DJ Snake
A French producer who weaponized bass drops and global sounds, creating seismic party anthems that dominated airwaves and festivals worldwide.
Born 1986 (age 40)·French record producer·Birthday: June 13·Millennials
Biography
Emerging from the Parisian suburbs, DJ Snake, born William Grigahcine, turned a childhood obsession with hip-hop and film scores into a signature sound of colossal energy. He cut his teeth producing gritty tracks for French rappers before his sleek, aggressive work on Lady Gaga's 'Applause' hinted at his pop potential. The explosion came with 'Turn Down for What,' a minimal, frenetic command that became a global phenomenon. He refused to be pigeonholed, following it with the smooth, tropical 'Lean On' with Major Lazer and MØ, one of the most streamed songs of all time, and the flamenco-tinged 'Taki Taki.' His live sets became spectacles of controlled chaos, headlining major festivals and proving that his brand of visceral, borderless electronic music was a universal language.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
DJ was born in 1986, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When DJ Was Born
The biggest hits of 1986
#1 Movie
Top Gun
Best Picture
Platoon
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
DJ's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1986Born
Challenger disaster; Chernobyl nuclear meltdown
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $66,600Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"That's What Friends Are For" — Dionne & FriendsBest Picture: Platoon
1991Started school
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
1999Became a teenager
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2002Could drive
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2004Could vote
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2007Turned 21
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2016Turned 30
Donald Trump elected president; Brexit vote
Gas: $2.14/galHome: $181,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Love Yourself" — Justin BieberBest Picture: Moonlight
2026Turned 40
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Produced and co-wrote 'Lean On' with Major Lazer, which became one of the most streamed songs in history.
- His debut single 'Turn Down for What' reached the top five on the US Billboard Hot 100 and was certified diamond.
- Headlined major music festivals including Coachella and Lollapalooza.
- Won a MTV Video Music Award for Best Visual Effects for the 'Turn Down for What' music video.
Did You Know?
His stage name originated from his teenage years when he was praised for his smooth, sneaky DJ skills.
He directed the music video for his hit 'Taki Taki' himself.
He has Algerian heritage.
He started his career as a graffiti artist in Paris.
“I just want to make music that makes people feel something. If it makes you dance, cry, or think, I did my job.”
