DJ Snake

DJ Snake

DJ Snake, press photo
Background information
Birth name William Sami Etienne Grigahcine
Born (1986-06-13) 13 June 1986
Paris, France
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • DJ
  • record producer
Years active 2000–present
Labels
Associated acts

William Sami Etienne Grigahcine (born 13 June 1986), known professionally as DJ Snake, is a French DJ and record producer.[1][2][3][4][5]

DJ Snake is a Grammy-nominated producer and artist who debuted into the international scene with singles "Bird Machine" and "Turn Down for What" in 2013.[1][6][7] "Bird Machine" is a collaboration with fellow French act Alesia. The single was picked up by Mad Decent, a Los Angeles-based record label run by Diplo, and released in February 2013. In June 2013, DJ Snake was invited by Diplo to do a live mix on his radio show, "Diplo & Friends", which airs on BBC Radio 1.[8]

DJ Snake was announced to be working on a collaboration with Diplo, originally slated to debut in 2014; it eventually released in 2015 as the single "Lean On" in collaboration with MØ and Diplo's Major Lazer.[9][10][11] On 30 April 2014, DJ Snake was labeled as an "Artist to Watch" by FoxWeekly.[12] He and Dillon Francis were announced as alternating supporting artists for the summer Mothership Tour 2014 with Skrillex.[13]

Early life

DJ Snake was born in a Banlieue district outside Paris from Algerian parents, which he describes as a ghetto.[14] He cites French film La Haine as well as hip-hop artists KRS-One and Cypress Hill as early influences. In his youth, DJ Snake produced graffiti art, earning him the moniker "Snake" because he was able to consistently evade the police. Of his name, DJ Snake says “When I started DJing, everyone called me ‘Snake’ in my city first, I was like ‘DJ Snake, OK let’s go for it.’ The name sucks, but it’s too late now.”[14] He started DJ-ing at age 14, and later producing at 19 years old.[15] In his early career, DJ Snake performed at clubs including Les Bains Douches in Paris. In 2005, he met his manager Steve Goncalves, who encouraged DJ Snake to begin creating his own music.[14]

Career

In 2011, DJ Snake produced for Lady Gaga’s album Born This Way. This earned him a Grammy nomination for Album of the Year in February 2012.[16] DJ Snake was co-producer for the song "Government Hooker", which was voted best song by Lady Gaga fans after the release of the album.[17] This song was supposed to be released as a single before Interscope Records decided to stop the marketing of the album after its release. He remixed Kanye West's "New Slaves", AlunaGeorge's "You Know You Like It", Duck Sauce’s "It's You" and Major Lazer's "Bubble Butt".[18][19][20][21] Junior Senior sampled Michael Jackson for their track "Move Your Feet". DJ Snake remixed the song in 2013.[22] In 2013, DJ Snake produced three songs with Paul "DJ White Shadow" Blair on Lady Gaga’s album ARTPOP including "Applause", "Sexxx Dreams", and "Do What U Want".[23][24][25]

DJ Snake and Dillon Francis were alternating supporting artists on the Mothership Tour 2014 with Skrillex.[13] He performed at the 2015 Coachella Music Festival with guest appearances by AlunaGeorge and MØ, who did vocals on "Lean On" with Major Lazer. "Lean On" and DJ Snake's remix of AlunaGeorge's "You Know You Like It" were both top 10 Shazamed songs from Coachella 2015.[26][27]

In October 2015, DJ Snake and fellow electronic producer Tchami were injured in a car crash, causing them both to miss a scheduled stop at Toronto's Monster Mash festival.[28] In January 2016, Forbes named him one of their "30 Under 30 In Music" for the year.[29]

Standalone singles (2013–2015)

In December 2013, "Turn Down for What", DJ Snake's collaboration with Lil Jon, was released on Columbia Records.[30] The song was featured in a commercial for the Sol Republic DECK, a wireless speaker, which aired in October 2013.[31] "Turn Down for What" entered the top ten of the Billboard Dance/Electronic chart during the last week of December.[32] In January 2014, the single entered the top 5 on the Dance/Electronic chart and debuted No. 38 on the Billboard Hot 100.[33] The song was certified gold in February 2014 and platinum in March 2014.[34][35] The song reached the top ten of the Hot 100 in April 2014.[36] The music video for the single was released in March 2014.[37] "Turn Down for What" was nominated for MTV Video Music Awards for Best Direction, Best Art Direction, Best Visual Effects, and the MTV Clubland Award.[38]

