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DJ Mag Top100 DJs
18
KSHMR
6

From: Berkeley, CA
DJ style: “Ethnic EDM.”
Best known for: “‘Power’, ‘Wildcard’, ‘Secrets’, ‘Carry Me Home’.”
Fave tune of 2018: “‘Killshot’ by Eminem.”
Breakthrough DJ/producer of 2018: “Brooks.”

KSHMR has experienced the highest highs and lowest lows this year. “The best thing about 2018 was getting to do a full tour of India alongside my grandfather,” he tells DJ Mag. “And the hardest was when he passed away soon after.”

Born Niles Hollowell-Dhar, the American takes his stage-name from the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, also referred to as “paradise on earth”, and in the last year has launched this own new label, Dharma. It’s focused on putting out music from upcoming producers, and he’s also worked on a new live show with a fully animated story, which is what he’s wanted to do for a long time. “It’s a magical story, intertwined with my own songs,” he says.

This year he’s also DJ’d alongside a small orchestra, and he’s done so in many countries around the world. He’s also produced big new electro-house tunes likes ‘Carry Me Home’, with more to come before the year ends.

“I’ve really experimented in the studio this year and had an open mind,” he says. “Instead of limiting myself to tracks I think will work on the dancefloor.”

Words: KRISTAN J CARYL