Dutch DJs led the way in the Netherlands’ music exports for 2023

Dutch DJs dominated the list of musicians from the Netherlands who enjoyed success overseas in 2023. Tiesto, Martin Garrix and Afrojack were the top three Dutch artists by value of exported songs, according to NOS. 

Dutch DJs see the most overseas success of any musicians from the Netherlands

Unsurprisingly for many internationals who are fans of dance music, Dutch DJs are heading up the ranks internationally. The annual list shows that the export value of Dutch pop music increased for the second year in a row, by about 15 percent to 198 million euros overall. 

The top 10 included the names of many well-known Dutch DJs including Tiesto, Martin Garrix, Afrojack, Sam Feldt and Oliver Heldens. 

Punk rock band from Nijmegen also make it into the top 5

Nijmegen punk rock formation Antillectual also found success in the top 10, after becoming the Dutch music act with the most foreign performances. Singer and guitarist Willem Heijmans said that it is "a nice surprise," to be included in the ranking, adding: "We have been in that list every year since 2008, but we had not yet reached the top five."

Overall, the export value of Dutch music has not yet returned to the levels seen before the COVID-19 pandemic, but performances were again possible in Asia last year which helped to push the numbers up. In addition, Dutch music is now gaining popularity in other countries such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Chile and Colombia.

According to NOS, these are the top 10 Dutch musicians by export value in 2023:

• 1. Tiesto
• 2. Martin Garrix
• 3. Afrojack
• 4. Chris Stussy
• 5. Antillectual
• 6. Joris Voorn
• 7. Lucas and Arthur Jussen 
• 8. Sam Feldt
• 9. Eelke Kleijn
• 10. Oliver Heldens

Image: Hector Rivera Casillas / Shutterstock.com