In February 2014, DJ Snake and Dillon Francis released "Get Low" on their official SoundCloud and YouTube pages, as the lead single from Francis's debut studio album Money Sucks, Friends Rule. Both "Get Low" and "Turn Down for What" were featured on the Furious 7 motion picture soundtrack. Along with the exposure gained from commercials for Dodge and Taco Bell featuring the song, the inclusion of "Get Low" on the soundtrack helped the song re-enter the Billboard Hot Dance/Electronic chart while DJ Snake re-entered the Billboard Artist 100.[39]

In December 2014, DJ Snake's remix of the AlunaGeorge song "You Know You Like It" was released on Island Records.[40] "You Know You Like It" reached number one on Billboard's Dance/Mix Show Airplay chart and Rhythmic Songs chart in June 2015.[41][42] It peaked at 13 on the Billboard Hot 100.[43] The same month, the Associated Press listed the remix as the 8th most streamed track on Spotify in the United States.[44] In November 2015, the song received RIAA double-platinum certification.[45] For the remix, DJ Snake used a fusion of European dance music and hip hop beats. It took him about four hours to write. The collaboration was done via the Internet, with the vocals emailed to DJ Snake, who worked in Paris.[46]

In March 2015 "Lean On", DJ Snake's collaborative track with Major Lazer featuring MØ, was released on Mad Decent, as the lead single from Major Lazer's third studio album Peace Is the Mission.[47] It made it on Billboard's Rhythmic Songs,[48] Mainstream Top 40,[49] Latin Pop Songs,[50] Dance Club Songs,[51] Hot Dance/Electric Songs[52] and Adult Top 40[53] charts. It peaked at 4 on the Billboard Hot 100.[54] In June, Time Magazine named it one of the "Best Songs of 2015 So Far"[55] In September 2015, "Lean On" was named Spotify's global song of the summer. In November 2015, the song surpassed 526 million Spotify plays, making it the service's most streamed song ever.[56] The video for "Lean On" was released in March 2015.[57] It was shot in India and directed by Tim Erem.[58] Amplify magazine named "Lean On" one of "The Best Videos of 2015".[59] In January 2016, the "Lean On" video reached 1 billion views on YouTube.[60][61]

Encore (2015–present)

DJ Snake released his next single "Middle" on 16 October 2015. The song was released by Interscope Records, Mad Decent and Spinnin' Records. It features the vocals from English singer Bipolar Sunshine. The song's accompanying music video premiered on 16 March 2016 on DJ Snake's YouTube account on Vevo.

On 2 June 2016 the single "Talk" was released.[62] DJ Snake had hinted the possibility of releasing new music via Twitter a few days before the single's release. It features vocals from George Maple's song "Talk Talk" that was released in December 2014.[63] The track infuses tropical house sounds and was released by Interscope Records and made available for purchase on iTunes on 10 June 2016.[64][65] The music video for the song was released on DJ Snake's YouTube account on 11 July 2016. In July 2016, he announced the release of his debut studio album, titled Encore, released on 5 August 2016. "Middle" and "Talk" serve as singles from the album.

On 5 August 2016, with the release of Encore, DJ Snake released the album's third single, "Let Me Love You", featuring the vocals of Canadian singer Justin Bieber.

Discography

Main article: DJ Snake discography

Awards and nominations

Grammy Awards

Year Recipient Category Result
2012 Born This Way (as producer) Album of the Year Nominated
2015 "Turn Down for What" (with Lil Jon) Best Music Video Nominated

MTV Video Music Awards

Year Nominee/work Award Result
2014 "Turn Down for What" (with Lil Jon) MTV Clubland Award Nominated
Best Direction Won
Best Visual Effects Nominated
Best Art Direction Nominated

Teen Choice Awards

Year Nominated artist and works Award Result
2014 "Turn Down for What" (with Lil Jon) Choice Music: R&B/Hip-Hop Song Nominated

Billboard Music Awards

Year Recipient Award Result
2015 "Turn Down for What" (with Lil Jon) Top Dance/Electronic Song Won
2016 "You Know You Like It" (with AlunaGeorge) Nominated
"Lean On" (with Major Lazer featuring MØ) Won
Himself Top Dance/Electronic Artist Nominated

NRJ Music Awards

Year Awards Category Recipient Outcome Ref
2016 NRJ Music Awards Best French DJ DJ Snake Nominated [66]

