Zedd Biography

We’ve all grooved to the electrifying beats of “Clarity” or “Stay” but how much do we really know about the mastermind behind these chartbusters? Enter Zedd, the Grammy-winning music producer who’s been shaking up the EDM scene for over a decade. Born Anton Zaslavski, Zedd’s journey from a classical music background to the pulsating world of electronic dance music is as intriguing as his compositions.

In this article, we’ll delve into the life and career of this musical maestro, tracing his early influences, his meteoric rise to fame, and the unique sound that sets him apart. So, whether you’re a long-time fan or new to Zedd’s music, get ready to discover the rhythm behind the man who’s redefining the EDM landscape.

Early Life & Background

Born on September 2, 1989, as Anton Zaslavski, Zedd hails from a family of musicians in Kaiserslautern, Germany. His parents, both classically trained musicians, ensured Zedd and his two siblings experienced the power of music from an early age. By four years old, Zedd already found himself adept on the piano, with the drum kit becoming his second musical companion when he turned twelve.

Part of a post-hardcore band named ‘Dioramic’ at his teenage, Zedd showcased an unignorable talent that stepped beyond classical instruction. With his indefatigable hard work, the band led a successful ten-year stint. Zedd’s encounters with French electronic duo Justice during these years ignited his interest in electronic music.

This newfound passion spurred his first foray into electronic music production, with him creating his own powerful renditions of well-known songs. Tiptoeing into the Electronic Dance Music (EDM) world, Zedd remixed tracks from artists like Lady Gaga, inspiring a series of collaborations that would help propel him into the limelight. His profile rose rapidly after winning two Beatport remix contests in 2010.

The musician’s background in classical music certainly influenced his approach to producing electronic music, fusing the orchestral with the digital. Favoring complex chord structures and multi-layered textures, Zedd created a unique, distinct sound that began to turn heads in the industry. Importance lies in the music production skills he gleaned in his early life, underpinning his approach to EDM and driving his successful career.
In the following sections, we explore how this classical training and early exposure to various music genres enriched Zedd’s EDM production.

Breakthrough in the EDM Scene

After establishing a name in the remix community, Zedd’s breakthrough in the Electronic Dance Music (EDM) scene came in 2012, courtesy of two significant accomplishments. First, the release of his debut single “Spectrum” featuring Matthew Koma rocketed to the top of the Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs. As an example, a song that fascinatingly mixes heartfelt lyrics with thrilling electronic elements, it showcased Zedd’s genre blending capabilities.

Second, Zedd’s full-length album “Clarity” turned heads in the music industry. In summary, it contained a blend of electro house, progressive house, classical music, and pop sensibilities. One can’t overlook the anchor track “Clarity,” which took home the Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording in 2014 — affirming Zedd’s position as a major player in EDM.

Aside from originals, Zedd continued remixing tracks from notable performers. He spun his magic on tracks from pop stars like Justin Bieber, putting an electronic dance spin on them. Strikingly, Zedd’s remixes turned popular songs into dance floor hits, further confirming his EDM prowess.

In his early EDM years, Zedd also made strategic partnerships. One noteworthy collaboration was with Skrillex, an acclaimed EDM producer. Together, they produced “Breakn’ a Sweat,” a track for a project honoring Jimi Hendrix. It gave further evidence of Zedd’s adaptability, blending the psychedelic Hendrix vibe with contemporary dance beats and dubstep elements.

Zedd’s breakthrough in the EDM scene involved a mix of hit singles, a genre-defining album, creative collaborations, and skillful remixes. These milestones propelled Zedd’s career forward, cementing his place in the international EDM scene.

Signature Sound & Production Techniques

Zedd’s style of music isn’t tied to just one type, showcasing our point that he isn’t your typical EDM artist.

What Type of EDM is Zedd?

Zedd primarily falls into Electro House, Progressive House and complextro genres. His production techniques go beyond these sub-genres, making him a unique and dynamic force in the EDM scene. He deftly blends classical influences, from his pre-EDM days, with modern electronic beats to produce a sound distinctly his own.

Yet, it’s this broader span of style that allows him to collaborate with artists of all types. Zedd’s capacity for blending holiday, pop, and electronic music results in a unique fusion that’s been the highlight of his discography. He’s remixed songs from artists spanning from Lady Gaga to Ariana Grande, transforming them into dance hits viable for both radio play and the club environment.

Take songs like “Stay” and “The Middle” as examples. Zedd implements pop sensibilities, combined with catchy electronic beats, crafting a blend of Electro-Pop that brought him further into the mainstream. Through clever production techniques, Zedd has continually demonstrated his ability to innovate within the EDM space.

