Behind every superstar is a story of humble beginnings, and for some of the biggest names in EDM, their journey to stardom started with regular jobs like everyone else. From grocery stores to classrooms, these six EDM DJs hustled in everyday professions before making it big on the global stage. Here’s a look at their surprising backgrounds and the paths they took to become some of the most influential figures in electronic music.
1) Calvin Harris: Grocery Store Worker
Before topping charts with hits like ‘Summer’ and ‘Feel So Close’, Calvin Harris was stocking shelves and scanning groceries. The Scottish DJ, born Adam Richard Wiles, worked in a local grocery store during his early years, earning just enough to scrape by while he continued to work on his music. Harris would spend his nights honing his production skills and uploading tracks to MySpace, which eventually led to his breakthrough. Today, Calvin Harris is a global phenomenon, with multiple Grammy Awards and residencies in Las Vegas. But it wasn’t always glitz and glamor—he started out like many of us, bagging groceries for minimum wage.
2) Steve Aoki: Waiter
Steve Aoki, known for his high-energy performances and crowd-surfing antics, wasn’t always at the center of the EDM universe. Before headlining festivals and running his own record label, Dim Mak, Aoki worked as a waiter in Los Angeles. Juggling his job with his passion for music, he put in hours at the restaurant to make ends meet. Aoki‘s experience as a waiter likely helped him develop the strong work ethic that propelled him to success. His persistence paid off, and he eventually went on to become one of the most prominent DJs in the world, known for collaborations with artists like BTS and Kid Cudi.
3) Diplo: School Teacher
Long before Diplo was playing packed venues and producing tracks for artists like Beyoncé and Major Lazer, he was teaching history to middle school students. The Grammy-winning producer, whose real name is Thomas Wesley Pentz, worked as a school teacher in Philadelphia. While teaching, Diplo was also dabbling in DJing and producing music on the side. Eventually, his passion for music won out, and he left the classroom behind to focus on his career full-time. Despite the career change, Diplo has often spoken fondly of his time as a teacher, crediting the experience with helping him develop patience and creativity, both of which have served him well in his music career.
4) John Summit: Accountant
John Summit, one of the rising stars in the house and techno scene, didn’t always have his sights set on DJing. Before his music took off, Summit worked as an accountant in Chicago. His nine-to-five job involved balancing books and crunching numbers, but his passion for music never waned. After spending his weekends performing at local clubs and producing tracks, Summit decided to take a leap of faith and focus on his music career full-time. That decision paid off, as he quickly rose through the ranks with chart-topping tracks like ‘Deep End’, earning him a spot among the industry’s elite.
5) Kaskade: Mormon Missionary
Before becoming one of the most respected names in electronic music, Kaskade, born Ryan Raddon, lived a very different life. He spent two years as a Mormon missionary in Japan, spreading the teachings of his faith. Kaskade‘s experience abroad helped shape his worldview and build his discipline, traits that have been instrumental in his music career. Upon returning to the United States, he pursued his passion for DJing and producing, eventually becoming a staple in the EDM scene. Known for his melodic sound and deep emotional connection to his music, Kaskade has since won multiple awards and performed at some of the world’s biggest music festivals.
6) deadmau5: Factory Worker
Joel Zimmerman, better known as deadmau5, wasn’t always performing in front of massive LED screens with his iconic mouse head. Before his rise to fame, deadmau5 worked as a factory worker in Niagara Falls, Ontario. The monotony of factory life gave him the motivation to dive deeper into his passion for music production. Zimmerman spent his free time experimenting with electronic music and developing the sound that would later define his career. His perseverance paid off when his unique production style and innovative sound design earned him recognition in the global electronic music scene. Today, deadmau5 is a household name in EDM, known for his experimental approach and boundary-pushing performances.
The paths to success for these EDM superstars were far from glamorous at first. They worked regular jobs, just like millions of people around the world, using those experiences as stepping stones toward their dreams. Their stories serve as a reminder that perseverance, passion, and a little bit of hustle can go a long way—even from the grocery store, the classroom, or the factory floor to the biggest stages in the world.