References

  1. 1 2 "Dj Snake". TomorrowWorld.com. Retrieved 2013-12-31.
  2. ↑ "DJ Snake & Nostradamus – Pop That Pissy". EDMTunes.com. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
  3. ↑ "DJ SNAKE – "I want to make the world dance!"". InTheRedmagazine.com. Retrieved 2013-12-31.
  4. ↑ "DJ Snake – The Year of the Snake". Life and Times. Retrieved 2013-12-31.
  5. ↑ "On the right track, baby". Time Out. Retrieved 2013-12-31.
  6. ↑ "DJ SNAKE ANNOUNCES AUSTRALIAN TOUR DATES". Stoney Roads. Retrieved 2013-12-31.
  7. ↑ "Imperial ft DJ Snake & Motez". Eventfinder.co.nz. Retrieved 2013-12-31.
  8. ↑ "Dj Snake – Diplo & Friends BBC Radio (Guest Mix)". SoundCloud. Retrieved 2013-12-31.
  9. ↑ "Dillon Francis & DJ Snake Preview New Track At TomorrowWorld". YourEDM.com. Retrieved 2013-12-31.
  10. ↑ "Watch DJ Snake Drop a New Collaboration with Diplo in Chicago". Do Androids Dance?. Retrieved 2013-12-31.
  11. ↑ Beauchemin, Molly. "Diplo's Major Lazer Share New Track "Lean On," Featuring MØ and DJ Snake". Pitchfork.com. Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 25 June 2015.
  12. ↑ "#8. DJ Snake [artist to watch.]". Fox Weekly. Retrieved 2014-04-30.
  13. 1 2 Kevin Rutherford (10 March 2014). "Skrillex Announces Mothership Tour 2014, New Album (Updated)". Billboard. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
  14. 1 2 3 Ryan Mac (24 August 2015). "Behind The Ears Of DJ Snake, Dance Music's Viral Hitmaker". Forbes Inc. Retrieved 16 September 2015.
  15. ↑ Natalie Robehmed (6 January 2016). "To Daft Punk, 30 Under 30 DJ Snake On What He Leans On". Forbes. Retrieved 16 March 2016.
  16. ↑ "DJ Snake". Elektro. Retrieved 2013-12-31.
  17. ↑ "Lady Gaga Producer Calls 'Government Hooker' A 'Beast'". MTV News. Retrieved 2013-12-31.
  18. ↑ "Major Lazer "Bubble Butt"". Elektro. Retrieved 2013-12-31.
  19. ↑ "Alunageorge "You Know You Like It"". Elektro. Retrieved 2013-12-31.
  20. ↑ "Duck Sauce "It's You"". Elektro. Retrieved 2013-12-31.
  21. ↑ "Kanye West "New Slaves"". Elektro. Retrieved 2013-12-31.
  22. ↑ "Junior Senior "Move Your Feet"". Elektro. Retrieved 2013-12-31.
  23. ↑ "Lady Gaga "Applause"". Elektro. Retrieved 2013-12-31.
  24. ↑ "Lady Gaga releases 'Applause,' sets electronic tone of forthcoming 'ARTPOP'". Dancing Astronaut. Retrieved 2013-12-31.
  25. ↑ "LISTEN TO THE DJ SNAKE PRODUCED TRACK FOR LADY GAGA FEAT. R. KELLY 'DO WHAT YOU WANT'". Mixjunkies. Retrieved 2013-12-31.
  26. ↑ "Coachella 2015: AlunaGeorge, MO surprise fans during DJ Snake's set". San Bernardino County Sun. Retrieved 13 May 2015.
  27. ↑ "Coachella 2015: AlunaGeorge, MO surprise fans during DJ Snake's set". San Bernardino County Sun. Retrieved 13 May 2015.
  28. ↑ "French producers Tchami and DJ Snake have been involved in a serious car accident". Ministry of Sound. Retrieved 7 Nov 2015.
  29. ↑ "Forbes 30 Under 30: Music". Forbes. Retrieved 23 January 2016.
  30. ↑ "TURN DOWN FOR WHAT". Beatport. Retrieved 2013-12-31.
  31. ↑ "Sol Replic Deck Radio Shack TV Commercial, Feat Lil Wayne and Michael Phelps". Radio Shack. Retrieved 2013-12-31.
  32. ↑ Gary Trust (3 January 2014). "Chart Moves: Imagine Dragons, AWOLNATION Extend Lengthy Hot 100 Stays; Beyonce Bounds At R&B/Hip-Hop Radio; DJ Snake, Lil Jon Debut With 'Turn Down For What'". Billboard. Retrieved 2014-01-30.
  33. ↑ Gordon Murray (27 December 2013). "DJ Snake, Lil Jon, Katy Perry Power Up Dance Charts". Billboard. Retrieved 2014-01-30.
  34. ↑ Tyler Trew (4 February 2014). "DJ Snake's "Turn Down For What" Reaches Gold Status". Your EDM. Retrieved 2014-02-11.
  35. ↑ "American certifications: DJ Snake – Gold & Platinum". RIAA. Retrieved 2015-06-10.
