Tiësto (born Tijs Michiel Verwest, January 17, 1969, in Breda, Netherlands) is one of the most influential DJs and electronic music producers in history. Often referred to as “The Godfather of EDM”, he has been a defining force in shaping the global dance scene over a career spanning more than three decades.
He began in the 1990s as a trance DJ, quickly becoming known for his epic, melodic sets and productions such as Adagio for Strings and Traffic. His global breakthrough came with the albums In My Memory (2001) and Just Be (2004), with the peak of his fame arriving in 2004 when he became the first DJ in history to perform at the Olympic Games opening ceremony (Athens).
Over time, Tiësto expanded his sound from trance to electro house, progressive house, and pop-EDM, collaborating with top artists such as Post Malone, Karol G, Ava Max, The Chainsmokers, and Tate McRae. Some of his biggest hits include Red Lights, The Business, Hot In It, and his Grammy-winning remix of John Legend’s All of Me (2015).
He has received numerous awards, including multiple DJ Awards, a Grammy, and three consecutive titles (2002–2004) as the world’s No. 1 DJ in DJ Mag’s Top 100 ranking.
In 2023, he released the album Drive, blending modern house with strong radio hit potential, and continued his Las Vegas residencies alongside headlining sets at major festivals such as Tomorrowland, Ultra, and EDC
