Kaskade

Kaskade became one of America’s first EDM superstars after years of working behind the scenes in dance music. The Chicago-raised DJ and producer (born Ryan Raddon in 1971) spent his early career in San Francisco’s deep house scene, where he released his soulful 2003 debut album, It’s You, It’s Me. Soon after, he achieved his first Top 10 hit with “Steppin’ Out,” drawing in listeners with his gentle, organic melodies. Signing with Ultra Records in 2006 provided Kaskade the platform for his breakthrough and a more vocal-focused progressive house sound. His 2008 albums with deadmau5, “Move for Me” and “I Remember,” introduced him to a widening audience as EDM approached its own cultural swell. His catalog of emotional, high-energy anthems maintained a constant presence on dance charts and festival stages—including a then-historic set on Coachella’s main stage in 2015—collecting multiple Grammy nominations and collaborations with Tïesto, Skrillex, ZHU, and Gorgon City along the way. In 2022, Kaskade and deadmau5 launched their Kx5 project, leading to their 2023 self-titled LP.