Martin Garrix: Full Biography and Profile
Martijn Gerard Garritsen, known professionally as Martin Garrix, has become a global icon in electronic music since his breakthrough in 2013. His journey from a young producer inspired by Tiësto to a headlining festival powerhouse is one of EDM's most compelling stories.
- Full Name: Martijn Gerard Garritsen
- Born: May 14, 1996
- Origin: Amstelveen, Netherlands
- Aliases: Ytram, GRX
- Primary Genres: Big Room House, Progressive House, Electro House, Future Bass
- Record Label: STMPD RCRDS (Founder and Owner, launched 2016)
- Breakthrough Single: "Animals" (2013)
- Career Highlight: Ranked No. 1 on DJ Mag's Top 100 DJs list multiple times.
- Key Collaborators: Bebe Rexha, Dua Lipa, Usher, Alesso, Matisse & Sadko.
The Shift: Why Garrix is Trading Club Banger for Pop Songs
One of the most significant announcements from the Garrix camp is a deliberate pivot in his musical direction. After a series of club-focused tracks, including the recent EP, ORIGO, Garrix has openly expressed his desire to explore new sonic territory.
1. Prioritizing Production and the 2026 Album
Garrix confirmed in late 2025 that he is actively working on a new album, slated for release in 2026. This project is a major milestone, as he is prioritizing dedicated studio time over an exhaustive live show schedule, a decision he made to ensure the album is a masterpiece.
2. The End of an Era: The 'ORIGO' EP
The release of the club-driven EP ORIGO marked the conclusion of a specific style, allowing him to transition into a new sound. Garrix stated that he loves discovering the pop genre and finding ways to make it his own, suggesting a future filled with more radio-friendly, vocal-driven tracks.
3. Massive Collaborations Signal Genre-Bending Moves
His recent and upcoming collaborations are a clear indicator of this pop-forward shift and his topical authority across genres.
- Ed Sheeran: The long-awaited collaboration with global superstar Ed Sheeran was teased, fueling speculation about a major pop anthem coming soon.
- Arijit Singh: His work with Indian singer Arijit Singh, including the track "Angels For Each Other" and an ID played at Ultra Music Festival 2025, shows a willingness to fuse EDM with world music and powerful vocals.
- Armin van Buuren: A highly anticipated collaboration with trance legend Armin van Buuren, featuring Libby Whitehouse, is also on the horizon, proving he can bridge the gap between progressive house and trance.
The Live Experience: 2025 Highlights and the 2026 Americas Tour
Despite a focus on studio work, Garrix still delivered unforgettable live moments in 2025 while strategically setting up a huge tour for the following year. His appearances at major festivals like Tomorrowland 2025 were still show-stopping events, featuring a barrage of new music from his label STMPD RCRDS.
4. The Legendary Red Rocks B2B with Alesso
One of the most talked-about sets of 2025 was the back-to-back (B2B) performance with Alesso at Red Rocks Amphitheatre. This iconic event was his last non-club show in North America for the year, showcasing their combined mastery of progressive house and big room sounds.
5. "Butterflies" and "Inside Our Hearts" Dominate the Airwaves
The late 2025 release of "Butterflies" with frequent collaborators Matisse & Sadko was a huge success, solidifying their creative partnership. Furthermore, the upcoming release of "Inside Our Hearts," a collaboration with Alesso and featuring Shaun Farrugia, is generating immense hype among fans, following its debut in their B2B set.
6. The Massive 2026 Americas Tour Announcement
Looking ahead, Martin Garrix has announced his biggest North and South American headline run to date: the 16-city Martin Garrix Americas Tour, launching in May 2026. This extensive tour is a clear sign that while he is focused on production, the live spectacle remains a crucial part of his career, giving fans across the continent a chance to experience his evolved sound.
The STMPD RCRDS Evolution
Garrix's own label, STMPD RCRDS, continues to be a central entity in his career. Founded in 2016, the label acts as a platform for his own experimental tracks and a launchpad for new talent like Jay Hardway and Julian Jordan.
7. Embracing Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos
In a move that highlights his commitment to audio quality, STMPD RCRDS has received certification for a Dolby Atmos recording space. This focus on Spatial Audio technology ensures that his music, and that of the artists on his label, is optimized for the latest high-fidelity listening experiences, setting a new standard for EDM production quality.
From the massive stages of Ultra and Tomorrowland to the intimate confines of his Dolby Atmos-certified studio, DJ Garrix is strategically positioning himself for long-term dominance. His shift toward pop and vocal-driven tracks, coupled with a major 2026 tour and a confirmed album, proves that Martin Garrix is not content to rest on his "Animals" fame. He is continually redefining what it means to be a global electronic music superstar in the modern era, promising an exciting and unpredictable future for his millions of fans worldwide.
