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Moti (DJ)
Moti (DJ)
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Key Information

Timotheus "Timo" Romme (born 23 March 1987), better known by his stage name Moti (stylized as MOTi), is a Dutch electro house DJ and music producer from Amsterdam.[1] MOTi's first release was "Circuits" in 2012, which was published on Afrojack's Wall Recordings.[1] By the end 2012, MOTi had been commissioned for official remixes of Flo Rida, Tiësto and Far East Movement.[1] MOTi frequently releases singles on Spinnin Records and Tiësto's Musical Freedom label; he has collaborated with artists such as Tiësto, Major Lazer[2] and Dzeko & Torres.[3] His 2014 collaboration with Martin Garrix, "Virus (How About Now)", reached No. 27 on the Dutch Single Top 100.[4] Frequently on tour, MOTi has performed at major festivals such as the Amsterdam Dance Event,[5] Creamfields UK, Nocturnal Wonderland and Tomorrowland.[2]

Early life

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Timotheus "Timo" Romme was born on 23 March 1987[6] in Amsterdam, Netherlands, where he spent his childhood.[2] He started learning mixing for fun after a friend sold him some turntables, and by the age of 18 he was deejaying.[5] Romme studied to be a fashion designer[5][6] at The Hague in the Netherlands.[7] In 2015, he explained that "after a few years [at university], I noticed I liked music more than fashion. I don't really follow the trends."[7] MOTi started producing music in 2005, stating "the guys at the record store told me I couldn’t cut breaks out of records, so I decided to make my own music." He started his music career performing Dutch house with his cousin as a duo called Groovenatics.[8]

Music career

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2007-12: "Circuits" and remixes

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MOTi's first official release was the track "Circuits," a collaboration with Dutch DJ Quintino. Released through Afrojack's Wall Recordings[1] on April 16, 2012,[3] the track gained significant radio play on Radio 538 in the Netherlands, among other stations.[1] In September 2012, MOTi released "Kinky Denise," another Quintino collaboration published through Wall Recordings.[3] By the end 2012, MOTi had been commissioned for official remixes of Flo Rida, Tiësto, and Far East Movement.[1] Tiësto also added "Circuits" to his 2012 Dance RED Save Lives compilation, which resulted in Tiësto and MOTi connecting[9] through Twitter[8] and starting to collaborate.[9]

2013: Musical Freedom and Spinnin' Records

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He released "Krack!", his first single through Spinnin Records, on March 8, 2013.[10] The electro house track[11] entered the Beatport Top 100.[10] Afterwards, MOTi released an official remix for "Next To Me," a single by Emili Sande.[11] MOTi's single "NaNaNa" with Alvaro was released through Hysteria Recs on June 3, 2013.[12] On June 25, 2013, he collaborated with Tiësto on "Back To The Acid," which would be his first release through Musical Freedom.[3] Stated MOTi about the track's effect on his career, "Tiësto has a really good feel of what he likes and there’s a lot of studio tricks on that track that people who don’t produce won’t even understand or hear. It was an important project to show my technical skills and, of course, a big audience got to see my name next to his.”[9]

MOTi remixed "Hello (MOTi Remix)" by the Stafford Brothers in 2013, which stayed at No. 1 on Beatport's Hip Hop chart for around two months.[9] MOTi ended 2013 with several singles released on Spinnin, including "Dynamite" with Quintino in September, and "Heat It Up" in November.[3] "Dynamite" peaked at #10 on the Beatport Top 100.[9] He signed with Tiësto's Red Light Management at the end of 2013.[5] Shortly afterwards, he performed at an Amsterdam Dance Event Heineken showcase.[5] Stated MOTi about the performance, "that gig was the big turning point where it got serious. It felt natural. It felt like I’m meant to do this.”[9]

2014: "Virus" and touring

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MOTi's track "Don't Go Lose It", released on February 10, 2014, through Musical Freedom, reached the Beatport Top 100.[13] The track was followed by the DVBBS collaboration "This Is Dirty" in April,[14] which peaked at #2 on the Electro House Chart.[2] The single was followed by the MOTi track "Crash" with Quintino in July, and "Zeus" with Kenneth G in September.[3]

