At the tender age of eight years old, Garritsen expressed an interest in becoming a DJ, sparked after witnessing a performance by DJ Tiesto and DJ Jayvee at the Athens Olympic Games in 2004. Garritsen has achieved his dream, honing his talent at Utrecht's production school, Herman Brood Academy.
In 2012 he won the coveted SLAM! FM DJ Talent of the Year Award, proving his talent at the age of 16. During this year, his remix of Christina Aguilera's "Your Body" was featured on the deluxe version of her album "Lotus," gaining the respect of the well-established singer.
With his 2013 track "Animals" Garrix had created a huge hit, reaching the top 10 in more than 10 countries as well as reaching number one in Belgium and the United Kingdom. Following this single, He also went on to become the youngest person to get to the number one spot on Beatport. His success also landed him in DJ mag's top 100 DJs of 2013, coming in at number 40. His December 2013 release, "Wizard", reached number six in Belgium and number 17 in the Netherlands.
At Ultra Music Festival in 2014, he provided a solid set that bolstered his popularity, featuring unheard collaborations with Dillon Francis, Hardwell and Afrojack.
His breakout hit "Satisfaction," released in the summer of 2003, brought Benassi to international acclaim, reaching number two in the UK singles chart, with the track's success bolstered by the Ministry of Sound's rather raunchy music video of models using power tools. Prior to the release of "Satisfaction," Benassi had already achieved a number one in the UK club charts with his 2001 song "I Feel So Fine," released under the moniker KMC. His debut album, "Hypnotica" was widely received, winning the European Border Breakers award at the end of 2004, selling the most albums outside of his home country of Italy.
As well as his solo releases, Benassi has collaborated with a number of artists also throughout his career. Together with vocalists Paul French and Violeta, who are known collectively as The Biz, and alongside his cousin Alle, they have produced records under the name of Benassi Bros. The project put the spotlight on the two vocalists, as well as other guest singers, releasing the album "Pumphonia" and "…Phobia" to moderate success.
Benny Benassi's main forte is creating quality remixes of his contemporaries, with artists as diverse as OutKast, Goldfrapp and Felix da Housecat all getting the Benassi treatment. Benassi's remix of Public Enemy's classic track "Bring The Noise" was such a success it even won him a Grammy Award for the Best Remix (dance) in 2008. As well as his Grammy Award, Benassi has received many accolades and is consistently voted in the top 100 of DJ mag's list of Top 100 DJs, voted number 27 in 2011.
As well as producing his own music, Benassi also founded the record label, Pump-Kin Music, which focuses on releasing the work lesser known DJs and producers in order to aid their exposure worldwide.
Benassi has lent his production talent to established artists including Madonna, producing three tracks for her "MDNA" album. "Beautiful People" on Chris Brown's 2011 album "Fame" was also produced by Benassi. His 2010 song "Spaceship," featuring Kelis was another successful collaboration, reaching number 18 in the UK Dance singles chart.
Well my first impression of Martin Garrix's song Animals was what a party tune! I started to look into other songs of his and instantly fell in love.
I have all of his known songs and there isn't a day I don't listen to them and they get me pumped to get up and go! I appreciate the fact that he has worked with so many other djs, such as Hardwell, Tiesto, Jay Hardway and Julian Jordan and they have great collaborations.
Also, the fact that he is so young and has gone so far in such a short time is amazing. He is a very good looking guy and that is one the main reasons I began to like him, until i started to listen to more remixes and more collaborations, and fell in love with him even more. The fact that he has been wanting to be a dj since a young age and he has done before he was 18, was one other reason why he caught my eye. My sister recently seen him at EDC London and sent me a video, and the set he was playing sounded fantastic! I would really have loved to been there and experience it for myself, but unfortunately it was not meant to be. I really hope he comes to Ireland so I can experience one of his amazing sets for myself. The fact that he is doing so much at such a young age, really is quite amazing and how far is has come since his first song within the past year makes him all the more fantastic!
One of the undisputed kings of house music, Benny Benassi live is an incredible rave experience you won’t ever forget (or, may not remember at all, depending how good your night is). Either way, whether you're an old-school raver or new to the electronic music wave, you're in for a treat with Benny Benassi. The Italian DJ, having dominated the charts in 2001 with his hit 'I Feel So Fine', and a year later on a global scale with the huuuge track 'Satisfaction', sealed his place as a maestro of floor-fillers. As long-time fans will know, Benassi's live shows are still always packed out, dance-all-night adventures, and an exhilaratingly energetic live experience. His original, fresh blend of heart palpitation-inducing bass and heavy thunderous drums, punctuated by loud electro twang and his shouts out to the crowd, culminate in an epically huge-sounding, ravingly good show.
When I saw Benny Benassi at the Electric Brixton, London, after the crowd warming up (i.e. everyone becoming a huge sweaty dancing mess) to the opening acts, Benassi's hour-long set was the icing on the cake for a venue filled with energetic, glow-stick waving party veterans. The light show and unrelenting dry-ice blasts added to the crazy, electrifying atmosphere, and guaranteed that no one left the venue before the wee hours. If you;re after an excellent party, don't miss Benny Benassi!