China has a storied past with the DJ Mag Top 100 list. Carta and DJ L were the first Chinese artists to enter the list in 2017, and the country has long been accused of relying too heavily on the list for bookings and a guide for what’s what in the industry. Needless to say, a lot has changed since 2017, as the country has an even more developed music industry and the DJ Mag list is featuring more Chinese artists every year.
Now in 2021, nine Chinese artists have made the list, with individual styles ranging from the veteran EDM DJ, to the popular new bass artists, and even the ‘who the f*ck is that’ artists who seem to quickly fall off the list.
#55: BEAUZ
DJ / producer duo consisting of brothers Bernie and Johan Yan, BEAUZ is relatively new to the scene. Proving themselves to be virtuosos of music production, the duo quickly caught attention from top power players in the industry, landing them multiple official remixes. Most notably, their Happy Now remix has become a staple in Zedd’s DJ sets.
In 2019, BEAUZ released the genre-bending Count The Hours with Armada, which became viral on Douyin and kicked off the duo’s first international tour spanning across North America and Asia. BEAUZ then collaborated with Spinnin’ Records to release Feel The Light as the first record on the new imprint Spinnin’ Asia, positioning the duo as the godfathers of Psypop. They released their first EP BEAUZWORLD Vol. 1, kicking off the BEAUZ IMPERIAL TOUR, stunting the world as the only international artists to deliver world class performances during the pandemic. Synonymous with a unique music brand and eluding an impeccable flair in everything they do, BEAUZ will not stop until they sit on the throne.
#60: CARTA
Perhaps China’s favorite DJ, Carta was one of the first artists to really hit the global scene in a way few others have been able to replicate. Carta is gradually and deservedly moving up the list, starting at #92 five years ago, he’s holding strong at #60 this year.
Carta has tracks on Revealed Recordings, Spinnin’ Records, and has played Tomorrowland, ULTRA Music, and more.
#69: PANTA.Q
Panta.Q is a Berklee College of Music graduate, and a true staple in China’s bass music scene. He’s played all the country’s biggest festivals, and even appeared as a judge or guest on local television shows. Often referred to as the “Hope of Chinese Electronic Music”, he frequently plays live instruments in his sets.
#84: ARYUE
Boldly making his way in China’s trance scene, this is Aryue’s second entry in the DJ Mag list. He releases his music on world renowned labels such as Armada music, Loko Sound, and has been a DJ for over 20 years. He also serves as the music director for Galame Club, and acted as judge for the Pioneer DJ contests in China.
In June 2017 he made a breakthrough into one of the best EDM labels – Armada Music (ShowLand), with debut single “BIG PARTY”, together with Basalto. Another track “STRONGER“ was also released on Armada Music (ShowLand) together with ZeSKULLZ and KD Soundsystem (mixed by Swanky Tunes). Also in June 2017 he signed another single “MY POWER” on another EDM label – Loko Sound together with JuicyTrax. In the same year he released a trance album “BEAUTIFUL LAND OF CHINA” in Pineapple digital record. In 2018 Aryue signed single “I WANT YOU” together with Lola Rhodes and mixed by Swanky Tunes. In January 2019 he released “GUANGZHOU” with one of the top producers of the music label Armada – Vigel.
Aryue has performed worldwide from Australia to many parts of Asia, had over 10,000 shows and has shared the stage with artists like DJ Snake, Armin van Buuren, Steve Aoki, R3hab, W&W, and many more.
#90 GIFTBACK
GIFTBACK has millions of fans in China and has been dubbed as ‘the king of the scene’. He has over 10 years in the industry, and several releases on the label Revealed Recordings. Before becoming a DJ, he played in rock bands as a drummer and bassist, and brings that musical knowledge to his original productions. “MUSIC IS LIFE” is the belief that built GIFTBACK.
