Afrojack
{{short description|Dutch DJ and record producer (born 1987)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2022}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Afrojack
| image = Afrojack 2015.jpg
| caption = Afrojack in 2015
| birth_name = Nick Leonardus van de Wall
| alias = {{hlist|NLW|Kapuchon}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1987|09|09}}
| birth_place = Spijkenisse, South Holland, Netherlands
| occupation = {{hlist|DJ|record producer|remixer}}
| years_active = 2007–present
| spouse = {{marriage|Elettra Lamborghini|26 September 2020}}
| awards = Full list
| website = {{URL|afrojack.com}}
{{Infobox person
| child = yes
| signature = File:AFROJACK Autograph.svg
}}
| module = {{Infobox musical artist
| embed = yes
| genre = {{hlist| House|minimal house|Dutch house|electro house|progressive house|big room house|future house|dance pop|trap|future bass|moombahton}}
| label = {{hlist|Wall|Armada|Island|Def Jam|Spinnin'|Revealed|LDH}}
}}
}}
Nick Leonardus van de Wall{{family name footnote|lang=Dutch|van de Wall|Wall}} ({{IPA|nl|ˈnɪk leːjoːˈnɑrdʏs fɑn də ˈʋɑl|lang}};{{efn|In isolation, van is pronounced {{IPA|nl|vɑn|}}.}} born 9 September 1987), known professionally as Afrojack (stylized in all caps),[http://www.residentadvisor.net/dj/afrojack RA: Afrojack]. Residentadvisor.net. Retrieved on 6 January 2011. is a Dutch DJ, record producer and remixer. In 2007, he founded the record label Wall Recordings; his debut album Forget the World was released in 2014. Afrojack regularly features as one of the ten best artists in the Top 100 DJs published by DJ Mag. He is also the CEO of LDH Europe.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ldh.co.jp/eng/europe/|title=LDH EUROPE {{!}} LDH - LOVE + DREAM + HAPPINESS TO THE WORLD -|website=LDH - LOVE + DREAM + HAPPINESS TO THE WORLD -|language=ja|access-date=23 June 2018}}
Early life
Nick Leonardus Van de Wall was born in Spijkenisse, South Holland to a Dutch mother and a Surinamese father.{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/zackomalleygreenburg/2014/10/20/a-spin-with-afrojack-inside-the-dutch-djs-car-collection/|title =A Spin With Afrojack: Inside The Dutch DJ's Car Collection|date=
20 October 2014|website=Forbes}} He developed an interest in music at an early age and learned to play the piano at the age of five. From a single-parent household, his mother Debbie owned a local gym. After leaving school, Van de Wall studied graphic design at the Grafisch Lyceum in Rotterdam for a year before embarking on a career as a DJ/producer.{{cite web|url = http://www.maartenonline.nl/nl/artikel/30506/interview-afrojack-zakenman-tussen-underground-en-mainstream.html|title = Interview: Afrojack|date = 19 February 2013|website = Maarten!|last = van Rossum|first = Maarten|language = nl|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141129101328/http://www.maartenonline.nl/nl/artikel/30506/interview-afrojack-zakenman-tussen-underground-en-mainstream.html|archive-date = 29 November 2014|url-status = dead}} At the age of 11, he started producing his own tracks from home for "five hours a day," and it took him a good seven years to produce his first release, "In Your Face."{{Cite web |first1=Blanche |last1=Lim |first2=Rohini|last2=Nambiar |date=22 June 2018 |title=Grammy Award winner Afrojack reveals what it takes to be a DJ |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/06/21/grammy-award-winner-afrojack-reveals-what-it-takes-to-be-a-dj.html |access-date=13 June 2022 |website=CNBC |language=en}}
Musical career
At the age of 14, Van de Wall started DJing at local pubs and clubs and earning additional income by designing websites for fellow musicians. In 2007, he released "In Your Face", the first recording under the Afrojack name. He received international success with the song "Take Over Control" featuring Eva Simons, which charted in 10 countries.{{cite web|title=Afrojack Bio, Music, News & Shows |url=http://djz.com/featured_djs/afrojack/ |publisher=DJZ.com |access-date=6 March 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130329052207/http://djz.com/featured_djs/afrojack/ |archive-date=29 March 2013 }} He took part in Episode 2 of 'Behind The Speedo', which is a comedy series by Redfoo.
