DJ Awards Makes a Triumphant Return to Ibiza After Four-Year Break
After a lengthy four-year break, the DJ Awards triumphantly returned to Ibiza on Wednesday, October 2, delivering a spectacular evening dedicated to recognizing both global dance music legends and rising stars. Hosted at Club Chinois, the prestigious event shone a spotlight on exceptional talent within the international dance music community, emphasizing a blend of emerging artists and seasoned icons. The message was unequivocal: the DJ Awards are back and better than ever.
The atmosphere was electric as winners were unveiled, with FISHER earning the coveted International DJ of the Year award. His emotionally charged speech, where he expressed gratitude to his fans and team, highlighted the personal significance of this accolade. He shared a touching anecdote about how Luciano motivated him to pursue DJing after attending a memorable Sven Väth party years ago. This achievement capped off a stellar year for FISHER, reinforcing his position as a powerhouse in the dance music world.
The legendary Sven Väth received the Techno DJ of the Year award, recognizing his lasting influence in the techno genre. Other distinguished winners included Sam Divine, Black Coffee, Vintage Culture, Armin van Buuren, Chase & Status, WhoMadeWho, and CamelPhat, who were celebrated as DJ of the Year across various genres such as House, Afro House, Tech House, Trance, Drum and Bass, Organic House, and Progressive, all acknowledged for their remarkable work and contributions in the past year.
Miss Monique was celebrated with the Breakthrough DJ award, spotlighting her impressive rise in the scene. Meanwhile, the talented Róisín Murphy took home the Live Act of the Year accolade, honoring her stunning performances and exceptional artistry.
One of the night’s most touching moments was when Michael Bibi received the Play It Back Award for his commendable One Life cancer awareness campaign. His heartfelt address highlighted the personal importance of this accomplishment.
Rampa accepted the What’s Hot Global Award on behalf of Keinemusik and provided one of the evening’s most lively speeches. He quoted an old Kanye West line that left the audience amused, saying, “A lot of people have been asking me what if I don’t win this award; I guess we’ll never know.” Additionally, Rampa took home the Ibiza Track of the Summer award on behalf of Adam Port for the hit “Move.”
The influence of Luciano on both the global and Ibiza dance scenes was acknowledged with the Ibiza Icon Award. Furthermore, Javier Anadon, owner of Café Mambo, received a Lifetime Achievement Award for his invaluable contributions to the island’s nightlife and party atmosphere. David Guetta’s F Me I’m Famous event at Ushuaïa Ibiza was recognized as Best Ibiza Party, while Future Rave at Hï Ibiza also garnered accolades. Defected Croatia earned the title of Best Global Festival, and the Eye on… USA award was awarded to Gospel Club in NYC.
As the event concluded, the return of the DJ Awards symbolized a significant advancement for the music industry, bringing together the brightest stars in dance music to honor the moments that define our vibrant culture. This event served as a reminder of the scene’s evolution, celebrating its progress while looking forward to an exciting future.
