• Billboard Pro
  • Subscribe
  • Charts Weekly
    • Hot 100
    • Billboard 200
    • Billboard Global 200
    • Billboard Global Excl. US
    • Artist 100
    • All Weekly Charts
    Year-End
    • Year-End Hot 100 Songs
    • Year-End Billboard 200 Albums
    • 2020 Year-End Boxscore
    • Google's Top Hummed Songs 2020
    • All Year-End Charts
    Decade-End
    • Decade-End Top Artists
    • Decade-End Top Artists - Interactive
    • Decade-End Hot 100 Songs
    • Decade-End Billboard 200 Albums
    • All Decade-End Charts
    Bandsintown X Billboard
    • Buzzing Livestream Artists
    • Rising Livestream Artists
    • Top Livestream Artists
  • News Genres
    • Pop
    • Hip-Hop/R&B
    • Dance
    • Country
    • Latin
    • Rock
    • K-Pop
    Topics
    • Year In Music 2019
    • Pride
    • Podcasts
    • International
    • All News
  • Video Video Series
    • Billboard News
    • Live Videos
    • Quizzed
    • How It Went Down
    • Emerging Artists: You Should Know
    • My Billboard Moment
    • All Videos
  • Photos
  • Pro Industry News
    • Legal and Management
    • Executive Turntable
    • Touring
    • Record Labels
    • Streaming
    • Tech
    • Publishing
    • Radio
    • All Industry News
    Pro Tools
    • Insights
    • Deep Dive
    • - Songs For Sale
    • - Music On TV: What Works Now
    • Close Calls
    • Chart Search
    • Boxscore
    • Billboard Bulletin
    • Artist index
    • Song Index
    Pro Charts
    • Pop Songs
    • Hot R&B / Hip-Hop Songs
    • Hot Country Songs
    • Songwriters & Producers
    • View All Pro Charts
  • Newsletters

Billboard Pro

  • Subscribe
  • Sign In

Follow Billboard

About Billboard

  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • AdChoices

© 2021 Billboard Media, LLC. All rights reserved. BILLBOARD is a registered trademark of Billboard IP Holdings, LLC

  • Charts Weekly
    • Hot 100
    • Billboard 200
    • Billboard Global 200
    • Billboard Global Excl. US
    • Artist 100
    • All Weekly Charts
    Year-End
    • Year-End Hot 100 Songs
    • Year-End Billboard 200 Albums
    • 2020 Year-End Boxscore
    • Google's Top Hummed Songs 2020
    • All Year-End Charts
    Decade-End
    • Decade-End Top Artists
    • Decade-End Top Artists - Interactive
    • Decade-End Hot 100 Songs
    • Decade-End Billboard 200 Albums
    • All Decade-End Charts
    Bandsintown X Billboard
    • Buzzing Livestream Artists
    • Rising Livestream Artists
    • Top Livestream Artists
  • News Genres
    • Pop
    • Hip-Hop/R&B
    • Dance
    • Country
    • Latin
    • Rock
    • K-Pop
    Topics
    • Year In Music 2019
    • Pride
    • Podcasts
    • International
    • All News
  • Video Video Series
    • Billboard News
    • Live Videos
    • Quizzed
    • How It Went Down
    • Emerging Artists: You Should Know
    • My Billboard Moment
    • All Videos
  • Photos
  • Pro Industry News
    • Legal and Management
    • Executive Turntable
    • Touring
    • Record Labels
    • Streaming
    • Tech
    • Publishing
    • Radio
    • All Industry News
    Pro Tools
    • Insights
    • Deep Dive
    • - Songs For Sale
    • - Music On TV: What Works Now
    • Close Calls
    • Chart Search
    • Boxscore
    • Billboard Bulletin
    • Artist index
    • Song Index
    Pro Charts
    • Pop Songs
    • Hot R&B / Hip-Hop Songs
    • Hot Country Songs
    • Songwriters & Producers
    • View All Pro Charts
  • Newsletters
    • Billboard Pro
    • Subscribe
Three Sixty
Top Artists
View All
Top Charts
Hot 100 Songs
Billboard 200
View All
Top Videos
Polo G Lands First Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 With 'Rapstar' | Billboard News
The ARMY Will Soon Be Able to Order BTS' Favorite McDonald's Order | Billboard News
View All
Top Articles
Rüfüs Du Sol Adds Third Los Angles Concert, Promises ‘Plenty of New Music’ to Come
McFly’s Harry Judd Tests Positive For COVID-19: ‘Everything Smells Like Vinegar’
View All
Watch Now
Features

The 10 Youngest DJ Breakthroughs

By Billboard Staff
5/12/2015
  • Copied to clipboard
Sergi Alexander/WireImage
1 / 11
Item 1 of 11

The 10 Youngest DJ Breakthroughs

Dance stars come young these days. Many of the genre's hottest talents aren't even old enough to order drinks at the clubs they play. Billboard takes a look back at ten of the youngest artists to experience breakthrough moments over the years.

See also: Top 50 EDM Love Songs | Top 50 Feel Good Dance Songs | 25 Female DJs You Need to Know | 25 Can't-Miss European Dance Music Festivals | 14 Most Powerful Artists in Dance Music | 25 Greatest Dance Clubs of All-Time | 15 Rising Trance Stars | 10 Resident DJs Who Changed EDM

By Billboard Staff
5/12/2015
  • Copied to clipboard
Artist Mentioned
Paul Bergen/Redferns
2 / 11
Item 2 of 11

youngest-dj-breakthroughs-martin-garrix-billboard-650

Martin Garrix

The Dutch DJ/producer was just 17 years old when he released the track that changed his life in 2013. "Animals" would conquer the dance festival circuit and crossover to peak at No. 21 on Billboard's Hot 100, elevating the youngster to stardom.

Chivteam
3 / 11
Item 3 of 11

youngest-dj-breakthroughs-madeon-billboard-650

Madeon

When Madeon's "Pop Culture" mash-up video went viral in July 2011, the young French artist was only 17. His stellar follow-up remix of deadmau5's "Raise Your Weapon" belied his age and proved he was far from a fluke.

Kate Glicksberg
4 / 11
Item 4 of 11

disclosure_billboard-650-d

Disclosure

In 2012, Disclosure's Howard and Guy Lawrence were a tender 18 and 21, respectively, when "Latch" shot to No. 11 in the UK. It would continue to gain momentum and cross over to reach No. 7 in the Hot 100 nearly two years later, launching the careers of its creators and featured vocalist Sam Smith.

Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images
5 / 11
Item 5 of 11

youngest-dj-breakthroughs-porter-robinson-billboard-650

Porter Robinson

Long before Porter Robinson struck off on his stylistic own with Worlds, he was one of electro house's brightest hopes. The North Carolina native was just 19 when his Spitfire EP on Skrillex's fledgling OWSLA imprint shot to No. 1 on the iTunes Dance chart and Beatport in 2011, crashing the servers of the latter.

Courtesy Photo
6 / 11
Item 6 of 11

youngest-dj-breakthroughs-thomas-jack-billboard-650

Thomas Jack

The affable Aussie was barely 20 years old when his tropical house mixtapes took SoundCloud by storm in 2014, playing a key role in the discovery of artists like Kygo and Klingande. Jack's career subsequently blossomed as well with signings to Parlophone and William Morris Endeavor.

Nikko Lamere
7 / 11
Item 7 of 11

youngest-dj-breakthroughs-krewella-billboard-650

Krewella

Back in 2012, current members Yasmine and Jahan Yousaf were 20 and 22, respectively, when they released debut Play Hard EP. The release produced platinum-selling hit single "Alive," which hit No. 1 on Dance/Mix Show Airplay and gave them their first Top 40 hit (No. 32) on the Hot 100.

Joseph Okpako/Redferns via Getty Images
8 / 11
Item 8 of 11

youngest-dj-breakthroughs-nicolas-jaar-billboard-450

Nicolas Jaar

The Chilean-American prodigy was 21 years old when he released his mesmerizing and ambitious debut album, Space is Only Noise, to widespread critical acclaim in 2011. He has since emerged as one of electronic music's most exciting minds, continually pushing limits with projects like DARKSIDE and his Other People subscription-based imprint.

Mark Davis/Getty Images for Coachella
9 / 11
Item 9 of 11

youngest-dj-breakthroughs-alesso-billboard-650

Alesso

While the Swedish producer had turned heads with strong productions like "Nillionaire," it was his "Calling (Lose My Mind)" collaboration with mentor Sebstian Ingrosso in 2012 that made him a star. He was merely 21 at the time.

Jo Hale/Redferns via Getty Images
10 / 11
Item 10 of 11

youngest-dj-breakthroughs-flume-billboard-650

Flume

Sydney's hottest electronic export was a green 21 years of age when he dropped his eponymous debut album and took Oceania by storm in 2012. The release topped the ARIA Albums chart and helped him clean up at the ARIA Music Awards, setting the stage for stateside crossover.

Jerritt Clark/Getty Images
11 / 11
Item 11 of 11

youngest-dj-breakthroughs-the-martinez-brothers-billboard-650

The Martinez Brothers

The Bronx brethren caught the attention of The New York Times way back in 2009, when they were 17 and 20 years of age, but their breakthrough wouldn't come until 2013. At 21 and 24, Chris and Steve Martinez were still practically infants in the older underground dance scene. That wouldn't stop their remix of Green Velvet's "Bigger Than Prince" from taking over Ibiza and Amsterdam Dance Event and propelling them to fame.

By Billboard Staff
5/12/2015
  • Copied to clipboard

Watch Now

Videos

No, Lil Nas X's 'Montero (Call Me By Your Name)' is Not Being Pulled From Streaming Services | Billboard News

6 days ago

Follow Billboard

The Daily

A daily briefing on what matters in the music industry

  • Subscribe
  • Billboard Events
  • Shop
  • Contact Us
  • Careers
  • FAQ
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Sitemap
  • Media Kit
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • AdChoices
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2021 Billboard Media, LLC. All rights reserved. BILLBOARD is a registered trademark of Billboard IP Holdings, LLC