Tiësto

About Tiësto

"Silence" was still climbing charts when Tiësto walked into the studio to reshape electronic music forever.

Tijs Michiel Verwest was born on January 17, 1969, in the Netherlands. Known professionally as Tiësto, he would become one of the most influential figures in dance music history. Mix magazine voted him "The Greatest DJ of All Time" in a 2010/2011 poll amongst fans worldwide.

In 1997, Tiësto founded Black Hole Recordings with Arny Bink. The label became home to his iconic Magik and In Search of Sunrise CD series. These releases established him as a visionary in progressive house and trance music.

From 1998 to 2000, he collaborated with Ferry Corsten under the name Gouryella. This partnership created some of electronic music's most memorable productions. The two pushed the boundaries of what dance music could be.

His 2000 remix of Delerium's "Silence" featuring Sarah McLachlan changed everything. The track exposed Tiësto to mainstream audiences far beyond nightclub crowds. Radio stations across the world embraced the ethereal production. In 2001, he released In My Memory, his first solo album, which launched several major hits and solidified his reputation globally.

DJ Magazine voted him World No. 1 DJ for three consecutive years from 2002 to 2004. Few artists have achieved such sustained recognition in the dance music world. By 2013, DJ Mag readers voted him "best DJ of the last 20 years."

History was made in 2004 when Tiësto performed live at the Athens Summer Olympics opening ceremony. He became the first DJ to play live on stage at an Olympic Games. The performance reached billions of viewers worldwide and proved electronic music belonged on the biggest stages.

In April 2007, Tiësto launched his radio show Tiësto's Club Life on Radio 538 in the Netherlands. That same year, he released Elements of Life, his third studio album. The album reached number one on the Belgian album chart. Many sources regard him as the "Godfather of EDM," a title earned through decades of innovation and influence.