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Afrojack
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Nick Leonardus van de Wall[a] (Dutch: [ˈnɪk leːjoːˈnɑrdʏs fɑn də ˈʋɑl];[b] born 9 September 1987), known professionally as Afrojack (stylized in all caps),[1] 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.[2] He is also the CEO of LDH Europe.[3]
Key Information
Early life
[edit]Nick Leonardus Van de Wall was born in Spijkenisse, South Holland, to a Dutch mother and a Surinamese father.[4] He developed an interest in music at an early age and learned to play the piano at the age of five.[5] 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.[5] 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."[6]
Musical career
[edit]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.[5] 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.[7] 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.[8] Afrojack was listed as number 7 on the DJ Mag Top 100 DJs of 2011.[9] He ranked at number 9 on DJ Mag's Top 100 DJs of 2012.[10] In 2013, he ranked at number 9 again.[2]
In July 2010, Afrojack created an Essential Mix for BBC Radio 1.[11] 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.[12] In January 2012 Afrojack received a European Border Breakers Award.[13] 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.[14]
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.[15]
His debut album, Forget the World, was released on 19 May 2014 to mixed reviews.[16]
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.[17] On 27 July 2017, he released the NLW EP[18] under the alias NLW.[19] 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.[20]
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.[21]
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."[22] The song also features Missy Elliott, Bia and Doechii.[23]
In September 2022, Afrojack announced "Jack to the Future" US tour.[24] The tour includes fifteen cities.[25]
Wall Recordings
[edit]Since 2007, Afrojack runs his own label, Wall Recordings, which represents producers including KIIDA, Apster, D-Wayne, D.O.D, Karim Mika, and others.[26] 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
[edit]In 2019, Afrojack and Italian heiress, singer, socialite Elettra Lamborghini made their engagement public.[27] The two were married on 26 September 2020 at Lake Como, Italy.[28]
Discography
[edit]- Forget the World (2014)
Awards and nominations
[edit]| Year | Category | Nominee / work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical | "Revolver (David Guetta's One Love Club Remix)"[with Dean Lewis] | Won | [29] |
| 2012 | "Collide (Afrojack Remix)" | Nominated | ||
| Best Rap Song | "Look at Me Now" | Nominated | ||
| 2021 | Best Dance/Electronic Recording | "Hero" | Nominated | [citation needed] |
| Year | Category | Nominee / work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Best Dutch Act | Afrojack | Nominated | [30] |
| 2012 | Won | [31] | ||
| Best European Act | Nominated | |||
| 2013 | Best Electronic | Nominated | [32] | |
| Best Dutch Act | Nominated | |||
| 2014 | Best Electronic | Nominated | [33] | |
| Best World Stage Performance | WS Live in Amsterdam 2013 | Nominated | ||
| 2015 | WS Live in Amsterdam 2015 | Nominated | [34] | |
| 2016 | Best Electronic | Afrojack | Nominated | [35] |
DJ Magazine top 100 DJs
[edit]| Year | Position | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 19 | New Entry | [36] |
| 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 | |
| 2025 | 8 | Down 1 |
Notes
[edit]- ^ In this Dutch name, the surname is van de Wall, not Wall.
- ^ In isolation, van is pronounced [vɑn].
References
[edit]- ^ RA: Afrojack. Residentadvisor.net. Retrieved on 6 January 2011.
- ^ a b Top 100 DJs 2013 search Archived 8 January 2013 at the Wayback Machine. DJ Mag. Retrieved on 20 October 2013.
- ^ "LDH EUROPE | LDH - LOVE + DREAM + HAPPINESS TO THE WORLD -". LDH - LOVE + DREAM + HAPPINESS TO THE WORLD - (in Japanese). Retrieved 23 June 2018.
- ^ "A Spin With Afrojack: Inside The Dutch DJ's Car Collection". Forbes. 20 October 2014.
- ^ a b c van Rossum, Maarten (19 February 2013). "Interview: Afrojack". Maarten! (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 29 November 2014.
- ^ Lim, Blanche; Nambiar, Rohini (22 June 2018). "Grammy Award winner Afrojack reveals what it takes to be a DJ". CNBC. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
- ^ "Afrojack Bio, Music, News & Shows". DJZ.com. Archived from the original on 29 March 2013. Retrieved 6 March 2013.
