Martin Garrix Biography

Martin Garrix, born Martijn Gerard Garritsen, is a Dutch DJ and producer. Since 2015 he is actually marketing himself as Mar+in Garri×. DJ Magazine proclaimed him the best DJ of 2016 in their Top 100 list. In 2016 he founded his own label, STMPD RCRDS. He developed in interest in DJing after seeing Tiesto perform at the Olympic games. His “dream mentor” is Calvin Harris.

Beginning & Breakthrough

Garrix learned to play the guitar when he was only 8 years old. He developed in interest in DJing after seeing Tiesto perform at the Olympic games.  The young DJ was composing music all by himself until one of his idols – Tiesto – discovered him. Garrix signed to Spinnin’ Records in 2012. In 2013, he graduated from the Herman Brood Academy, a prestigious production school. Furthermore, he released his first single, Animals, which turned out to be an international hit. It is possibly his most praised song ever. It was certified 2x Platinum. Martin Garrix thus became the youngest person to top Beatport. He then made his first appearance on DJ Magazine’s Top 100, at number 40. Ulteriorly, he rose to number 4 (2014) and, in the end, reached the top.

Forbidden Voices & Collaborations

At the end of 2013, he released 2 more successful singles, Wizard and Helicopter. In 2014 he performed at the Ultra Music Festival, where he revealed several new tracks. One of the represented a collaboration with Afrojack – Turn Up the Speakers. In 2015, the Dutch DJ took an interest in progressive house and released the song Forbidden Voices. The song marked his reaching the 10 million Facebook likes milestone.

He then released Don’t Look Down, a collaboration with famous R&B singer Usher. The track ranked number 3 on the Billboard Dance Club Songs. He also collaborated with Ed Sheeran on Rewind Repeat It, with Tiesto on The Only Way Is Up and with Avicii on Waiting for Love. In 2016, Garrix signed a contract with Sony Music International and released a highly-charted and awarded song with Bebe Rexha – In the Name of Love. Furthermore, he won Best Electronic Act and Best World Stage Performance at the MTV European Music Awards.

Since 2017, he is working as a resident DJ at Hï Ibiza. In present days, the young DJ is touring with Justin Bieber. Additionally, he is filming for a documentary called What We Started, which focuses on the electronic dance music scene.

Photo credits: weraveyou.com