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.
At the age of 18, it is pretty bizarre to think that Dutch DJ/Producer Martin Garrix achieved one of the most international dance hits of 2013 with 'Animals'. At 17 years of age, it was impressive to think an artist so young had achieved the production values of someone far beyond his years.
He soon became hot property and huge names in the industry were either praising his work and asking to collaborate. He created more music with the likes of Afrojack and Jay Hardway, most of which now features in his live show. Despite not being able to legally go clubbing in most of the European countries he performs in, Garrix knows how to bring the party vibe with him.
He has a strong production team behind him, with complex lighting displays and pyrotechnics emphasising drops and changes in his dance tracks. The crowd goes wild throughout yet when the introduction to 'The Wizard' and 'Animals' begin they erupt in cheers and the DJ smiles wildly. He is clearly aware he has achieved a lot for his age and he seems incredibly happy with his situation as he jumps around stage along with his adoring fans.
Benny Benassi is now a household name thanks to the dominating force of his house music. Playing on some of the world's most iconic dance stages such as Tomorrowland and the Electric Daisy Carnival, the DJ and producer knows how to conduct a show that is assured to involve every audience.
From the moment the hazy lights illuminate the audience and the man himself stands proudly at the deck, the cheers are deafening. Spinning complex remixes along with his own adored synth heavy electro, he keeps the crowd moving in time throughout the entire show. There are deafening cheers for the likes of 'Cinema' which evoke momentous sing alongs during the memorable chorus and Benassi is more than obliged to extend this classic piece of dance to keep them jumping along.
Other favourites including 'Satisfaction' keep the crowds begging Benny to carry on his party for as long as possible and although he remixes a lot of his work to keep the tracks playing out, when the lights eventually fade for the finale there is disappointed cheers as the audience are clearly not ready to go home.