- ^ Music Interview: DJ Afrojack. Yorkshire Evening Post. Retrieved on 6 January 2011.
- ^ Top 100 DJs 2011 search Archived 8 January 2013 at the Wayback Machine. DJ Mag. Retrieved on 6 January 2011.
- ^ Top 100 DJs 2012 search Archived 8 January 2013 at the Wayback Machine. DJ Mag. Retrieved on 6 January 2013.
- ^ Radio 1 Programmes – BBC Radio 1's Essential Mix, Afrojack. BBC (10 July 2010). Retrieved on 2011-01-06.
- ^ IMO Records. "Afrojack Biography", IMO Records, London, Retrieved on 25 January 2012.
- ^ "Dutch dj Afrojack wins EBBA" Archived 2 July 2012 at the Wayback Machine, Sica.nl. Retrieved 7 October 2011
- ^ "7. Afrojack - $18 million". Forbes.com. Archived from the original on 10 November 2013.
- ^ "Biography". afrojak.com. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014.
- ^ Forget the World by Afrojack, metacritic.com, retrieved 27 September 2022
- ^ "Bebe Rexha Explains Why She Isn't (Officially) Featured on David Guetta's 'Hey Mama'". Billboard. Retrieved 17 January 2017.
- ^ "NLW EP from Wall Recordings". Beatport.com. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
- ^ Lisander (24 August 2015). "NLW, the new alias of the DJ Afrojack". Miami Global Radio. Archived from the original on 8 September 2018. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
- ^ "Steve Aoki 'I'll Sleep When I'm Dead' Documentary Hits Netflix | The Nocturnal Times". thenocturnaltimes.com. 24 August 2016. Retrieved 27 July 2017.
- ^ Billboard. "Afrojack's 'No Tomorrow' With Belly, O.T. Genasis, & Ricky Breaker: Listen". Billboard. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
- ^ "Listen to David Guetta and Afrojack's New Song "Trampoline" f/ Missy Elliott, BIA, and Doechii". Complex. Retrieved 27 September 2022.
- ^ Kupfer, Rachel (4 March 2022). "Spring Into Spring With David Guetta and Afrojack's "Trampoline" Featuring Missy Elliott". EDM.com - The Latest Electronic Dance Music News, Reviews & Artists. Retrieved 27 September 2022.
- ^ Gilmore, Grant (22 September 2022). "Afrojack Announces 'Jack To The Future' US Tour". EDM Identity. Retrieved 27 September 2022.
- ^ "AFROJACK Announces 15-show "Jack to the Future" US Tour". Across America, US Patch. 21 September 2022. Retrieved 27 September 2022.
- ^ "Wall Recordings Releases & Artists on Beatport". Beatport.com.
- ^ "Elettra Lamborghini, Sanremo e il matrimonio. "Io e la mia canzone non vi deluderemo"". Il Resto del Carlino (in Italian). 2 January 2020. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
- ^ "Elettra Lamborghini tutto pronto le nozze Afrojack pomeriggio lago di Como" (in Italian). corriere.it. 26 September 2020.
- ^ "Afrojack". Grammy.com. The Recording Academy. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
- ^ "Voor het eerst Dutch MTV Award in Amsterdam". de Volkskrant (in Dutch). Retrieved 14 November 2018.
- ^ "Afrojack wint MTV Best Dutch Act Award 2012". NPO 3FM (in Dutch). Retrieved 14 November 2018.
- ^ "MTV EMA 2012 :: 11.11.2012 :: Frankfurt :: The 2013 MTV EMA Host City Is…AMSTERDAM!". 26 January 2013. Archived from the original on 18 February 2013. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ^ Billboard (9 November 2014). "MTV EMA 2014: See the Full Winners List". Billboard. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
- ^ "MTV EMAs 2015: Beste momenten" (in Dutch). 26 October 2015. Retrieved 14 November 2018.
