"The anthem of a generation"
All great music careers have a turning point that marks a before and after in their path. This is usually a track or a song that reaches global acclaim and shoots the artist straight to stardom. That’s what happened to Martin Garrix when he created a track that, no sooner had it been released than it became the anthem of a generation.
“Animals” dropped on 17 June 2013 and went straight to the top of the charts all over the world. The figures are unbelievable: more than 700 million YouTube hits and four consecutive weeks at number one on the Beatport charts, making Garrix the youngest ever DJ to hold the top spot for that long. But the most spectacular achievement was that “Animals”, composed by this 17-year-old newcomer, became the best-selling debut single in the UK charts, outdoing giants like Rihanna, Eminem, One Direction, Lady Gaga or Ellie Goulding.
Supported by Martin’s fellow Dutch DJ, and mentor, Tiësto, the trance legend played the track on his ClubLife radio show, with many EDM superstars soon also picking the track up and playing it out in their live sets
The rhythmic, minimalist drop behind Martin Garrix's "Animals" was not only a unique sound for its time, but one that sparked a broader movement within the EDM space. On this day in 2013, the iconic big room house anthem saw its first light. The inspiration behind "Animals" not only launched Martin Garrix to mainstream prominence, but many others like him who decided to embrace the big room house subgenre that captivated the mid 2010s.
After receiving main stage exposure at a number of festivals, the track topped the Beatport charts, making Garritsen the youngest producer to hold the position. It subsequently went on to top a number of electronic singles charts, and even reached #21 on the Billboard Hot 100. Garritsen was the first artist to penetrate the top 40 with an instrumental since Kenny G in 1999.
The uniqueness of "Animals" greatly aided in the song's path to viral status. The song was feverishly shared on short video app Vine at the time, and its popularity caught the attention of both established and rising producers alike.
Today, the legacy of "Animals" lives on in many ways through the DJs the sound inspired. Garrix's work proved valuable in pushing the subgenre into the forefront and helping to highlight the careers of many more producers like him.
