The celestial alignment must have been just perfect when Nick van de Wall, known to the world as Afrojack, first caught the glimmer of musical inspiration. Music had captured his heart since his early childhood, and he embarked on his musical journey by tinkering with the piano at the tender age of five. This precocious musician was a creative soul, and he divided his time between studying and immersing himself in the world of music. It was only a matter of time before he made the leap from passive listener to active music creator.
At the age of 11, Afrojack discovered a program called Fruity Loops, and this marked the point at which his true musical talent and passion began to flourish. Swiftly becoming proficient with Fruity Loops, he soon developed an affinity for it, and it remains his preferred tool for music production to this day. Following the completion of his schooling, Afrojack was eager to forge ahead with his musical aspirations. To support his passion, he took up part-time jobs in bars and catering. This allowed him the freedom to explore the vibrant club scene in Rotterdam. His journey commenced with his first night out at the venerable Las Palmas club when he was just 16 years old. This was only the beginning, as many more club nights, side gigs, small DJ performances, and hours spent in the studio lay ahead.
In 2006, Afrojack embarked on a five-month-long DJing journey in Crete, Greece, where he performed in clubs throughout the region, honing his craft and gaining invaluable experience. It was during this time that he secured his first modest hit. Upon returning to the Netherlands, he was invigorated and began producing more tracks with the goal of getting his work signed by a record label. With assistance from Sidney Samson and Laidback Luke, Digidance took a chance, and it paid off. Afrojack's debut track, 'Afrojack - In Your Face,' reached #60 on the Dutch Top 100 chart and #3 on the Dutch Dance Top 30. This was a remarkable achievement for an 18-year-old artist releasing his first track.
In 2007, Nick adopted the stage name Afrojack, resolute in his ambition to rise to prominence as a DJ and producer. He embarked on a relentless journey of crafting one track after another and delivering electrifying remixes. During this period, he founded his own label, 'Wall Recordings.' Afrojack became a studio hermit, seldom seen outside his creative sanctuary. When he wasn't DJing, he was tirelessly producing, and his efforts began to bear fruit. International DJs such as Josh Wink, Dave Clarke, Laidback Luke, Fedde Le Grand, Marco V, and Benny Rodrigues lent their support to his tracks.
In 2008, Afrojack gained recognition with tracks like 'Math' and 'Do My Dance,' both of which were championed by industry luminaries. For 'Do My Dance,' he collaborated with the Partysquad to add vocals, creating the 'Drop Down (Do My Dance)' co-op mix. This track stormed the Dutch Top 20 and earned the coveted title of "Tune of the Week" from major Dutch radio stations. Afrojack's schedule began to fill with performances at significant festivals like Mystery Land, Tomorrowland in Belgium, Extrema Outdoor, and Sensation.
As the world became increasingly attuned to Afrojack in 2009, it didn't take long for David Guetta to recognize his talent. They joined forces in the studio, birthing 'Toyfriend,' a collaboration between the two maestros.
As the leading figure of the Dutch new wave, Afrojack's success transcended national borders, making him one of the most sought-after DJ/producers on the global stage. Renowned for his impeccable production skills, he became the go-to artist for a deluge of remix requests, from Lady Gaga's 'Alejandro' to Madonna's 'Revolver.'
On the performance front, Afrojack lit up some of the world's most iconic venues, including Pacha Ibiza, the Miami Ultra Music Festival, and the Electric Daisy Carnival in Los Angeles.
Afrojack's meteoric rise as a producer earned him an enviable roster of A-list supporters, from Pete Tong to David Guetta, and Josh Wink to Fedde Le Grand. Along the way, he collaborated with some of the industry's most respected producers and artists, including David Guetta, Steve Aoki, Diplo, Kid Cudi, Pitbull, and the Black Eyed Peas.
In 2011, Afrojack's remix of Madonna's 'Revolver,' created in collaboration with David Guetta, was honored with a prestigious Grammy award.
Admired by fellow DJs for his production prowess and adored by clubgoers for his dancefloor anthems and electrifying performances, Afrojack has set a new standard in the music industry.