- ^ "Justin Bieber & Beyoncé Lead The 2016 MTV EMA Nominations – See The Full List!". Mtv.co.uk. 27 September 2016. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
- ^ "Poll 2021: Afrojack". DJMag.com!. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
External links
[edit]Afrojack
View on GrokipediaEarly life
Childhood and family background
Nick Leonardus van de Wall, professionally known as Afrojack, was born on September 9, 1987, in Spijkenisse, a small town in South Holland, Netherlands. He holds Dutch nationality and grew up in a working-class family with mixed heritage, including a Dutch mother and a Surinamese father. Raised primarily by his single mother, who worked as an aerobics instructor, van de Wall experienced a modest upbringing in the Rotterdam suburb of Spijkenisse.[8] Public information on his family remains limited, but accounts highlight a close-knit support system during his youth, including time spent with his grandparents. As a child, van de Wall developed an early interest in music, experimenting on the organ at his grandparents' house, which laid the foundation for his later creative pursuits. This familial environment provided stability in a community without a notable musical lineage, shaping his formative years before his transition to music production.[6]Introduction to music and early productions
Afrojack, born Nick van de Wall, initiated his engagement with music at the age of five by learning to play the piano through informal lessons, laying the foundation for his basic musical skills. This early start fostered a natural aptitude for melody and rhythm, allowing him to explore sound creation intuitively from a young age.[9][10] By age 11, van de Wall discovered music production software, notably Fruity Loops (later rebranded as FL Studio), which he adopted for self-taught experimentation in his bedroom. He described the software as intuitive and accessible, enabling him to remix tracks and blend elements without prior experience. This marked his transition from passive listener to active creator, as he spent hours manipulating samples and beats on a personal computer.[11] After leaving secondary school, van de Wall studied graphic design for one year at the Grafisch Lyceum in Rotterdam but dropped out to pursue a career in music full-time. Van de Wall's early productions were heavily influenced by the vibrant Rotterdam dance music scene, which ignited his passion for electronic genres. Without formal training, he crafted his first amateur tracks as a teenager, blending house and techno elements in rudimentary yet innovative ways that reflected his growing technical curiosity. Family support provided a nurturing environment for these creative pursuits during his formative years.[10][9]Musical career
Beginnings and Wall Recordings (2007–2009)
In 2007, Nick van de Wall, known professionally as Afrojack, entered the professional music scene by releasing his debut single "In Your Face" on the independent Dutch label Digidance, marking his initial foray into commercial electronic dance music production.[12] This track, characterized by its energetic house elements, achieved moderate success, peaking at number 60 on the Dutch Top 100 and number 3 on the Dutch Dance Top 30.[12] That same year, at the age of 19, he began performing as a DJ under the Afrojack moniker at local clubs in the Netherlands, honing his skills in the burgeoning Dutch house scene.[13] Later in 2007, Afrojack founded Wall Recordings on December 1 as an independent label aimed at releasing his own tracks and promoting emerging Dutch house talent, providing a platform for raw, high-energy electronic sounds outside major industry constraints.[14] The label quickly became a hub for innovative Dutch producers, emphasizing electro-house and minimal styles that resonated in underground club environments.[15] By 2008, Afrojack's output on Wall Recordings gained momentum with releases such as the Thief EP and Claudia EP, which showcased his evolving production style blending pulsating basslines and club-ready drops.[16] Tracks like "Math" and "Do My Dance" from this period emerged as early club anthems, receiving support from prominent DJs and building traction across European nightlife circuits, particularly in the Netherlands and surrounding countries.[13][17] These releases helped establish Wall Recordings' reputation for fostering a gritty, energetic house sound that influenced the local scene and laid the groundwork for Afrojack's subsequent rise.[12]Breakthrough and international rise (2010–2014)
