Kaskade

Kaskade
Name	Kaskade
Birth name	Maxwell T. Young
Birth date	1971-02-25
Birth place	Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Genres	House, Progressive house, Deep house, Electro
Occupations	DJ, record producer, remixer
Years active	1995–present
Labels	Ultra Records, Armada Music, Sunday School, Columbia Records
Associated acts	Deadmau5, Skrillex, Tiësto, Pharrell Williams, John Legend

Kaskade is an American DJ, record producer, and remixer known for his contributions to modern house music and mainstream electronic dance music scenes. Emerging from the Chicago, Illinois house tradition, he achieved commercial success with albums and singles that charted on the Billboard 200 and in international markets such as the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada. Over a multi-decade career he has collaborated with a wide range of artists from Deadmau5 to Idina Menzel and performed at major festivals including Ultra Music Festival, Electric Daisy Carnival, and Tomorrowland.

Early life and education

Born in Chicago, Illinois, he grew up in a musical environment shaped by the legacy of the Chicago house and Detroit techno movements. He attended local schools before moving to the Pacific Northwest region, where exposure to regional scenes and venues such as those in Seattle, Washington and Portland, Oregon influenced his early tastes. His formative years coincided with the rise of artists and institutions like Larry Heard, Marshall Jefferson, and the club culture centered around venues similar to The Warehouse and crews associated with labels such as Trax Records.

Career

He began DJing and producing in the mid-1990s, releasing early singles on independent imprints and building a reputation via residencies and college radio support from stations akin to KEXP and KCRW. His breakthrough releases led to signings with labels including Ultra Records and Armada Music, and collaborations with producers and performers such as Deadmau5, Skrillex, Tiesto, Pharrell Williams, John Legend, Skylar Grey, Estelle, and Benny Benassi. He has performed at major festivals and venues including Ultra Music Festival, Electric Daisy Carnival, Tomorrowland, Coachella, Creamfields, Glastonbury Festival, and residencies in nightlife centers like Las Vegas and Ibiza. His tracks have enjoyed placement on compilations and charts such as the Billboard Hot Dance Airplay and the UK Singles Chart, and he has worked with remix subjects ranging from Daft Punk and Madonna to The Killers and Coldplay.

Musical style and influences

His musical approach blends elements from Chicago house, progressive house, deep house, and electro house, drawing inspiration from pioneers including Frankie Knuckles, Larry Levan, Todd Terry, and innovators such as Paul Oakenfold and Sasha (DJ). Vocally driven singles feature collaborations with singers and songwriters like Idina Menzel, Skylar Grey, John Legend, Sia (musician), and Ne-Yo, reflecting crossover tendencies toward pop and contemporary R&B production found in works associated with Pharrell Williams and Timbaland. Production techniques reference analog heritage of Roland TR-909 and Juno-106 usage popularized by legacy acts such as New Order and Pet Shop Boys.

Discography

His studio albums and notable releases span multiple decades, with albums released on labels including Ultra Records, Armada Music, and Columbia Records. Key albums and compilations include early independent EPs, mainstream albums that reached charts like the Billboard 200, and collaborative singles with artists from Deadmau5 to Idina Menzel. His output also encompasses remix albums, DJ mix compilations akin to the Ministry of Sound series, and single releases that received radio play on stations comparable to BBC Radio 1 and Sirius XM.

Awards and recognition

He has received nominations and awards from institutions such as the Grammy Awards and the Billboard Music Awards, and honors from industry bodies associated with dance music like the International Dance Music Awards and DJ Awards. His commercial milestones include chart placements on the Billboard 200, Billboard Dance/Electronic Albums, and singles appearing on the Billboard Hot 100 and UK Singles Chart, along with streaming milestones on platforms similar to Spotify, Apple Music, and SoundCloud. He has been recognized in polls and rankings produced by publications such as DJ Mag and Rolling Stone.

Personal life

He has been active in philanthropic and community initiatives connected to arts organizations and charities, sharing stages with peers such as Diplo, Calvin Harris, Avicii, Martin Garrix, and David Guetta. His residences and tours have brought him into contact with cultural centers like Los Angeles, New York City, Las Vegas, Miami, and international hubs including London, Amsterdam, and Berlin. Beyond music, he has engaged with fashion and brand collaborations similar to partnerships between artists and companies like H&M and Red Bull.

Category:American DJs Category:House musicians Category:Living people