The final year of his course was inevitably stretched out as he juggled his studies with his increasingly hectic schedule his rise to fame included lots of productions and remixes, as well as playing in front of packed clubs every weekend.
In the early days, Armin thought it was wise to have a backup plan, and so he studied for a law degree. “I was so stunned by what I saw him doing on the computer, that I got addicted to creating music right there and then!” “I loved dance music immediately – this great rebellious sound that was so different to the ‘beautiful’ songs of the years before.Īrmin cites electronic pioneer Jean Michel Jarre as a major influence, as well as Dutch producer Ben Liebrand, who later mentored him in his mixing and producing. Armin progressed from making low-profile mixtapesįor friends to higher profile mixes when he discovered experimenting with different sequences on his computer through his uncle. “So as a little nerdy kid I was writing my own basic programs and learnt about the technology from there. His mom won a computer when he was 10, piquing Armin’s interest in technology. He spent all the money he earned from his paper route on records. HOW IT ALL BEGAN Born in Leiden, The Netherlands (December 25, 1976), to a musical family, Armin indulged his passion for music from a young age. Despite the heavy pressure that comes along with being one of the world’s most popular DJs, Armin has always kept his focus on the music.Īnd that’s exactly what keeps him going. His 5-time number one position in the critically acclaimed DJ Mag Top 100 poll has been the result of his loyalty to fans, his creativity in the studio, the perseverance with which he hosts his weekly radio show ‘A State of Trance’, and the energy he brings to the crowds in front of him. Music is essential to my life.” For more than 20 years, the Grammy-nominated Dutchman has been living to the rhythm of his own international success. It goes beyond liking, and beyond a hobby. Armin: “It’s not just love for music, it’s my passion. Armin van Buuren is constantly on the move, whether creating music in his studio or en route to his next high-end club or festival show around the globe.