The 10 Best Club DJs In The World

Many emerging artists dream of DJing in one of the world’s best nightclubs, where they can connect with large audiences of devoted music fans.

The best club DJs of all time inspire up-and-coming DJs by blending on-stage showmanship with exceptional mixing skills.

Read on for a breakdown of the leading electronic music DJs and how they’ve cemented their reputations throughout their careers.

The 10 Best Club DJs of All Time, Ranked For 2025

Whether you’re into mainstream electronic dance music or prefer underground techno, there’s a club DJ that caters to your taste.

Let’s explore the DJs who have dominated nightclubs and brought life to the dance floor since the 1990s.

10. Paul Oakenfold

Residencies: Cream, Liverpool/Rain Nightclub, Las Vegas

DJ style: House, Progressive House, Breakbeat

Best known for: The “Godfather of electronic music”

One of the most well-known British DJs is Paul Oakenfold, a founding father of the UK’s electronic music scene since the 1980s.

Oakenfold’s career began as a bedroom DJ before breaking into London’s nightlife and DJing soul music in a Covent Garden wine bar.

Before long, he landed guest DJ spots in London and Ibiza, collaborating with fellow DJs such as Danny Rampling on a series of projects.

In addition to working with Rampling and dance music producer Andrew Weatherall, Oakenfold released many notable DJ remixes for famous artists.

Moby, Madonna, Britney Spears, and Massive Attack are examples of Oakenfold’s high-profile collaborations throughout his career.

Behind the decks, he quickly established a reputation for performing high-energy DJ sets that pushed the boundaries of genre distinctions.

By the late 1990s, he had become an international sensation after being named the world’s No. 1 DJ by DJ Magazine in 1998 and 1999.

Over the years, Oakenfold has held numerous DJ residencies and made many guest appearances at major venues and festivals.

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9. Skrillex

Residencies: Surrender/Light Nightclubs, Las Vegas

DJ style: EDM, Dubstep, Electro-House

Best known for: Pioneering the dubstep genre

Skrillex, a major American EDM music scene player, shares a similar accolade to Oakenfold as a key influence on emerging genres.

In the early days of his career, Skrillex played punk and post-hardcore music notably as the lead vocalist for From First to Last. Then, he transitioned to electronic dance music and never looked back.

By the late 2000s, his work as a DJ and producer was attracting mainstream attention, notably with the release of the track “Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites.”

Before long, he was booked to headline events at some of the best clubs in the world, bringing his music to an international audience.

Skrillex has performed at many global music festivals, including the Electric Daisy Carnival, Tomorrowland, and the Ultra Music Festival.

His studio work is highly acclaimed in the music industry, and he has received many nominations for the Grammys, MTV Music Awards, and Billboard Music Awards.

After releasing tracks on major record labels, Skrillex vowed to go independent in 2024 and cut ties with Atlantic Records.

8. NERVO

Residencies: Omnia Nightclub, Las Vegas/Ushuaïa, Spain

DJ style: Electro house, Progressive House, EDM

Best known for: Producing “When Love Takes Over” for David Guetta and Kelly Rowland

The rise of world-class female DJs in recent years has given dance music fans no shortage of talent to enjoy on the dance floor.

The Australian duo NERVO stands out from the crowd. In the past few years, they have risen through the ranks of high-profile clubs and venues.

Comprised of twin sisters Olivia and Miriam Nervo, the act has forged a distinct style that blends house music and EDM tailored for the dance floor.

Behind the decks, NERVO has frequently appeared at cutting-edge establishments in Las Vegas and Ibiza’s most prominent venues.

Their work in the studio with Kylie Minogue, Britney Spears, and Sophie Ellis-Bextor has brought them to a broader commercial audience.

Several sold-out performances at international festivals, including Creamfields and Tomorrowland, complemented these remixes and productions.

