Top Producers of 2023 by 1001 Tracklists: Our Hot Take
As the electronic dance music world celebrates the top producers of 2023, there's no doubt that the list is filled with incredible talent. However, a closer look at the ranking reveals some notable omissions and a few surprises that leave us pondering the criteria used to compile the list.
Black Coffee: A Missing African Icon
One glaring absence from the list is Black Coffee, the South African deep house maestro who has achieved monumental success in recent years. He made history by becoming the first African DJ to sell out the colossal Madison Square Garden, with its 20,000 capacity. His absence from the list raises questions about the recognition of global talents, especially when they've achieved groundbreaking milestones.
Keinemusik: A Worldwide Sensation
Keinemusik, a collective known for their exceptional contributions to the deep house genre, has been a worldwide sensation. Their innovative approach and unique sound have garnered them a massive following. Their exclusion from the list leaves deep house enthusiasts wondering about the selection process and whether it truly represents the diversity of the genre.
Rüfüs Du Sol: Grammy-Nominated Brilliance
The absence of Rüfüs Du Sol, despite their nomination for the Grammy's "Best Dance/Electronic Album," in the same year, is perplexing. Their critically acclaimed album should have been a stepping stone to a higher rank on the list. Their exclusion raises questions about the credibility of the ranking system.
2023 MTV EMA Nominations: Where are They?
The 2023 MTV EMA nominations have recognized exceptional talent like Alesso, Calvin Harris, and Peggy Gou. These artists have had remarkable years, yet they are notably absent from the 1001 Tracklists ranking. This discrepancy highlights the disparity between different industry accolades and rankings, leaving us to ponder the varying standards of recognition.
Only One Female Producer on the List
In the midst of the 2023 Top Producers list, one significant observation stands out - Blond:ish is the lone female DJ to make the cut. Her presence on the list as the only female artist underscores the gender disparity that still exists in the electronic music industry. It serves as a reminder of the need for greater recognition and opportunities for female talents, as the industry strives for inclusivity and diversity. While the list highlights remarkable artists, it also highlights the work yet to be done in creating a more equitable landscape for women in electronic music.
Underrated and Overrated
As with any ranking, there are bound to be discrepancies, and personal preferences come into play. Some artists who had an exceptional year might have been unjustly placed lower on the list, while others may have been overrated. These inconsistencies remind us that rankings, while intriguing, should not be the sole measure of an artist's success or influence.
In conclusion, while the 2023 Top Producers list by 1001 Tracklists showcases remarkable talent, it's essential to acknowledge the missing pieces and question the criteria used for the ranking. The music industry is vast, diverse, and subjective, and rankings should reflect that diversity. The absence of artists like Black Coffee, Keinemusik, and Rüfüs Du Sol, as well as the omission of acclaimed artists nominated at the MTV EMA, raises vital questions about the methodology used and the potential for a more comprehensive approach to recognizing talent.
How the Rankings are Calculated
The rankings in the music industry, including the 2023 Top Producers list, are often primarily determined by a key metric: DJ support. This support measures how frequently an artist's songs are played by other DJs in various live sets and performances. It's a reflection of an artist's influence and the impact their music has on the global music scene. Artists with a higher number of unique DJ supports are considered to have a more extensive reach and a stronger connection with their peers in the industry.
These rankings are, in essence, a testament to an artist's ability to craft tracks that resonate with other DJs and, by extension, their audiences. The more an artist's songs are included in different sets and performances, the higher their ranking tends to be. However, it's crucial to remember that these rankings are just one aspect of an artist's career. Music is a multifaceted art form, and an artist's value cannot be solely defined by numerical rankings; it encompasses creativity, innovation, and the ability to connect with listeners on a deep emotional level.
The 1001 Rankings of 2023
1. David Guetta (France) - Total Unique DJ Support: 1,549
2. Anyma (Italy) - Total Unique DJ Support: 1,098
3. MEDUZA (Italy) - Total Unique DJ Support: 1,092
4. Tiësto (Netherlands) - Total Unique DJ Support: 1,086
5. Mau P (Netherlands) - Total Unique DJ Support: 1,068
6. Vintage Culture (Brazil) - Total Unique DJ Support: 995
7. Steve Angello (Sweden) - Total Unique DJ Support: 993
8. Skrillex (United States) - Total Unique DJ Support: 987
9. HUGEL (France) - Total Unique DJ Support: 968
10. Hardwell (Netherlands) - Total Unique DJ Support: 963
11. Maddix (Netherlands) - Total Unique DJ Support: 925
