What Happened To: Martin Garrix & Headhunterz – Alive

The Dutch prodigy Martin Garrix holds the title of “3 times World #1 DJ/Producer” of DJ Mag from 2016 to 2018. He produced numerous IDs including high-profile collaborations like Ed Sheeran, Ryan Tedder, David Guetta, Hardwell, Jay Hardway, and many many more. I also found out that he made another huge collab, this time teaming up with a Hardstyle legend, Headhunterz. Both Martijn and Willem were one of the wishlist collabs which fans were expecting at the time to bear fruit in the future until it led to a different scenario.

Back in 2015, Martijn reached 10 million followers on Facebook after he shifted his big room sounds to progressive house. At the same time, Willem was experimenting himself into big room house after leaving hardstyle for the past few years. Thus, gaining 1 million followers soon after working with a number of big room jewels like W&W and Hardwell.  When Martijn noticed his music, he brought Willem into the studio and started making a festival weapon which most of us didn’t notice back then. Shortly after Martin left Spinnin’ Records, the collaboration was never mentioned again but the rumor was out in the news where Martijn played the track at Chasing Summer Festival 2016 in Canada. The title of the track was ‘Alive’, but later changed to ‘Circus’ due to the relation of the track’s melody.

The synth and break of the track was predictably composed by Martijn while the drop was made by Willem which he used the same kicks from previous singles like ‘Once Again’ and ‘Live Your Life’. However, the news of Willem‘s departure from nig toom & the return to hardstyle made most fans sad and frustrated as he returned to his roots. After his departure, he and his fellow partner, Wildstylez rejoined forces as Project One, which clearly showed that the track with Martijn isn’t likely to see the light unless they change their minds and released it as a free download to remind them of their “throwback” moments. In conclusion, the aforementioned track will be declared as one of the greatest of unreleased music which only both artists knew what’s the truth behind the collaboration of ‘Circus’.

Written by Devanesh Raj / Delacour Agency