Top 10 Oldest DJs In The World Who’ve Still Got It In 2024

With the art of DJing spanning several decades, it’s unsurprising that some of its founding artists are still rocking the scene with stunning DJ sets.

Indeed, many of the world’s oldest DJs still command high fees for their gigs and remain at the cutting edge of creativity in the DJ community.

This article explores ten of the oldest DJs who’ve still got what it takes to light up the dance floor and perform exceptional mixes that keep fans returning for more.

Top 10 Oldest DJs In The World Who’ve Still Got It In 2024

The history of DJing begins in the 1970s when DJs first began blending music using two turntables for seamless transitions that kept the audience dancing.

Today, many of the oldest DJs have experienced the journey and evolution of the art form, influencing producers and performing in front of thousands of people.

Let’s explore the world’s oldest DJs still working today, from their early origins in the dance music scene to their enduring influence on up-and-coming DJs.

10. DJ Jazzy Jeff

Age: 59

DJ Jazzy Jeff is best known for his involvement as one-half of the hip-hop duo DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince, along with rapper and movie star Will Smith.

A key player in the hip-hop DJ industry over the years, his influence on the genre and mixing techniques includes increasing the popularity of the transformer scratch technique.

Jazzy Jeff became interested in the DJing art form when he was ten years old, learning how to scratch and perform at local street parties.

This experience as a block party DJ gave him the exposure necessary to take his career in new and exciting directions and dominate rap during the 1990s.

Due to high sales volumes, albums and singles released by DJ Jazzy Jeff in collaboration with the Fresh Prince frequently achieved gold or platinum status.

He continues to influence musical tastes today, with music lovers enjoying his online playlists and recommended artists.

9. Goldie

Age: 59

The drum and bass and jungle DJ and producer Goldie has been instrumental in the rise of dance music’s popularity both in the UK and worldwide.

After early experimentation in the breakbeat music scene, Goldie soon transitioned to the emerging genres to become one of the best drum and bass artists of all time.

His debut studio album, Timeless, is regarded as a pioneering work of music that has influenced producers in the genres over the subsequent decades.

Likewise, Goldie’s impressive DJ skills have brought techniques such as beat juggling and cross-cutting to the forefront of jungle-based turntablism.

Outside of his original music production, Goldie has frequently worked with many of the biggest names in the music business on remixes and original tracks.

Noel Gallagher, David Bowie, and hip-hop legend KRS-One are just a few examples of high-profile stars with whom Goldie has collaborated.

He has even explored acting, making guest appearances on British television shows such as Celebrity Big Brother, and taking minor roles in movies including Snatch.

Recommended: Dive into the best jungle DJ sets of all time.

8. Carl Cox

Age: 62

Carl Cox has one of the most established careers in the music industry, beginning in the late 1970s when he began working as a mobile DJ playing disco music.

Since then, he has become frequently ranked among the best techno DJs, performing at major nightclubs and music festivals worldwide.

Cox has frequented the Ibiza scene for decades, notably through his residency at the Space Ibiza nightclub and the “Music is Revolution” events.

He has been at the forefront of the Chicago house music scene, evolving into various genres, including progressive house and techno.

Cox was instrumental in the rise of dance music in the UK, with notable DJing spots at clubs such as the Eclipse, the first legal all-night club in the country.

Away from the DJ booth, Carl Cox is also a renowned music producer with a string of impressive singles, EPs, and albums to his name.

He continues performing extensively, appearing on podcasts, radio shows, and festivals such as Ultra Miami in front of thousands of fans.

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7. David Morales

Age: 63

Like Carl Cox, American DJ and record producer David Morales cut his teeth in the DJ industry in the early days of house music in the 1980s.

A resident of New York City, Morales quickly became a huge influence on electronic dance music through his residencies at the Loft and Paradise Garage clubs.

Drawing on his experience over the years, he has been a key driving force behind the evolution of many of the best music genres for DJs.

In addition to his revolutionary approach to mixing, he has produced many original tracks and remixes for iconic singers over the decades.

This includes his remix of Donna Summer’s song “Melody of Love,” “Give Me A Little More Time” by Gabrielle, and “Get Lucky” by Daft Punk.

While his remixing skills have sometimes eclipsed his DJing abilities, Morales has continued to perform sets in popular nightclubs and at music festivals.

He also continues to release original tracks through labels such as Ultra Records while helping up-and-coming DJs gain recognition and exposure.

Tip: Find out how to make money as a DJ.

6. Larry Heard

Age: 64

Another hugely influential American DJ with plenty of staying power in the dance music industry is Chicago-born DJ Larry Heard.

A discussion of Larry Heard wouldn’t be complete without mentioning his role in the birth of house music, a genre he has steadfastly supported throughout his career.

Heard’s early music career saw him mastering tempo and rhythm as a drummer with live bands in Chicago before he discovered the TR-909 drum machine.

This paved the way for his DJ career and introduction to other leading figures in the house music scene, leading to many fruitful collaborations.

