Hardwell/KSHMR: The Dutch Titans of Mainstage EDM

Hardwell and KSHMR are two of the most influential Dutch electronic music producers and DJs to emerge from the global big room house boom. While distinct artists, their careers are intertwined through their massive impact on festival culture and chart success, with Hardwell's anthems defining a generation and KSHMR's cinematic productions shaping the sound of modern progressive house.

Early career

Robbert van de Corput, known as Hardwell, began DJing at age 12 and founded his Revealed Recordings label in 2010. Niles Hollowell-Dhar, the producer behind KSHMR, initially found success in the pop-rap duo The Cataracs, co-writing and producing hits like "Like a G6" for Far East Movement before launching his solo electronic project in 2014.

Breakthrough

Hardwell's global breakthrough arrived in 2012 with the colossal festival anthem "Spaceman," which became a worldwide club staple. His 2013 "I Am Hardwell" tour and subsequent #1 ranking on DJ Mag's Top 100 DJs poll in 2013 and 2014 cemented his superstar status. KSHMR's debut single, "Megastructure" with DallasK, immediately signaled a new force, but his 2015 collaboration with Tiësto, "Secrets," became a platinum-certified global hit, propelling him into the DJ Mag Top 20.

Key tracks

Spaceman — Hardwell's signature track that defined the big room house sound of the early 2010s.

Secrets — The Tiësto collaboration that launched KSHMR as a premier festival producer with a cinematic style.

Apollo — A landmark Hardwell collaboration with Amba Shepherd showcasing his anthemic, vocal-driven power.

Wildcard — A quintessential KSHMR track that masterfully blends ethnic instrumentation with festival-ready energy.

Don't Stop Believin' — Hardwell's remix of the Journey classic exemplifies his ability to create crossover stadium moments.

Hardwell's debut studio album, "United We Are," arrived in 2015, featuring the global hit "Young Again." After a hiatus from touring in 2018, he made a triumphant return in 2022 with his second album, "REBELS NEVER DIE," marking a shift towards a harder, techno-influenced sound. KSHMR, meanwhile, became a prolific hitmaker and sample pack innovator, releasing a steady stream of high-profile collaborations on labels like Spinnin' Records and Dharma Worldwide, which he co-founded.

For fans of high-energy Dutch electronic music, explore similar artists like Martin Garrix, another chart-topping Dutch prodigy known for his massive festival anthems. Discover Tiësto, the legendary Dutch DJ who helped pioneer the trance and mainstream EDM movement. The melodic style of Armin van Buuren offers a trance-oriented parallel from the Netherlands. The big room sound is also championed by Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, the Belgian duo known for their explosive festival performances.

The music of Hardwell and KSHMR maintains heavy rotation on electronic dance music stations worldwide, from mainstream festival channels to specialized progressive house and big room streams. Their anthems are staples on radio stations dedicated to the peak-time energy of club and festival culture.

You can hear the powerful tracks from Hardwell and KSHMR on various electronic dance music radio stations featured on our platform. Explore and listen to their music directly through the radio stations available on onairium.com.