The Chainsmokers & Daya: Chart-Topping Synergy in Pop and EDM

The Chainsmokers, the American DJ and production duo of Alex Pall and Drew Taggart, first collaborated with emerging pop singer Daya on the 2016 smash "Don't Let Me Down." This single became a global phenomenon, fusing the duo's energetic electronic drops with Daya's powerful pop vocals to dominate airwaves worldwide. The track earned the trio a Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording and solidified a potent partnership in modern pop music.

Early career

The Chainsmokers formed in New York City in 2012, initially gaining attention through a series of independent remixes and their 2014 novelty single "#Selfie." Daya, born Grace Martine Tandon in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1998, began her career after being discovered online, signing with Artbeatz and later Z Entertainment and RED Distribution in 2015. Her self-titled debut EP that year introduced her soul-infused pop style, setting the stage for a major collaboration.

Breakthrough

The defining breakthrough for both acts arrived in early 2016 with the release of "Don't Let Me Down." The song was released on Disruptor Records, a joint venture with Sony Music, and Columbia Records. It peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100, achieved multi-platinum certifications globally, and won the Grammy in 2017, catapulting The Chainsmokers to headline status and making Daya a household name.

Key tracks

Don't Let Me Down — This Grammy-winning collaboration was the pivotal hit that defined the future bass-pop sound of the mid-2010s for both artists.

Roses — The Chainsmokers' earlier 2015 hit with Rozes demonstrated the melodic future bass template they would perfect with Daya.

Sit Still, Look Pretty — Daya's own 2016 solo single became a platinum-certified pop anthem, proving her success extended beyond the collaboration.

Closer — The Chainsmokers' 2016 record-shattering hit with Halsey followed the formula established with Daya, spending 12 weeks at No. 1 on the Hot 100.

Insomnia — Daya's 2017 track showcased her continued growth as a solo artist in the electropop lane following the massive collaboration.

The success of "Don't Let Me Down" led to further studio work; Daya contributed vocals to The Chainsmokers' 2016 EP, Collage, on the track "Dont Let Me Down (Illenium Remix)." Both acts continued on major career trajectories. The Chainsmokers released their debut album, Memories...Do Not Open, in 2017, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. Daya released her full-length debut album, Sit Still, Look Pretty, in 2016 and later explored more independent artistic directions.

For fans of this blend of vocal-driven electronic pop, similar artists featured on our site include Halsey, who also achieved monumental success through a collaboration with The Chainsmokers. Shawn Mendes shares a similar lane of crafting crisp, pop-focused hits with crossover appeal. ILLENIUM operates in the same melodic bass music sphere, even having officially remixed "Don't Let Me Down." Zara Larsson delivers a comparable style of powerful pop vocals over contemporary electronic production.

The music of The Chainsmokers and Daya maintains heavy rotation across top 40, pop hits, and modern EDM radio stations worldwide. Their signature track is a staple on dance-pop playlists and continues to be featured on leading online radio streams dedicated to current chart music.

You can hear the high-energy pop and EDM of The Chainsmokers and Daya on numerous radio stations featured here on onairium.com. Tune in to discover their catalog and similar artists across our curated network of music stations.