The EDM game is tough.
Before you get the big dollars, you've
got to pay your dues and take a few hits. So it's no surprise most of these heavy
hitters are well into their 30s or even older.
But over the last couple of years, there's been a
youth invasion of the scene. And suddenly, some of the hottest names in dance
music aren't even old enough to attend their own shows! If they weren't the
main attraction, that is.
Just check out Ultra Music Festival 2012's top seven artists under 25.
Avicii
This popular Swedish producer is the man behind one of house
music's biggest anthems in years. He's worked with giants like John Dahlback
and David Guetta, played festival stages from Pacha to EDC in LA, and he'll be
headlining Saturday at this year's Ultra. In 2011, he was ranked the sixth best
DJ in the world by DJ Magazine - and
he's only 22. I mean, how did he even know that Etta James song existed!
Skrillex
Everyone loves Skrillex. Or they love to hate him. But as
he stands just a couple months clear of 24 years, you've got to at least
respect the guy. Armed with three Grammys, two years in the game and one iconic
haircut, Skrillex has changed the EDM scene forever. He's brought more fans to
the dance floor than could have ever been imagined, and for that, we think he's
pretty cool.
Porter Robinson
At only 19 years old, this electro house producer is barely
old enough to walk into the club he's being paid mad money to perform for. But
already Porter Robinson is signed to Skrillex's OWSLA label and has toured the
world with cats like Deadmau5, Tiesto and Diplo. He's even done official
remixes for Lady Gaga and fellow youngin' Avicii. And to think, last year he
was graduating high school.
Zedd
This German producer is only 22 but sports a resume and fan
base impressive enough to land a contract on OWSLA and a spot on the Ultra
lineup, Saturday. He's put his swagger on remixes for everyone from Fatboy Slim
to Wolfgang Gartner to the Black Eyed Peas, and his rework of Skrillex's "Scary
Monsters and Nice Sprites" got him to #2 on the Beatport charts. And he's only just
getting started.
Borgore
Besides being the dubstep DJ most likely to be admitted for sex
addiction, with just 24 years behind him, Borgore is also one of the scene's
youngest pioneers. His unique blend of hip-hop, gnarly dubstep and lyrical
chauvinism has made him quite popular with the kids, and he'll be bringing it
hard at Ultra, Saturday.
Hardwell
Harwell started his DJ career 10 years ago - when he was 13.
He was signed to a Dutch label a year later, and at 23, found himself ranked #26
on the DJ Magazine top 100. MTV just named him one of their EDM artists
to watch for 2012, and you can watch him yourself Saturday at Ultra.
Madeon
But when it comes to calling kids out for being lil' geniuses,
this kid takes the ultimate cake. This French wunderkind is the youngest on our
list. He's only 17, but he's set the underground on fire with his mash-up to
end all mash-ups "Pop Culture." His track "Icarus" is gorgeous and uplifting,
and everything this kid does seems well beyond his few years of experience. Make
sure you pay your respects during his Saturday set at Ultra, you won't regret
it.
Ultra Music Festival 2012. Friday, March 23, to Sunday, March 25. Bayfront Park, 301 Biscayne Blvd., Miami. Tickets are sold out. Visit ultramusicfestival.com.
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