After first befriending Martin Garrix in 2011, the two began collaborating on a new project in 2014. Explained MOTi, "I think we were on Skype and I was working on 'Virus,' and Martin really liked the first idea I had made and the melody of the drop. He added his sick breakdown to it, and we finished the track together."[8] October 2014 saw the release of "Virus (How About Now)" through Spinnin, which reached #1 on the Beatport 100.[15] The track also did well on international song charts, reaching No. 27 on the Dutch Single Top 100 chart,[4] No. 34 on Ultratop in Belgium,[16] No. 50 on the Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique chart in France,[17] No. 94 on the GfK Entertainment in German,[18] and No. 24 on the Billboard Top Dance Songs chart.[2]

MOTi played at a number of electronic dance music festivals in the summer of 2014.[8] starting with Ultra Music Festival Miami.[2] In July 2014, he played at the Hakkasan club in Las Vegas,[6] while other gigs included Electric Daisy Carnival Las Vegas,[8] Creamfields UK, Nocturnal Wonderland, and Tomorrowland.[2] MOTi embarked on his #LION tour in November 2014, with plans to hit various North American cities[8] such as New York City and Los Angeles. It was his first tour as sole headliner.[19] MOTi's track "Lion" came out on November 17, 2014,[8] and was his last release for the year.[20]

2015–2018: Recent projects

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MOTi continued to release singles on both Spinnin and Musical Freedom into 2015. His first single of the year, "Ganja," was a collaboration with Dzeko & Torres.[3] In February, MOTi and Tiësto released the collaborative single "Blow Your Mind",[3] which reached No. 1 on the Electro House Charts.[2] After the May release of "Valencia" on Musical Freedom,[3] singles he released that summer included "Spack Jarrow" with W&W and "Ghost in the Machine" with Jonathan Mendelsohn.[3]

He collaborated with Major Lazer on the song "Boom" later that year. Released through Mad Decent on November 20, 2015, the track included features by Ty Dolla Sign, Kranium & Wizkid.[2] According to DJ Mag, the track incorporates "dancehall, future bass and hip hop."[2] Also on November 20, 2015, MOTi released "Lost," a collaboration with Sander van Doorn on Spinnin Records.[3] MOTi premiered the track at EDC Las Vegas 2015.[7] In 2015, he was named to the DJ Mag Top 101-150 DJs 2015 list at No. 117.[21] MOTi was featured in the Bassjackers and Joe Ghost "On The Floor Like," which was released on March 25, 2016.[3]

2018–present: Zero Cool records

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In November 2018, MOTi founded his own independent record label: Zero Cool. He wanted to create a more inclusive label, where popularity didn't come in the way of music:

"At some point it felt like I wasn’t producing the records I wanted to produce, but instead what the A&Rs wanted me to create. I think everyone has a moment in their career where you just want to create whatever you feel like creating, and for me this was it. On my label Zero Cool it doesn’t matter what the new trend or hype is, how big your Instagram or Spotify profile is… if it’s good, I’ll release it. That’s why it’s called Zero Cool, it’s for everyone!"[22]

One year after its creation, Zero Cool reached a 100 million streams on Spotify.[1]

Musical style

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External videos
video icon Sander van Doorn & MOTi - "Lost" Official Music Video - Jan 25, 2016

Incorporating diverse genres such as electro house, progressive house, hip hop, and others, MOTi has cited artists such as Jimi Hendrix, Alter Ego and Derrick May as musical inspirations.[5] About his musical intent, he stated in 2016 that "for the club tracks I just want people to have a good time and party to the music. For the slower tracks or less clubby tracks I hope people get carried away by it when they play it at home."[5]

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Nominated work Category Result
2015 DJ Mag MOTi Top 101-150 DJs[21] 117

