International Artist Series: Meet Yukio
October 23, 2024
October 23, 2024
Thom Jongkind (22) and Idir Makhlaf (20), better known as producer/deejay duo Blasterjaxx in the music industry, are anything but the same. While one is often prominent and empowering, the other prefers staying quietly in the background – a fairly high contrast in character. However, there is one significant reason for the phenomenal connection between these two personalities: their passion and love of music.
Mid 2010, Thom Jongkind – then operating by the name of Scalix – decided to set up a DJ duo named Blasterjaxx together with another producer at the time. Thom quickly noticed that huge steps were taken in the field of productions and that the range towards their audience was constantly increasing. Nevertheless, the personal chemistry between both producers started decreasing. Thus, it was Thom who focused more and more on music, while the other producer started having other priorities. Shortly after, they mutually agreed on ending their collaboration as a duo and decided that Thom would continue with the Blasterjaxx label.
Because Thom believed that Blasterjaxx would only be complete as a duo, he started looking for possibilities of a new, and this time around, perfect collaboration. In the meantime, Thom had been charmed by Idir Makhlaf for a while, who was operating by the name of Macosta. Only after a few collaborations it was already clear how well they hit off; a new Blasterjaxx duo was born with – what subsequently appeared – an unparalleled amount of talent and potential. Together they plan on taking over the world with their unique sound, which is best described as a crossover between electro-house, progressive and big room.
In 2012, Blasterjaxx was able to show their true nature and proved to be everything but an ephemera. Together with D-Rashid they produced the Reborn EP with two tracks: Reborn and Where We Go. An EP-name with a story behind it, for this EP is in fact symbolic for Blasterjaxx’ renewed sound, which they want to introduce and conquer the worldwide audience with. A rebirth that eventually turned out to be a bombshell, because none other than Laidback Luke was eager to sign the tracks at his own label: Mixmash Records.
Blasterjaxx experienced one of the highlights in their relatively young career in early 2013, as they produced their newest production Loud & Proud together with Billy The Kit. None other than Tiësto approached the guys personally to sign the track at his own record label Musical Freedom.
Many successes and milestones followed which resulted in the fact that Blasterjaxx are now seen as one of the most promising EDM artists in the world. Something Thom & Idir are very down-to-earth with, but the facts don’t lie. For example Tiësto asked them in person to remix his worldwide hitsingels “Adagio for strings & “Love Comes again”; and asked the guys to do a collaboration on the remix of “United”, the official anthem of Ultra Music Festival. Also their’ collaboration with Quintino “Puzzle”, the official Blasterjaxx “More” remix(from Laidback Luke, Dimitri Vegas/Like Mike) and the “Koala EP” achieved top rankings in the Beatport Chart Top 100. This translated itself to support from the biggest deejays on earth: David Guetta, Hardwell, Afrojack, Tiësto, Laidback Luke, Nicky Romero and many more.
Also the lastest Blasterjaxx single “Faith” is doing big already. Recently the single officially made it to the status of “Dance Smash” in Holland. The “Dance Smash” is a weekly track nomination choosen by Hollands biggest radiostation “538” which they think has huge potential to become a worldwide hit.
With this “Dance Smash” nomination Blasterjaxx will follow the footsteps of the following singles which also were nominated for the Dance Smash and eventually became worldwide hits: Sandro Silva & Quinto “Epic”, Pitbull Ne-yo & Afrojack “Give me everything”, Alexandra Stan “Mr Saxobeats”, etc. The single “Faith” also entered the world famous DMC Buzz Chart.
In september 2013 Blasterjaxx reached another huge milestone. Their track “Fifteen” in collaboration with the #1 deejay of the world Hardwell came out September 9 on Revealed Recordings. Just after six days the track hit the #1 spot in the Beatport Main Chart!
DJ MAG TOP 100 ENTRANCE 2013
Although it already was a good Blasterjaxx year full of great news and highlights, things were getting better on the 19th of October 2013: Blasterjaxx entered the DJ Mag Top 100 best deejays in the world on #71! With this they are ranked in the most exclusive DJ list in the world with legends like als Avicii, Tiësto, Hardwell, David Guetta, Afrojack, Skrillex, Calvin Harris, Daft Punk, Laidback Luke, Kaskade, Sebastian Ingrosso, Steve Angello and a few more legendary names.
Without any form of active campaign or promoting; the Blasterjaxx camp was mindblown by this huge achievement. An achievement Blasterjaxx consinders as a gift from their fans. A very big gift and they’re incredibly grateful for. Although this is an huge unexpected achievement, this is just the beginning. Like the new #1 DJ in the world Hardwell says: If you can dream it, you can do it.