In 2010, Afrojack achieved his breakthrough with the single "Take Over Control," featuring vocals by Dutch singer Eva Simons. Released on August 12, 2010, via Wall Recordings and Spinnin' Records, the track topped the Dutch Singles Chart for six consecutive weeks and became a major international hit, peaking at number one on the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs chart and reaching number 25 on the UK Singles Chart.[18][19] That same year, Afrojack solidified his rising profile through high-profile collaborations, including "Toyfriend" with David Guetta featuring Wynter Gordon, released on Guetta's album One More Love. The track exemplified the Dutch house sound gaining traction in global EDM circles, blending electro-house elements with pop vocals and contributing to Afrojack's growing partnerships with major artists. He had signed to Spinnin' Records earlier, which served as a key platform for distributing his productions internationally, building on the foundation laid by his own Wall Recordings label. Additionally, Afrojack released the compilation album Lost & Found on December 21, 2010, via Wall Recordings, a mix of his original tracks and remixes that showcased his electro and progressive house style, including hits like "Bangduck" and "Pacha on Acid."[20][21] Afrojack's international ascent continued through the early 2010s with performances at premier festivals, including his debut at Tomorrowland in 2011, where he delivered sets blending his signature high-energy drops with emerging big room influences. By 2014, he released his debut studio album Forget the World on May 16 via Wall Recordings, Rogers & Cowell, and Island Def Jam Records, featuring collaborations with artists such as Sting on "Catch Tomorrow," Snoop Dogg on "SummerThing!," and Wrabel on "Ten Feet Tall." The album marked a shift toward more melodic and pop-oriented EDM, peaking at number 34 on the US Billboard 200 and receiving mixed reviews for its commercial polish while highlighting Afrojack's evolution from underground producer to global headliner.[22]Established success and collaborations (2015–2019)
During the period from 2015 to 2019, Afrojack achieved established success in electronic dance music by leveraging high-profile collaborations that bridged EDM with mainstream pop. His co-production on David Guetta's "Hey Mama," featuring vocals from Bebe Rexha and Nicki Minaj, marked a significant milestone, peaking at number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and attaining triple platinum status in the United States for over 3 million units sold.[23] This track exemplified Afrojack's prowess in fusing big room house drops with catchy hooks, contributing to its global chart performance across multiple territories. Similarly, his 2015 single "SummerThing!" featuring Mike Taylor (with a remix including Pitbull) captured the vibrant, summery essence of festival anthems, releasing under his Wall Recordings imprint and reinforcing his role in shaping upbeat electronic pop crossovers. Afrojack's touring schedule during these years underscored his status as a premier live act, with headlining performances at major events like Ultra Music Festival, where he commanded the main stage in Miami in 2015 and 2019, delivering sets packed with high-energy drops and new material.[24] He also headlined slots at Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) and Coachella, maintaining a rigorous global itinerary that included the 2018 "One More Day" tour across North America, focusing on club and arena shows to connect with fans through immersive productions.[25] His consistent recognition in DJ Mag's Top 100 DJs poll—ranking #8 in 2015 and #9 in 2019—reflected sustained influence, building on his earlier peak at #3 in 2012 with steady top-10 placements that highlighted his enduring appeal in the industry.[26][27] Parallel to his artistic output, Afrojack evolved stylistically toward future house influences while anchoring in big room house, experimenting with melodic builds and vocal-driven tracks that appealed to broader audiences. He expanded his production work for other artists, including contributions to soundtracks and remixes, while growing Wall Recordings into a prominent label that nurtured emerging talent and released key singles like those from collaborators such as Martin Garrix.[26] This business expansion solidified his multifaceted role in EDM, emphasizing innovation and mentorship amid a period of prolific output and international dominance.Recent developments (2020–present)
In 2020, Afrojack navigated the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic by pivoting from live tours to virtual performances, including a mainstage set at the inaugural virtual edition of Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) Orlando, where he headlined alongside other top acts to maintain fan engagement during global lockdowns.[28] That same year, he released the single "All Night" featuring Ally Brooke on February 21, marking a high-energy electro house track that showcased his production style amid industry disruptions.[29] By 2022, Afrojack curated and released the compilation EP AFROJACK presents NLW on July 29 via WALL Recordings, featuring seven unreleased tracks from his DJ sets under the NLW alias, including collaborations like "Let Me See Those Hands" with R3HAB and MC Ambush, emphasizing his ongoing evolution in high-octane dance music.[30] In 2025, Afrojack continued his prolific output with the progressive house single "In My World" featuring Aloe Blacc, released on October 3, which blended euphoric melodies and soulful vocals to promote themes of unity and was promoted through his festival appearances.[31] Earlier that year, on May 12 at Ultra Music Festival Miami, he teased an unreleased collaboration with David Guetta during his set, which later materialized as "Our Time" on July 11—a joint track with Guetta, Martin Garrix, and Amél that celebrated their longtime friendship and festival history.