Dance Music Gives Back: The Top DJ Champions of PLUR
Charitable work in the dance music community has experienced a relatively brief but successful history. Tiësto was named the official worldwide ambassador for Dance4Life in 2006, and longstanding superstar Moby has actively donated to dozens of charities since 2007. Bassnectar launched his highly rewarding Dollar Per Basshead campaign in 2011, while the year 2012 featured a burst of philanthropic partnerships and fundraising tours spearheaded by big-room giants such as Avicii, 3LAU, and Calvin Harris.
Originally making waves in 2013, the Electric Family clothing brand is poised for its most successful year ever, sticking closely to its original goal of bridging the gap between artists and philanthropy while allowing fans to create a community around the art. Having since partnered with nearly three dozen dance music artists to promote their apparel, Electric Family has inspired social responsibility in a number of other brands and grasped the global attention of the community.
The point remains clear: what better people to spread the PLUR than the producers of the music behind the culture itself? In today’s world, as dance music continues to expand across the globe, producers and DJs are seizing the opportunity more than ever to do their share of good in the world. Just this month, DJ EZ plans to perform a 24-hour nonstop set for cancer research in the UK, and in March, Disco Donnie Presents and Life in Color will bring the Fore on the Floor Charity Golf Classic to WMC.
From touring for charity to helping aspiring producers in need, here is a list of some familiar names that stood out for their philanthropic contributions in 2015.Who: Steve Aoki
The causes of interest: Neurological research and brain health
Why he’s on our list: It turns out there’s more to Steve Aoki than throwing down cakes and dirty beats: The superstar DJ has actually helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for various charitable causes. Through the Steve Aoki Charitable Fund, he has kick-started multiple campaigns throughout his career, focusing on brain disease and neurological medicine, and he’s continued to spearhead new initiatives every year since the fund’s founding. Last April specifically, Aoki threw a massive poker bash at Dan Bilzerian’s house, the proceeds of which were all donated to various research centers.
“I’m so proud of the work we did in 2015 for the Steve Aoki Charitable Fund that raised money to support organizations that focus on making advancements in brain health and research, as well as causes such as disaster relief, animal rights and supporting children with developmental disabilities,” Aoki told us. “From special fundraising events to online charitable auctions, we were able to raise more than $150,000, which we in turn donated back to organizations like Music for Relief, the Buck Institute on Aging, and the KLUC Toy Drive. We also established partnerships with the SENS Research Foundation and the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health and look forward to continuing to support PETA and Best Buddies. We have even greater plans for 2016 and will continue to focus on building awareness of important brain health issues, as well as other social issues, and partnering with great organizations to raise money and make a difference.”
Follow Steve Aoki on Facebook | Twitter | SoundcloudWho: Axwell Λ Ingrosso
The causes of interest: Global refugee crisis
Why they’re on our list: DJ duo Axwell Λ Ingrosso released their single “This Time” last October, just in time for the yearly Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE). The release was timed with the announcement of a new project they called the #THISTIME initiative, a pledge that promised to donate 100 percent of the single’s earned proceeds to the growing refugee crisis in Europe and Africa. The duo performed a sold-out show at the Heineken Music Hall, while the streets of Amsterdam were filled with crowds singing along to the track in a demonstration of unison and coming together.
“Around the time we came to release ‘This Time,’ the refugee crisis was unavoidable,” Axwell explained. “I think so many people saw that there was a huge global problem, and there was definitely a hunger across the globe for people to get involved and do their part. The UNHCR does amazing work. Both Sebastian [Ingrosso] and I are fathers, so the thought of kids unable to return to their homes struck a chord with us.”
Axwell Λ Ingrosso were especially impressed with the fans’ dedication and undying support for the campaign. “It was super cool to see our fans get so supportive for such a great cause, Axwell stated. “People were really getting into it on social media, and I think it showed that people really do care about making a difference. It was fun to be creative with it but also make a point of being part of a change that needed to happen.”
