When I was younger, I didn't really listen to music. People would ask me which artists or genres I liked, but I honestly just couldn't give them an answer. I listened to my dad playing Jack Johnson on his guitar, whatever Pop or RnB they played on the radio and at public school dances, and the monotonous country music that my older brother and hometown was obsessed with (shots fired). Basically I just listened to whatever my brother put on.

But when he left for college, I couldn't steal music from his iTunes anymore or listen to whatever he put on on the car ride to school. I was forced to find my own music and to discover what I liked (honestly very difficult for me). However, I was fortunate enough to stumble upon EDM, and ever since then I've been low key obsessed (okay high key).

Electronic Dance Music (EDM) isn't as monotonous as the name sounds. In reality, "EDM" is an umbrella term for a variety of genres. There's techno, house, deep house, tropical house, trance, drum and bass, dubstep, electronic, trap and so much more. Since discovering EDM, I've gone to many festivals and raves and have met some of the most amazing people. I've fallen not only in love with the music but with the culture that comes with it. EDM or rave culture is all about spreading positivity and loving each other, something I think humanity desperately needs. To share my love of EDM and to spread this positivity I have discovered, here is a list of my favorite EDM artists and a few of my favorite songs of theirs (in no particular order):

1. NGHTMRE - Trap/Electro

NGHTMRE IS MY DADDY. GOD HE IS SO GOOD. He's also amazing live!! (Snow Globe 2k15) He just released an EP, which is more trap-sounding if you're into it.

a. Tep No - It's Alright (NGHTMRE Remix) - the song that made me fall in love with him TBH

https://soundcloud.com/nghtmre/its-alright-remix

b. Just A Gent - Limelight ft. ROZES (NGHTMRE Remix) - the song everyone knows but it's still pretty good

https://soundcloud.com/nghtmre/just-a-gent-limelig...

c. Slumberjack - The Others ft KLP (NGHTMRE Remix) - old but good

https://soundcloud.com/nghtmre/the-others-remix

2. Slander - Bass/Heaven Trap

Slander is a duo of two fraternity brothers. Slander and NGHTMRE collab often and when they come together wow it's amazing. They normally play shows together when they tour (can't wait to them in LA this year). A true power couple in my opinion.

a. Pompeii - Bastille, Audien, Party Thieves (Slander Heaven Trap Edit) - Slander created a whole sub-genre called Heaven Trap and it's the most wonderful thing in existence. JUST WAIT UNTIL THE SECOND DROP!!!

https://soundcloud.com/slanderofficial/pompeii-hea...

b. Slander - Love Again (ft. WAVZ) - another heaven trap song, hits you right in the feels

https://soundcloud.com/slanderofficial/love-again

c. GTA - Red Lips (Slander & NGHTMRE Remix) - this song WAS trash, Slander and NGHTMRE made it treasure. It's like Jesus turning water to wine TBH.

https://soundcloud.com/slanderofficial/sets/red-li...

3. Kaskade - House/Electro/Deep House

While I called NGHTMRE my daddy, Kaskade is my father. He's 45 years old and is still producing fantastic music. His old stuff is revolutionary, his new stuff is even more amazing. His set at Snow Globe 2k15 is the best set I've EVER seen!!! You probably know his more popular songs like We Don't Stop and Us from his album Automatic, but here's other songs.

a. Kaskade - Promise (ft. K. Flay) - part of his album Automatic, not his most popular song but I like it

https://soundcloud.com/kaskade/kaskade-promise-ft-...

b. Kaskade & Galantis - Mercy - part of Automatic as well

https://soundcloud.com/kaskade/kaskade-galantis-me...

c. Kaskade - Eyes - an older song (and a preview now on soundcloud :( wtf @soundcloud) but very good and can be found on Spotify :)

https://open.spotify.com/track/1N7uFZzPs0XzCgu9bOz...

4. Illenium - Melodic Bass

From Denver, his music just makes you feel amazing. It's super chill and slow. He is currently on tour for his new album Ashes. See you May 14th Illenium!!!

a. Kaskade - Disarm You (Illenium Remix) - made me fall in love with him, Kaskade even played this remix at Snow Globe because even he knows it's amazing. Must listen.

https://soundcloud.com/illeniumofficial/kaskade-di...

b. The Chainsmokers - Don't Let Me Down (Illenium Remix) - probably the best remix of this song out of the millions out there in my opinion

https://soundcloud.com/illeniumofficial/the-chains...

c. Illenium - Fortress (ft. Joni Fatora) - his most popular song on his new album, honestly can't wait to see him

https://soundcloud.com/illeniumofficial/illenium-f...

5. Louis the Child - Kinda Tropical House but also Future Bass/ Genre-less???

This electronic duo is all across the board. They have so many good songs and are fantastic live. Hope you caught them at Coachella!!!! Their newest single It's Strange is also pretty good too, a lot of other artists have great remixes of it

a. Zella Day - Compass (Louis The Child Remix) - one of my all time favorite songs

https://soundcloud.com/louisthechild/compass

b. miikesnow - Genghis Khan (Louis The Child Remix) - just a good song tbh

https://soundcloud.com/miikesnow/genghis-kahn-remi...

c. Kaskade - Never Sleep Alone (Louis The Child Remix) - Kaskade's original is great, Louis The Child somehow made it even better???? amazing

https://soundcloud.com/kaskade/kaskade-never-sleep...

6. Porter Robinson - Electro house/Dubstep/Synthpop

Porter is in my top 3 favorite artists. His music is beautiful, his visuals during his sets are beautiful. When I saw him at HARD Summer last year, I cried twice.

a. Porter Robinson - Sea of Voices - only has two lyrics in the whole song, but it's just too beautiful to care. Listen to the whole thing for full effect lol

https://open.spotify.com/track/2lNFWUrxuNaQsf5I1pDTPr

b. Porter Robinson - Lionhearted - one of his more popular songs, very good

https://open.spotify.com/track/0nejfXN5tjdICWIdfakXWx

c. Porter Robinson - Sad Machine - his most popular song, I cried during this one at HARD

https://soundcloud.com/porter-robinson/sad-machine

7. ODESZA - Indietronica/Electropop

This American duo is fantastic. Such festival vibes. So amaze. Wow

a. Hayden James - Something About You (ODESZA Remix) - right in the feels again

https://soundcloud.com/odesza/hayden-james-somethi...

b. ODESZA - Sun Models (ft. Madelyn Grant) - one of their most popular songs, love it

https://soundcloud.com/odesza/sun-models-feat-made...

c. ODESZA - How Did I Get Here - old song, super good, never gets old

https://soundcloud.com/odesza/odesza-how-did-i-get...

8. Seven Lions - Progressive House/Trance/Dubstep

This long-haired man from Santa Barbara, California (805 represent aye) is phenomenal. Has been described as "chillstep" but you really can't pin him down to one sound.

a. Above & Beyond - You Got To Go - the song that started his career pretty much

https://soundcloud.com/seven-lions/above-and-beyon...

b. Seven Lions - Lucy - a very strange song, but I like it lol

https://soundcloud.com/seven-lions/lucy-original-m...

c. Seven Lions - Strangers (ft. Tove Lo) - his most popular song, it's so good you almost forget that Tove Lo is singing lmao (shots fired)

https://open.spotify.com/track/2U0pVx4m1Kdm1Gsjjm6iq8

Those are some of my favorite artists and a few of their songs! Hope you take the time to listen to them, explore more of their music and share with your friends! Remember to spread positivity fam.