[32] To mark the 15th anniversary of his breakthrough hit "Take Over Control" with Eva Simons, Afrojack issued Take Over Control (The Remixes 2025) on October 25 via Spinnin' Records, enlisting remixers like Maddix, Matt Sassari, and BYNX to infuse modern techno and big room elements into the classic.[33] In June, he signed a distribution deal with Create Music Group on June 13, expanding his independent label operations and global reach for future releases.[34] Afrojack sustained his prominence in the DJ landscape, ranking #7 on DJ Mag's Top 100 DJs poll for 2024 and #8 for 2025.[35][36] His performances underscored expanding international appeal, with headlining slots across Europe such as Ultra Europe in Split, Croatia, on July 13, and an upcoming multi-date tour in India—including shows in Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Delhi-NCR on November 28–30, plus performances in Shillong and Chandigarh on January 18–19, 2026—expected to draw massive crowds and highlight the region's enthusiastic EDM fanbase.[37][38] On November 7, 2025, Afrojack collaborated with R3HAB on the single "Louder for the People," released via Tomorrowland Music, continuing his focus on explosive dance tracks.[39]Personal life
Relationships and family
Afrojack had a brief romantic relationship with American socialite Paris Hilton from late 2011 to early 2012, which ended amicably as the pair remained close friends.[40] He is the father of a daughter named Vegas, born in March 2012, from his previous relationship with Dutch model Amanda Balk, which lasted from 2009 to 2011; the former couple maintains a co-parenting arrangement. In December 2019, Afrojack proposed to Italian singer and television personality Elettra Lamborghini, announcing their engagement publicly on social media.[41] The couple married on September 26, 2020, in a private ceremony at Villa Balbiano on Lake Como, Italy.[42] Since then, they have frequently appeared together at music festivals and events, bonding over their shared passion for electronic dance music and collaborative creative pursuits.[43] As of 2025, the couple has no children together, though Lamborghini has expressed interest in starting a family in the future. Afrojack continues to prioritize family integration into his professional life, often incorporating travel with Lamborghini to accommodate his performance schedule.Philanthropy and activism
Afrojack has engaged in philanthropy primarily through support for children's welfare and global humanitarian causes, with a notable focus on UNICEF initiatives. In September 2018, he auctioned signed merchandise, including posters and T-shirts, with all proceeds directed to UNICEF to aid children in need worldwide.[44] This effort marked the beginning of a series of auctions by DJ Mag artists benefiting the organization. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Afrojack participated in the Top 100 DJs Virtual Festival, performing exclusive sets in 2020 and 2021 to raise funds for UNICEF.[45][46] The events collectively generated £69,289, enabling UNICEF to provide tetanus vaccines for over 815,000 children in vulnerable regions.[47] In more recent years, Afrojack has continued his charitable involvement through festival-based fundraisers and partnerships. In September 2025, Afrojack and his wife Elettra Lamborghini participated in the Gumball 3000 rally from Istanbul to Ibiza. He also donated memorabilia to the Gumball 3000 Foundation's charity gala dinner, supporting efforts in providing education, healthcare, and opportunities for disadvantaged youth globally.[48] These activities highlight his commitment to leveraging his platform for social impact beyond music production.Discography
Studio albums
His first proper full-length studio album, Forget the World, arrived on May 16, 2014, via Wall Recordings, PM:AM, and Def Jam Recordings, marking a shift toward mainstream EDM with 14 tracks blending big-room house, pop, and electronic elements. The album boasted high-profile collaborations, including Charli XCX on "Dynamite," Matthew Koma on "Shine," Mike Taylor on "SummerThing!," and Sting on a cover of "Summer Wind," alongside other guests like Wrabel. Key highlights included the uplifting "Ten Feet Tall" and the anthemic "The Spark," which emphasized themes of perseverance and escapism. Commercially, it debuted at number 32 on the US Billboard 200 with 8,000 first-week sales and reached number 4 on the Dance/Electronic Albums chart; it was later certified gold in the Netherlands by NVPI for shipments exceeding 20,000 units.[49][50] Critical reception was mixed, with praise for its festival-ready energy and star power but criticism for formulaic production and lack of innovation, as noted in reviews from The Guardian and Rolling Stone.[51][52] Since Forget the World, Afrojack has not released another major full-length studio album as of November 2025, instead prioritizing singles, EPs, and collaborative projects such as AFROJACK presents NLW (2022) under his NLW alias, that reflect an evolution from pure house roots to a broader EDM palette incorporating future bass, trap, and pop-infused tracks. This focus on standalone releases has allowed for greater flexibility in exploring uplifting, post-pandemic themes in works like his 2021 and 2022 singles, while maintaining commercial success through platforms like Spotify and festival performances.[53]Notable singles and collaborations