Follow Axwell Λ Ingrosso on Facebook | SoundcloudWho: Refune
The causes of interest: Global refugee crisis
Why he’s on our list: It turns out Sebastian Ingrosso’s label, Refune, had plans to support the refugee crisis as well. In September, Refune—who’s also seen releases by Alesso, Dirty South, Laidback Luke, and Otto Knows, to name a few—announced a partnership with the Swedish Red Cross to provide aid for refugees fleeing the civil unrest in Syria and Africa. They struck a deal to donate all proceeds for one month of Spotify streams to the organization in order to provide food, shelter, and supplies to the tens of thousands of refugees stranded in various camps.
“My team and I at our label, Refune, are horrified by the fact that so many people are forced to leave their homes and families due to the conflict in Syria,” Ingrosso told us. “We wanted to spread awareness and contribute in the best way we could, and hoped at the same time to involve our fans by giving them the possibility to do a lot of good by simply listening to the music. We support all the work the Red Cross is doing, both locally and globally, and this is certainly not the last time we will team up together.” Read Refune’s official statement below:
Follow Refune on Facebook | Twitter | Soundcloud
Follow Sebastian Ingrosso on Facebook | Twitter | SoundcloudWho: Pegboard Nerds
The causes of interest: Breast cancer
Why they’re on our list: In 2015, Pegboard Nerds decided to stand behind an issue that hits home for many: cancer. Through a campaign that ran from November of last year to January 2016—with donations supporting Canadian nonprofit Fuck Cancer—donors were gifted prizes that included signed posters, a Google Hangout sesh with the DJ duo, and VModa headphones.
“The whole concept grew over time, with the initial spark coming from Max Collins (from Eve6) when he came up with the lyrics and title for [our latest single], ‘Pink Cloud,’” the Nerds stated. “We have a passion and empathy in general for people in pain and suffering, but you can only focus so much. With October coming up, and the EP concept coming together the way it did, it seemed like a perfect way to give something back. It made a lot of sense to us to do it that way. Besides, women carry the world’s future unborn generations, so they are important, you know!”
Any plans to continue the project, we ask? “Who knows—maybe! The project turned out great . . . We raised over $35,0000 for breast cancer!”
Follow Pegboard Nerds on Facebook | TwitterWho: Loco Dice
The causes of interest: Charity tour, and construction of a production and multimedia center in South Africa
Why he’s on our list: Last January, Bridges for Music announced a new partnership with German superstar DJ Loco Dice in conjunction with Cape Town’s Red Bull Studios, which resulted in a fundraising tour through South Africa the following month. Loco Dice has a large following in the South African house community, due largely to the popularity of some of his tracks in the local scene, but he had never imagined performing a tour there. “South Africa was one of the last countries I’ve ever imagined to play,” he explained to us in a statement. “Although I have North African roots and deep connection to the continent, it felt so far away. I’ve heard lots of stories about the people, colors, history, but I didn’t want to allow expectations. I wanted to dive in with open heart and mind.”
Consequently, he agreed to play a series of shows throughout the country, beginning with the Cape Town Electronic Music Festival (CTEMF) and making multiple stops over the next few weeks. Loco Dice also hosted two workshops for young producers, one in Cape Town and one in Soweto. The tour’s proceeds were donated to the construction of a new music and multimedia center in Cape Town. The tour was a resounding success, not only for the local community but also for Loco Dice personally. “For the first time, I felt that Loco Dice can move something beyond music and art,” he said. “This friendship and the project are ongoing and will grow, and I’d like to encourage everyone to get involved, go there, and participate. We can change the world from the dance floor.”
