Martin Garrix: The Dutch Prodigy of Mainstage EDM
Martin Garrix is a Dutch DJ and record producer who has become a defining force in global electronic dance music. Hailing from Amstelveen, Netherlands, his rapid ascent was cemented by becoming the youngest ever DJ to headline the main stage of Ultra Music Festival Miami at age 18 and by his 2013 mega-hit "Animals" achieving multi-platinum status worldwide.
Early career
Born Martijn Gerard Garritsen in 1996, his interest in music production was sparked in his early teens. He began using digital audio workstation software and, after graduating from the Herman Brood Academy, a production school in Utrecht, he caught the attention of the industry with his 2012 remix of "Your Body" by Christina Aguilera.
This early work led to a recording contract with Spinnin' Records, a powerhouse Dutch label known for breaking new EDM talent. His first official release on the label was the 2012 track "BFAM," a collaboration with fellow producer Julian Jordan.
Breakthrough
Martin Garrix's career exploded in 2013 with the release of the instrumental big room house track "Animals." Released on Spinnin' Records, the song became a viral sensation, topping charts across Europe including in the United Kingdom, Belgium, and his native Netherlands.
The track's raw energy and iconic lead synth propelled it to platinum and multi-platinum certifications in over a dozen countries. This single release transformed Garrix from a promising newcomer into an international headline act almost overnight.
Key tracks
Animals — The 2013 big room anthem that launched Garrix into global stardom and defined a subgenre.
In the Name of Love — This 2016 collaboration with Bebe Rexha showcased his successful pivot towards more melodic, vocal-driven future bass and pop-EDM crossover.
Scared to Be Lonely — A 2017 hit with British singer Dua Lipa that further solidified his chart dominance with its sleek, tropical house-influenced production.
High on Life — A 2018 collaboration with Bonn that became an anthem for his own STMPD RCRDS label and a mainstay in his festival sets.
Summer Days — Featuring Macklemore and Patrick Stump, this 2019 track highlighted his ability to seamlessly blend EDM with mainstream pop and hip-hop elements.
In 2016, Garrix founded his own independent record label, STMPD RCRDS, marking a new chapter of creative control. His headline performance at the 2017 Ultra Music Festival was broadcast globally and later released as a live album. He has since collaborated with a wide array of artists, from pop stars like Troye Sivan and Khalid to dance music legends like Tiësto.
His consistent output includes high-profile official theme songs for events like the UEFA Euro 2020, with "We Are the People" featuring Bono and The Edge. Garrix regularly ranks at the very top of DJ Mag's Top 100 DJs poll, having secured the number one position multiple times since first achieving it in 2016.
Fans of Martin Garrix's high-energy festival sound and melodic productions also enjoy the music of Tiësto, another pioneering Dutch DJ who helped bring EDM to a global audience. The progressive house anthems of Hardwell, also from the Netherlands, share a similar mainstage-oriented power. For more melodic and vocal-driven electronic music, listeners turn to Swedish House Mafia, whose iconic sets and productions set a precedent for Garrix's generation. The future bass and pop-infused style is also echoed in the work of ILLENIUM, though originating from the United States.
Martin Garrix's catalog is a staple on electronic dance music radio stations and dedicated EDM streams featured on this website. His hits receive heavy rotation on channels specializing in festival anthems, progressive house, and the latest in mainstream dance music, ensuring his signature sound is always in the airwaves.
You can hear