7. Timmy Trumpet

Residencies: Pacha Ibiza, Spain/Marquee Nightclub, Las Vegas

DJ style: Big room house, Electro House, Melbourne Bounce

Best known for: Pyrotechnics and trumpet-playing performances

Timmy Trumpet, one of Australia’s most recognized DJs, played a key role in popularizing the Melbourne bounce genre in global club and festival scenes.

Trumpet’s name derives from his trumpet-playing performance at his gigs, drawing on his background performing in jazz groups.

Since his career began in the early 2000s, he has become one of the best Australian DJs ever, ranking fifth in the DJ Mag top 100 list for 2024.

In 2011, his profile significantly grew after he was selected as Stevie Wonder’s support act at the grand opening of Sydney’s The Star Casino.

It wasn’t until his twelfth single, “Freaks,” released in 2015, that he achieved international success, with over one million copies sold worldwide.

This success paved the way for more hits as an EDM producer and global festival main stage events that showcased his unique house DJ style.

In 2019, Timmy Trumpet made international headlines after becoming the first person to play the trumpet in zero gravity.

6. Steve Aoki

Residencies: Hakkasan Nightclub, Las Vegas/Ushuaïa, Spain

DJ style: EDM, Big Room House, Electro House, Hardcore Punk

Best known for: Dim Mak record label owner

Few DJs in the EDM scene have had the same degree of impact as Steve Aoki, whether as a touring artist or prolific producer in the studio.

Having begun his music career as a student, Aoki has become an international sensation through his sold-out tours.

This journey began with the foundation of Dim Mak Records in 1996, pushing the electro-house music scene to a broader audience in the United States.

By the mid-2000s, Aoki had collaborated with many leading figures in the dance music scene, including Afrojack, Tiesto, and Armand Van Helden.

Outside the electro-house scene, Aoki has enjoyed many successes as a remixer for mainstream hip-hop acts such as Kanye West, Lil Wayne, and Eminem.

His solo projects have received similar acclaim and commercial success, with additional revenue earned through his popular NFTs.

Steve Aoki’s commercial appeal is reflected in his awards and nominations, with the Grammys, MTV, and Billboard among the high-profile outlets that have praised his work.

He remains a prolific DJ and producer, using his international platform to discuss health and longevity in the fast-paced world of DJing.

5. Martin Garrix

Residencies: Ushuaïa, Spain

DJ style: Progressive house, deep house, EDM

Best known for: Regular winner of DJ Magazine’s Top 100 DJs list

The Dutch DJ and music producer Martin Garrix shares many attributes with Steve Aoki and is another key player in the modern EDM scene.

Highly regarded for his eclectic DJ sets, Garrix has performed on the main stage at leading festivals, including Electric Daisy Carnival, Coachella, and Tomorrowland.

Garrix was inspired by Tiësto’s performance at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens and began producing original tracks.

Before long, he caught Tiësto’s attention and was signed to Spinnin’ Records, launching a hugely successful career as a producer and remixer.

The success of singles like “Animals” and “Scared to Be Lonely” raised his profile, with Garrix soon becoming a famous DJ in his own right.

In the studio, he has collaborated with A-list celebrities, including Dua Lipa, Usher, and fellow EDM DJ David Guetta.

Martin Garrix continues to tour and perform unique shows, following up a performance at Wembley Stadium with a show at L.A.’s State Historic Park.

Recommended reading: Learn how to negotiate your DJ rate.

4. Armin Van Buuren

Residencies: Ushuaïa, Spain

DJ style: Trance, Progressive House, Electro House, Big Room House

Best known for: “A State of Trance” weekly radio show

Another hugely popular Dutch DJ is Armin Van Buuren, who began his professional career in the mid-1990s and has gone from strength to strength.

Frequently ranked among the best old-school DJs, Van Buuren gained attention with the release of his singles “Blue Fear” and “Communication.”

A regular fixture in Ibiza’s hottest nightclubs, Armin Van Buuren helped to popularize trance and progressive house throughout the 2000s.