Wondering how Zedd creates those unique, compelling sounds? Let’s now turn to his signature production techniques.

Zedd’s Signature Production Techniques

Zedd’s music production techniques stand out in the world of EDM. Some describe his sound as orchestral, a nod to his classical training as we mentioned earlier. His blending of intricate melodies, vocal harmonies, and complex harmonic structures, along aspects of symphonic components and heavy electronic breakdowns have come to define his signature sound.

For instance, Zedd often combines sharp, crisp synths with smooth, lush soundscapes, creating a captivating dynamic that can be felt in his music. He also frequently incorporates vocal chops and glitch effects, a trend that’s been adopted by other producers in the industry.

It’s these distinctive elements and experimental tactics that keep Zedd’s music fresh, engaging, and genre-defying in the EDM domain. Through his signature sound and unique production techniques, Zedd has firmly established his presence in the global electronic scene.

Similar Artists to Zedd

In the vast world of EDM, several artists share a sonic kinship with Zedd due to their comparable musical styles, innovative techniques, and genre-blending capabilities. These artists, much like Zedd, have mastered the art of creating fresh, engaging music, drawing from a variety of influences across different genres.

1. Martin Garrix: Like Zedd, Garrix started his journey in the EDM scene quite early. He’s renowned for integrating catchy hooks and melodies into his music, creating hits that transcend the EDM space. His international hit “Animals” showcases his talent for creating memorable dance anthems.
2. David Guetta: David Guetta shares Zedd’s ability to collaborate with artists from diverse genres. His discography, such as his collaborative effort with Sia in “Titanium,” exemplifies this shared trait. Guetta’s production style emphasizes strong vocal lines and punchy, melodic beats – characteristics also found in Zedd’s music.
3. Calvin Harris: Harris is another artist within the EDM space renowned for his genre-blurring production style. Synth-laden tracks like “Summer” and the Rihanna-featuring “This Is What You Came For” mirror Zedd’s clear, melodic, and vocally-driven production style.
4. Skrillex: Skrillex and Zedd share a background in producing remixes that often outshine the original work. Skrillex’s genre-agnostic approach, his blending of harsh dubstep elements with more melodic soundscapes, is an echo of Zedd’s own genre-combining instincts.
5. Avicii: Late Swedish producer Avicii was known for his melodies, much in the vein of Zedd. His major hits such as “Wake Me Up” and “Hey Brother,” indicated a knack for combining EDM and folk, creating a unique sound profile.

These artists exhibit influence from the same vast pool of genre diversity as Zedd. They manifest shared traits in vocal focus, melodic emphasis, and cross-genre collaboration that show them as similar artists in the grand EDM soundscape.

Discography

Zedd’s discography, starting with his 2010 debut single, plays testament to his growth and diversity as an artist. It primarily includes three studio albums, numerous singles, remixes and significant collaborations. His first album set the pace with its chart-topping single, “Clarity”, and his subsequent work has proven his skills and experience.

Studio Albums

Zedd has delivered three studio albums to date, with the first, “Clarity,” arriving in 2012. This breakthrough album featured a number of collaborative tracks, including those with Foxes and Matthew Koma, and established Zedd as a distinctive voice in electronic adaptations of pop music. Following “Clarity,” he released “True Colors” in 2015. This album furthered his reach, with hits like “Beautiful Now” and “I Want You To Know”. His most recent studio album, “Orbit,” released in 2019, featured mega-hits like “Good Thing.”

Album Name	Year of Release
Clarity	2012
True Colors	2015
Orbit	2019

Singles and Collaborations

Beyond his solo work, Zedd’s discography includes an array of singles and collaborations. His knack for transforming popular music into dance hits shines in his remixes, while his collaborations, such as “Break Free” with Ariana Grande and “The Middle” with Marren Morris and Grey, showcase his ability to blend genres seamlessly.

Remixes

Zedd’s capacity for remixing is a pivotal part of his discography. His remix of Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way” and “Marry The Night” brought him under the mainstream spotlight. His subsequent remixes of tracks by artists like Justin Bieber, Shawn Mendes, and Alessia Cara prove his prowess in the remixing space by making them dance floor-favourites.

In his discography, Zedd lets every track be unique, defying genre constraints through innovative compositions. He’s carved out his space in the global music industry, and his works echo his EDM genius.

Tours & Live Performances

With his rising prominence in the EDM scene, Zedd began performing on a global scale. His energetic performances, captivating lighting, and immersive soundscapes left audiences awestruck, establishing him as a formidable live performer.