His 2010 entry into the poll at number 19 was the highest new entry of that year's list.[http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/Music-Interview-DJ-Afrojack.6662882.jp Music Interview: DJ Afrojack]. Yorkshire Evening Post. Retrieved on 6 January 2011. Afrojack was listed as number 7 on the DJ Mag Top 100 DJs of 2011.[http://www.top100djs.com/top100 Top 100 DJs 2011 search] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130108032900/http://www.top100djs.com/top100 |date=8 January 2013 }}. DJ Mag. Retrieved on 6 January 2011. He ranked at number 9 on DJ Mag's Top 100 DJs of 2012.[http://www.top100djs.com/top100 Top 100 DJs 2012 search] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130108032900/http://www.top100djs.com/top100 |date=8 January 2013 }}. DJ Mag. Retrieved on 6 January 2013. In 2013, he ranked at number 9 again.[http://www.top100djs.com/top100 Top 100 DJs 2013 search] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130108032900/http://www.top100djs.com/top100 |date=8 January 2013 }}. DJ Mag. Retrieved on 20 October 2013.
In July 2010, Afrojack created an Essential Mix for BBC Radio 1.[http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00sy59s Radio 1 Programmes – BBC Radio 1's Essential Mix, Afrojack]. BBC (10 July 2010). Retrieved on 2011-01-06. He released the Lost & Found EP on 22 December 2010. In 2011, he was featured on Pitbull's number 1 hit single "Give Me Everything" along with Ne-Yo and Nayer. He also contributed to the single "Run the World (Girls)" by Beyoncé.IMO Records. [https://archive.today/20120802134217/http://www.imorecords.co.uk/house-2/house-artists/afrojack-biography/ "Afrojack Biography"], IMO Records, London, Retrieved on 25 January 2012. In January 2012 Afrojack received a European Border Breakers Award.[http://www.sica.nl/en/content/en-us-dutch-dj-afrojack-wins-ebba "Dutch dj Afrojack wins EBBA"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120702140651/http://www.sica.nl/en/content/en-us-dutch-dj-afrojack-wins-ebba |date=2 July 2012 }}, Sica.nl. Retrieved 7 October 2011 Afrojack's newest single "The Spark" featuring Spree Wilson hit number 3 in Australia and New Zealand, and top 10 in over 7 more countries. In 2013, Afrojack was the 7th highest-earning DJ in the world, according to Forbes magazine.{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/pictures/eeel45egemd/7-afrojack-18-million-5/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110034135/http://www.forbes.com/pictures/eeel45egemd/7-afrojack-18-million-5/|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 November 2013|title=7. Afrojack - $18 million|website=Forbes.com}}
In 2011, Afrojack co-produced music with many artists including David Guetta, Mike Brown and Madonna. In 2012, he was a headliner at a number of electronic dance music festivals, including Tomorrowland, Ultra Music Festival, and Coachella.{{cite web |title=Biography |url=http://www.afrojack.com/biography |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006095524/http://www.afrojack.com/biography |archive-date=6 October 2014 |website=afrojak.com}}
His debut album, Forget the World, was released on 19 May 2014 to mixed reviews.{{Citation |title=Forget the World by Afrojack |url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/forget-the-world/afrojack |publisher=metacritic.com |language=en |access-date=2022-09-27}}
On 17 March 2015, Afrojack was featured in David Guetta's single "Hey Mama" in which he co-produced with Guetta. The song featured him along with Nicki Minaj and Bebe Rexha.{{Cite news|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop-shop/6546356/bebe-rexha-david-guetta-hey-mama-interview|title=Bebe Rexha Explains Why She Isn't (Officially) Featured on David Guetta's 'Hey Mama'|newspaper=Billboard|access-date=17 January 2017}} On 27 July 2017, he released the NLW EP{{cite web|title=NLW EP from Wall Recordings|url=https://www.beatport.com/release/nlw-ep/1567187|website=Beatport.com|access-date=7 March 2018}} under the alias NLW.{{cite web|author=Lisander|title=NLW, the new alias of the DJ Afrojack|url=https://www.miamiglobalradio.com/nlw-the-new-alias-of-the-dj-afrojack|website=Miami Global Radio|date=24 August 2015|access-date=7 March 2018|archive-date=8 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180908130930/https://www.miamiglobalradio.com/nlw-the-new-alias-of-the-dj-afrojack|url-status=dead}} This marked the launch of his new alias NLW under which he would go on to produce more underground style tracks.
