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| DJ Magazine | |
|---|---|
| Title | DJ Magazine |
| Category | Music magazine |
| Frequency | Monthly |
| Firstdate | 1991 |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Based | London |
| Language | English |
DJ Magazine is a British monthly periodical focused on electronic dance music, nightclub culture, and DJing practice. Founded in 1991, it became notable for coverage of genres such as house music, techno, drum and bass, trance and electronic dance music artists, venues, and festivals. The title is recognized internationally for its artist profiles, technical reviews, and the annual poll that ranks performers within the global club culture circuit.
The magazine was launched in London during the early 1990s rave and acid house era, contemporaneous with institutions such as Ministry of Sound, Cream and the development of the UK rave scene. Early decades saw editorial intersections with publications like Mixmag and outlets covering acts including The Prodigy, Underworld and Orbital. As club culture evolved through the 1990s and 2000s, coverage expanded to include artists affiliated with Soma Quality Recordings, Warp Records and festival organizers behind Glastonbury Festival, Tomorrowland and Ultra Music Festival. Key industry figures who appeared in interviews or features include DJs and producers such as Carl Cox, Fatboy Slim, Sasha and John Digweed.
Published monthly from a base in London, the magazine operated alongside contemporaneous British magazines like NME and Q. International distribution reached markets tied to scenes in Ibiza, Berlin, New York City, Tokyo and Sydney. Special edition issues and localized print runs have been aligned with events produced by entities such as A Club Called Rhonda, Circoloco and Hï Ibiza. The magazine's editorial staff has included journalists and photographers who also contributed to books and catalogs associated with labels like Defected Records and Hotflush Recordings.
Typical coverage blends artist profiles, equipment reviews, scene reports and album or single critiques, referencing producers signed to labels including Anjunadeep, Ninja Tune, Mau5trap and Toolroom Records. Technical pieces discuss hardware from manufacturers such as Pioneer DJ, Roland, Native Instruments and software platforms like Ableton Live and Traktor. Features often profile venues and promoters such as Fabric, The Warehouse Project and Output (club), and report on cultural intersections with movements tied to figures like Pete Tong and institutions like BBC Radio 1.
The magazine is widely known for its annual Top 100 DJs poll, a reader-voted ranking that elevated figures such as Armin van Buuren, Martin Garrix, David Guetta and Tiesto to mainstream visibility. The poll has been associated with promotional partnerships involving promoters like Live Nation and festivals including Creamfields and EDC (Electric Daisy Carnival). Methodological debates reference industry analysts and commentators connected to outlets like Resident Advisor and reportorial comparisons with award systems such as the Grammy Awards and Billboard Music Awards. The ranking has influenced booking fees, agency representation by companies like William Morris Endeavor and festival bill negotiating practices.
Beyond the Top 100, the publisher has organized live events, launch parties and award ceremonies that have featured club nights with performers affiliated with labels such as Dirtybird, Anjunabeats and Spinnin' Records. Past events linked to the title have taken place in partnership with venues in London, Los Angeles, Amsterdam and Barcelona, and with promoters like Sigue Sigue Sputnik and production firms formerly working with SFX Entertainment. Award categories and event programming have showcased rising artists, veteran selectors and industry contributors including managers and label heads from Paradise and K7 Records.
The magazine maintains an online platform featuring news, video interviews, live stream sessions and DJ mixes, intersecting with digital services such as SoundCloud, YouTube and Mixcloud. Social media engagement occurs on networks including Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, while editorial video content has featured collaborations with festivals like Sónar and broadcasters like MTV. Digital initiatives have included streaming partnerships, podcast series and archive projects documenting sets by artists such as Ben Klock, Seth Troxler and Nina Kraviz.
The publication's influence on artist careers, festival programming and commercial endorsements has been noted by commentators at outlets such as Pitchfork, The Guardian and The New York Times. Criticism has targeted the Top 100 poll's voting methodology, susceptibility to promotional campaigns by agencies and potential genre bias favoring mainstream EDM figures over underground practitioners associated with labels like Hospital Records and Mule Musiq. Debates have involved scene stakeholders including promoters, booking agents and artists who have publicly contested metrics used to assess artistic merit and commercial success.
Category:Music magazines published in the United Kingdom