looked at though skeptical eyes from a large amount of people in the Electric Music community, based on not only it's relevance, but it's reflection on the top placed DJ's.

Today, I look at the Top 100, what it used to be versus what it has become and if we even need it anymore.


In 1991, it was Danny Rampling to be named DJ Mag's first ever, #1 DJ, by the magazine's journalists.

In 1992, Smokin Jo was named the #1 DJ by the magazine editors and still to this day, she is still the only female DJ to have ever won DJ Mag's highly coveted DJ of the Year award.

In celebration of the 100th edition of the magazine in 1993, the magazine introduced a Top 100 list. Similar to how the Grammy's is organised, Dance Music Specialists (better known as music journalist) would nominate their favorite DJ's, to which the list would be complied and would lock in each DJ's rank based on the cumulative votes each DJ was issued per specialist. The method ran for 5 year, finishing once the 1996 edition was published.


However, in 1997 the decision was taken by the publication to let the readers of the magazine decide who they thought were the world's Top DJ's. 1997 saw well-known British DJ Carl Cox as the first winner of the Top 100 DJ's Award by public vote.

And since 1996, DJ Mag has not changed their nomination (voting) process.

British house and techno record producer and DJ, Carl Cox

Fergie (House/Techno Dj from Northern Ireland, not the ferg-a-licious singer) holds the record for the highest new entry in the poll’s history, achieved when he placed 8th in 2000.

Trance-god Armin van Buuren holds the record of most overall wins, holding five #1 DJ titles from the magazine, four of those being a record-breaking consecutive wins.


Today, the Top 100 has become a popularity contest, with DJ's running major campaigns to ensure votes. This ranges from asking listeners on their weekly podcast, through to targeted social media and email campaigns. The Top 100 is BIG MONEY for all acts, with some artists booking fees doubling due to their position on the list increasing each year.

In 2017, Sensation White was held in Sydney, and as expected with festival line up announcements, the biggest clubs in Sydney were busy fighting over sideshows. During the bidding war, artists manager's put all talks on hold until the Top 100 was announced. Several of the touring artist climbed the rankings, pushing up the fees for multiple acts, meaning many Australian clubs no longer afford to book an act.


In 2015, we saw one of the most brazen attempt to get votes that has ever taken place. Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike (DV&LM for short) hired promo staff and scouted them all over Belgium dressed in DJ Mag shirts, yet these promo staff had no affiliation with DJ Mag what-so-ever. One of their scouting locations was Belgium's, and the worlds, largest music festival, Tomorrowland. Promo staff questioned attendees if they had voted in the Top 100, if you responded “No”, they would note your email down on their IPad and voted for DV&LM in all 5 voting slots, not giving you a choice at all.

For avid music lovers, you would remember that this is what started the beef between Hardwell and DV&LM and saw Hardwell not attend Tomorrowland until 2018.


Martin Garrix celebrating being crowned DJ Mag's #1 winner

And this is where my issues with the Top 100 lay; in my honest opinion, it is not a true representation of the industry or the artists involved.


Let’s talk the likes of Eric Prydz; agreed by many, the man is a GOD. The amount of time, thought and love that goes into the production alone for Prydz's shows is constantly pushing new limits, add in sound and the journey he takes you on, you will find it hard to disagree that the man clearly is in his own lane. He is/was one of the driving forces behind Swedish House Mafia and is credited with some of the biggest dance tracks of all time, but is yet to even break into the Top 20.


The list is not about who is the best DJ, Producer or Songwriter. I personally see the voting process based on who can run the best campaign and get the most songs on the radio/who has the most hyped song on the radio at the moment.


With the way the Top 100 is currently structured, I believe that there is a place in this world for it, but it is of NO reflection on how good/bad the DJ's are as artists. I think we need 2 competitions, one where industry professionals vote and the other for the masses.


Are you for/against DJ Mag's Top 100? Would you like to see version of the voting to see where industry professionals would announce a list for you to pick your top 5?

I would love to know what you think! Drop your views in the comments.



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