Exploring EDM DJ Side Projects: Hidden Aliases of Top Producers
The electronic dance music scene is known for its innovation, mystery, and constant evolution. While fans often recognize the headline names on festival stages, many are unaware of the creative alter egos behind the scenes. From deep house to techno, many superstar DJs have secret or lesser-known identities that allow them to experiment with different genres. These EDM DJ side projects are more than just branding experiments—they’re creative outlets, sonic adventures, and sometimes even full-fledged careers of their own In this article, we’ll dive into the most notable EDM DJ side projects you should know in 2025. Whether you’re a fan, producer, or aspiring artist, understanding these hidden identities offers insight into the diverse world of electronic music. What Are EDM DJ Side Projects? EDM DJ side projects are alternative artist names or aliases used by well-known DJs and producers to explore different musical styles, collaborate anonymously, or release music without the expectations tied to their main stage name. These projects often reflect deeper, darker, or more underground music tastes—genres like techno, deep house, trance, or experimental bass. Some aliases remain anonymous or masked (like Malaa), while others are openly confirmed by the artists themselves (like Jack Back by David Guetta). Side projects give artists freedom from brand expectations and allow them to connect with different audiences or scenes. Top 15 Notable EDM DJ Side Projects in 2025 Let’s break down the most influential and exciting EDM DJ side projects today: 1. Martin Garrix – YTRAM / GRX Main Genre: Progressive House, Future BassSide Projects: Why it matters: YTRAM allowed Martin Garrix to explore groovier, club-friendly tracks outside his high-energy festival sound. 2. David Guetta – Jack Back Main Genre: Commercial EDM, PopSide Project: Why it matters: Jack Back gave Guetta credibility in underground circles and led to releases on Defected Records and Toolroom. 3. Eric Prydz – Pryda / Cirez D / Tonja Holma Main Genre: Progressive HouseSide Projects: Why it matters: Prydz is a master of multiple identities, each with a cult following. His EDM DJ side projects are legendary for their depth and innovation. 4. Deadmau5 – Testpilot Main Genre: Electro House, ProgressiveSide Project: Why it matters: Deadmau5 uses Testpilot for serious underground techno sets, often appearing at festivals like Movement or Fabric. 5. Calvin Harris – Love Regenerator Main Genre: Pop EDMSide Project: Why it matters: Love Regenerator lets Harris reconnect with 90s rave culture and early house music. 6. Porter Robinson – Virtual Self Main Genre: Emotional EDM, Electro-PopSide Project: Why it matters: Virtual Self gained Grammy nominations and cult-like fan loyalty, becoming one of the most artistic EDM DJ side projects in history. 7. Hardwell – HRDWLL / Cobra (early alias) Main Genre: Big Room, Techno (2023–2025 comeback)Side Projects: Why it matters: Hardwell’s shift into harder techno after returning from hiatus was often teased under different aliases. 8. Dillon Francis – DJ Hanzel Main Genre: Moombahton, TrapSide Project: Why it matters: DJ Hanzel is a comedy icon in the EDM world. “One deeper” became a meme—but also led to real underground bangers. 9. RL Grime – Clockwork Main Genre: Trap, Future BassSide Project: Why it matters: Clockwork tracks gained festival support from Tiësto and A-Trak before RL Grime shifted into trap dominance. 10. Skrillex – Dog Blood / Jack Ü Main Genre: Dubstep, Experimental BassSide Projects: Why it matters: Dog Blood explores raw warehouse sounds, while Jack Ü produced one of EDM’s biggest crossover hits, “Where Are Ü Now.” 11. Diplo – Thomas Wesley / Major Lazer / LSD Main Genre: Trap, PopSide Projects: Why it matters: Diplo is a master of reinvention, using multiple aliases to dominate pop and underground markets alike. 12. Armin van Buuren – Gaia Main Genre: TranceSide Project: Why it matters: Gaia is Armin’s love letter to classic trance, with live shows where the duo performs behind shadows. 13. Steve Angello – Mescal Kid Main Genre: Progressive HouseSide Project: Why it matters: An alias for dirty beats and minimalism, Mescal Kid shows the Swedish House Mafia member’s deeper taste. 14. Tchami – Malaa (alleged collab/alias) Main Genre: Future HouseSide Project (rumored): Why it matters: Malaa’s identity remains a mystery but is closely tied to Tchami and DJ Snake. The masked image and signature basslines made it one of the most hyped EDM DJ side projects. 15. ZHU – Blacklizt Main Genre: Melodic House, Vocal Deep HouseSide Project: Why it matters: ZHU uses Blacklizt for rawer, late-night warehouse shows that contrast his main cinematic sound. Why DJs Create Side Projects There are many reasons why DJs develop alternative aliases: ✅ Genre Freedom Artists can explore new genres like techno, trance, or ambient without confusing their existing audience. ✅ Creative Reset Side projects offer a blank slate, letting producers reset creatively and break industry expectations. ✅ Brand Strategy Sometimes DJs create side projects to appeal to niche labels (e.g., Defected, Anjunadeep) or fan bases without diluting their main brand. ✅ Mystery & Marketing Hidden identities (like Malaa or DJ Hanzel) build hype and curiosity, leading to viral attention. How to Discover More EDM DJ Side Projects Finding hidden gems among EDM DJ side projects isn’t always easy, but here are a few tips: Search artist discographies on Discogs or Spotify credits.Follow underground label rosters like Toolroom, Defected, Mau5trap, Anjunadeep, or Drumcode.Explore Reddit threads and subreddits like r/EDM, r/Techno, or r/Beatmatch. Final Thoughts: Why Side Projects Matter in EDM The beauty of EDM DJ side projects lies in their diversity and unpredictability. They show that even the most mainstream artists have a love for underground sounds and deep club culture. Whether it’s Martin Garrix experimenting with deep house as YTRAM or David Guetta going full techno as Jack Back, these aliases allow artists to evolve, grow, and surprise their audiences. For fans and producers alike, exploring these projects means discovering hidden tracks, new inspiration, and a deeper respect for the creative range of electronic artists. If you’re serious about EDM culture, don’t just follow the main stage names—dig deeper into their