Discography

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Further reading

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See also

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References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
MOTi (stylized as MOTi), born Timotheus "Timo" Romme on March 23, 1987, in , , is a Dutch electro house DJ and music producer. He emerged on the scene in 2012 with high-profile releases such as the collaborations "Circuits" and "Kinky Denise" with Quintino on Wall Recordings. Shortly thereafter, MOTi signed with Tiësto's Musical Freedom label and co-produced the track "Back to the Acid" with the renowned DJ. Throughout his career, MOTi has achieved notable success with singles like "Dynamite" (with Quintino on ), which peaked at #10 on the Top 100, and "Virus (How About Now)" with , reaching #1 on and #37 on the US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart. He has also collaborated with on "Boom" featuring Ty Dolla $ign, , and Kranium, which amassed over 97 million plays in eight months, and provided a for and DJ Snake's "Lean On," one of Spotify's most-streamed songs at the time. In addition to his original productions, MOTi has remixed tracks for artists including Stafford Brothers and , topping the Hip Hop chart for over two months. MOTi has performed at major festivals such as in (2014), Tomorrowland, and in , including a high-profile set at the 2013 alongside and for over 15,000 attendees. In 2018, he founded the independent label Zero Cool Records in , focusing on for global streaming platforms, and has since released projects like Club Zero Cool, Vol. 1 (2019) and collaborations such as "Calabria" and "Feels Like Love" with Laura White.

Background

Early life

Timotheus "Timo" Romme, professionally known as MOTi, was born on March 23, 1987, in , . Romme grew up in , a city celebrated for its rich artistic and musical heritage. His father, a retired , took him to museums and galleries as a child, fostering an early interest in and that influenced his later pursuits. His formative years in this dynamic urban environment contributed to his entry into the music industry. Around age 18, he signed his first management contract and began exploring DJing.

Initial interests and education

Following high school, Timotheus "Timo" Romme, professionally known as MOTi, pursued formal education in at in the . His interest in clothing stemmed from family influences, including visits that sparked an appreciation for and . During his three-year degree program, Romme interned at a clothing store, where exposure to the creative industry deepened his engagement with design. At the age of 18, around 2005–2006, Romme began DJing as a while still enrolled in his studies. This interest ignited after he purchased turntables from a colleague at the clothing store who was an active DJ, leading him to experiment with mixing in Amsterdam's emerging scene. Early positive reception to his sets, coupled with signing his first at 18, prompted him to prioritize music over . Recognizing his stronger passion for electronic music, Romme abandoned plans for a shortly after completing his degree, transitioning to full-time pursuit of DJing and production. Throughout his college years, Romme delved into electronic music production using basic software, initially collaborating in the deep house duo Groovenatics. This period marked his foundational experimentation, releasing tracks on labels like Defected and over five years, which honed his skills before shifting to solo work.

Music career

Early releases (2007–2012)

MOTi, born Timotheus Romme, began his self-taught journey into music production around 2006 while living in , initially inspired by a colleague's DJing during his studies in . Transitioning from fashion internships, he focused on tracks using software like Logic, honing his skills independently without formal training or significant commercial breakthroughs during this foundational phase. His early efforts remained largely underground, emphasizing high-energy drops and builds characteristic of the emerging Dutch electro scene, though they garnered limited mainstream attention prior to 2012. In 2012, MOTi had started building buzz through commissioned remixes for prominent artists, including Flo Rida's "Wild Ones" featuring Sia, Tiësto's "Bleckentrommel," and Far East Movement's "Live My Life" featuring . These works, often featuring amplified basslines and festival-ready structures, caught the ear of fellow Dutch producers and helped establish his reputation in Amsterdam's electronic circles, though they did not yet propel him to widespread recognition. MOTi's first official release came in April 2012 with "Circuits," a collaboration co-produced with fellow Dutch artist Quintino on Afrojack's Wall Recordings imprint. The track, characterized by pulsating synths and a driving 128 BPM rhythm, marked his entry into label-backed production and received support from key figures in the scene. Later that year, in September, MOTi and Quintino followed up with "Kinky Denise" on the same label, further solidifying his early sound amid the pre-breakthrough indie phase.

