“Waiting for the Drop: Rise of the Superstar DJs”, directed by acclaimed journalist Alexei Barrionuevo, is a gripping new documentary that explores the explosive rise of Electronic Dance Music (EDM) and the global phenomenon of superstar DJs. The film offers an unfiltered look at the human stories and cultural shifts behind EDM’s meteoric rise over the past decade.
Behind the Scenes of a Musical Revolution
As laser lights lit up stadiums and basslines shook dance floors from Europe to America, a deeper narrative was unfolding—one of passion, fame, excess, and transformation. Filmed over ten years (2013–2023), Waiting for the Drop takes viewers on a backstage journey through EDM’s golden era. It includes raw, intimate interviews with industry icons like Tiësto, Carl Cox, Hardwell, Nervo, and many more.
The documentary doesn’t just highlight the glamor—it reveals the complexities behind the rise. Viewers will experience pivotal moments in real-time, from onstage euphoria to behind-the-scenes challenges.
From Underground to Mainstream: EDM’s Global Boom
The story begins in the UK, Netherlands, and Ibiza, tracing EDM’s underground roots in the 1980s and 90s. It then follows the genre’s massive crossover into North America during the early 2010s. With festival anthems and stadium tours, EDM quickly became the soundtrack of a generation.
But the film also explores the darker side of the industry. It dives into the rise and fall of SFX Entertainment, a corporate entity that tried to capitalize on the scene, only to collapse under its own weight. The documentary also touches on the growing pressure of social media and how it reshaped DJ culture and fan expectations.
A Cultural and Generational Milestone
Alexei Barrionuevo, a former Billboard editor, doesn’t just see EDM as a music genre—he frames it as a defining moment in modern youth identity.
“EDM was a pivot point in modern youth culture,” says Barrionuevo. “A time when Millennials, seeking something of their own, seized an opportunity to create a tribe.”
With its authentic storytelling and never-before-seen footage, Waiting for the Drop provides a rare glimpse into the rise of global dance music—and the people who lived it.
Global Digital Release This Summer
Waiting for the Drop: Rise of the Superstar DJs is scheduled for a worldwide digital release this summer via Indie Rights, kicking off with a launch on Amazon. EDM fans and documentary lovers alike won’t want to miss this essential look at one of music’s most revolutionary decades.