12. Fred again.. (United Kingdom) - Total Unique DJ Support: 904
13. Oliver Heldens (Netherlands) - Total Unique DJ Support: 891
14. John Summit (United States) - Total Unique DJ Support: 890
15. Sebastian Ingrosso (Sweden) - Total Unique DJ Support: 840
16. Kryder (United Kingdom) - Total Unique DJ Support: 816
17. Dom Dolla (Australia) - Total Unique DJ Support: 798
18. Dimitri Vegas (Belgium) - Total Unique DJ Support: 792
19. James Hype (United Kingdom) - Total Unique DJ Support: 747
20. Armin van Buuren (Netherlands) - Total Unique DJ Support: 727
21. James Hurr (United Kingdom) - Total Unique DJ Support: 723
22. Steve Aoki (United States) - Total Unique DJ Support: 719
23. Chris Lake (United Kingdom) - Total Unique DJ Support: 709
24. Nicky Romero (Netherlands) - Total Unique DJ Support: 688
25. Joshwa (United Kingdom) - Total Unique DJ Support: 669
26. KREAM (Norway) - Total Unique DJ Support: 662
27. Joel Corry (United Kingdom) - Total Unique DJ Support: 656
28. MORTEN (Denmark United States) - Total Unique DJ Support: 648
29. Tony Romera (France) - Total Unique DJ Support: 647
30. FISHER (Australia United States) - Total Unique DJ Support: 646
31. Crusy (Spain) - Total Unique DJ Support: 639
32. Axwell (Sweden) - Total Unique DJ Support: 631
33. Thomas Newson (Netherlands) - Total Unique DJ Support: 626
34. Like Mike (Belgium) - Total Unique DJ Support: 624
35. Westend (United States) - Total Unique DJ Support: 593
36. Matroda (Croatia) - Total Unique DJ Support: 592
37. Giuseppe Ottaviani (Italy) - Total Unique DJ Support: 588
38. CASSIMM (United Kingdom) - Total Unique DJ Support: 584
39. San Pacho (Croatia) - Total Unique DJ Support: 575
40. Solardo (United Kingdom) - Total Unique DJ Support: 566
41. BLR (Netherlands) - Total Unique DJ Support: 563
42. Odd Mob (Australia) - Total Unique DJ Support: 562
43. Achilles (Australia) - Total Unique DJ Support: 561
44. Chapter & Verse (United Kingdom) - Total Unique DJ Support: 552
45. Wh0 (United Kingdom) - Total Unique DJ Support: 544
46. Eli Brown (United Kingdom) - Total Unique DJ Support: 542
47. TUJAMO (Germany) - Total Unique DJ Support: 536
48. Yotto (Finland) - Total Unique DJ Support: 535
49. ALOK (Brazil) - Total Unique DJ Support: 531
50. Mark Knight (United Kingdom) - Total Unique DJ Support: 525
51. Kaskade (United States) - Total Unique DJ Support: 515
52. ARTBAT (Ukraine) - Total Unique DJ Support: 513
53. MARTEN HØRGER (Germany) - Total Unique DJ Support: 510
54. Allen Watts (Netherlands) - Total Unique DJ Support: 510
55. SMACK (Belgium Netherlands) - Total Unique DJ Support: 502
56. Alex M.O.R.P.H. (Germany) - Total Unique DJ Support: 502
57. CamelPhat (United Kingdom) - Total Unique DJ Support: 499
58. Biscits (United Kingdom) - Total Unique DJ Support: 499
59. Don Diablo (Netherlands) - Total Unique DJ Support: 499
60. Öwnboss (Brazil) - Total Unique DJ Support: 498
61. AFROJACK (Netherlands) - Total Unique DJ Support: 493
62. Tom Staar (United Kingdom) - Total Unique DJ Support: 490
63. Martin Ikin (United Kingdom) - Total Unique DJ Support: 488
64. Chris Lorenzo (United Kingdom) - Total Unique DJ Support: 485
65. Tim Hox (Netherlands) - Total Unique DJ Support: 484
66. Dombresky (France) - Total Unique DJ Support: 482
67. Andruss (Mexico) - Total Unique DJ Support: 474
68. VINNE (Brazil) - Total Unique DJ Support: 469
69. Truth x Lies (United States) - Total Unique DJ Support: 468
70. Gorgon City (United Kingdom) - Total Unique DJ Support: 465
71. Marco Lys (United Kingdom) - Total Unique DJ Support: 461
72. David Forbes (United Kingdom) - Total Unique DJ Support: 461
73. Martin Garrix (Netherlands) - Total Unique DJ Support: 460
74. deadmau5 (Canada) - Total Unique DJ Support: 454
75. NITTI (United States) - Total Unique DJ Support: 450
76. Timmy Trumpet (Australia) - Total Unique DJ Support: 446
77. Mike Williams (Netherlands) - Total Unique DJ Support: 444
78. D.O.D (United Kingdom) - Total Unique DJ Support: 437
79. DubVision (Netherlands) - Total Unique DJ Support: 430
80. Kevin de Vries (Germany) - Total Unique DJ Support: 425
81. Franky Wah (United Kingdom) - Total Unique DJ Support: 423
82. Roman Messer (Russia) - Total Unique DJ Support: 422
83. MK (United States) - Total Unique DJ Support: 417
84. BLOND:ISH (Canada) - Total Unique DJ Support: 416
85. Cassian (Australia) - Total Unique DJ Support: 416
86. Argy (Greece) - Total Unique DJ Support: 414
87. Lucas & Steve (Netherlands) - Total Unique DJ Support: 410
88. Max Styler (United States) - Total Unique DJ Support: 410
89. Plastik Funk (Germany) - Total Unique DJ Support: 409
90. Pickle (United States) - Total Unique DJ Support: 408
91. CID (United States) - Total Unique DJ Support: 408
92. Joris Voorn (Netherlands) - Total Unique DJ Support: 406
93. Talla 2XLC (Germany) - Total Unique DJ Support: 405
94. Curbi (United Kingdom) - Total Unique DJ Support: 403
95. Kyle Watson (South Africa) - Total Unique DJ Support: 400
96. GUZ (Netherlands) - Total Unique DJ Support: 398
97. Riva Starr (United Kingdom) - Total Unique DJ Support: 395
98. Space 92 (France) - Total Unique DJ Support: 395
99. Kevin McKay (United Kingdom) - Total Unique DJ Support: 392
100. ACRAZE (United States) - Total Unique DJ Support: 389