Zedd’s first major tour, ‘Clarity Tour 2013,’ traveled across continents, including 26 shows in North America, before moving to Europe and Asia. This tour saw him playing to packed audiences at renowned venues like the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco and the legendary UMF in Miami.

In 2015, Zedd embarked on the ‘True Colors Tour’ supporting his second album. The 33-city tour, spanning over North America, Asia, and Europe, featured elaborate stage setups symbolizing various themes from the album. It set a benchmark in live EDM shows, with highlights including live performances of songs like ‘Beautiful Now’ and ‘I Want You to Know’.

Following the 2019 release of the “Orbit” EP, Zedd performed in the eponymous ‘Orbit Tour,’ visiting 16 cities around the globe in just under two months. The tour showcased his growth as both a performer and a producer, blending older hits with fresh releases, creating a dynamic live experience.

In addition to his solo tours, Zedd has lit up stages at numerous major music festivals such as Coachella, EDC Las Vegas, and Tomorrowland. Audiences can’t forget when Zedd, at Coachella 2019, brought out Katy Perry for a surprise guest appearance, singing their collaboration ‘365,’ etching a memorable moment in festival history.

Despite the global pause in live music due to the pandemic, Zedd has kept his fans entertained with virtual performances, displaying his adaptability in uncertain times. It’s undeniable that Zedd’s tours and live performances have played a crucial role in solidifying his status in the global EDM arena. His captivating live sets, combined with a distinct blend of classical and EDM influences, continually capture audiences and affirm his status as one of the industry’s best live performers.

Personal Life & Off-stage Persona

Aside from his remarkable music career, Zedd, born Anton Zaslavski, maintains a low-key personal life away from the limelight. Born on September 2, 1989, in Saratov, Russia, he comes from a musically rich family. His parents, both classically trained musicians, moved to Germany when he was four years old. Thanks to this, Zedd imbibed a deeply-grown love for music from a young age.

As an individual, Zedd possesses an interior lifestyle that diverges significantly from his onstage vitality. He’s an avid gamer in his free time, with games like Overwatch frequently featuring in his downtime. Beyond gaming, Zedd’s love for food adds another layer to his off-stage persona. He’s admitted to being a fan of Sushi and frequently enjoying the traditional Japanese cuisine both during his tours and in his everyday life.

Zedd is also known for his quiet yet pronounced philanthropic efforts. He’s hosted the ‘Welcome’ concert in 2017, wherein the proceeds were directed towards benefiting the ACLU. Additionally, he’s had involvements with charitable causes such as Pencils of Promise, helping construct schools in developing countries.

On the romantic front, Zedd’s personal life has been relatively away from the public eye, but he was linked with singer Selena Gomez in 2015 following their single, ‘I Want You To Know.’ They maintained a degree of media discretion about their relationship, reflecting Zedd’s penchant for keeping his private life unexposed.

However, despite his reserved off-stage demeanor, his social channels exhibit occasional glimpses into his life, tour experiences, fan interactions, and behind-the-scenes peeks, collectively painting a picture of Zedd that far transcends his life on stage or in the studio. It’s this balance of personal privacy and candid interaction with his fan base that underscores Zedd’s off-stage persona, as relatable and human as it is engaging and enigmatic.

Follow Zedd

Instagram: @zedd

Twitter: @Zedd

Facebook: Zedd

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Zedd?

Zedd is a prominent figure in the electronic dance music (EDM) scene, known for his unique style of blending classical and electronic elements. His versatile productions range from remixes to original pieces, collaborating with various artists and making a significant mark in the global EDM industry.

How does Zedd’s musical style stand out?

Zedd’s musical style emanates a distinctive sound, merging classical and electronic elements. His sound production techniques and versatility set him apart from fellow EDM artists like Martin Garrix, David Guetta, Calvin Harris, Skrillex, and Avicii.

Which are some of the notable works in Zedd’s discography?

Zedd’s discography includes several chart-topping albums, singles, remixes, and collaborations. A detailed study of his creative evolution and unique expertise in EDM can be traced through his discography.

How is Zedd’s live performance and tour record?

Zedd’s growth as a performer is demonstrated through his live performances, tours, and appearances at major music festivals. His dynamic on-stage presence reflects his dedication to enhancing the overall concert experience for his audience.

What is Zedd’s personality like off-stage?

Off-stage, Zedd maintains a relatively private persona, displaying his love for gaming, food, and charity. Despite his reserved nature, he engages with his fans through social media, adding a touch of relatability to his enigmatic aura.