The Chainsmokers

The Chainsmokers

The Chainsmokers are an electronic and pop duo from New York, United States, made up of Alex Pall and Andrew Taggart. Active since 2012, they work across dance-pop, EDM, electro house, electronic, electropop, and future bass. Their sound combines club-oriented production with mainstream pop songwriting, and they first build attention through remix work before moving into original releases.

Career beginnings

Pall and Taggart first gain recognition by making remixes of indie bands, with those tracks attracting tens of millions of streams. Their first official single is "#Selfie," which appears in early 2014. The track uses bouncy production and satirical lyrics about social-media narcissism, reaches number one on the Billboard dance chart, and sells over ten million copies. Its video includes appearances by Snoop Dogg and David Hasselhoff, and the song itself draws hundreds of millions of views.

Early releases and EPs

After "#Selfie," the duo release singles including "Kanye" and "Let You Go." In 2015 they issue the Bouquet EP on Disruptor Records. That release takes a softer, more indie-leaning direction and includes "Roses," which becomes double-platinum, reaches number one on the Top Dance Songs chart, and brings Billboard Music Awards nominations for Top Dance/Electronic Artist and Top Dance/Electronic Song.

Mainstream success

In 2016, The Chainsmokers release "Don't Let Me Down" with Pittsburgh pop singer Daya. The single is platinum-certified, tops the Billboard dance chart, and later wins a Grammy. They also perform on the Tilt Tour, described as the first fan-sourced tour. In the same period, Pall and Taggart host two SiriusXM programmes: Nice Hair, a monthly mix show, and the weekly YouTube EDM 15.

The follow-up single, "Closer," features Halsey and gradually reaches number one on the singles chart, where it stays for more than ten weeks. It breaks the previous record held by Drake’s "One Dance." During this period, they also release the Collage EP, which combines their two Top Three singles with new collaborations featuring Phoebe Ryan, XYLØ, and Charlee.

Albums and later releases

The duo’s debut album, Memories: Do Not Open, arrives in 2017. It includes guest appearances from Emily Warren, Jhene Aiko, and Florida Georgia Line, as well as the singles "Paris" and "Something Just Like This," their collaboration with Coldplay. The album debuts at the top of the Billboard chart. At the start of 2018, they move toward a more reflective and lyrical style with "Sick Boy," which appears on the EP of the same name. Sick Boy enters the Billboard 200 just outside the top 50.

Live activity and festival appearances

By 2015, The Chainsmokers have already played more than 300 shows, including appearances at Lollapalooza, Firefly, Tomorrowland, and Ultra. These festival dates sit alongside their growing presence as one of the most visible electronic-pop acts of the period.