Follow Loco Dice on Facebook | Twitter | SoundcloudWho: Pete Tong
The causes of interest: Childhood cancer awareness
Why he’s on our list: In October, the superstar BBC Radio 1 host announced a cycling trip from Los Angeles to San Francisco. The reason? To raise awareness around childhood cancer and to raise donations for the Pablove Foundation. “We’ll no doubt encounter rain, wind, traffic and hills along the way, but nothing we face will compare to the hardship pediatric cancer kids and their families endure every day,” he stated. He even trained all year beforehand, using the hills of Ibiza, Washington, Italy, London, and L.A. as practice routes for the big ride. It’s not often a DJ promotes both charitable work and fitness; you go, Glen CoCo.
Follow Pete Tong on Facebook | Twitter | SoundcloudWho: Michael Brun
The causes of interest: Education, healthcare, and the arts
Why he’s on our list: Earlier this month, Brun released an exclusive track titled “Wherever I Go.” This wasn’t just any track, however; he recorded the song at the Audio Institute in his native Haiti, featuring local artists J.Perry and BelO on the vocal sampling. All proceeds earned by the track will be donated to Artists for Peace and Justice, a nonprofit organization that works to provide education, healthcare and the arts to impoverished Haitian communities.
“‘Wherever I Go’ is the most important project I’ve ever worked on in my career,” Brun explained in a statement, “because it’s been a way for me to both share my heritage with the world and show the positivity that comes with investing in community.”
Follow Michael Brun on Facebook | Twitter | SoundcloudWho: Skrillex
The causes of interest: Education, especially music education, for young people in North America and Africa
Why he’s on our list: Last July, Skrillex announced he’d be partnering with Bridges for Music to donate thousands of dollars’ worth of Pioneer music equipment to Canadian youth centers. Skrillex’s new tour through Canada, titled the Full Flex Express tour, donated two CDJ-2000s, a DJM-900 mixer, and a short demo to a local youth center in every city it stopped in. That’s not all: Skrillex invited children to attend his sound checks on every tour stop in order to educate young people on show production, and he agreed to donate a percentage of the tour’s proceeds to a music school currently being built in South Africa.
Follow Skrillex on Facebook | Twitter | SoundcloudWho: Steve Angello
The causes of interest: Mentoring and music production education for young people
Why he’s on our list: Last June, Steve Angello announced he’d be curating a new remix contest around his latest single, “Children of the Wild,” solely for young producers under the age of 15. He also agreed to donate the song’s Spotify proceeds to the Save the Children fund, to host a one-on-one Skype mentoring session with the competition winner, and to feature the remix on his SoundCloud page. You may have also heard about his $5,000 donation to a young girl in need of a liver transplant later in August. The transaction was inspired entirely through a fan’s request for help on Angello’s Instagram page, and the simple yet touching act of kindness quickly made waves through the media and EDM community.
Follow Steve Angello on Facebook | TwitterWho: Tommy Trash
The causes of interest: Music education for children
Why he’s on our list: In June, Australian DJ and producer Tommy Trash announced he would be teaming up with BeachGlow Festival to directly support the Little Kids Rock program. BeachGlow Concerts for Charity, Inc. has produced charitable events since 2011, and their latest partnership with Tommy Trash allowed them to raise over $30,000 together at the New Jersey summer festival, which featured a strong undercard roster of Vicetone, Project 46, Autograf, and more. Where did the money go? Through Little Kids Rock, it was used to enroll a number of young children in various music classes and general education courses to help them pursue their musical dreams.
Follow Tommy Trash on Facebook | Twitter | SoundcloudWho: Martin Garrix
The causes of interest: Fighting poverty
Why he’s on our list: Last May, Garrix jumped on board with Red Nose Day, a yearly campaign to combat world poverty. The result was a popular video featuring the young star (as well as others including Kat Deluna, North of Nine, and Hasley) telling jokes, each with a large red ball stuck to their nose. The 2015 project reached a massive global audience, teamed up with hundreds of celebrities, and turned out to be a staggering success: Red Nose Day, in partnership with NBC, Walgreens, and Mars, raised more than $23 million to help fight world poverty, especially children affected by it.
Follow Martin Garrix on Facebook | Twitter | Soundcloud
