Turn Down for What ft. Lil Jon
The Diamond-certified cultural phenomenon that changed party music forever
DJ Snake
William Sami Étienne Grigahcine
89
Heat Score
2005
Active Since
FR
Paris / LA
10B+
Streams
🎧 Biography
From the streets of Paris to global domination
DJ Snake, born William Sami Étienne Grigahcine on June 13, 1986, in Paris, France, is a French DJ and music producer of Algerian descent who has become one of the most powerful forces in global popular music. Growing up in the banlieues (suburbs) of Paris, Snake first made his mark as a graffiti artist in the early 2000s, earning his nickname for his ability to evade police — slithering away like a snake through the narrow streets and alleys of his neighborhood. His transition from street art to music production began around 2005, when he started experimenting with beats and electronic sounds, drawing inspiration from the diverse musical melting pot of Paris, where North African rhythms, hip-hop, reggae, and electronic music all collided on the streets and in the clubs.
DJ Snake's breakthrough came in 2013 with "Turn Down for What," his explosive collaboration with Lil Jon that became a genuine cultural phenomenon. The track reached #4 on the Billboard Hot 100, earned Diamond certification (10x Platinum) from the RIAA, and its wild music video directed by the Daniels (who would later win the Academy Award for Best Director) surpassed 1 billion views on YouTube. The song became an inescapable party anthem, blasting from stadiums, nightclubs, and car speakers around the world. But Snake was far from a one-hit wonder. In 2015, he co-produced "Lean On" with Major Lazer and MØ, which became the most-streamed song on Spotify at the time, a record it held until 2017. The track was a groundbreaking fusion of EDM and dancehall that transcended genres, cultures, and continents, amassing billions of streams and cementing Snake's reputation as a producer who could create music with truly universal appeal.
What sets DJ Snake apart from his peers is his remarkable versatility and his ability to bridge musical worlds that rarely intersect. In 2016, he released "Let Me Love You" featuring Justin Bieber, a tropical house-infused pop ballad that showcased his softer, more melodic side and became another massive global hit. Then in 2018, he dropped "Taki Taki" with Selena Gomez, Cardi B, and Ozuna, a reggaeton-influenced banger that became one of the biggest Latin crossover hits of the year and demonstrated his deep understanding of Latin music's growing global influence. His 2019 debut album "Carte Blanche" was a masterclass in genre-hopping, featuring collaborations across EDM, hip-hop, pop, Latin, and Bollywood music, with tracks like "Loco Contigo" (with J Balvin and Tyga) and "SouthSide" (with Eptic). Throughout his career, Snake has remained fiercely proud of his Parisian and Algerian roots, frequently waving the French and Algerian flags at his shows and using his platform to celebrate the multicultural identity that shapes his music and worldview.
🎶 Best Sets
The most iconic DJ Snake performances and music videos
Lean On — Major Lazer & DJ Snake ft. MØ
Former most-streamed song on Spotify — a genre-defying global smash
Taki Taki ft. Selena Gomez, Cardi B, Ozuna
Massive Latin crossover hit with three of music's biggest stars
Let Me Love You ft. Justin Bieber
Tropical house-infused pop ballad that topped charts worldwide
🎪 Concert Timeline
Key milestones in DJ Snake's career and live performances
Early 2000s
Graffiti Artist in Paris
Before music, a young William Grigahcine made his name as a graffiti artist in the suburbs of Paris. Known for his ability to escape police — slipping away through streets like a snake — he earned the nickname that would become his legendary stage name. This raw, rebellious energy from the streets of Paris would later define his music and artistic identity.
2005
Started Producing Music
DJ Snake transitioned from graffiti to music production, beginning to create beats influenced by the diverse sounds of Paris — hip-hop, North African rhythms, dancehall, and electronic music. He started performing at local Paris venues and building a reputation in the French underground scene, producing tracks for local rappers and DJs.
2013
"Turn Down for What" Breaks Through
The collaboration with Lil Jon became a cultural earthquake. "Turn Down for What" exploded onto the Billboard Hot 100, reaching #4, and its boundary-pushing music video directed by the Daniels went viral, eventually surpassing 1 billion YouTube views. The track earned Diamond certification and established DJ Snake as a global name overnight, transforming him from an underground Paris producer into a worldwide phenomenon.
2015
"Lean On" Becomes Most-Streamed Song on Spotify
Co-produced with Major Lazer and featuring MØ, "Lean On" shattered streaming records and became the most-streamed song in Spotify's history at the time. The fusion of EDM and dancehall resonated with audiences across every continent, accumulating billions of streams and proving that DJ Snake's cross-cultural approach to music production was the future of pop music.
2016
"Let Me Love You" with Justin Bieber
Teaming up with Justin Bieber at the height of his comeback era, DJ Snake delivered a tropical house-inflected pop anthem that dominated global radio and streaming charts. The track showcased a more melodic, emotionally resonant side of Snake's production and proved he could craft massive pop hits alongside his club-oriented bangers.
2018
"Taki Taki" — Latin Crossover Hit
DJ Snake united Selena Gomez, Cardi B, and Ozuna on "Taki Taki," a reggaeton-influenced track that became one of the biggest songs of 2018. The collaboration demonstrated Snake's uncanny ability to tap into the rising global influence of Latin music, creating a song that resonated equally in clubs, on radio, and at festivals from Miami to Madrid to Manila.
2019
"Carte Blanche" Debut Album
After years of chart-topping singles, DJ Snake released his highly anticipated debut album "Carte Blanche." The project was a genre-defying journey through EDM, trap, pop, Latin, hip-hop, and even Bollywood-influenced sounds. Featuring collaborations with J Balvin, Tyga, Selena Gomez, and many others, it debuted at #1 in France and showcased the incredible breadth of Snake's artistic vision and production abilities.
