DJ Snake

DJ Snake
DJ Snake in 2020
DJ Snake in 2020
Background information
Birth nameWilliam Sami Étienne Grigahcine
Born (1986-06-13) 13 June 1986 (age 38)
Paris, France
Genres
Occupations
  • Disc jockey
  • record producer
  • songwriter
Years active2000–present
Labels
Websitedjsnake.com

William Sami Étienne Grigahcine (born 13 June 1986), known by his stage name DJ Snake, is a French-Algerian DJ and record producer. He was first credited with production work on several singles for other artists—including "Shut It Down" by Pitbull and "Applause" by Lady Gaga—before gaining widespread recognition for his 2013 debut single, "Turn Down for What" (with Lil Jon).[2][3][4]

Released by Mad Decent, an imprint of Columbia Records, the song peaked at number 19 on the French SNEP, number four on the Billboard Hot 100, and received octuple platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[5][6][7] Furthermore, it was nominated for Best Music Video at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards, and won Top Dance/Electronic Song at the 2015 2015 Billboard Music Awards.

DJ Snake's 2015 collaborative single with label boss Diplo, "Lean On" (with Major Lazer featuring MØ), was met with similar success. His debut studio album, Encore (2016), was supported by the Billboard Hot 100-top five single "Let Me Love You" (featuring Justin Bieber), and peaked at number eight on the Billboard 200. His second, Carte Blanche (2019), peaked at number 48 and was supported by the top 20 single "Taki Taki" (featuring Selena Gomez, Ozuna and Cardi B).[8][9][10]

In 2014, DJ Snake was named an "Artist to Watch" by FoxWeekly.[11] He and Dillon Francis were announced as alternating supporting artists for the summer Mothership Tour 2014 with Skrillex.[12] In March 2018, Billboard named DJ Snake number nine on their 2018 ranking of dance musicians, Billboard Dance 100.[13][14]

  1. ^ "Polydor Records Artists". Retrieved 16 September 2023.
  2. ^ "DJ Snake – 'I want to make the world dance!'". In The Red. Archived from the original on 9 October 2013. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
  3. ^ "DJ Snake – The Year of the Snake". Life and Times. 18 November 2013. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
  4. ^ "On the right track, baby". Time Out. Archived from the original on 3 January 2014. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
  5. ^ "Dj Snake". TomorrowWorld.com. Archived from the original on 2 January 2014. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
  6. ^ "DJ SNAKE ANNOUNCES AUSTRALIAN TOUR DATES". Stoney Roads. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
  7. ^ "Imperial ft DJ Snake & Motez". Eventfinder.co.nz. Archived from the original on 14 October 2014. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
  8. ^ "Dillon Francis & DJ Snake Preview New Track At TomorrowWorld". YourEDM.com. 10 October 2013. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
  9. ^ "Watch DJ Snake Drop a New Collaboration with Diplo in Chicago". Do Androids Dance?. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
  10. ^ Beauchemin, Molly (2 March 2015). "Diplo's Major Lazer Share New Track "Lean On," Featuring MØ and DJ Snake". Pitchfork.com. Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 25 June 2015.
  11. ^ "#8. DJ Snake [artist to watch.]". Fox Weekly. Archived from the original on 2 May 2014. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
  12. ^ Kevin Rutherford (10 March 2014). "Skrillex Announces Mothership Tour 2014, New Album (Updated)". Billboard. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
  13. ^ "Billboard Dance 100 Artists of 2018: The Complete List". Billboard. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
  14. ^ "The Chainsmokers named top DJs in the world by Billboard". WJBD Radio. Archived from the original on 22 March 2018. Retrieved 23 March 2018.