Founding Fathers of Electronic Dance Music
In the Electronic & House Music world, we are familiar with a multitude of talented and influential artists. But after much time, effort, and persistence, there comes a certain title that is arguably earned. This is not to say that other artists are not worthy of this certain title, it simply means, perhaps they need more time and years in the game to reach this title.
The title is what we like to call, The Founding Fathers of Electronic Music. In our eyes, an artist that earns this title has accomplished a multitude of things.
One of these being that they are foundational and phenomenal in their production. Each of these artists have created groundbreaking and culture shifting sounds that are essentially the building blocks of what the electronic music scene is today.
The founding fathers have persisted beyond the walls of the ever-evolving musical landscape, and have successfully created sounds that will forever be timeless. You know, the sounds that bring us back to a familiar place, or a rather nostalgic time.
Of course there is no way we can include each and every single one, but some of our favorite notable mentions are as follows…
Eric Prydz
Eric Prydz is a Swedish DJ, producer, and label owner who rose to prominence in the electronic dance music (EDM) scene during the early 2000s. His influence stems from his innovative approach to music production, particularly his mastery of progressive house and techno. Prydz is renowned for his ability to craft epic, emotive tracks with intricate melodies and pulsating rhythms that captivate audiences worldwide. His groundbreaking productions, such as "Call on Me," "Pjanoo," and "Opus," have left an indelible mark on the EDM landscape, inspiring countless artists and shaping the evolution of the genre. Prydz's meticulous attention to detail, with his dynamic live HOLO show performances and dedication to his passion, have solidified his status as one of the most respected figures in the electronic music world.
Carl Cox
Carl Cox is a British DJ and producer whose influence on electronic dance music is incomparable. Rising to prominence in the late 1980s and early 90s, Cox played a pivotal role in shaping the house music scene. His unmatched technical skills behind the decks, combined with his energy and charisma, have made him an absolute legend in the EDM community. Cox's relentless passion for music, spanning multiple genres including house, techno, and trance, has earned him a devoted fan base and widespread respect from both his fans and fellow artists. Through his iconic performances at some of the world's biggest clubs and festivals, as well as his acclaimed productions and remixes, Cox has continually pushed the boundaries of electronic music and paved the way for future generations of DJs and producers. His enduring influence and legacy cement his status as one of the most influential figures in dance music history. Cox is still running round spinning records for us until this very day. You know what they say, legends never die.
David Guetta
David Guetta is undoubtedly a pioneering figure in the realm of EDM. Guetta’s journey into the music world began in the late 1980s as a DJ in Parisian nightclubs. We all know and remember Guetta’s breakthrough album, "One Love" (2009), featuring iconic tracks like "When Love Takes Over" and "Sexy Bitch," which solidified his status as a complete legend at such an early era. Guetta has skillfully mastered the art of seamlessly fusing EDM with pop. Guetta has not only intelligently broadened EDM’s appeal but he also helped further elevate it to the forefront of music. Fast forward to this current era where house and EDM are currently booming, Guetta has not gone out of style - not yet. Some of his most recent tracks are either re-vamps or remixes of some of our favorite classics. From his remix of Dennis Ferrer’s “Hey Hey’, to his re-vamp of “I’m Good (Blue)”, Guetta has truly covered and achieved every avenue on the EDM block. Guetta will forever be a significant figure in EDM’s history, present, and future.
Calvin Harris
Obviously we had to mention the legend, Calvin Harris. Calvin Haris’s career has been on absolute fire this past year. But for those who are unaware, Calvin is no newbie to the game. Harris has been around for quite some time. So let’s take it back. All the way back to his teenage years, where he began experimenting with electronic beats in his bedroom studio. Harris's influence extends far beyond his independent work; he has become a sought-after collaborator, lending his production skills to some of the biggest names in music, including Rihanna, Katy Perry, and Dua Lipa. His ability to produce infectious beats that only turn into EDM anthems has not only dominated the charts but has also reshaped the landscape of modern pop music. Harris’ may as well be named “Timeless Music Machine” for all the iconic tracks he has created that simply never get old. Calvin was meant for the electronic music world and is never going anywhere. From his residency in Ibiza this past summer to his recent announcement about his residency in Las Vegas, we are thrilled to see what other goodies he’s got up his sleeve.
