Title: Martin Garrix And MOTi Mark 12 Years Of ‘Virus (How About Now)’
It’s hard to believe it’s been a dozen years since Martin Garrix and MOTi released their iconic collaboration, ‘Virus (How About Now)’. The track burst onto the electronic dance music scene in 2014, swiftly embedding itself in the collective consciousness of festival-goers and EDM enthusiasts worldwide. Before its official launch, the song had already caught the ears of major DJs, creating a buzz that left fans speculating about its elusive creators. Once Spinnin’ Records unveiled the duo behind the enigmatic track, ‘Virus (How About Now)’ solidified its place as a staple in the big room sound, garnering support from industry titans such as Hardwell, Avicii, Tiësto, David Guetta, Afrojack, W&W, and Nicky Romero.
How ‘Virus (How About Now)’ Came Together
The genesis of ‘Virus’ can be traced back to an early demo shared by MOTi with Martin Garrix, forged through their friendship that had blossomed over the years. MOTi reminisced that Garrix was instantly captivated by the melody of the drop. That spark set off a creative whirlwind wherein Garrix infused a vibrant breakdown into the track, and together they meticulously crafted the final version. Notably, the release also featured vocals from the talented Jenny Wahlström, who secured songwriting credits alongside Martin Garrix, MOTi, Niclas Lundin, and Leon Paul Palmen.
At that pivotal time, the two producers were heavily steeped in the booming big room and electro house genres, which were rapidly becoming integral to major festival experiences. Martin Garrix had already captured global attention with monumental hits like ‘Animals’ and ‘Wizard’, while MOTi was carving out his niche through labels like Musical Freedom, where he released tracks such as ‘Zeus’ with Kenneth G and ‘This Is Dirty’ with DVBBS. This synergy of styles created a perfect storm that propelled ‘Virus (How About Now)’ to the pinnacle of the Beatport Top 100 charts, a triumph echoing across the EDM landscape.
‘Virus’ Became A Major 2014 Festival Record
Even before its official release, ‘Virus (How About Now)’ was already a fixture in DJ sets around the world, a testament to its infectious energy and appeal. On October 13, 2014, Spinnin’ Records unleashed the official music video, while the commercial single proliferated across various streaming platforms. The track gained significant traction not just in fans’ ears but also on international charts, landing in the top ranks in countries like the Netherlands, Belgium, France, and Germany.
The accompanying music video was as innovative as the track itself, creatively illustrating the notion of a ‘virus’ with a storyline that weaved together the concept of infection amongst people while a captivating computer game played along. This visual representation resonated with audiences, accumulating over 22 million views on the official Spinnin’ Records upload, further cementing the track’s cultural impact during that vibrant year in EDM.
Fast-forward to today, a decade later, and ‘Virus (How About Now)’ remains a significant emblem of a time when the big room sound reigned supreme on the world’s largest festival stages. For both Martin Garrix and MOTi, the collaboration encapsulated a critical juncture in their careers, as both were crafting music designed primarily for large gatherings of fans. Its continued presence in nostalgic sets keeps the spirit of the track alive, ensuring it resonates well beyond its initial release in 2014.
