It’s a long climb to the summit. Simply ask VASSY.
With a string of Billboard No. 1s, billions of streams, a special performance on an NBA court, and collaborations with Afrojack, David Guetta, and Tiesto, the Australian singer, and songwriter is at the pinnacle of electronic dance music. And she’s gone further than anyone else to get there.
VASSY (born Vassy Karagiorgos) grew up in a Greek family and now lives in Darwin, Australia’s remote, top-end capital. Population: approximately 150,000 people.
VASSY, who is now based in the United States, made history last month when she won the Icon Award at the 2023 EDMAs in Miami, becoming the first woman to do so.
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That latest accolade comes after she dominated the Media Base Dance Radio Chart with “Pieces,” a sweet and light club number featuring Bingo Players and Disco Fries. “Pieces” peaked at number three on Billboard’s Dance/Mix Show Airplay chart.
“It’s truly special to be recognized and acknowledged by my community in this way.” “I’m just really proud to be the first woman to receive an Icon Award,” she tells Billboard. “Look, the dance genre is dominated by men. Let’s face it, it’s a boys’ club. It’s also a DJ-driven genre. And I’m not a DJ, and I’m definitely not a boy, even if I could be a tomboy, but definitely not a boy,” she laughs.
“I just want to get that door open right now.” The gateway through which female artists can be recognized for their role, perhaps iconic role, in a DJ-fueled culture. “It just makes me so happy.”
VASSY’s pride has created a powerful internal force. Her father died 20 years ago, but he continues to inspire her.
“He instilled in me a strong work ethic,” she says. VASSY pursued her dreams after completing a degree in architecture, which left her with over A$150,000 in student debt. “I had to figure it out for myself.” I had to figure it out for myself.”
She moved to the United States about ten years ago, starting from scratch. “What I’m most proud of is that I did everything with integrity.” That is extremely important because I owe it to my father. As an immigrant to Australia, he worked so hard to give us the life he couldn’t have. So I must respect my father’s legacy.”
She has done all of this and more.
VASSY became the first Australian artist to reach No. 1 on Billboard’s Dance Club Songs chart with her solo single “We Are Young” around the time of her relocation.
Her 2014 hit “Bad” with David Guetta and Showtek has surpassed one billion streams on YouTube and a whopping two billion plays across all platforms.
She’s gone on to have six No. 1s on Billboard’s Dance Club Songs chart (including “Bad” and 2018’s “Lost” with Afrojack featuring Oliver Rosa), songs synced to film and TV, including the trailer for Disney’s Frozen, and she’s been named to APRA AMCOS’ The 1,000,000,000 List (she’s an ambassador for the PRO).
This EDM legend offers sound advice. Make your mistakes. Get out of bad business relationships. Focus, be a boss, and believe.
“I always tell the ladies to be bosses. “Don’t be bossy, but be a boss who knows what you want and doesn’t want,” VASSY says.
“Rejections are simply redirections; rejections will come.” Every rejection I’ve faced in my career has been a blessing in disguise.”
“I was young when I came to America, and I got burned, exploited, and made mistakes.” And here I am, like a symbol. And I just want to show others that you can do it, that you can follow your dreams. Not just in music, but in everything. If you have faith in yourself.”