Breakthrough years (2013–2014)

In 2013, MOTi began releasing music on prominent labels, marking his entry into the mainstream EDM scene. His track "Krack!" was issued on on March 8, 2013, showcasing his big room sound and gaining traction in festival circuits. Shortly thereafter, he collaborated with on "Back to the Acid," released via Tiësto's Musical Freedom imprint on June 11, 2013, which highlighted his growing association with the label founded as a sub-imprint of . These releases built on his earlier remix work for artists like and Wolfpack, transitioning from independent efforts to label-backed productions. By the end of the year, MOTi secured a management deal with Tiësto's Red Light Management, providing professional support for his expanding career. The following year, MOTi achieved his first major chart success with the collaboration "Virus (How About Now)" alongside , released on on October 13, 2014. Featuring vocals from Jenny Wahlström, the track blended progressive house elements and quickly rose to the top of Beatport's charts, demonstrating MOTi's ability to co-produce high-impact anthems with established peers. This breakthrough single solidified his presence in the global EDM market, following a string of 2014 releases like "Don't Go Lose It" on Musical Freedom in January. Capitalizing on this momentum, MOTi launched his debut headlining tour, the #LION tour—named after his track "Lion (In My Head)"—on November 8, 2014, in at , with as a special guest. The tour spanned North American cities, including stops in at Create nightclub on November 14, , , , , , and , marking his first extensive live performances across the continent and introducing new material to audiences.

Peak success (2015–2018)

During 2015–2018, MOTi solidified his position in the EDM scene through consistent output on prominent labels and Musical Freedom, focusing on high-energy big room and tracks. Notable releases included "Valencia" on Musical Freedom in April 2015, which debuted during 's set at Miami, and "House of Now ( Edit)" on Musical Freedom in May 2015, marking a direct collaboration with the veteran producer. Further collaborations highlighted his growing network, such as "Blow Your Mind" with on Musical Freedom in 2015 and "Louder" on in June 2016, which exemplified his signature driving basslines and anthemic drops. A pivotal moment came with MOTi's collaboration with on "Boom," featuring Ty Dolla $ign, , and Kranium, released via in November 2015; the track blended influences with EDM elements, earning widespread play in sets. This period also saw MOTi expand his global presence through extensive touring, performing at major events including Tomorrowland in July 2015 on the Super You & Me Stage and Ultra Music Festival in September 2016 on the Main Stage. He made guest appearances at Ultra Music Festival in 2015, joining onstage for "House of Now" and having tracks like the earlier hit "Virus" incorporated into mainstage performances. In November 2018, MOTi launched his independent label Records as a platform for his evolving sound, releasing initial tracks like "Who We Are" featuring Lovespeake. The venture quickly gained traction, accumulating 100 million streams on by late 2019, signaling the culmination of his peak-era momentum.

Recent developments (2019–present)

Following the establishment of his label in 2018, MOTi expanded his production work into hip-hop, collaborating with artists such as , Ty Dolla $ign, and to blend electronic elements with urban sounds. This diversification marked a shift from his earlier focus, allowing him to explore cross-genre opportunities while maintaining his electronic roots. In the , MOTi continued releasing music that showcased his versatility, including and original tracks across and pop-infused styles. Notable outputs include the package for Ava Max's "Kings & Queens (The Remixes)" in 2020, a cover of TLC's "" in 2021, and the of Nate Smith's " (MOTi Remix)" in 2023. He also released the collaborative GYM LIFE with BODYWORX in 2023, featuring high-energy tracks tailored for workout playlists. More recent works encompass the "Into The Light (MOTi )" for PLS&TY in June 2025, the collaborative single "Skip To Friday" with Old Jim and Amero in 2025, and his original track "Green Lights" in October 2025. After a hiatus due to the , MOTi resumed live performances at major festivals, including appearances at Tomorrowland in 2023 and 2024. As of late 2025, no major headline tours have been announced, though his streaming presence remains strong, with over 2 million monthly listeners on .

