Is DJ Mag Top 100 Just A Popularity Contest?

DJ Mag released their Top 100 DJ list for 2015 last month during Amsterdam Music Festival with an unpredictable set of winners. For the past two years, Dutch big room house DJ Hardwell claimed the number one spot and many assumed the Dutch DJ would reclaim the top spot this year. However, much to everyone's surprise Belgium duo Dimitri Vegas and Like Mike climbed to the top and snagged the number one spot from Hardwell and Martin Garrix, who claimed second and third place respectively.

There has been a lot of talk in the past of DJ Mag's legitimacy and accuracy but DJ Mag states on their official website that rankings for the Top 100 are chosen solely by fans.

However, some DJs seem to go out of their way to get to the top. Rather than allowing their fans to support them and show their love by voting out of their free will, some advertise and even go as far as approaching people to vote. In July, during this year's Tomorrowland in Belgium, festivalgoers say they were approached by a woman carrying an iPad who worked for Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike and were asked to vote for the Belgium duo for the DJ Mag Top 100. 

Other DJs have also spoken out about the inaccuracy of DJ Mag Top 100 including Axwell & Ingrosso who took a gab at Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike before their set at AMF. As well as Kaskade who took to his twitter to call out DJ Mag for listing him at #84.

Tropical House DJ Sam Feldt also shared his thoughts on DJ Mag when he spoke to iEDM this past labor day weekend at New York's Electric Zoo festival:

I think you can be successful without ever appearing on DJ Mag. I think the DJ Mag should be seen as more of a marketing instrument for bookings and promoters… but its not needed to be successful. I know a lot of great DJs touring worldwide and they have never been on DJ Mag. I think it’s just a big popularity contest with all sold out votes…it’s just weird and I don’t really want to be a part of that.

It seems that DJ Mag Top 100 can be a good way to advertise and maximize exposure but may not be the best way to rank an artist for their talent. What do you guys think?