I was up late the other night, letting YouTube’s autoplay algorithm take me down a deep electronic music rabbit hole, when a very familiar, heavy kick drum started to build through my studio monitors. Suddenly, the iconic ticking-clock percussion hit, followed by the most famous vocal sample of 2013: “We’re the fucking animals.”
I was instantly transported back to the Golden Era of EDM. I clicked over to the official music video for Martin Garrix’s “Animals,” a track that now boasts a staggering 1.86 billion views. But what caught my attention wasn’t just the sheer volume of plays—it was the comment section.
The comments section under “Animals” has become a digital time capsule. It is a living, breathing monument to a generation of ravers, gamers, and music fans who grew up during the peak of mainstage progressive house. As we navigate 2026, people are still flooding the video daily to share their love for the track that defined an era.
Here is a deep dive into the internet’s ongoing obsession with “Animals,” the teenager who changed the industry, and the staggering financial reality behind a multi-billion-view track.
1. The 16-Year-Old Prodigy
If you scroll through the 350,000+ comments on the video, there is one verified fact that constantly breaks people’s minds:
@yusufeksioglu (99K Likes): “Martin Garrix was only 16 when he made this song!”
It is almost impossible to comprehend today. At an age when most teenagers are worried about passing their driver’s test, Martijn Garritsen was alone in his bedroom, producing a beat that would completely conquer the globe. It became the ultimate benchmark for bedroom producers.
As fan @l.s.vanahee6922 hilariously pointed out, gaining 2.1K likes: “Martin Garrix at the age of 16: [makes a hit]. Me at the age of 21: mom, what’s for dinner?”
2. The Unofficial Anthem of Asphalt 8
Music and gaming have always shared a symbiotic relationship, but “Animals” holds a sacred place in the hearts of mobile gamers from the early 2010s. For a massive subset of Gen Z, they didn’t discover this track at a music festival; they discovered it while playing the hit racing game Asphalt 8: Airborne.
The YouTube comments are flooded with fans who associate the massive beat drop strictly with destroying cars on a digital track.
- @neelimasharma8421: “The Anthem Of Asphalt 8”
- @amirjan175: “We driftin asphalt 8 with this one”
- @Itz_Grand_frozenclaw_27: “Bro I spent 6 years trying to find this song ever since I played Asphalt 8 airborne”
3. A Digital Time Capsule of Pure Nostalgia
Ultimately, the comment section proves that music is the closest thing we have to a time machine. The track dropped in 2013, survived the 2020 lockdowns, and is still getting love in 2026. Fans are openly mourning the passing of time, but celebrating that the music remains immortal.
The most resonant comment on the entire video comes from user @Eddie.stu10, who racked up over 7,000 likes with a simple, profound statement:
“This isn’t a song, it’s a memory.”
Other fans echoed the sentiment, proving the song’s longevity:
- @KevinWakliFitness: “Back When Quarantine Actually Meant Nothing.”
- @unh0ly.cruc1fix: “Bro, 2013 was the best year in my life… i miss it so much”
- @TheBestDJonEarth: “I’m in the big 26 and I don’t know why but this song makes me feel like I’m in 2020”
The “Animals” Community Snapshot
To understand the sheer scale of the community living inside this YouTube video, here is a snapshot of the top themes found in the comments.
| Community Theme | The Vibe | Top Comment Quote |
| The Age Realization | Disbelief at his youth | “Martin Garrix made this when he was 16… Is the most popular song of Spinnin” |
| The Asphalt 8 Gamers | Nostalgia for mobile racing | “Asphalt 8 old memories ;’D” |
| The Audiophiles | Bass testing new gear | “Everytime i bought a new headphones or earphones, i’ll test their bass quality with this song.” |
| The Pure Nostalgics | Yearning for the early 2010s | “If you didn’t hear this track yet, you didn’t live in 2013.” |
FAQ
Behind the nostalgia and the massive mainstage energy lies a highly lucrative, fiercely competitive music business. Here is the financial reality behind Martin Garrix and his legendary track.
What’s the release date of ‘Animals’ by Martin Garrix?
Martin Garrix dropped this history-making banger on June 17, 2013, completely rewriting the EDM playbook. As of June 17, 2026, this iconic mainstage anthem has officially celebrated its 13-year anniversary.
How much money did Martin Garrix make?
Thanks to the explosive success of “Animals” and a relentless decade-long global touring schedule, Martin Garrix has amassed an immense fortune. As of 2026, his estimated net worth is between $40 million and $50 million, securing his spot high on the global DJ Rich List.
Who owns the music rights to “Animals”?
Martin Garrix owns the master rights to “Animals.” Initially, the track was released under Spinnin’ Records. However, in 2015, Garrix famously sued Spinnin’ Records and MusicAllStars Management over the ownership of his music. He ultimately won the legal battle, successfully reclaiming the master rights to his early catalog, including “Animals.”
Who owns STMPD RCRDS?
Martin Garrix is the sole founder and owner of STMPD RCRDS. He launched the independent, Amsterdam-based record label in 2016 shortly after his split from Spinnin’ Records, giving himself and other artists complete creative control over their releases.
How much does YouTube pay for 1.8 billion views?
YouTube’s payout (RPM) for official music videos varies greatly depending on the viewers’ geography and the ad market, but industry averages typically range from $1.00 to $3.00 per 1,000 views. At 1.86 billion views, “Animals” has generated an estimated $2.5 million to $5.5 million in direct ad revenue from YouTube alone, entirely separate from Spotify streams, Apple Music, and sync licensing.