It’s been a rather humongous year for ol’ Yellow Claw. After making their entrance into the 2015 Top 100 DJs poll in 76th place, the Dutchmen dropped their debut album ‘Bloody For Mercy’ mid-November and have been globe-trotting ever since, bringing their ballsy blend of trap and EDM to the world’s biggest clubs and festivals.

That being said, 2016 hasn’t been total plain sailing for the group; back in June, MC Bizzey announced that he would be quitting the group to spend more time with his family, and Yellow Claw played their final gig as a trio at EDC Las Vegas — what a way to go!

Although they were sad to wave goodbye to their friend, remaining producer/DJs Jim Aasgier and Nizzle (Nils Rondhuis) haven’t let his departure slow them down. The pair are already looking forward to dropping their second album sometime next year. “It will take off where ‘Blood For Mercy’ ended,” they tell DJ Mag, and considering how far they’ve jumped up the Top 100 chart since that dropped, we wouldn’t be surprised if 2017 proved to be an even bigger year for Yellow Claw. BEN HINDLE

What have been the new frontiers for you this year?

“Discovering more about the combination of dance and pop music.”

Is electronic music taken seriously enough as an art-form?

“Yes. Maybe even too seriously.”

What’s the best new bit of DJ/production technology, and why?

“Definitely not those new Pioneers that have waaay too many buttons, options, lights and ways to switch the microwave on at home. Pioneer! You guys have been cutting edge, but please keep it simple.”

If you had to switch your style to another genre, what would it be?

“Future house/garage.”

As a fan, what is the top price you would pay to see yourself DJ?

“We would offer our bodies.”

What can be done to prevent drug-related deaths at dance music events?

“Educate kids about drugs, don’t just say they are bad — which they are, by the way.”

How can we increase diversity in dance music?

“This can only happen if people are true at heart about it. We come from Amsterdam, which is a pretty open-minded place. It doesn’t matter out there if you're black, white, gay, a woman or something in between all of those things. That’s the way it should be.”