Heard’s impressive reputation as a record producer has led to many iconic house music tracks over the years, notably the 1985 single “Mystery of Love.”

Behind the decks, he was soon ranked among the best club DJs of his generation, influencing the emergence of subgenres such as deep house.

If you’re considering becoming a club DJ and looking for inspiration, Larry Heard’s archive of DJ sets is essential research for delivering stunning performances.

5. Pete Tong

Age: 64

Heading back to the United Kingdom for another DJ who has played a pivotal role in the explosion of electronic dance music, Pete Tong.

One of the best British DJs still working today, Tong’s Essential Mix for BBC Radio 1 arguably did more to promote electronic dance music than any other outlet.

As a DJ, he’s performed at all major venues and festivals over the decades, from the early rave scene to mainstream EDM events in the United States.

Tong has been extensive in his support of other DJs. He releases original tracks through his FFRR Records label and features them on his compilation albums.

Winner of multiple music industry awards, he has even been appointed a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in the 2014 New Year Honours.

Tong’s legacy as one of the most influential DJs is secure, a household name in the UK that is widely appreciated by music fans worldwide.

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4. Grandmaster Flash

Age: 66

Few DJs have had quite the level of influence on the music scene and craft of DJing as much as the legend of hip-hop Grandmaster Flash.

A key player in distinguishing between the capabilities of turntables and record players, he paved the way for cutting and scratching techniques.

Grandmaster Flash drove sales of mixers with crossfaders in the 1970s as an innovator in creating smooth transitions between records.

Anyone interested in learning how to DJ with vinyl owes a considerable debt to his dedication to the evolution of hip-hop DJing.

Grandmaster Flash has also enjoyed many successes as a record producer through his involvement in the group Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five.

Since 1980, they have produced many hit singles, notably the 1982 electro-rap song “The Message,” which began the hip-hop trend exploring inner-city violence.

Grandmaster Flash continues to play a role in the hip-hop music scene today, appearing on the TV show The Masked Singer in 2023.

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3. DJ Kool Herc

Age: 69

Like Grandmaster Flash, American DJ Kool Herc also played an enduring and influential role in the birth and growth of the hip-hop genre.

An overview of the history of DJing isn’t complete without a mention of DJ Kool Herc, beginning with his introduction of the “break” to hip-hop production.

Widely considered the Father of Hip-Hop, he revolutionized the technique of using turntables to switch between breaks and elongated them with duplicate copies of songs.

This influence also extended to the concept of “breaking” and its relationship with b-boys and b-girls, capturing the mood of a generation.

As such, it’s not surprising to hear that DJ Kool Herc significantly influenced his contemporaries, with Grandmaster Flash citing him as a “hero.”

With his combination of technical prowess behind the decks and keen taste for music trends, DJ Kool Herc is frequently ranked among the best old-school DJs.

2. Junior Vasquez

Age: 75

Junior Vasquez is another stalwart of the thriving New York music scene, a DJ with an extensive international reach and a career spanning decades.

Vasquez began learning the art of DJing in the 1970s after putting aside his ambition to become a fashion designer and performing at Larry Levan’s Paradise Garage.

These early roots in the underground club scene introduced him to some of the movement’s leading figures and led to his early success.

While making a name for himself as a DJ, Junior Vasquez branched into music production with a string of releases in the early 1980s.

Before long, he had become a regular fixture as a DJ at major events for high-end brands such as Dolce & Gabbana, performing in a custom-made booth.

Vasquez would rub shoulders with the music industry elites, making the news in the mid-1990s following a public dispute with Madonna.

In 2019, Vasquez returned to the club scene with a string of new performances and was inducted as a voting member for the Grammys in 2021.

Read more: Discover how to stay relevant as a DJ.

1. Giorgio Moroder

Age: 84

The world’s oldest DJ, still active today, is the Italian Giorgio Moroder, who has worked across the music industry since the mid-1950s.

For much of his career, Moroder has primarily worked as a composer and producer, playing a vital role in the birth of electronic music in the 1960s.

This includes working on productions for pop stars such as Donna Summer and producing soundtracks to movies including Scarface.

While best known as a music producer for some of the industry’s biggest stars, Moroder became a famous DJ later in his career.

This exposure to the entertainment industry elites has not been without controversies, such as his changing attitudes following a collaboration with Blondie.

Giorgio Moroder made a notable DJ appearance in 2013 when he hit the decks at an event at the Red Bull Music Academy in New York.

He has won numerous awards over the decades, including three Academy Awards and an entry into the Dance Music Hall of Fame.

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Summary

Whether you’re new to mixing or an old hand at the craft, the world’s oldest DJs prove that age isn’t an obstacle to enjoying a lifetime of performing DJ sets.

The DJs in this guide are just a few examples of performers who’ve proven to have immense staying power, keeping on top of the latest trends and technology.

They have had a huge influence on the next generation of DJs, and their lasting legacy across multiple genres and influence on the music industry are well and truly secured.