In 2016, one of his songs, "Braver", was featured on the game Final Fantasy XV. He appeared in the 2016 documentary film about American DJ and producer Steve Aoki, titled I'll Sleep When I'm Dead, which was subsequently nominated for a Grammy Award.{{cite web|url=http://www.thenocturnaltimes.com/steve-aoki-ill-sleep-when-im-dead-documentary-hits-netflix/|title=Steve Aoki 'I'll Sleep When I'm Dead' Documentary Hits Netflix {{!}} The Nocturnal Times|website=thenocturnaltimes.com|date=24 August 2016|access-date=27 July 2017}}
On 28 April 2017, he released a new single "Another Life" collaborating with fellow DJ David Guetta featuring Ester Dean. On 7 September 2017, he released the single "No Tomorrow" featuring Belly, O.T. Genasis, and Ricky Breaker.{{cite web|author=Billboard |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/dance/7957758/afrojack-no-tomorrow-belly-ot-genasis-ricky-breaker |title=Afrojack's 'No Tomorrow' With Belly, O.T. Genasis, & Ricky Breaker: Listen |publisher=Billboard |access-date=15 March 2018}}
On 14 February 2018, he released his track "Bed of Roses" featuring Stanaj, which was played as an ID during his set at Ultra Music Festival 2017 in Miami. In July 2018, at Tomorrowland in Boom, Belgium, he debuted many of his new tracks such as "Bassride", "Step Back", which are all included in his Press Play EP, releasing on 31 August 2018.
In March 2020, Afrojack announced that he would perform at the Eurovision Song Contest 2020, in Rotterdam alongside Glennis Grace, however, the contest was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He performed at the contest the following year, in the same city.
In March 2022, Afrojack released a new track along with David Guetta called "Trampoline."{{Cite web |title=Listen to David Guetta and Afrojack's New Song "Trampoline" f/ Missy Elliott, BIA, and Doechii |url=https://www.complex.com/music/david-guetta-afrojack-trampoline-missy-elliott-bia-doechii |access-date=2022-09-27 |website=Complex |language=en}} The song also features Missy Elliott, Bia and Doechii.{{Cite web |last=Kupfer |first=Rachel |title=Spring Into Spring With David Guetta and Afrojack's "Trampoline" Featuring Missy Elliott |url=https://edm.com/music-releases/david-guetta-afrojack-missy-elliott-trampoline |access-date=2022-09-27 |website=EDM.com - The Latest Electronic Dance Music News, Reviews & Artists |date=4 March 2022 |language=en}}
In September 2022, Afrojack announced "Jack to the Future" US tour.{{Cite web |last=Gilmore |first=Grant |date=2022-09-22 |title=Afrojack Announces 'Jack To The Future' US Tour |url=https://edmidentity.com/2022/09/22/afrojack-jack-to-the-future-us-tour/ |access-date=2022-09-27 |website=EDM Identity |language=en-US}} The tour includes fifteen cities.{{Cite web |date=2022-09-21 |title=AFROJACK Announces 15-show "Jack to the Future" US Tour |url=https://patch.com/us/across-america/afrojack-announces-15-show-jack-future-us-tour |access-date=2022-09-27 |website=Across America, US Patch |language=en}}
= Wall Recordings =
Since 2007, Afrojack runs his own label, Wall Recordings, which represents producers including KIIDA, Apster, D-Wayne, D.O.D, Karim Mika, and others.{{Cite web|url=https://www.beatport.com/label/wall-recordings/8408|title=Wall Recordings Releases & Artists on Beatport|website=Beatport.com}} The label used to operate as a sub-label to Spinnin' Records until late January 2016. Tom & Jame's Burn Down marked the last release of Wall Recordings as a sub-label. After going independent for a while, it became a sub-label to Armada Music in 2017, until it became independent again in 2019.