Kaskade
Ryan Raddon, better known as Kaskade, has carved an insane musical pathway for himself (and us) which is why he rightfully earned the title of being a founding father of EDM. Kaskade's journey into music began in the underground house scene of the 1990s, where he honed his skills as a DJ and producer. In the early 2000s, Kaskade emerged with a string of albums, including "It's You, It's Me" (2003) and "In the Moment" (2004), which showcased his talent for blending melodies with infectious beats. But, it wasn’t until his breakout album, "Strobelite Seduction" (2008), featuring hits like "Move for Me" and "Angel on My Shoulder," that catapulted him to international fame. His influence extends even further. Kaskade has played a pivotal role in popularizing EDM into the mainstream. His ability to creatively blend elements of house, trance, and pop has not only captivated audiences worldwide but has also inspired a new generation of artists and producers. More recently, Kaskade has been honored with Grammy nominations and DJ Mag's Top 100 DJs list. Kaskade has performed alongside rather newbie John Summit, preserving his youth, and just recently performed a live set at the Super Bowl in Las Vegas. Kaskade’s career only seems to be going up from here. So thank you Kaskade for laying the foundation, keep building it up. We love to witness it.
Kerri Chandler
Let’s take it back a few steps. Kerri Chandler, stands as a prominent figure in the world of EDM, revered for his contributions to house music and his strong influence on the genre's evolution. Chandler's musical journey began at an early age, shaped by the vibrant sounds of disco and soul that permeated his upbringing. In the late 1980s and early 90s, Chandler emerged in the underground house scene of New York City, where he honed his craft as a DJ, producer, and remixer. His approach to production, incorporating soulful melodies, infectious grooves, and deep basslines, quickly earned him a founder within the dance music community. As a pioneer of EDM, Chandler's impact can be felt across generations of artists and producers, who have drawn inspiration from his innovative sound. His influence extends to every corner of the dance music world, from underground clubs to international festivals, where his electrifying DJ sets continue to captivate audiences with their infectious energy and soulful vibe. Chandler has been and will always go down in house music history. He will always be “in our system”.
Armand Van Helden
Armand Van Helden is another important figure in the EDM world, whose innovative productions and boundary-pushing sounds have left an indelible mark on the genre. Van Helden's musical journey began in the vibrant underground club scene of the late 1980s and early 90s. In the mid-90s, Van Helden released several hits, including "The Funk Phenomena" and "Witch Doktor," which showcased his blend of house, hip-hop, and funk influences. His innovative approach to production has inspired countless artists and producers, earning him accolades such as Grammy nominations and DJ Mag's Top 100 DJs list. Van Helden has remained a prominent name in EDM as his remixes are still circulating clubs and festivals worldwide. You know what they say, the oldies are the goodies. This rings true for Van Helden. His hot “You Don’t Know Me” featuring Duane Harden, which was released in 1998 - is STILL a hit today in 2024. That’s when you KNOW someone is a true founding father in the EDM world, when their track still gets you up and moving in a completely different era. Helden is still releasing tracks today and you best believe he's still got it.
Paul Van Dyk
Paul van Dyk stands as another founder of electronic dance music, whose productions, captivating performances, and dedication have helped shape the genre's landscape over the past three decades. Van Dyk's musical journey began in the underground clubs of Berlin in the early 1990s. In 1993, van Dyk released his debut single, "For an Angel," a timeless classic that threw him to international fame and established him as a leading figure in the trance music scene. Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, van Dyk continued to create, releasing icon after icon, like albums "45 RPM" (1994) and "Out There and Back" (2000). His legendary sets evolve emotional depth, uplifting melodies, and seamless transitions, earning him a devoted following of fans known as the "Paul van Dyk faithful." Furthermore, his groundbreaking collaborations with artists likeBT, Tiesto and Armin van Buuren have helped redefine the genre and inspire a new generation of trance producers. Paul van Dyk has been around for plenty of time and clearly is not going anywhere.
Legends never die, haven’t ya heard?
Listen, the list can go on and on, as there are several impactful and talented ‘foundational father figures’ that encompass the electronic & house music genre. We wanted to share our insights and shed light on some of the artists we believe are largely influential and who we have a soft spot for. As long-time house music lovers, we appreciate and admire all the hard work of all artists.
Keep up the good work fathers, and see you on the dance floor.
