Well, don't let the title throw you off - there isn't actually a Grammy category for the best DJ. Nevertheless, we find top DJs competing for a Grammy in 5 categories: Best Dance/Electronica Album; Best Dance Recording; Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical; Best Producer, Non-Classical; Best Short Form Music Video. Find your favorite DJs from the lists below!
It's no suprise that almost every DJ nominated is among top 50 DJs in The Official Global DJ Rankings. These are obviously fellows who are not only DJs, but producers as well. EDM phenomenon reached new hights in 2012 - just think about record-setting tours, record sales and stadium performances. All the names in the list below have had some part in this, so it's pretty obvious why they're nominated. Although, keep in mind that their fame, size of fanbase, Youtube views etc. - none of that matters at Grammy Awards, which is an accolate of National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States:
'Academy members are required to vote based upon quality alone, and not to be influenced by sales, chart performance, personal friendships, regional preferences or company loyalty. The acceptance of gifts is prohibited. Members are urged to vote in a manner that preserves the integrity of the academy.'
Also, if you're surprised by some nominations which are not from 2012 (Avicii's 'Levels' was released in the fall of 2011 for example), then bare in mind that the eligibility period for this year's ceremony was Oct. 1, 2011, to Sept. 30, 2012.'
Check out the list:
Best Dance/Electronica Album:
- Wonderland - Steve Aoki, [Ultra Music/ Dim Mak]
- Don't Think - The Chemical Brothers, [Astralwerks]
- > Album Title Goes Here < - Deadmau5, [Mau5trap Recordings/Ultra Music]
- Fire & Ice - Kaskade, [Ultra Music]
- Bangarang - Skrillex, [OWSLA/Big Beat/Atlantic]
Best Dance Recording:
- Levels - Avicii Tim Bergling & Ash Pournouri, producers; Tim Bergling, mixer [Levels/Atom Empire/Interscope
- Let's Go - Calvin Harris Featuring Ne-Yo, Calvin Harris, producer; Calvin Harris, mixer[Ultra Music]
- Bangarang - Skrillex Featuring Sirah, Skrillex, producer; Skrillex, mixer Track from: Bangarang [OWSLA/Big Beat/Atlantic]
- Don't You Worry Child - Swedish House Mafia Featuring John Martin, Steve Angello, Axwell & Sebastian Ingrosso, producers; Steve Angello, Axwell & Sebastian Ingrosso, mixers [Astralwerks]
- I Can't Live Without You - Al Walser, Al Walser, producer; Al Walser, mixer [Cut The Bull Entertainment]
Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical:
- In My Mind (Axwell Remix) - Axel Hedfors, remixer (Ivan Gough & Feenixpawl Featuring Georgi Kay) [Neon Records/Axtone/Big Beat Records]
- Lie Down In Darkness (Photek Remix) - Photek, remixer (Moby)Track from: Destroyed Remixed [Little Idiot]
- Midnight City (Eric Prydz Private Remix) - Eric Prydz, remixer (M83) [Mute]
- Promises (Skrillex & Nero Remix) - Skrillex, remixer (Nero) [Interscope]
- The Veldt (Tommy Trash Remix) - Thomas Olsen, remixer (Deadmau5 Featuring Chris James) [Ultra Music]
Best Short Form Music Video:
Well, this is more like a honorable mention as DJ/producer Calvin Harris dealt with the production-side of the track and probably had nothing to do with the video which has gotten about 225 million views by the way.
We Found Love - Rihanna Featuring Calvin Harris Melina Matsoukas, video director; Juliette Larthe & Ben Sullivan, video producers [Def Jam]
Producer of the Year, Non-Classical:
Diplo is the only DJ/producer nominated in this category. He's got the honors for an impressive list of tracks.
- Climax (Usher) (T)
- Get Free (Major Lazer Featuring Amber Coffman) (S)
- La La La (Snoop Lion) (S)
- Lies (Marina And The Diamonds) (T)
- Look At These Hoes (Santigold) (T)
- Push And Shove (No Doubt Featuring Busy Signal & Major Lazer) (T)
- Slight Work (Wale Featuring Big Sean) (T)
- Thought Of You (Justin Bieber) (T)
- Too Close (Alex Clare) (T)
Listen to one of the best tracks from Diplo's productions Major Lazer feat. Amber Coffman - Get Free!