- Real name - Olha Korolova
- Date of birth - March 17, 1988
- City - Chernihiv (Ukraine)
- Occupation - DJ, music producer
- Genre - melodic techno, progressive house
Korolova (DJ Korolova) is a Ukrainian DJ and music producer working in the genres of melodic techno and progressive house, who has rapidly conquered the global electronic music scene. The artist is ranked among the world's Top 50 DJs according to the British publication DJ Mag, while her music has been played on the main stage of Tomorrowland and in the jungles of Mexico.
The Artist's Early Years
The future star of the global electronic music scene, Korolova, was born and raised in Chernihiv in a family that loved music. According to the artist, she felt like a creative person from an early age: at the age of six, she herself brought her mother to a music school, as almost all of her relatives were connected with music. Her father played the guitar and piano, her aunt and sisters also played the piano, and her grandmother sang in a theatre. Such an environment fostered her love for culture and creativity from childhood.
Besides music, Olha was passionate about dancing and even taught dance for some time at one of Chernihiv's dance studios. The artist admits that she still misses that occupation today.
Her interest in electronic music emerged during her university years. The turning point came after meeting a DJ, after which she began regularly attending major electronic music festivals in Kyiv. Her fascination finally turned into a true passion after attending a concert by the legendary duo Gabriel & Dresden in 2004. In 2007, the future artist stepped behind the DJ booth for the first time and began creating her own sound. Her greatest inspiration was Tiësto, one of the world's most famous DJs. At the time, Olha Korolova could hardly imagine that years later he would include her sets in his performances, and that they would eventually collaborate on a track together.
Creative Career
Career Beginnings and First Success
Korolova has been professionally working as a DJ for more than thirteen years. During a significant part of her early career, the artist performed under the stage name DJ Da Queen, primarily playing EDM. The road to international recognition was not easy: for a long time, she sent her own tracks to various labels, but her early releases initially received little attention.
Her debut performance took place in Feodosia, in Ukrainian Crimea, on the stage of the popular Beach Club 117. It was there that Olha had the opportunity to perform alongside the world-renowned artist Armin van Buuren.
An important factor in her growing popularity was her own YouTube channel. Korolova began recording live sets in some of the world's most picturesque locations - from Cappadocia, Zanzibar, and Egypt to Sedniv in Ukraine. These videos quickly attracted millions of views, helping her audience grow and bringing her first fans and devoted followers.
Current Creative Period
In 2022, after the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Olha moved to Poland together with her family. Already in 2023, the DJ performed more than 100 concerts, visiting over 50 countries and firmly establishing herself among the leading representatives of the modern electronic music industry.
In October of the same year, the artist founded her own label, Captive Soul, which became a platform for releasing her original music, new releases, and collaborations with other artists. At the same time, Captive Soul also evolved into a brand of large-scale events where Korolova performs as a headliner alongside leading figures of the global electronic music scene.
In 2024, the DJ appeared as a model at Paris Fashion Week, and in 2025 she entered the prestigious DJ Mag ranking, taking 50th place among the world's Top 100 DJs. During this period, she completed numerous international collaborations with renowned producers and artists, including Jan Blomqvist, Spada, Meduza, Tube & Berger, and others.
Korolova's YouTube live sets are regularly filmed in iconic locations around the world - in Sharm El Sheikh, Odesa, Buenos Aires, Santorini, and Miami. In addition, the artist hosts the weekly one-hour radio show and podcast Captive Soul, available on SoundCloud, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. Over the years, Korolova has performed on the main stage of Tomorrowland, collaborated with labels such as Tomorrowland Music, Insomniac, and Anjunabeats, and before founding her own company, released music on Ultra Records, Armada, AFTR, and Get Physical Music.
Musical Style
Korolova's music is rooted in the genres of melodic techno and progressive house. As a music producer, the artist pays exceptional attention to every detail of the sound, carefully selecting the vocals for each composition. Her music combines deep basslines, atmospheric synthesizers, and emotional melodies. Korolova's tracks are instantly recognisable thanks to their harmonious balance between dancefloor energy and an almost meditative atmosphere. This is why her compositions often become the soundtrack for travel, sunset parties, and large-scale club events.
Ukrainian musical influences hold a special place in the artist's work. She consciously integrates them into her sets, considering them an important part of her identity and a way to introduce Ukrainian culture to audiences around the world.
Creative Process
Creating a new track is always a different process for Korolova. Some compositions are completed within just a few days, while others require months or even a full year of work. This was the case with the single Higher Calling, recorded together with Yuliia Sanina. The artist had long dreamed of this collaboration, so she repeatedly revised the arrangement in pursuit of perfection.
The track «Fortune Teller» has a completely different story. While walking through Berlin with a friend, she accidentally heard the original song by Kateryna from Go_A. The vocals impressed the musicians so deeply that they immediately went to the studio, and by the following morning the new track was finished. After receiving the singer's approval, the track was released on the Tomorrowland label in less than two months, introducing international audiences to Ukrainian music.
Before work begins on each new release, Korolova's team organises dedicated creative sessions (writing camps), bringing together songwriters, vocal and pronunciation specialists, and other members of the creative process.
Civic Position and Social Activity
No matter which stage in the world Korolova performs on, she always appears before the audience carrying the Ukrainian flag, reminding thousands of spectators about her origins. Fans themselves often bring blue-and-yellow flags as well. Because of possible political controversies, organisers sometimes ask the artist to refrain from such gestures, but she never changes her position - she simply ignores the remarks and continues performing.
According to Korolova, Ukrainians should tell the world about the strength, resilience, and beauty of their country. The moment when she raises the Ukrainian flag above her head is always accompanied by incredibly powerful emotions.
At the same time, DJ Korolova regularly supports charity fundraisers for the Ukrainian military and invites defenders to her concerts. One of the most remarkable examples was a charity event in Kyiv in 2024 that attracted around five thousand spectators. Inspired by the incredible atmosphere and audience support, the DJ performed a four-hour live set instead of the planned two hours and admitted that she would have gladly continued performing if it had not been for the beginning of the curfew.
Most Famous Sets:
- Live Tomorrowland (Belgium);
- Live Ultra Music Festival Miami (USA);
- Live Boat Party (Göcek, Türkiye);
- Live Tulum Jungle (Mexico);
- Live Solar Power Plant (Ukraine) and others.
Interesting Facts about the Artist:
- has performed at iconic venues including Space Miami, Green Valley Brazil, and Hi Ibiza;
- has performed live broadcasts from major cities across several continents;
- is friends with David Guetta;
- has accumulated more than 100 million YouTube views and over 50 million streams across streaming platforms;
- Korolova's tracks are played in the sets of Armin van Buuren, Vintage Culture, Tiësto, and other electronic music stars;
- became a resident DJ of the world's best club, Hï Ibiza, on the Spanish island of Ibiza in 2025;
- her largest performance was on the main stage of the EDC festival in Mexico for an audience of 50,000 people;
- draws inspiration from the music of The Hardkiss, Jerry Heil, Okean Elzy, and many other Ukrainian bands and artists.
