DJmag Top 100 DJs 2010

On Wednesday 27th of October a special party came to London’s Ministry of Sound. It was called Top 100 DJs.

From the name of the event you can imagine that the music played was never going to be sub-standard. In fact it was very much the opposite, it was insane. Easily the busiest I have ever seen Ministry of Sound in a long time. This was not hard to see why when you had DJs like David Guetta (no. 2), Deadmau5 (no. 4), Afrojack (no. 19), Fedde Le Grant (no. 21), Eddie Halliwell(no. 47) and Jerome isma-ae (no. 120) just to name a few of the superstar DJ’s ripping it up for all to see with Boy George presenting Armin Van Buuren with the Number 1 title for the 4thyear running, albeit by phone.

The Eddie Halliwell set, which was definitely a highlight of the night. The presence and energy he has behind the decks just rebounds straight into the feet of all those listening and before you know it you’re dancing like a madman, on the floor or the speakers. A superb headline act for the main room at Ministry of Sound.  The arena was set up superbly with mind blowing laser shows bouncing to the beat of every tune played and off every wall in sight.

All in all an absolutely immense evening of the best tunes played by the best DJs in 1 of London’s finest and most prestigious venues.
You just don’t get to see this many quality DJs all in 1place under 1 roof on the same night. An amazing job thanks to DJMag, the Ministry of Sound of course the DJ’s themselves.

As a massive fan of the music being played in and around the dance/electro scene I was sent back stage to get some juicy gossip on how the DJ’s are feeling on being voted in or around the top 100, in a Q and A session. Here is what happened….

Afrojack aka Nick Van De Wall (No. 19)
This interview, done 5 minutes before AfroJack went on stage and at this point was one of the most chilled out DJs in London but when he got out there, man did he look pumped up and ready to show us why he was the 2nd highest new entry in this year’s poll. Believe me when I say he definitely did not disappoint.  An absolute superb mix of funky electro, new and old house which captured everyone the entire set.  Fantastic!

Q. How do you feel about being voted in the Top 100 DJs by your fans?
A. “It’s a very surreal moment, it’s amazing. I never thought I’d get to this level”
Q. What do you think of the event Top 100 DJs and is this a good venue for it?
A. “I love the event, playing and listening to others and as for the venue, hey, it’s Ministry of Sound in London, simple!”
Q. What made you pick up records and start mixing?
A. “Well I wanted to get into the clubs for free and get my mates in as well. Now I’m here.  It has been a bit mental but well worth it”
Q. Where is your favourite place to DJ?
A. “It has to be the US. They’re mad and they love my music”
Q. In Ibiza this year James Zabiela dropped a Drum n Bass tune in the middle of his set at Space closing party, whilst others were dropping Dub Step. What are your views on that and would you consider doing something similar?
A. “I’m not a massive fan Dub Step and would only mix 1 tune. It all sounds too similar at the moment but you can never rule it out in the future. Definitely needs to evolve more before I would mix it with house or electro”
Q. Who is your favourite DJ to mix with?
A. “It has to be David Guetta, he’s astonishing with some great beats and he has helped me a lot to get to where I am today”
   
Jerome Isma-ae
Q. How do you feel about being voted in the Top 100 DJs by your fans?
A. “It’s amazing. I don’t actually see myself as a top 100 DJ. Unfortunately didn’t make the top 100 but I’m doing something I love and the fans love too”
Q. What do you think of the event Top 100 DJs and is this a good venue for it?
A. “I absolutely love this event. It’s not often that you get such a high class of DJs all under 1 roof. It’s an event where you feel you can say thanks to the fans for their votes by playing their favourite tunes”
Q. How did you feel about being the 1st German DJ to have a record on US label Strictly Rhythm?
A. “Blimey that was a while ago. I felt so proud and a little shocked, but since that moment we have worked together to take a new sound into Germany and it’s been successful”
Q. Where is your favourite place to DJ?
A. “Has to be Argentina. They love my music which means it’s the best atmosphere to mix in as well. They are crazy”
Q. What made you do a tribute tune for the legendary King of pop Michael Jackson?
A. “Well, it’s Michael Jackson, simple. He was a massive inspiration for me. I wanted to give something back to people, exactly how the legend himself had done it, through music.

Don’t miss next year’s Top 100 DJs event and don’t forget to vote. You’d be a fool to miss it.