Robin Schulz

In a matter of two short years, producer/DJ Robin Schulz rose to prominence as one of the definitive artists of the post-EDM boom of the 2010s. Born in Osnabrück, Germany, in 1987, Schulz cut his teeth on the local DJ circuit as a teenager, quickly landing his own club night as a 20-year-old tastemaker. Inspired by his breakout success behind the decks, he soon pivoted to production, releasing a handful of buzzing originals and remixes. But once he dropped his 2014 internationally chart-topping remix of "Waves" by Dutch singer/rapper Mr. Probz, he became next in line to claim the DJ throne. The song itself, a downtempo pop ballad turned into a chilled-out, sun-soaked house jam, helped birth and popularise tropical house, an EDM microgenre that ruled festival stages and charts around the world. Indeed, Schulz's feel-good take on dance music—bright, bouncy pop melodies and catchy vocals atop a deep house framework—defined the then-nascent sound. But where other producers were boxed in by the sonic trend, Schulz transcended it, expanding into pop territory. His remix-heavy 2014 debut album, Prayer, saw him reworking dance-friendly pop acts like Lykke Li and Coldplay, while 2015's Sugar featured collaborations with Akon and Moby. His third full-length, 2017's Uncovered, put Schulz’s production prowess on full display: mixing lush melodies and powerful vocals into his singular blend of pop-meets-dance, the album fulfilled his crossover potential. Just look to "Shed a Light", alongside fellow dance-pop stars David Guetta and Cheat Codes, and "OK", featuring crooner James Blunt, and you'll know why Schulz remains two steps ahead on the global dance floor.