The Chainsmokers: Chart-Topping Electronic Dance Music Duo

The Chainsmokers are an American electronic music production and DJ duo consisting of Alex Pall and Andrew Taggart. Emerging from the New York club scene, they achieved global fame with a string of crossover hits that dominated international charts in the mid-2010s.

Early career

The duo formed in 2012 after original member Rhett Bixler was replaced by Andrew Taggart, who connected with Alex Pall through their mutual manager. Their early work consisted of remixes for indie artists and a focus on building a presence through social media and energetic live sets.

Breakthrough

The Chainsmokers' commercial breakthrough arrived in 2014 with the self-released single #Selfie, a novelty track that became a viral sensation. It peaked at number 16 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and led to a recording contract with Disruptor Records, a joint venture with Sony Music Entertainment.

Key tracks

Roses - Featuring the vocals of Elizabeth Mencel, this 2015 single marked their shift to a more melodic future bass style and became their first top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100.

Don't Let Me Down - This 2016 collaboration with Daya earned the duo their first Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording and solidified their status as hitmakers.

Closer - Featuring Halsey, this 2016 single became a cultural phenomenon, spending 12 consecutive weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and achieving multi-platinum certifications worldwide.

Something Just Like This - Their 2017 collaboration with British rock band Coldplay blended electronic drops with anthemic rock, becoming a mainstay on both pop and dance radio.

Their debut studio album, Memories...Do Not Open, arrived in 2017 and debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart. They followed this with the 2018 album Sick Boy, which continued their exploration of pop song structures within an electronic framework. The duo has collaborated with a wide range of artists, including Illenium, 5 Seconds of Summer, and Lennon Stella, while also launching their own management and label venture.

Fans of The Chainsmokers' blend of emotive pop and festival-ready drops might also enjoy the energetic sounds of Marshmello, another electronic producer known for massive crossover hits. The melodic style of Illenium shares a similar focus on fusion between electronic music and heartfelt songwriting. For a different American take on electronic pop, explore the work of Gryffin.

The music of The Chainsmokers is featured across various electronic and top 40 radio stations, fitting seamlessly into playlists focused on contemporary dance music and pop hits.

Listeners can discover the music of The Chainsmokers through the radio stations available on onairium.com.