Zedd
A German producer who fused classical piano training with electronic chaos, creating Grammy-winning anthems that defined a pop decade.
Born 1989 (age 37)·German music producer·Birthday: September 2·Millennials
Biography
Anton Zaslavski, who performs as Zedd, began not in a club but at a piano in Kaiserslautern, Germany, studying classical music as a child. That foundation gave him a unique ear for structure and melody when he discovered electronic production as a teenager. His breakthrough was seismic: the 2012 single 'Clarity,' a crystalline fusion of soaring vocals and intricate, punishing drops that became an inescapable radio staple and won a Grammy. Zedd didn't just make EDM; he masterfully engineered it for the pop mainstream, crafting hits for artists like Ariana Grande and Selena Gomez while maintaining a sonic signature of polished, aggressive elegance. His career represents the moment electronic dance music fully conquered the charts, with him as one of its chief architects.
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.
Zedd was born in 1989, 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 Zedd Was Born
The biggest hits of 1989
#1 Movie
Batman
Best Picture
Driving Miss Daisy
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Zedd's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1989Born
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1994Started school
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
2002Became a teenager
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2005Could drive
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2007Could vote
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
2010Turned 21
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2019Turned 30
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 37 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording for his 2012 single 'Clarity' featuring Foxes.
- His debut studio album 'Clarity' spawned the US top 20 hit 'Stay the Night' featuring Hayley Williams of Paramore.
- Produced and co-wrote major pop hits including 'Stay' by Alessia Cara and 'Break Free' by Ariana Grande.
- Headlined major music festivals worldwide, including Coachella and Lollapalooza.
- His YouTube channel has amassed billions of views for his official music videos and visualizers.
Did You Know?
His stage name 'Zedd' comes from 'Zed,' the pronunciation of the letter Z, the first letter of his surname Zaslavski.
He was the drummer for the German metalcore band Dioramic before pursuing electronic music solo.
He composed the theme music for the 2017 League of Legends World Championship, 'Ignite.'
He is an avid gamer and has streamed gameplay on Twitch.
He has a black belt in taekwondo.
““I never want to make the same song twice. I always want to challenge myself.””
