Zedd

Zedd – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes

Discover the full story of Zedd (Anton Zaslavski) — the German-Russian DJ/producer born September 2, 1989 — from his classical roots to chart-topping hits, collaborations, philosophy on music, and memorable quotes.

Introduction

Anton Zaslavski, better known by his stage name Zedd, is a German record producer, DJ, and multi-instrumentalist. Clarity (featuring Foxes) in 2012, Zedd has become one of the leading figures in electronic dance music (EDM), known for blending pop sensibilities, electronic textures, and strong melodies.

What sets Zedd apart is his foundation in classical training, his willingness to cross genres, and his drive to push production and technology boundaries in music. Over time, he has not just made hit singles, but also engaged with evolving tools (including AI) and explored deeper conceptual albums.

In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into his early life, career trajectory, influence, stylistic philosophy, and the quotes that capture his musical mind.

Early Life and Family

Anton Zaslavski was born on September 2, 1989 in Saratov, then part of the Soviet Union (now Russia). Kaiserslautern, Germany, and he was primarily raised there.

Music was deeply embedded in his upbringing: his father, Igor Zaslavski, is a guitarist and music teacher, and his mother is a piano teacher.

He has at least two brothers: an older brother Arkadi and a younger half-brother Daniel.

From a very early age, Zedd showed musical inclination. He started piano lessons around age 4 and later picked up drums around age 12. This classical foundation would prove to be a strong backbone for his later electronic production.

Youth, Education, and Musical Foundations

Zedd’s early musical studies were rooted in the classical tradition. He learned piano first, developing his understanding of harmony, theory, and dynamics early on.

By 2002, as a teenager, Zedd joined the rock/metal band Dioramic (a post-hardcore / metal trio) along with his older brother Arkadi and another bandmate.

Over time, Zedd’s interest shifted from rock/metal toward electronic music, inspired in part by listening to electronic acts such as Justice. This transition was fueled by his curiosity for synthesis, production techniques, and combining classical knowledge with modern tools.

While there is less publicly documented detail about formal academic or music schooling beyond his early training, it is clear that his upbringing and musical environment supplied much of his foundational education.

Career and Achievements

Beginnings and Breakthrough

After his time with Dioramic, Zedd moved more confidently into electronic production. In 2010, he began releasing original works and remixes.

One of his early notable remixes was of Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way”, which gave him extended reach in the EDM/pop space.

However, his true breakthrough came with his 2012 single “Clarity” (featuring Foxes). The track climbed to #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and won the Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording. Clarity.

Also from the Clarity album, the deluxe edition spawned “Stay the Night” (with Hayley Williams), which charted in the U.S. Top 20.

He also co-wrote/produced for other major pop acts (for example, collaborating on Justin Bieber’s “Beauty and a Beat” with Max Martin) during this period.

In 2014, Zedd partnered with Ariana Grande for the song “Break Free,” which became a major hit (peaking at #4 on the Hot 100).

Growth, Collaborations & Evolution

Zedd’s second studio album, True Colors, released in 2015, further cemented his place in the mainstream EDM–pop crossover space. True Colors include:

• “I Want You to Know” (with Selena Gomez)

• “Beautiful Now” (with Jon Bellion)

• “Papercut” (featuring Troye Sivan)

From 2017 onward, Zedd’s output leaned strongly toward high-profile collaborations and singles rather than full album releases. Notable tracks include:

• “Stay” (with Alessia Cara) — charting in Billboard Hot 100 upper ranks

• “Get Low” (with Liam Payne)

• “The Middle” (with Maren Morris & Grey), which peaked at #5 on the Hot 100.

• “Happy Now” (with Elley Duhé)

• “365” (with Katy Perry)

• “Good Thing” (with Kehlani)

• “Inside Out” (with Griff)

In 2024, after nearly a decade since True Colors, Zedd released his third studio album, Telos (on August 30, 2024).

He also embraced advanced technologies in that album’s rollout: Zedd collaborated with Intel to integrate an AI-powered fan experience tied to the album’s artwork and tracks (e.g., a visual/interactive element for “Lucky,” a single from Telos). In an interview, Zedd remarked:

“I would never have been able to make the music I make if it wasn't for AI.”

He intends Telos to be a coherent, cinematic listening journey rather than a collection of standalone singles.

Zedd also composed the opening theme “Jaka Jaan” (ジャカ☆ジャ〜ン) for the 2024 anime Dragon Ball Daima (in collaboration with Japanese duo C & K), and contributed to the ending theme “Nakama” with singer Ai.

