Biography Of The Chainsmokers

The Chainsmokers are an American electronic music duo comprised of Alex Pall, born on May 16, 1985, and Drew Taggart, born on December 31, 1989. The two came together in New York City in 2012 after Alex, who had been working as a DJ, was introduced to Drew through a manager. They quickly bonded over their shared passion for dance music and began producing original tracks and remixes, initially gaining traction by reworking songs from indie acts like The Wanted and Tove Lo.
The duo first captured widespread attention in 2014 with the viral novelty hit “#Selfie,” a satirical track that became a global phenomenon and introduced them to mainstream audiences, though it also led many to dismiss them as a one-hit wonder. They spent the next two years working to redefine their sound, moving away from gimmicky tracks toward more emotional, vocal-driven electronic music. That effort paid off in 2015 with the release of “Roses” featuring Rozes, a moody, melodic single that reached the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100 and signaled a major artistic evolution.
Their breakthrough into superstardom came in 2016 with the release of “Closer,” a collaboration with Halsey that became an unprecedented smash. The track topped the Billboard Hot 100 for twelve consecutive weeks and broke records as one of the best-selling digital singles of all time. That same year, they won their first Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording for “Don’t Let Me Down” featuring Daya, cementing their status as a dominant force in pop and electronic music.
From that point forward, The Chainsmokers became known for their genre-blending style, combining electronic production with pop hooks, rock influences, and deeply personal lyrics. Their debut studio album, Memories...Do Not Open, arrived in 2017 and featured the Coldplay collaboration “Something Just Like This,” which became another global hit. They followed with a series of albums—Sick Boy in 2018, World War Joy in 2019, So Far So Good in 2022, and Summertime Friends in 2023—each showcasing a gradual shift from their early EDM roots toward more alternative, pop-rock, and introspective sounds.