5 Legendary EDM Artists Every Raver Should Know

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By Micah Jane

Do you want to know more about some of your favorite legendary EDM artists?

The EDM and electronic music genre is full of amazing artists, and you can hear awesome sets from DJs worldwide through music festivals and concerts. Since acts like Landscape were the first to gain recognition for computer-driven songs in the 1980s, more musicians started riding the wave of EDM. But some names have become prominent over the past few years and have earned “legend” status among ravers and music lovers alike.

Here is our list of iconic EDM acts:

Legendary EDM Artists You Should Know About

1.) Daft Punk

Daft Punk is one of the most iconic EDM and electronic acts in the mainstream. Though the masked musicians’ fame skyrocketed in the 2000s and 2010s with songs like “Get Lucky,” and “Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger,” they had already been putting out music in the ’90s; songs like “Around the World” and “Da Funk” are some of their greatest hits to this day. Though they split up in 2021, their impact has changed the EDM and electronic genre as we know it, inspiring many artists across genres and decades.

Daft Punk’s take on electronic music is more unorthodox than the ‘usual’ EDM sound ravers know and love. Even in their early years, they often incorporated elements of funk by using electric guitars and pedals in their music. They often used the Gibson EDS-1275 Double-Neck Electric Guitar and the Fender Stratocaster, models from two big powerhouses in the guitar world. To help with their signature funk sound, the duo also used pedals designed by Boss for effects, such as the MT-2. For over 40 years, Boss pedals have been known for quality construction and durable, compact design, perfect for artists like Daft Punk looking to add more flair to their music. Nowadays, it’s not unusual to hear these funky notes in electronic music, which the duo helped popularize.

2.) Martin Garrix

Martin Garrix was one of the youngest artists in the EDM scene when fellow DJ Tiësto discovered him in 2013. His solo release, “Animals,” became a big hit in Europe when he was only 17 years old, and soon after, his stardom went global. After establishing his record label in 2016, he released “In the Name of Love,” featuring singer Bebe Rexha, bringing him further into the spotlight.

Garrix uses various DAWs for creating music, such as the Ableton Live 11 and the Image Line FL Studio. Synthesizers are also part of his studio’s arsenal, including the Moog Grandmother and the Roland Gaia SH-01. He released his latest album, Sentio, in 2022 to critical acclaim.

3.) Skrillex

Skrillex is one of the first names that comes to mind when people think EDM, and for a good reason. The DJ and producer helped contribute to the dubstep genre’s popularity in the United States in the early 2010s, shifting the mainstream music scene. His EP Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites highlights the harsher edge of his sound, a mix of heavy metal and electro-house inspirations called brostep. His songs “Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites” and “Bangarang” were some of his first smash hits, but he’s also delved into pop-influenced EDM with “Where Are Ü Now,” his collaboration with Justin Bieber and Diplo.

Skrillex’s punk rock and post-hardcore roots shine through his songs, especially his earlier work. He often uses guitars from Fender, whose models reshaped the music landscape in the ’50s, ’60s, and ’70s. On “Bangarang,” he played the Fender Classic Series ’72 Telecaster Deluxe, but he also plays the Fender Standard Stratocaster. His use of electric guitar is most prominent in “Bangarang,” which you can hear in the leading up to the drops. Other than creating his music, he’s lately been doing some producing for artists like Ed Sheeran, Incubus, and Beyoncé.

4.) Steve Aoki

Steve Aoki is one of the highest-grossing EDM artists in North America, and his remixes and collaborations have helped put him on the map. He’s collaborated with artists across various genres, including fellow DJs such as Afrojack and Alan Walker, K-pop acts like (G)I-DLE and BTS, and even rock artists like blink-182 and Linkin Park. His album Wonderland was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Dance/Electronica Album.

Steve Aoki uses a lot of Apple gear for making music. Apple Logic Pro is his go-to DAW software, and he often uses an Apple Macbook for the studio and traveling and an Apple 30 Inch Cinema HD Display to support the DAW. His DJ setup consists of a lot of Pioneer gear. He uses the DJM-800 Mixer and CDJ-2000 for his sets. He’s also a big advocate for Web3 ventures and believes it can shape the music industry in the future.

5.) Zedd

Zedd was a major player in the growth of the electronic genre in the early 2010s, and what launched him into popularity was his hit single “Clarity,” featuring singer Foxes. He quickly took the EDM scene by storm with songs like “Stay the Night” featuring Paramore singer Haley Williams and “I Want You to Know” with Selena Gomez. He’s also featured on tracks from artists like Ariana Grande. He went on to create remixes for more musicians, but his own work is also incredibly iconic in its own right.

The Russian-German DJ produces music on the Cubase suite of music production applications. He also uses synth plugins like his favorite Lennar Digital Sylenth1 and the reFX Nexus 2. He also dabbles in playing bass guitars and electric guitars, but he also spent years as a drummer for a metalcore drummer, quite a significant departure from the electronic music he creates today.

There you have it! Whether you’re a newcomer to the scene or a veteran electronic lover, these artists are some of the most iconic names in the EDM game. If you’re looking to catch some of these legendary EDM artists’ sets in music festivals, check out our post on “13 Insanely Helpful Music Festival Tips For First Timers” to help you gear up for the event. You’ll want to check out why they’ve become so renowned in the industry!

Curious about what big music festivals are going on throughout the year? Be sure to check out some of our other articles to see which festivals you might want to add to your travel plans: