As 2025 draws to a close, it becomes the perfect moment to reflect on the DJs who truly left their mark this year.
First, these artists made their mark through unforgettable performances that left a lasting impression.
Beyond the stage, bold releases pushed their sound forward and kept listeners engaged.
Meanwhile, constant innovation helped them stand out and shape the direction of the global dance music scene.
Here is part one of the DJs who made the biggest waves in 2025.
Sammy Virji
At the top of the list is Sammy Virji, whose journey has been years in the making.
However, 2025 marked a major turning point for the UK artist.
He delivered packed sets at Tomorrowland’s Freedom Stage and Coachella’s Sahara Tent, while also celebrating the release of his second album.
The album arrives under the title Same Day Cleaning.
It puts the spotlight on his signature UK garage sound.
Along the way, it brings in collaborations with Chris Lake, Skepta, and Salute.
Together, these moments further cement his position in the scene.
KI/KI
Meanwhile, KI/KI closed the year after an incredibly productive run that reached listeners worldwide.
Her remix of What’s A Girl To Do quickly became one of her most-streamed tracks ever and dominated dance floors throughout the year.
In addition, she teamed up with Armin van Buuren for a powerful back-to-back set at AMF, shaking the Johan Cruyff Arena.
The duo later continued their momentum in the studio.
From that session came Put Your Bassline, which went on to become AMF’s first official anthem.
Since then, the track has remained a regular highlight in both of their sets.
Read more: Top 10 Most-Watched DJ Sets of 2025 Worldwide
Max Styler
In 2025, Max Styler proved himself as a serious contender for DJ of the year.
He launched his own label, Nu Moda, released a steady stream of club-ready tracks, and played to massive crowds around the world.
Over the course of the year, he stayed relentlessly productive.
He released four singles and followed them with two EPs.
That steady output paid off in a big way.
In the end, 1001Tracklists named him Producer of the Year.
His track London’s On Fire, released in July, went on to become one of his most-streamed songs to date.
Disco Lines
For Disco Lines, 2025 was defined by one massive release: No Broke Boys.
The track exploded into a summer anthem and quickly entered conversations for song of the year.
Within just five months, it surpassed 400 million streams and echoed across major festival stages.
Alongside the track’s success, Disco Lines spent the year touring across the globe.
One of the most memorable moments came in April, when he made his sold-out debut at Red Rocks.
Nearly 10,000 fans packed the venue, marking a major milestone in his career.
ZULAN
Rounding out the list is newcomer ZULAN, who enjoyed one of the strongest breakout years of 2025.
She made her Coachella debut at the DoLab in April, the same month she released her first-ever single.
Her debut track Forever gained rapid attention and paved the way for follow-up releases Campeón and Match My Speed.
While these early songs hinted at her potential as a producer, her live performances truly stood out.
Her tour created unforgettable nights in cities like Paris, New York, and Monterrey.
With each stop, ZULAN proved her growing presence.
By the end of the year, she stood out as one of the most exciting rising names in the scene.
Part one highlights just how diverse and dynamic 2025 has been.
With more artists still to come, the year proves that the global electronic music scene continues to evolve at full speed.
