Russia's Biggest DJs

With Miller Genuine Draft

Charlie Small

Thursday, March 22, 2018 - 16:24

Russia has a rich history in electronic music. A healthy club scene in the major cities acts as an effective incubator for talent, and many Russian artists have risen to become global stars. In last year's Top 100 DJs rankings, there were 2 Russian DJs in the first 100, with a further 4 in the next 50, demonstrating a scene in positive health.

ZEDD

Ranked at No.29 in the last poll results, Zedd was born in Saratov, Russia, before moving to Germany at the age of 4. With a canny ability to traverse the line between club star and pop darling, Zedd is a serial collaborator, working with vocalists and producers from a whole range of scenes.

Last year 'Sway' – his collaboration with R&B-songstress Alessia Cara – picked up the coveted award for 'Best Dance Track' at the MTV VMAs. And things haven't slowed in 2018. 'The Middle', Zedd's latest release, features the vocal talents of Warren Morris and Grey.

NINA KRAVIZ

Hailing from the depths of Siberia, Nina Kraviz is a figurehead for the raw, EBM inspired techno sound that dominates underground dance floors worldwide.

Her sound differs hugely from the other artists on this list, yet her global popularity is unquestionable. Her experimental aesthetic – best demonstrated on her eponymous debut album on Rekids – make her a truly unique artist.

SWANKY TUNES

In a scene where DJs come and go with alarming regularity, Swanky Tunes’ longevity is admirable. Raised on Daft Punk, The Prodigy and The Chemical Brothers, the Russian trio — consisting of Vadim Shpak, Dmitry Burykin and Stanislav Zaystev — first got together in 1998 and have barely looked back since.

Although they started off making techno and ‘80s-influenced electro, EDM is very much their current endeavour. Alongside another Russian trio, Hard Rock Sofa (whose member, Alexander Shapovalv, is a cousin of Swanky Tunes member, Vadim Shpak), the boys released ‘Here We Go’, which featured on the Fast & Furious 6 soundtrack. Further collabs alongside the likes of R3hab (‘Sending My Love’) and Tiesto (‘Make Some Noise’) have spread their high-octane message further around the world.

ARTY

Whether he is blending main-stage destroyers with alternative cuts as part of his eclectic DJ sets, or recording trance under his Alpha 9 alias, Artem Stoliarov AKA Arty is one of Russia's most successful musical exports. As a versatile producer and DJ, capable of working across multiple disciplines, Arty has managed to stay ahead of the pack.

Most recently he has toured the US, released 'Sunrise' on Armin Van Buuren's Armada label, and remixed artists as diverse and Skrillex and Above & Beyond.

BOBINA

Another Russian artist with impeccable trance heritage, Bobina has seven critically-aclaimed albums to his name and a whole host of original productions and remixes for artists including Brian Adams, Paul Oakenfold and Armin Van Buuren.

His weekly radio show 'Russia Goes Clubbing' heroes the Russian scene and the melodic trance sound that he has spent his whole career championing.