2023
Continued Global Headlining
DJ Snake continued to headline major festivals around the world, including Tomorrowland, Ultra Music Festival, Lollapalooza, and Coachella. His live shows have become legendary for their high energy, massive production, and ability to seamlessly blend EDM drops with hip-hop, Latin beats, and Bollywood tracks — creating a truly global party experience unlike any other DJ on the circuit.
🌎 Lifestyle
Where DJ Snake lives, parties, travels, eats, wears, and more
Where He Lives
DJ Snake splits his time between Paris, France, and Los Angeles, California. Paris remains his spiritual home and creative wellspring, where he stays connected to his roots in the banlieues and the multicultural energy that shaped his sound. Los Angeles serves as his base for the American music industry, studio collaborations, and festival circuit. He is deeply proud of his Parisian and Algerian heritage and considers both cultures essential to his identity as an artist.
Where He Parties
Snake commands the biggest stages and clubs across the globe.
- Paris venues & clubs — His hometown scene
- Ultra Music Festival — Annual headliner, Miami
- Tomorrowland — Mainstage regular, Belgium
- Coachella — Iconic festival appearances
- Las Vegas residencies — XS Nightclub, Wynn
What He Eats
DJ Snake is passionate about French and Algerian cuisine, often sharing his food adventures on social media. He is known for his love of traditional North African dishes like couscous and tajine, as well as Parisian street food. While in LA, he frequents high-end restaurants but maintains that nothing compares to his mother's home cooking. His food posts on Instagram often generate as much engagement as his music announcements, reflecting a genuine passion for culinary culture.
What He Wears
DJ Snake is a streetwear enthusiast with a bold, unmistakable style rooted in Parisian street culture. He is frequently seen wearing Supreme, Off-White, and custom designer pieces, paired with his signature Jordan sneakers. His fashion sense reflects the same eclectic, boundary-crossing approach as his music — mixing luxury fashion with underground streetwear, European design with American hype culture. On stage, he often wears custom merchandise and limited-edition collaborations.
Social Media Presence
DJ Snake is known for his fiery, outspoken personality on social media, where he engages directly with fans and isn't afraid to speak his mind. With tens of millions of followers across platforms, he uses Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok to share behind-the-scenes content, tease new music, celebrate his cultural heritage, and occasionally stir up headlines with provocative posts. His unfiltered authenticity has made him one of the most relatable and entertaining DJs to follow online.
Personal Life
DJ Snake is famously private about his personal and romantic life. Unlike many of his peers, he rarely shares details about relationships on social media, preferring to keep the focus on his music, his cultural heritage, and his fans. He has spoken in interviews about the importance of maintaining boundaries between his public persona and private world, citing it as essential for preserving his mental health and creative energy in the demanding world of international touring.
🎬 Behind the Scenes
Studio sessions, tour life, and the making of DJ Snake's biggest hits
Turn Down for What — Behind the Music Video
The making of one of the most iconic and wildly creative music videos of the 2010s, directed by the Daniels
Taki Taki — The Global Collaboration
How DJ Snake brought together Selena Gomez, Cardi B, and Ozuna for a Latin crossover smash
🎧 Related DJs
If you like DJ Snake, check out these artists
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Everything fans want to know about DJ Snake
DJ Snake's real name is William Sami Étienne Grigahcine. He was born on June 13, 1986, in Paris, France. He is of Algerian descent and grew up in the banlieues (suburbs) of Paris. He earned the nickname "Snake" as a teenager due to his ability to evade police while doing graffiti on the streets of Paris, slithering away through narrow alleys and side streets. The name stuck and eventually became his legendary stage identity.
Yes, DJ Snake is French. He was born and raised in Paris, France, and is of Algerian heritage. He is extremely proud of both his French and Algerian roots and frequently waves the flags of both nations at his live performances. He is one of the most internationally successful French artists of all time, joining the ranks of Daft Punk and David Guetta in bringing French-produced music to a global audience. His multicultural background heavily influences his genre-crossing production style.
"Turn Down for What," DJ Snake's 2013 collaboration with Lil Jon, was an absolutely massive cultural phenomenon. The track reached #4 on the Billboard Hot 100, was certified Diamond (10x Platinum) by the RIAA, and its boundary-pushing music video directed by the Daniels (Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, who later won the Academy Award for Best Director) has surpassed 1 billion views on YouTube. The song became one of the most iconic party anthems of the 2010s decade, widely used in sports arenas, movies, TV shows, and commercials. It was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Music Video.
Yes, "Lean On" by Major Lazer and DJ Snake featuring MØ became the most-streamed song on Spotify upon its release in 2015. The track surpassed 1 billion streams faster than any song before it and held the record as Spotify's most-played song until it was overtaken by Ed Sheeran's "Shape of You" in early 2017. The song was a groundbreaking fusion of EDM, dancehall, and pop that resonated with listeners across every continent, ultimately accumulating several billion streams across all platforms. It is widely regarded as one of the most important and influential dance music tracks of the 2010s.
DJ Snake's biggest hits span multiple genres and demonstrate his incredible versatility as a producer. His most notable tracks include: "Turn Down for What" with Lil Jon (2013, Diamond certified), "Lean On" with Major Lazer and MØ (2015, former Spotify most-streamed), "Let Me Love You" featuring Justin Bieber (2016, multi-Platinum worldwide), "Taki Taki" with Selena Gomez, Cardi B, and Ozuna (2018, one of the year's biggest songs), "Magenta Riddim" (2018), "Loco Contigo" with J Balvin and Tyga (2019), "SouthSide" with Eptic (2019), and many more. His debut album "Carte Blanche" (2019) debuted at #1 in France and showcased his ability to move seamlessly between EDM, hip-hop, pop, Latin, and world music.