Over the few last years, there have been quite a lot of masked DJ-s, either fully masked, or they just have something (usually their face) covered.
I think there's actually quite of a simple explanation on how they do it. Today I'll focus on the three most famous throughout the last 20 years (in my opinion), and after that, we'll determine how they became so famous.
Daft Punk
I mean, if I didn't include Daft Punk here, I believe a lot of people would be angry. Yes, the world's favorite robots are here. A lot of people consider them the biggest EDM (Electronic Dance Music) Producers/DJ-s of all time.
One of the biggest reasons they are famous now more than ever are their helmets. The glowy design, the “mystery”, it is all very intriguing. Also, the way they make their music (catchy, easy to digest) is appealing to many people (for example: “One More Time”, “Around The World”, “Get Lucky”, “Digital Love” etc.).
Although they are masked DJ-s, their marketing doesn’t mostly consist of their masks/helmets. Although they are definitely part of the whole package (since 2001), the real reason they got famous is the way they made the music. In 1997 with “Homework”, they brought something new to the table, making it interesting but easy to digest. You don’t really have to think about their music to actually enjoy it. With “Discovery”, they did something new to pop/mainstream music. They managed to keep their music catchy and interesting at the same time, mostly proven with their last album “Random Access Memories”. They tend to make interesting music, but not interesting enough that it’s not popular as it is.
Deadmau5
I had to add my favorite producer of all time here, right?
Deadmau5 is considered one of the most influential people in development of House Music. He’s had huge hits: “Raise Your Weapon”, “I Remember”, “The Veldt”. But there’s something different about him. Although his music isn’t really complex, it is very pleasing to the ear, making his music relatively popular.
But what made him famous is his helmet, his Mau5head. It is a very clever way to advertise your work. Basically, he did things to Mickey Mouse’s head, and that’s why it’s so well known. People, especially kids will remember “the DJ that has a weird mouse head as his logo”. It is simple, really. He’s very opened with his audience, too. His logo is very memorable. A lot of people figured that out. But who’s the biggest DJ who did the same right now?
Marshmello
Although his real hits have been released in 2016 or after, Marshmello is considered one of the biggest people in the scene since 2015. It’s really logical if you think about it. It’s simple, just like deadmau5, Marshmello used a very famous thing in the world, changed the name up a bit to make it interesting, and most importantly, he made his logo cute and memorable. I mean, who wouldn’t want a marshmallow with a cute head perform for you? His music, at least to me, also sounds kind of childish, and combine that with his logo, it’s really logical that a lot of kids like him.
Now that we know how these three made it, let’s wrap this up.
Why are masked DJ-s so popular these days?
There is some sort of “mystery” about who they really are, especially Marshmello. A lot of times, their masks resemble something very popular in the world, such as foods, animals, and, well, robots.
Their music is usually catchy, pleasing to the ear and they all have something special about them (Daft Punk – vocoders, deadmau5 – the synths, Marshmello – the bass).
Their logos are easily memorable. Their music is easy to digest.
Now that was quite simple, wasn’t it?