MAKJ | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Mackenzie Alexander Johnson |
| Born | 1990 (age 34–35) |
| Origin | San Luis Obispo,California |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | producer, DJ |
| Years active | 2011–present |
| Labels | Kenz Records, Universal Records |
Mackenzie Johnson, better known by hisstage nameMakj (stylized asMAKJ), is an AmericanDJ and electro housemusic producer. He has released a number of singles as a solo artist since 2012, as well as a large number of collaborative singles with artists such asHardwell,Lil Jon,Deorro and M35. Since 2013 Makj has performed at large festivals such asElectric Zoo,Voodoo Experience,Coachella, and a main stage slot atTomorrowWorld.[1] In March 2014,Billboard named him one of the Top 10 Artists to Watch atUltra Music Festival.[2] Also in 2014 he was named No. 63 in the Top 100 DJs list put out by theDJ Magazine Awards.[3] Makj is the host of the radio showRevolution Radio onClear Channel’sEvolution channel.[1]
Mackenzie Johnson was born in 1990 inSan Luis Obispo, California. By his teens, he was living inChina while pursuing a career as a professional race car driver. At age fifteen, he became interested in DJing, and he purchased a set ofTechnics 1200 Turntables.[1] By age 17, he had returned to the United States, where he found himself invited to perform at local events in his hometown. He had a number of lessons withDJ AM, who trained MAKJ onscratching.[1]
In late 2013, MAKJ embarked on his first major US tour, traveling the country withBingo Players andBassjackers.[1] After a time playing small venues, he began to attend festivals as well.[4] Since 2013, he has performed at festivals such asElectric Zoo Festival,Voodoo Experience,Coachella, a main stage slot atTomorrowWorld, Northern Lights Festival,Euphoria Festival,Webster Hall, andRuby Skye.[1] In March 2014,Billboard named him one of the Top 10 Artists to Watch atUltra Music Festival.[2] He toured Europe in 2014 with his "Let’s Get Fucked Up Tour," then traveled North America with his "Peyote Tour." Plans for an Asian tour were also announced.[1]
He has released a number of singles as a solo artist since 2012, as well as a large number of collaborative singles. He has collaborated with artists such asShowtek,Lil Jon, andDJ Kura. In 2013, he released a collaborative single withHardwell entitled "Countdown" which peaked at No. 1 on Beatport within three days. He has also released music on Hysteria Records, Doorn Records, Diffused Records, andJuicy Music, among others.[1] In late 2014, he released his track "Generic," which had earlier debuted at the Ultra Festival inMiami.[4] Several of his original songs have charted in the Beatport Top 10.[4]
MAKJ has been a guest judge for theCampus DJ contest, and he is the host of a radio show onClear Channel’sEvolution channel, with the show also streaming atiHeartRadio.[1]
| Year | Award | Nominated work | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | DJ Magazine Awards | Makj | Top 100 DJs (63rd) | Nominated |
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AUS [5] | BEL | FRA | |||
| "Countdown" (withHardwell) | 2013 | — | 28 | 41 | |
| "Encore" (with Henry Fong) | — | — | — | ||
| "Let's Get F*cked Up" (withLil Jon) | 2014 | — | — | — | |
| "Derp" (withBassjackers) | — | — | — | ||
| "Mad Max" | 2015 | — | — | — | |
| "Black" (withThomas Newson) | — | — | — | ||
| "Party Till We Die" (withTimmy Trumpet featuringAndrew W.K.) | 2016 | 46 | — | — | |
| "Shakalaka" (withSteve Aoki,Deorro and Max Styler)[6] | 2018 | — | — | — | |
| "Knockout" (with Deorro andQuintino)[7] | — | — | — | ||
| "Bounce 2 This" (with Will K)[8] | — | — | — | ||
| "Muñequita Linda"[9] (withJuan Magán andDeorro, featuringYFN Lucci) | — | — | — | ||
| "Fire" (with Linka & Mondello)[11] | 2019 | — | — | — | |
| "Grow Like This" (with Tropkillaz and Will K featuring Demarco)[12] | — | — | — | ||
| "Beast" (with Purari) | — | — | — | ||
| "Rave" (withSteve Aoki andShowtek featuring Kris Kiss)[13] | — | — | — | ||
| "Retumba" (with Deorro)[14] | — | — | — | ||
| "Left Right" (withHardwell andDeorro featuringFatman Scoop)[15] | — | — | — | ||
| "Save Room For Us" (featuringTinashe)[16] | 2020 | — | — | — | |
| "Green Light"[17] | — | — | — | ||
| "Promises"[18] (with Jyye) | — | — | — | ||
| "Night Ends"[19] | 2021 | — | — | — | |
| "Scream It"[20] (with Bassjackers) | — | — | — | ||
| "Club Sound"[21] | 2022 | — | — | — | |
| "Beautiful Life"[22] (with Purari) | — | — | — | ||
| "De La Sol"[23] (with Bassjackers) | — | — | — | ||
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. | |||||
| International | |
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| Artists | |
