Martin Garrix and the DJ Awards: A Long Journey Toward Recognition

The name Martin Garrix has been synonymous with modern electronic dance music for more than a decade. A household name on festival stages and charts alike, Garrix has headlined every major event from Tomorrowland to Ultra Miami. He’s consistently been voted among the top DJs in the world by fans and publications. Yet, despite all this, one curious gap remains in his career—he has never won a DJ Award.

The DJ Awards, one of the most respected honors in the electronic music industry, have celebrated excellence in DJ culture since 1998. Artists like Armin van Buuren, David Guetta, and Carl Cox have all taken home trophies over the years, each a nod to their enduring influence and artistry. Meanwhile, Garrix’s history with the event is far more complex—marked by repeated nominations, consistent presence, but no official victory.

For many, this absence of formal recognition feels increasingly out of place. After all, Martin Garrix is not just a chart-topping DJ. He is a cultural phenomenon, credited with bridging the gap between pop, big room house, and festival EDM in a way few others have. As 2025 unfolds, the big question becomes: Is this the year Garrix finally breaks the pattern and claims the recognition that has long eluded him?

An Artist Beloved by Fans and Followed by Millions

It’s impossible to talk about Martin Garrix without acknowledging the scale of his success. Since exploding onto the scene with “Animals” in 2013, he has evolved into a festival headliner, a label boss, and a musical collaborator with global superstars. His live shows draw hundreds of thousands, his music garners billions of streams, and his brand is recognized across generations of listeners.

He’s also no stranger to rankings. Garrix has topped the DJ Mag Top 100 DJs list five times—a feat previously only accomplished by Armin van Buuren. These wins reflect the support of a massive global fanbase, from Europe to South America to Asia. For most artists, that kind of reach would be enough to guarantee award success.

Yet the DJ Awards operate differently. They are not driven purely by public votes or mainstream attention. Instead, they rely on a mix of jury decisions, cultural contributions, and genre influence. And in this space, Garrix has often found himself on the outside looking in.

Why Hasn’t He Won Yet?

There are a few key reasons that may explain Garrix’s elusive relationship with the DJ Awards. The first is his musical versatility. Unlike artists who specialize in a specific genre—like Armin van Buuren with trance or Carl Cox with techno—Garrix is a musical chameleon. He moves fluidly between progressive house, pop, big room, and melodic EDM.

This makes him incredibly accessible to mainstream audiences, but can also make it difficult to place him firmly within the more specialized categories of the DJ Awards. When voters consider genre-defining artists, they may be drawn toward those who have cultivated and stayed within a clear sonic identity.

Another factor is legacy versus immediacy. Many previous DJ Award winners have built long-term careers spanning multiple decades. Their influence is measured not just by popularity but by how they’ve shaped electronic music culture over time. Though Garrix has been active for more than ten years, he rose to fame quickly and has maintained more of a pop-EDM superstar image than that of a genre pioneer.

This distinction can impact how industry insiders view his work. In a sense, Garrix represents the future-facing, media-savvy face of electronic music, while the DJ Awards have traditionally leaned into legacy and underground credibility.

Why 2025 Feels Different

Despite these historical challenges, there’s growing momentum behind the idea that 2025 may finally be Garrix’s year. Several factors contribute to this shift.

First, the DJ Awards themselves have evolved. In recent years, they’ve introduced broader categories and placed more emphasis on international diversity and crossover influence. The structure now allows for artists who blend genres and cross cultural boundaries to be recognized in ways that weren’t always possible in the past.

Second, Garrix has never stopped expanding his reach. His recent shows—including a landmark three-night run at a historic park in Los Angeles—have drawn record-breaking crowds. He’s also doubled down on meaningful collaborations with artists both inside and outside of electronic music, further showcasing his versatility and global relevance.

Finally, Garrix has been increasingly vocal about his place in the industry. He’s taken on mentorship roles, launched his own label to promote rising talent, and continued to push boundaries in live production and audiovisual design. These are all qualities that align with the values the DJ Awards say they aim to honor.

Comparing Garrix to Past Winners

Looking at past DJ Awards winners can offer insight into the criteria that may work in Garrix’s favor—or against him. Armin van Buuren is a master of longevity, with a decades-long career centered on trance. David Guetta is known for fusing EDM with pop on a global scale, and has collaborated with nearly every major mainstream artist imaginable. Carl Cox, meanwhile, is revered for his influence in techno and his support of underground scenes.

Each of these artists has a clear narrative: a genre, a legacy, and a defined cultural role. Garrix’s story is still being written, and it’s one of constant evolution. He’s not tied to a specific sound or scene; instead, he reflects the dynamism of a younger generation that consumes music across platforms, styles, and moods.

This could be his greatest strength. In 2025, the DJ Awards might be more ready than ever to embrace an artist who doesn’t fit neatly into one box, but who represents the global, fast-moving future of electronic music.

A Win Would Be More Than Just a Trophy

If Martin Garrix were to win a DJ Award in 2025, it would not only be a long-overdue personal triumph—it would signal a broader cultural shift. It would show that the electronic music world is ready to honor artists who operate outside of traditional genre boundaries, who innovate at scale, and who bring EDM to new audiences without losing their roots.

It would also highlight the power of sustained excellence. Garrix didn’t disappear after his breakout moment; he matured, adapted, and stayed relevant through waves of trends and industry changes. That kind of staying power deserves recognition.

Conclusion

Martin Garrix’s path to the DJ Awards podium has been anything but straightforward. He has built a monumental career based on passion, innovation, and connection with fans around the world. While his style and trajectory may differ from those of past winners, that difference may finally be his advantage.

As the 2025 DJ Awards approach, the stage is set for a potential breakthrough. The world is watching—not just to see if Garrix will win, but to see how the industry itself chooses to evolve. Will it continue to reward legacy and genre loyalty, or will it make space for the bold, boundary-breaking future that Garrix represents?

One thing is certain: few artists are more deserving of recognition, and few moments would feel as symbolic as Martin Garrix finally standing atop that stage.