DJ Snake, the Grammy-nominated producer from France, stands at the leading edge of electronic trap music. He brought the style into mainstream visibility through his 2013 single “Turn Down for What” with Lil Jon, then added another major success in 2015 with “Lean On,” the multi-platinum worldwide chart-topper that included Major Lazer and vocalist MØ. That achievement was eclipsed by the 2016 Justin Bieber collaboration “Let Me Love You,” drawn from his debut album Encore, which entered the Billboard 200 at number ten. Snake maintained steady chart visibility when 2019’s Carte Blanche reached number one on Billboard’s Dance/Electronic Albums list. The album generated further dance successes with “Taki Taki,” featuring Selena Gomez, Cardi B, and Ozuna, and “Fuego,” pairing Sean Paul, Anitta, and Tainy. In 2021 he rejoined Gomez for “Selfish Love” and then linked again with Ozuna, adding Megan Thee Stallion and BlackPink’s Lisa, on the Top Ten dance single “SG.” Since then he has issued tracks such as “U Are My High” with Future and 2024’s “Teka” with Peso Pluma, along with additional releases.
Born William Grigahcine, Snake earned his initial Grammy nomination for production work on Lady Gaga’s 2011 album Born This Way, recognized in the Album of the Year category in 2012. He joined Diplo’s Mad Decent imprint that same year and issued the single “Bird Machine” on the label in 2013. Additional 2013 releases included “Slow Down” and “Together,” plus further contributions to Gaga’s ARTPOP. His breakthrough as a solo artist arrived late that year when “Turn Down for What” with Lil Jon emerged as the most prominent crossover trap hit since Baauer’s “Harlem Shake.” In 2014 he partnered with Dillon Francis on “Get Low,” while 2015 brought the global success “Lean On” alongside MØ and Major Lazer.
Snake presented his debut album Encore in 2016, which reached number eight on the Billboard 200. The project contained the singles “Middle” with Bipolar Sunshine and “Let Me Love You” with Justin Bieber, the latter achieving number-one status and multi-platinum certification worldwide. Further singles appeared, among them 2017’s “A Different Way” featuring Lauv.
During 2018 Snake scored hits first with the solo track “Magenta Riddim,” then with “Taki Taki,” a collaboration featuring Selena Gomez, Cardi B, and Ozuna that reached number two in France. Early 2019 brought “Try Me” with Plastic Toy and “SouthSide” with Eptic. All these tracks appeared on his second album Carte Blanche, released in July 2019 and peaking at number four on the Billboard Top Dance/Electronic Albums chart. Additional contributors on the record included J Balvin, Anitta, Majid Jordan, Bryson Tiller, Zomboy, and others. The standalone single “Trust Nobody” surfaced in June 2020. The following year he worked with Selena Gomez on “Selfish Love” and with Rick Ross and Rich Brian on “Run It.” Another 2021 release, “SG” featuring Ozuna, Megan Thee Stallion, and BlackPink’s Lisa, reached the Top Ten of Billboard’s Dance chart. He also issued “U Are My High” with Future.
In 2022 Snake released “Disco Maghreb,” “Nightbird,” and “Guddi Riddim” with Wade and Nooran Sisters. “Westside Story” arrived in 2023, while “Big Bang” with Crankdat and “Teka” with Peso Pluma both appeared in 2024.
