William Sami Étienne Grigahcine, known professionally as DJ Snake, is a French DJ and record producer born in Paris, France, to Algerian parents on June 13, 1986. He grew up in Ermont, a district outside of Paris. Early in his life, he was a graffiti artist, which earned him the nickname "Snake" for his ability to evade police. He began DJing at the age of 14 and started producing music at 19.
Career Beginnings and Breakthrough
DJ Snake's early career involved DJing in Paris clubs. He gained wider recognition in the music industry with his production work on Lady Gaga's 2011 album, "Born This Way," which earned him a Grammy nomination. His international breakthrough as a solo artist came in 2013 with the release of the single "Turn Down for What" with Lil Jon. The song became a global hit and was certified multi-platinum.
Major Hits and Collaborations
Following his initial success, DJ Snake released a string of successful singles and collaborations. In 2015, his collaboration with Major Lazer and MØ, "Lean On," became a massive international success, topping charts worldwide. Other significant hits include "Let Me Love You" featuring Justin Bieber, "Taki Taki" featuring Selena Gomez, Ozuna, and Cardi B, "Middle" featuring Bipolar Sunshine, and "You Know You Like It" with AlunaGeorge. He has also collaborated with artists such as Dillon Francis, J Balvin, Tyga, and Megan Thee Stallion.
Albums and Musical Style
DJ Snake has released two studio albums. His debut album, "Encore," was released in 2016 and featured the hit single "Let Me Love You." His second album, "Carte Blanche," was released in 2019 and included tracks like "Taki Taki" and "Loco Contigo." His music is known for blending electronic music with genres like hip hop, trap, and moombahton, often incorporating global sounds from various cultures.
Pardon My French and Other Ventures
DJ Snake is part of the "Pardon My French" collective of French DJs, which also includes Tchami, Mercer, and Malaa. He has also established his own record label, Premiere Classe Records.