Awards, Recognition & Influence

• Clarity’s title track won the Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording.

• He has been nominated multiple times for awards like American Music Awards and Billboard awards for his work in electronic / dance categories.

• His singles have been certified platinum or achieved strong commercial success across the U.S. and internationally.

His influence lies in bridging EDM and pop in a way that retains artistic craft (melody, harmony) while satisfying mainstream appeal. He is also pushing the boundaries of how technology (AI, visuals, multimedia) can enhance musical experience.

Historical & Industry Context

Zedd emerged during a time (late 2000s–early 2010s) when EDM was ascending into mainstream popularity, especially in the U.S. and international pop charts. His classical training gave him an edge in musical structure and complexity, distinguishing him from many producers focused purely on club sounds.

As streaming, remix culture, and digital tools evolved, his dual fluency in traditional music theory and production technology allowed him to adapt and stay relevant. In recent years, the music industry’s exploration of AI, immersive experiences, and multimedia releases dovetails with Zedd’s ambitions, making him both a beneficiary and innovator in the evolving landscape.

His move in Telos to combine a conceptual album with AI-based fan interaction underscores how modern musicians must think beyond audio alone and engage listeners across sensory and interactive dimensions.

Personality, Philosophy & Creative Approach

Zedd often speaks about music as a language in itself, beyond mere entertainment. As one quote says:

“Music is its own language — if you don’t speak it, it’s hard to say what you’re trying to do.”

He also positions himself as an independent artist with integrity:

“I’m my own artist, and I see artists as movies. No one should try to change them for anything. If you don’t like it, you just don’t follow it.”

He has expressed flexibility and openness to direction shifts:

“I would never say I will stay in electronic music for the rest of my life. I will always do whatever I feel like at that moment.”

In discussing live performance vs. traditional band shows, he observed:

“When I played in a band, people just stand there and look at you and criticize what they didn't like. But if you watch a D.J. show, people go crazy from beginning to end. … you can't deny that the energy level in the audience is … far above what rock bands have.”

These remarks reveal how he sees DJing and electronic performance as more immediate, crowd-responsive, and dynamic.

On anonymity and artist identity, he also emphasizes not forcing change on artists:

“If you don’t like it, you just don’t follow it.”

He also suggests that music (and artist expression) should not be artificially constrained by expectation.

Famous Quotes of Zedd

Here is a selection of impactful quotes that reflect Zedd’s creative mindset:

“Music is its own language — if you don’t speak it, it’s hard to say what you’re trying to do.” “I’m my own artist, and I see artists as movies. No one should try to change them for anything. If you don’t like it, you just don’t follow it.” “I would never say I will stay in electronic music for the rest of my life. I will always do whatever I feel like at that moment.” “When I played in a band, people just stand there … But … a D.J. show … people go crazy … you can't deny that the energy level … is … far above what rock bands have.”

These lines highlight his artistic independence, his respect for musical language, and his belief in the power of live, energetic performance.

Lessons & Insights from Zedd’s Journey

From Zedd’s life and work, we can glean several lessons:

1. Strong foundations matter. His classical training (piano, drums) gave him deep grounding that supports his electronic production.

2. Flexibility in identity. He resists being boxed into a single genre for life; rather, he lets creative impulses guide him.

3. Technology is a tool, not a gimmick. His embrace of AI and interactive experiences is not for show but toward deeper musical expression.

4. Think in narratives. With Telos, he emphasizes albums as journeys or stories, not just collections of singles.

5. Bridge art and audience. He cares about musical integrity yet also about energy, connection, and how listeners feel.

6. Adapt and evolve. The music industry is always shifting; staying curious, experimenting, and pushing boundaries is vital.

Conclusion

Anton “Zedd” Zaslavski’s path from a musically rich childhood in Germany to global stardom underscores the power of combining depth, curiosity, and innovation. He has successfully walked the line between mainstream appeal and musicianship, and continues to evolve as he experiments with new forms, technologies, and narratives.

His recent album Telos represents not just a return to album-level work, but also a step into more immersive, interactive artistic expression. As he continues to push his own boundaries, Zedd remains a compelling example of how electronic music can be rich, expressive, and future-oriented.

If you’d like, I can also compile a more extensive quote list, a chronological discography, or explore Zedd’s influence on emerging electronic artists.