Winner of numerous awards and accolades, his 2014 single “This Is What It Feels Like” earned him a Grammy Award nomination for Best Dance Recording.

As a DJ, Van Buuren has frequently appeared on DJ Mag’s list of the best DJs in the world, peaking in third place in 2017.

With a decades-long career, Van Buuren has performed at all major venues and festivals while promoting his many singles and albums.

This collection features many compilation and mix CDs showcasing his inimitable trance DJing style, especially through the “A State of Trance” series.

Armin Van Buuren recently deviated from his familiar musical style, working with Jon Bon Jovi on a remix of “Keep the Faith.”

3. Carl Cox

Residencies: UNVRS, Ibiza

DJ style: Techno, Tech House, House

Best known for: Pioneering three-deck mixing

We’re returning to the United Kingdom for another hugely influential DJ that has played a pivotal role in the art of DJing.

One of the best techno DJs of all time, Carl Cox’s career has seen him dominate the clubs of Ibiza, notably through his “Music Is Revolution” events at Space.

Widely regarded as one of the best resident DJs on the Spanish resort, Cox’s career has seen him transform house and techno music as a producer.

His early disco influences are evident in his house tracks, and later releases demonstrate his move into harder techno sounds.

Cox has regularly performed as a guest DJ at cutting-edge electronic music venues in the UK and worldwide, including Heaven and Fantazia.

A frequent winner of the Best Techno DJ and Best International DJ awards, he was named the World’s Number One DJ in 1996 and 1997.

Cox is also passionate about motorsports, entering the Extreme E racing for the 2023 season before switching to Extreme H in 2024.

2. Calvin Harris

Residencies: Ushuaïa, Spain

DJ style: Electro-House, EDM, Dance-Pop, Nu-Disco

Best known for: Releasing 8 top 10 singles from one album.

Scottish DJ, producer, and songwriter Calvin Harris is another luminary of the modern EDM scene who has dominated both the charts and the DJ booth.

Frequently ranked among the best British DJs, his career took off in 2012 with the release of his third studio album, 18 Months.

The album’s multiple top 10 hits catapulted Harris into the mainstream spotlight, and by 2014, he had become the first UK artist to reach 1 billion Spotify streams.

Behind the decks, Harris is highly regarded for his effortless mixing style, which blends a broad range of electronic music genres.

Between 2013 and 2018, Forbes ranked Harris as the highest-paid DJ in the world. He earned millions as a DJ at clubs and festivals and through his productions.

In addition to his solo releases, Harris has collaborated with pop icons, including Katy Perry and Rihanna, and supported some artists on their tours.

1. David Guetta

Residencies: Ushuaïa/Hi Ibiza, Spain

DJ style: House, EDM, Future-Rave

Best known for: “F*** Me I’m Famous!” Ibiza parties

With a career that began in the late 1980s and continues to this day, few EDM DJs and producers can match the enduring success of David Guetta.

The French DJ and producer has outperformed many of his peers with millions of chart-topping album and single sales.

With over 30 billion Spotify streams and a list of sell-out shows at major festivals, Guetta has secured his status as one of the richest DJs in the world.

Guetta’s mainstream chart successes began in 2009, when the album One Love was released, featuring the breakthrough single “When Love Takes Over.”

This commercial club anthem set the tone for his ensuing releases, which dominated radio airwaves and led to high-profile collaborations.

His production credits include Ariana Grande, Lady Gaga, and Britney Spears, with many more A-list stars appearing on his DJ remixes.

In 2021, David Guetta increased his already impressive net worth by selling his music catalog for over $100 million.

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Summary

With the global dance music and nightclub scene growing in popularity, the demand for high-profile DJs has never been stronger.

The iconic DJs covered in this article represent the peak of the art form, pioneering new and exciting genres for a mass audience.

Dance music has a bright and innovative future, with a new generation of up-and-coming talent making waves.