In 2012, Calvin Harris didn’t make Forbes’ annual list of top-grossing DJs.
In 2013, he banked $44 million.
In 2014, he made $66 million.
Along the way, he had nine singles reach the UK top 10, dethroning Michael Jackson’s previous record of eight.
Harris’ meteoric rise in the music industry parallels the rise of EDM. With Calvin Harris at the peak, let’s take a look at EDM pop DJs and how the underground scene became the mainstream.
How did EDM become a multi billion-dollar industry?
While artists like Daft Punk helped get the ball rolling, David Guetta’s 2009 album, “One Love” really started the party.
The electronic scene was once populated only by purists. When Guetta unleashed massive hits like “When Love Takes Over, “Sexy Bitch” and “Memories,” that changed forever. So what allowed David Guetta to separate from the pack?
Blending genres proved to be the key ingredient. Putting Kelly Rowland, Akon and Kid Cudi on his tracks united fans of different genres and helped create a new brand of music.
By taking the leaders of the hip-hop world and underscoring them with pulsating beats and synthesizers, EDM was granted a seat at the top-40 table.
Guetta cracked open the door for other artists who quickly kicked it down.
Afrojack’s “Take Over Control” and Avicii’s “Levels” carried the torch.
Avicii has since become a household name. His 2013 single, “Wake Me Up” tore up the charts. Adding R&B performer Aloe Blacc on the vocals, he created a unique sound and linked genres.
EDM pop fans can thank the few artists who risked their work by blending genres.
Those business-savvy DJs knew their audience and understood the pulse of others.
As Calvin Harris recently told Forbes Magazine, “It’s kind of in that respect challenging as well, because it’s like, if you play too much hardcore club music people aren’t going to like it because it’s a lot of casual club-goers. They’re not all electro EDM-heads.”
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