Musical style and influences

Core genres and evolution

MOTi's early career was rooted in and , genres that defined his initial releases and established his presence in the scene. Tracks like "" and "," released around 2013, exemplified his production style, which heavily featured aggressive synthesizers and pulsating basslines to create high-energy, anthemic builds tailored for environments. This approach drew from the high-octane demands of club and live performances, emphasizing drop-heavy structures that captivated audiences at events like . Over time, MOTi's sound evolved toward a more versatile EDM palette, incorporating big room elements for explosive drops while experimenting with subgenres such as trap and & bass. A pivotal example is his 2014 collaboration "Virus (How About Now)" with , which blended electro influences with big room dynamics to achieve widespread festival play and chart success. By the mid-2010s, this shift allowed him to diversify beyond pure , as seen in like his take on Stafford Brothers' "Hello" featuring , which topped Beatport's Hip Hop chart for over two months and introduced hip-hop beats into his EDM framework. His production techniques adapted accordingly, layering festival-ready synth progressions with rhythmic complexity to bridge dance floors and mainstream appeal. In the 2020s, MOTi's evolution continued with hybrid productions that fused EDM with pop and hip-hop elements, particularly through remixes of non-EDM tracks, while maintaining original dance-oriented releases. Releases such as the 2021 "" remix and the 2023 "" highlight this phase, where he reimagined R&B and country-pop songs with electronic drops and hip-hop-infused beats, prioritizing accessibility for streaming platforms and radio. Recent originals like "Don't Look Back" (2025), a track, "Skip To Friday" with Old Jim and Amero (November 2025), and "Love You Today" with Amero (November 2025) demonstrate his ongoing commitment to anthemic EDM builds alongside collaborative remixing, blending rap vocals and trap percussion with signature energy to appeal to broader audiences while retaining festival appeal. This adaptability has positioned him as a multifaceted in an increasingly genre-blended EDM landscape.

Key influences

MOTi's production approach was profoundly shaped by early influences from diverse genres, including rock icon , whose raw, guitar-driven energy informed his emphasis on dynamic and emotive builds in tracks. Techno pioneer Derrick May provided foundational inspirations for electronic rhythms and atmospheric depth, while the German electro duo encouraged experimental and minimalist structures in his early experiments. These artists collectively guided his transition from rock-infused sounds to electronic production during his formative years. Within the EDM landscape, MOTi regards as his primary mentor, crediting the veteran DJ for instilling a philosophy of authentic creativity over trend-chasing, which influenced his structured progressions and melodic drops. Similarly, served as a key influence through early collaborations and professional support, helping refine his elements and festival-ready arrangements. His explorations into hip-hop fusions draw from 's genre-blending style, evident in the 2018 collaboration "Down Easy" with featuring Starley and Wyclef Jean, where Caribbean and rap influences expanded MOTi's palette for rhythmic versatility and vocal integration. Beyond individual artists, MOTi's high-energy live sets and overall career trajectory have been molded by Amsterdam's pulsating club scene, where he honed his skills as a local , and by at global festivals like Tomorrowland and , fostering an adaptive, crowd-responsive style.

Recognition

Awards and nominations

MOTi has garnered recognition through industry rankings and chart successes, though he has not secured major award wins. In 2015, he placed at #117 in DJ Mag's Top 101-150 DJs poll, reflecting his emerging status in the global EDM scene. His 2014 collaboration with , "Virus (How About Now)", achieved #1 status on the charts, marking a significant chart-topping accomplishment in .

Notable collaborations and performances

MOTi has engaged in several high-profile collaborations that have elevated his standing in the scene. His partnership with began in 2013 with the track "Back to the Acid," released on Musical Freedom, and continued through subsequent releases including "Blow Your Mind" in 2015 and "Break the House Down" in 2018, both also on the label. In 2014, MOTi teamed up with for "Virus (How About Now)," a anthem on that amassed over 150 million streams, significantly boosting his international exposure. A notable crossover into hip-hop and came in 2016 with Major Lazer's "Boom," featuring MOTi alongside Ty Dolla $ign, , and Kranium; the track, part of Major Lazer's extended edition, blended electronic production with global influences and garnered over 190 million plays. These collaborations not only resulted in multi-platinum productions but also secured MOTi prominent bookings worldwide. Early in his career, MOTi performed alongside and at the 2013 showcase, drawing over 15,000 attendees and marking a pivotal step under 's Red Light Management. His debut U.S. festival appearance at in 2014 on the Main Stage propelled further opportunities, including a guest spot during 's 2015 Ultra set for "House of Now (Tiësto Edit)." MOTi also delivered sets at Tomorrowland in 2015 on the Super Stage and embarked on his #LION tour in late 2014, targeting North American markets like New York and to promote his single "Lion (In My Head)." These live outings, often exceeding large crowds, underscored the direct impact of his joint projects on his touring profile.

References

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