MOTi (NL)

While some stick to their tried-and-tested formulas, Dutch producer and DJ sensation MOTi prides himself on pushing and creating a diverse array of sounds. Using whatever he has in his arsenal to deliver the most potent response to any given situation, his wide-reaching approach has reaped major rewards. From rampant electro house to rowdy trap, joyous house, big room EDM anthems and electronic pop, the list goes on and his talent seemingly knows no bounds. With a production style that’s crammed with ideas, energy and cutting-edge technique, it’s no wonder that he’s managed to smash everything he’s tried his hands at. The fast-rising Dutch talent first made his mark his on the scene in 2012 when he released Kinky Denisewith Quintino on Afrojack’s WALL Recordings. Ever the early talent spotter, Afrojack snapped the duo up for follow-up Circuits, and soon Spinnin’ Records were knocking at their door. The huge single Dynamitefollowed and before long MOTi was branching out with solo projects and other collaborations. Tiësto signed him to Musical Freedom and they worked together on the fan-favorite Back To The Acid, thus beginning MOTi’s long run of releases on the superstar’s imprint that continues to this day. Spinnin’ Records has been his other main champion, with a slew of hugely successful releases on the mega-label including Martin Garrix collaboration Virus (How About Now)which hit #1 on Beatport and #24 on the Billboard Dance Charts. Aside from releasing on these scene-leading independent dance music labels, MOTi has been an increasingly prevalent force in the pop / major label world. After remixes for Stafford Brothers, Lil Wayne & Christina Milian, Emeli Sandé, Basement Jaxx and Example came the reworking that really catapulted him into the highestechelons of the industry: his and Tiësto’s remix of Major Lazer & DJ Snake featuring MØ’s Lean On—the original of which was at one point the most streamed song in Spotify’s history. Their stellar version received huge reactions and led on to a full collaboration for MOTi with Major Lazer in the form of Boom, a huge slice of pop featuring Ty Dolla $ign, Wizkid and Kranium that clocked up an incredible 97 million plays across SoundCloud, YouTube and Spotify alone in 8 months from release. “It was great to work with such a popular and talented act like Major Lazer” he says. “I really enjoyed the process and I’m really proud of the end result.” 2016 also saw him deliver his biggest solo hit to date in the form of Turn Me Up feat. Nabiha on Virgin/EMI’s legendary Positiva dance imprint. The fist-pumping piano banger topped Music Week’s Upfront Club Chart, reached the Beatport Top 10 and made a significant impact on the radio airwaves across the world, cementing MOTi’s status as one of the most promising crossover acts around. Another sign of bigger things to come. His 2014 main stage performance at Ultra Music Festival Miami catapulted him into the big leagues as a DJ, with standout sets for the likes of Tomorrowland (Belgium and Brazil), Creamfields (UK), Electric Daisy Carnival (Las Vegas, NV US), EZOO (New York, NY US), Don’t Let Daddy Know (China), Ultra Europe (Croatia), and Parookaville (Germany) amongst his highlights since then. MOTi’s career could take any direction he wants it to. It’s this keep-them-guessing approach that makes him one of the most vital artists in the EDM world and beyond.