Bassjackers | Top 100 DJs 2016 | DJMag.com (original) (raw)

This has been fun-lovin’ Dutch duo Bassjackers’ (Marlon Flohr and Ralph van Hilst) biggest year to date. Having broken into the Top 100 DJs poll for the first time in their history last year, 2016 has been all about consolidating their position as one of the leading lights of the EDM world. 2016 has been all about giving back, too. Of the 11 tracks the duo have released — which take in the entire gamut of EDM, from pop-tinged bangers to reggae-rousing club weapons — six of their tracks have been given away for free. They’ve collaborated with EDM wunderkind KSHMR for the bombastic ‘Extreme’ — featuring vocals from Sidnie Tipton — that’s all blissful flutes, catchy chords and luscious vocals.

Their ‘Destiny’ EP, which was given away entirely for free with the help of EDM goliath Spinnin’ Records, was inspired by the duo’s love of Activision’s share-world-shooter Destiny, and their track ‘Fireflies’ alongside Luciana was a huge runaway success too, having racked up four million streams in just a couple of months.

The Dutch duo don’t look like they're slowing down anytime soon either. They’ve toured almost every far-flung festival across the entire world, including a recent 10-date tour across Asia where they played Shanghai’s Storm Festival to tens of thousands on the main stage. With DJ support from their contemporaries including fellow world-dominating duos Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, The Chainsmokers and Blasterjaxx, 2017 has all the hallmarks of another bumper year for the clean-cut Dutch duo as they set their sights on the No.1 spot for the Top 100 DJs — and you’d be a fool to bet against them achieving it. ANDREW RAFTER