Personal life
In 2019, Afrojack and Italian heiress, singer, socialite Elettra Lamborghini made their engagement public.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ilrestodelcarlino.it/bologna/spettacoli/elettra-lamborghini-sanremo-1.4963429|title=Elettra Lamborghini, Sanremo e il matrimonio. "Io e la mia canzone non vi deluderemo"|website=Il Resto del Carlino|date=2 January 2020|language=it|access-date=7 January 2020}} The two were married on 26 September 2020 at Lake Como, Italy.{{Cite web|url= https://www.corriere.it/moda/cards/elettra-lamborghini-tutto-pronto-le-nozze-afrojack-oggi-pomeriggio-lago-como/cerimonia_principale.shtml|title=Elettra Lamborghini tutto pronto le nozze Afrojack pomeriggio lago di Como|publisher=corriere.it|date=26 September 2020|language=it}}
Discography
{{Main|Afrojack discography}}
- Forget the World (2014)
Awards and nominations
= [[Grammy Award]]s =
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Category ! Nominee / work ! Result ! Ref. |
|---|
| 2011
| rowspan="2"| Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical | "Revolver (David Guetta's One Love Club Remix)" | {{win}} | rowspan="3"|{{Cite news|url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/afrojack|title=Afrojack|website=Grammy.com|publisher=The Recording Academy|access-date=15 March 2019}} |
| rowspan="2"| 2012
| {{nom}} |
| Best Rap Song
| "Look at Me Now" | {{nom}} |
| 2021
| Best Dance/Electronic Recording | "Hero" | {{nom}} | {{citation needed|date=April 2022}} |
= [[MTV Europe Music Awards]] =
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Category ! Nominee / work ! Result ! Ref. |
|---|
| 2011
| rowspan="2"| Best Dutch Act | rowspan="6"| Afrojack | {{nom}} |
| rowspan="2"| 2012
| {{won}} |
| Best European Act
| {{nom}} |
| rowspan="2"| 2013
| {{nom}} |
| Best Dutch Act
| {{nom}} |
| rowspan="2"| 2014
| Best Electronic | {{nom}} |
| rowspan="2"| Best World Stage Performance
| WS Live in Amsterdam 2013 | {{nom}} |
| 2015
| WS Live in Amsterdam 2015 | {{nom}} |
| 2016
| Best Electronic | Afrojack | {{nom}} |
=[[DJ Mag]]azine top 100 DJs=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
! Year ! Position ! Notes ! {{abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |
| 2010
| 19 | New Entry | rowspan="15"| {{Cite news|url=https://djmag.com/top100djs/2023/7/Afrojack|title=Poll 2021: Afrojack|work=DJMag.com!|access-date=15 January 2022}} |
| 2011
| 7 | Up 12 |
| 2012
| 9 | Down 2 |
| 2013
| 9 | No Change |
| 2014
| 12 | Down 3 |
| 2015
| 8 | Up 4 |
| 2016
| 10 | Down 2 |
| 2017
| 8 | Up 2 |
| 2018
| 8 | No Change |
| 2019
| 9 | Down 1 |
| 2020
| 7 | Up 2 |
| 2021
| 6 | Up 1 |
| 2022
| 6 | No Change |
| 2023
| 7 | Down 1 |
| 2024
| 7 | No Change |
Notes
{{notelist}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- {{Official website}}
- {{discogs artist|Afrojack}}
- {{IMDb name|4315345}}
{{Afrojack}}
{{LDH (company)}}
{{MTV Europe Music Award for Best Dutch Act}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Dutch electronic dance music DJs
Category:Dutch progressive house musicians
Category:Dutch record producers
Category:Dutch people of Surinamese descent
Category:Electro house musicians
Category:MTV Europe Music Award winners
Category:People from Spijkenisse