  36. ↑ Gary Trust (2 April 2014). "Pharrell Williams' 'Happy' Holds Atop Hot 100, DJ Snake & Lil Jon Hit Top 10". Billboard Biz. Retrieved 2014-04-08.
  37. ↑ Jason Newman (12 March 2014). "DJ Snake and Lil Jon's 'Turn Down for What' Video Is Perfect Insanity". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2014-04-08.
  38. ↑ Gil Kaufman (17 July 2014). "2014 MTV Video Music Awards Nominations: Get The Full List". MTV News. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
  39. ↑ "Check Out the Top 10 Shazamed Songs of Coachella". SFX Entertainment. Retrieved 13 May 2015.
  40. ↑ "DJ Snake & AlunaGeorge - "You Know You Like It"". Complex. 2014-12-30. Retrieved 2015-12-07.
  41. ↑ Gary Trust (2015-01-06). "Chart Highlights: Taylor Swift Ties Record as 'Bad Blood' Hits Pop Songs Top 10". Billboard. Retrieved 2015-12-07.
  42. ↑ Gary Trust (2015-06-29). "Chart Highlights: Taylor Swift Adds Another No. 1, With 'Style'". Billboard. Retrieved 2015-12-07.
  43. ↑ "DJ Snake – Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved 2015-12-07.
  44. ↑ "Spotify's Top 10 most streamed tracks". Dailymail.co.uk. 2015-06-30. Retrieved 2015-12-07.
  45. ↑ Cantor, Brian (30 November 2015). "SHAWN MENDES' "STITCHES," DJ SNAKE & ALUNAGEORGE'S "YOU KNOW YOU LIKE IT" CERTIFIED 2X PLATINUM". headlineplanet.com. Headline Planet. Retrieved 11 December 2015.
  46. ↑ "DJ Snake On "You Know You Like It," His Collab with Aluna Francis. «". Radio.com. 2015-07-18. Retrieved 2015-12-07.
  47. ↑ "Diplo's Major Lazer Share New Track "Lean On", Featuring MØ and DJ Snake | News". Pitchfork. 2015-03-02. Retrieved 2015-12-07.
  48. ↑ "Major Lazer – Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved 2015-12-07.
  49. ↑ "Major Lazer – Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved 2015-12-07.
  50. ↑ "Major Lazer – Chart history". Billboard. 2015-09-05. Retrieved 2015-12-07.
  51. ↑ "Major Lazer – Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved 2015-12-07.
  52. ↑ "Major Lazer – Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved 2015-12-07.
  53. ↑ "Major Lazer – Chart history". Billboard. 2015-10-03. Retrieved 2015-12-07.
  54. ↑ "Major Lazer – Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved 2015-12-07.
  55. ↑ "Best Songs of 2015 So Far: TIME Picks". Time.com. 2015-06-25. Retrieved 2015-12-07.
  56. ↑ Leight, Elias (11 November 2015). "Major Lazer And DJ Snake's "Lean On" Named Spotify's Most Streamed Song Of All Time". thefader.com. The Fader, Inc. Retrieved 11 December 2015.
  57. ↑ "Major Lazer, DJ Snake and MØ Share "Lean On" Music Video From 'Peace Is the Mission' [WATCH] : Buzz". Music Times. 2015-03-23. Retrieved 2015-12-07.
  58. ↑ "Major Lazer & DJ Snake – "Lean On" (Feat. MØ) Video + Peace Is The Mission Details". Stereogum. 2015-03-23. Retrieved 2015-12-07.
  59. ↑ Frankie Victoria. "The best videos of 2015 ‹ Amplify". Ampthemag.com. Retrieved 2015-12-07.
  60. ↑ "Major Lazer's "Lean On" Music Video Now Has 1 Billion Views on YouTube". Retrieved 23 January 2016.
  61. ↑ "Major Lazer, DJ Snake, MO 'Lean On' Hits 1 Billion YouTube Plays". Retrieved 23 January 2016.
  62. ↑ "DJ SNAKE". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2016-06-15.
  63. ↑ "DJ Snake Releases 'Talk' Feat George Maple". Billboard. Retrieved 2016-06-15.
  64. ↑ LLC, Beatport,. "DJ Snake Music, under exclusive license to Interscope Records :: Beatport". classic.beatport.com. Retrieved 2016-06-15.
  65. ↑ "Talk (feat. George Maple) - Single by DJ Snake on iTunes". iTunes. Retrieved 2016-06-15.
  66. ↑ "Palmares NRJ DJ AWARDS 2016 - Meilleurs DJs". NRJ.fr (in French). Retrieved 2016-11-14.

External links

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