Dutch DJ and music producer Martin Garrix honored with prestigious music award

DJ and music producer Martin Garrix has been honored with the prestigious Gouden Harp award this year, announced Monday morning by Frank Helmink, director of Stichting Buma Cultuur, during the NPO Radio 1 program Spraakmakers (Talk Makers), NOS reports.

At 29, Garrix was honored with the award last week in a private ceremony at his home, as a packed schedule prevented him from attending tonight’s Buma Awards ceremony at the Internationaal Theater Amsterdam. During the ceremony, he reportedly expressed his happiness and called the award a very special honor.

The Gouden Harp is awarded annually to individuals who have made significant contributions to the Dutch music industry. Past recipients include radio DJ Edwin Evers, dance festival organizer Duncan Stutterheim, and hip-hop group De Jeugd van Tegenwoordig.

Frank Helmink emphasized Garrix’s role as a symbol of Dutch musical success, highlighting the artist’s impact. Born Martijn Garritsen, Garrix is the second youngest artist to receive the Gouden Harp, after singer Jan Smit.

Garritsen started his career as a DJ at age 11 and was discovered by Dutch DJ Tiësto in 2012. His breakthrough came a year later at age 16 with the hit single Animals.

In 2016, he became the youngest DJ ever to be named DJ Magazine’s most popular DJ of the year, a title he won an additional four times.