Nina Kraviz trained as a dentist, working at a Moscow war veterans’ hospital before swapping the drill for the decks.
Calvin Harris worked in a fish processing factory before stacking supermarket shelves.
Fisher was a professional surfer on the World Qualifying Series before turning to DJing.
Armin van Buuren was studying law at Leiden University before music took over.
HoneyLuv served in the U.S. Navy after an injury ended her NCAA basketball career.
Diplo worked as a substitute teacher and after-school care worker.
Black Coffee spent his childhood herding his family’s cattle in South Africa’s Eastern Cape.
Paul Oakenfold qualified as a French chef at Le Cordon Bleu before first discovering Ibiza in 1987.
Steve Aoki spent a summer working in the kitchen at one of his father’s Benihana restaurants.
The Blessed Madonna sold mixtapes at raves before becoming a global DJ.
Barry Can’t Swim worked in a fishmonger’s before tending bar at a jazz club.
Carl Cox worked as a scaffolder and painter-decorator.
Fatboy Slim was bassist with indie-pop band The Housemartins before reinventing himself as a DJ. Major League DJz promoted events while at university. Bandile also managed a stall at FNB Stadium during the 2010 FIFA World Cup before both brothers gained experience at Soul Candi.
Amelie Lens worked as a fashion model before swapping catwalks for club booths.
John Summit (John Schuster) was a Certified Public Accountant at Ernst & Young.
Maceo Plex worked as an avionics technician maintaining aircraft electronics.
Sara Landry worked in data analytics before pursuing music full-time.
Dixon played youth football for East Germany until a knee injury ended his career.
AND FINALLY, FROM CLAPTONE… “I’ve had a few jobs over the centuries, but the worst was being a plague doctor during the Great Plagues. These days, I’d much rather get people dancing than fight the plague… although COVID did make me wonder if I was about to become relevant again.”
