The Most Powerful Man In The Trance Music Industry

Heading up Armada Music, a prominent dance label founded in 2003, Armin van Buuren, 37, is the go-to figure in the world of Trance music. While Trance might not get its due recognition in the U.S., it holds sway across Northern Europe, Southeast Asia, India, and Israel. Van Buuren’s own rise to international prominence in the Trance scene mirrors the genre’s expansion. He once pulled off the impressive feat of playing five shows across two continents in just three days.

With a career spanning over a decade and five albums under his belt, this Dutch maestro is a fixture at the pinnacle of DJ Mag’s influential Top 100 DJs poll. He held the coveted No. 1 spot for five consecutive years and has consistently secured a top 3 ranking over the past decade. In 2014, van Buuren’s prowess earned him a Grammy nomination for best dance recording, making him only the fourth Trance artist to ever achieve this feat in the category’s history.

As EDM continues to cross over into broader audiences, it’s hard to fathom van Buuren’s ascent getting any bigger. Here’s where Armada comes into play, home to talents like Dash Berlin and W&W. The label earned the title of best global dance label at the International Dance Music Awards in Miami from 2009 to 2013, going head-to-head with another major Dutch dance label, Spinnin’ Records, catering to a different segment of dance enthusiasts.