In this electrifying edition, Top 10 of Asia takes the top 10 most entertaining DJs across all of Asia and ranks them here in no particular order. From breezy trance to heart-thumping EDM, these maestros behind the decks know just how to bring a crowd to life. Whether you find them lighting up the clubs du jour or playing to seas of screaming people at the world’s biggest music festivals – anywhere a big party is the order of the day is native territory for these world-class manipulators of the sonic space.
DJ Soda (South Korea)
Hailing from the pulsating heart of South Korea, Hwang So-hee, better known as DJ Soda, has been igniting stages across Asia since she first burst onto the scene in 2013. Renowned for her performances at major music festivals like the S20 Songkran Musical Festival, DJ Soda’s infectious beats have made her a bona fide EDM sensation. In 2016, she dropped her debut EP ‘Closer’ under Warner Music Group, declaring dancefloors everywhere under her rule. Collaborations with labelmates Sistar have only solidified her status as a rising star and one to keep an eye on.
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22Bullets (Thailand)
In the thriving realm of Southeast Asia’s electronic dance music scene, 22Bullets, aka Varun Sony, has emerged as a veritable powerhouse. Making waves early on in his career, it was perhaps his inclusion in DJ Mag’s Top 100 DJs list that announced his arrival as a major player. 22Bullets has been on quite the tear, dropping electrifying tracks such as ‘Looking At The Moon,’ ‘SIAM,’ and ‘Crazies Do,’ – all to rapturous acclaim. Collaborations with EDM luminaries like Timmy Trumpet and Dash Berlin are about as big an endorsement as you can get and if you’re not convinced yet, you won’t ever be.
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Aryue (China)
Hailing from China, which is fast becoming a dance music hub, Aryue is a DJ and producer who’s been setting the decks ablaze with high-voltage beats. Fusing flavours of future rave, trance, house, and more into his sonic concoctions, Aryue doesn’t play by the rulebook – he writes his own. His 2022 was nothing short of explosive, marked by chart-toppers like ‘Welcome To The Rave’ and ‘Party,’ showcasing his penchant for genre-blending euphoria. But you won’t find him confined to the studio, Aryue makes it a point to regularly venture out and play live to his legions of adoring fans.
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Lacrème (Thailand)
Lacrème is a name that’s been familiar to those in the know since 2001. Not your typical DJ, he started out with the grimy rhythms of UK Garage and Drum ‘n’ Bass before showcasing his versatility as a musical chameleon who’s seamlessly evolved with the times. It’s this versatility that sets him apart as he’s not only a hit at the biggest EDM stages but can also lay down a mean hip hop beat, a rarity in the DJ universe. His tracks, dropped on heavyweight labels like Size, CYB3RFVNK, Skink, and NCS – with support from industry giants such as Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, R3hab, and Afrojack – have solidified Lacrème’s standing as a genre-traversing sensation.
Yoji (Japan)
Within the realms of trance and hard trance, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a name spoken of in as hallowed tones as Yoji’s. A household name in Japan’s club scene since the ’90s, he soared to worldwide acclaim in 2001 when he took centre-stage at the Netherlands’ Dance Valley festival, captivating a staggering 90,000 festival-goers in the process. From there, it was only onward and upward as Yoji became a headlining sensation at colossal international celebrations of music like Sensation Black, Tomorrowland, and Street Parade.
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Angger Dimas (Indonesia)
When you think of an Indonesian DJ, you think of Angger Dimas. Beginning his musical journey with a guitar at the tender age of 7, a couple of detours later found him a firmly established fixture of Jakarta’s club scene by 2009. David Guetta, Laidback Luke, and Sebastian Ingrosso are just some of the names on whose playlists his beats have gained purchase. A game-changing collaboration with Tiësto meant he was now global and when Steve Aoki unleashed Angger’s debut album, ‘Angger Management,’ on Dim Mak Records, there simply was no turning back.
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Casper Yu (China)
Casper Yu’s fruitful career behind the decks was first fertilised by his early exposure to the iconic sounds of Kraftwerk via his brother’s vintage record collection. Combining that influence with his innate talent and a steadfast dedication to realising his dreams has seen him secure a seat at the summit of China’s electronic music scene. Not one to be bound by genres, Casper Yu puts out music that isn’t just heard, but felt. Casper Yu is more than just a DJ – to many, he’s an orchestrator of unforgettable nights.
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Leng Yein (Malaysia)
Leng Yein might just be Malaysia’s most famous DJ, but you might not know she actually started out as a beauty queen – clinching the title of Miss Pahang at the tender age of 18 and making her way to the finals of the 2003 Miss Malaysia pageant. A multifaceted talent with forays into singing, acting, and a proprietor of multiple businesses, it is however the pulse-quickening beats honed through her earliest gigs at the iconic Zouk KL that has seen her shoot her way to stardom.
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Marc Marasigan (Philippines)
Across the isles of the Philippines, there’s no DJ that commands acclaim quite like Marc Marasigan does. Sampling tracks across a range of genres from EDM to hip hop, R&B, and even indie beats, Marc Marasigan warps his sound to set the mood. Filipino DJ royalty at this point, Marc’s upbeat performances are preceded by barely contained anticipation across the archipelago. With a versatility akin to that of a shapeshifter and the kind of stage presence that seems to erase his surroundings, Marc Marasigan is not just a Filipino favourite, but a continental treasure too.
Lizzy (China)
We take it back to China for our final entry where we shine the spotlight on Lizzy. She’s been quite the trailblazer, becoming the first Chinese DJ to be signed by renowned agency Supermodified and the first female Chinese DJ to land on the Ultra Music Festival stage. Lizzy first popped onto the scene in 2016, taking over clubs across Asia in short order. Tracks like ‘Kill the Vampire’ and ‘Kombat’ have become fan favourites, piercing the air at festivals such as Madhouse, Trojan, GSE Festival, and Electronic Nuts. Lizzy is indeed something special – after all, not just anyone gets picked to open for guys like KSHMR, GTA, and Steve Aoki.