How Open Format DJs Are Making Millions On The EDM Boom

It seemed fitting that, while hosting a recent rooftop DJ set, FORBES received a noise complaint from an angry neighbor. That happened after the publication’s musical guest, DJ Ruckus, lived up to his name with an energetic 20-minute set, cycling from Jay Z to the Red Hot Chili Peppers and back to his own kinetic brand of electronic music.

Most audiences have been quite receptive to the volume: Ruckus, 30, played about 200 gigs last year. His earnings aren’t yet high enough to challenge for a...