Afrojack's early singles marked his entry into the international EDM scene. His 2010 debut single "Take Over Control," featuring Dutch singer Eva Simons, became a club staple and achieved commercial success, peaking at number 15 on the UK Singles Chart and number 41 on the US Billboard Hot 100.[19] The track, characterized by its energetic house beats and anthemic vocals, has accumulated over 150 million streams on Spotify as of November 2025. In 2011, "Rock the House" followed as an instrumental powerhouse, sampling Nobuo Uematsu's "To Zanarkand" from the Final Fantasy X soundtrack, which resonated deeply within the EDM community for its nostalgic and high-energy drop, though it did not chart as prominently.[54] Afrojack's major hits in the mid-2010s solidified his mainstream crossover appeal. The 2014 single "Ten Feet Tall," featuring Wrabel, topped the Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs chart, blending uplifting progressive house with emotional lyrics about resilience and became a festival favorite from his debut album Forget the World. His contribution to David Guetta's 2015 track "Hey Mama," featuring Nicki Minaj and Bebe Rexha, reached number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and has surpassed 955 million streams on Spotify, highlighting Afrojack's production role in bridging EDM with pop and hip-hop elements. Another notable 2015 release, "Disconnect" under his NLW alias, delivered a big-room sound from the NLW EP on Wall Recordings, emphasizing his versatility in raw, festival-oriented tracks. Throughout his career, Afrojack has engaged in numerous high-profile collaborations, working with over 50 artists across genres. A standout is his co-writing and production on David Guetta's 2011 hit "Titanium" featuring Sia, which won the Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording at the 55th Annual Grammy Awards in 2013 and peaked at number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100. More recent efforts include the 2025 single "In My World" with Aloe Blacc, a progressive house anthem that premiered live at the Parookaville festival and was released via Wall Recordings, evoking cosmic, hands-in-the-air energy.[31] That same year, he celebrated the 15th anniversary of "Take Over Control" with the remix EP Take Over Control (The Remixes 2025), featuring seven reimagined versions by artists like Maddix and BYNX, available on Spinnin' Records.[55] Additionally, "Hold On" with Gil Glaze featuring EVIE, released in October 2025 on Spinnin' Records, fused future house with emotive vocals, marking another fresh collaboration in his evolving discography.[56]Awards and nominations
Grammy Awards
Afrojack, born Nick van de Wall, has received one Grammy Award and four nominations throughout his career, primarily recognizing his contributions to remixing and electronic dance music production. These accolades came during a pivotal era when the Grammy Awards began increasingly validating electronic dance music (EDM) as a mainstream genre, helping to elevate producers like Afrojack from underground scenes to global recognition. His win and nominations underscore his skill in transforming tracks across genres, blending house, electro, and pop elements.[57] His sole Grammy win occurred at the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards in 2011 for Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical, shared with David Guetta for their remix of Madonna's "Revolver" from the album Celebration. The track, known as "Revolver (David Guetta's One Love Remix)," showcased Afrojack's ability to infuse high-energy electronic beats into pop structures, contributing to EDM's growing credibility at major award shows during the early 2010s boom. This victory marked one of the first significant Grammy endorsements for EDM remixing, signaling the genre's shift from niche to award-worthy artistry.[58][59] Afrojack's nominations span remix, rap, and dance/electronic categories, reflecting his versatile production style. At the 54th Annual Grammy Awards in 2012, he earned three nods: Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical for his remix of Leona Lewis and Avicii's "Collide," which highlighted his remix prowess with pulsating basslines and festival-ready drops; Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song for his production on Chris Brown's "Look at Me Now" featuring Busta Rhymes and Lil Wayne, demonstrating his crossover appeal into hip-hop. In 2022, at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards, he received a nomination for Best Dance/Electronic Recording for "Hero," a collaboration with David Guetta, emphasizing his ongoing influence in pure electronic tracks with uplifting melodies and collaborative production.[60][61]| Year | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical | "Revolver (David Guetta's One Love Remix)" (with David Guetta) | Won |
| 2012 | Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical | "Collide (Afrojack Remix)" (Leona Lewis feat. Avicii) | Nominated |
| 2012 | Best Rap Performance | "Look at Me Now" (Chris Brown feat. Busta Rhymes, Lil Wayne) | Nominated |
| 2012 | Best Rap Song | "Look at Me Now" (Chris Brown feat. Busta Rhymes, Lil Wayne) | Nominated |
| 2022 | Best Dance/Electronic Recording | "Hero" (with David Guetta) | Nominated |
