DJ Paul Elstak
Encyclopedia
DJ Paul Elstak is a Dutch
hardcore/gabber
and happy hardcore
DJ and record producer. He used to use his full name to create happy hardcore and DJ Paul for hardcore gabber, but when he started Offensive Records in 2001, he started using both names for gabber.
Discothèque Bluetiek-Inn. Here he played with the Dutch House music
pioneer Peter Slaghuis
. Around this time he also hooked up with Rob Fabrie and Richard van Naamen to form Holy Noise, with whom he released a string of releases at the Hithouse record label (owned by Slaghuis). In 1991 Holy Noise had their biggest success with their release James Brown is Still Alive. This release was a reply to the popular house record James Brown is Dead by L.A. Style
.
In 1992 Elstak created his own record label, Rotterdam Records (under the flag of Mid-Town records) to release hardcore
and Rotterdam Tekno. The first release on this label was a Holy Noise release under the guise of De Euromasters, releasing Amsterdam Waar Lech Dat Dan? (Translated; Amsterdam where is that?). This record was an implicit complaint about the Dutch media paying most attention to Amsterdam and not to Rotterdam. In 1995 he released the first DJ Paul Elstak single, Life Is Like a Dance. After this record, a few commercial releases followed. Rainbow in the Sky was the most successful of these. Several of his singles reached the Dutch Top 40
in the mid-1990s. After two years, Elstak decided to leave the commercial dance scene and devote his time releasing gabber
.
In 2001 he left Mid-Town and Rotterdam Records to start a new record label at Rige Entertainment, called Offensive Records.
To this day Paul still releases hardcore on this imprint in his own typical style.
Dutch people
The Dutch people are an ethnic group native to the Netherlands. They share a common culture and speak the Dutch language. Dutch people and their descendants are found in migrant communities worldwide, notably in Suriname, Chile, Brazil, Canada, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, and the United...
hardcore/gabber
Hardcore techno
Hardcore techno is a type of electronic music typified by the rhythmic use of distorted and atonal industrial-like beats and samples...
and happy hardcore
Happy hardcore
Happy hardcore, also known as happycore, is a genre of music typified by a very fast tempo , often coupled with solo vocals and sentimental lyrics. Its characteristically 4/4 beat "happy" sound distinguishes it from most other forms of hardcore techno, which tend to be "darker". It is typically in...
DJ and record producer. He used to use his full name to create happy hardcore and DJ Paul for hardcore gabber, but when he started Offensive Records in 2001, he started using both names for gabber.
Biography
In 1987, his career as a DJ started when he was hired as a Struppier at RotterdamRotterdam
Rotterdam is the second-largest city in the Netherlands and one of the largest ports in the world. Starting as a dam on the Rotte river, Rotterdam has grown into a major international commercial centre...
Discothèque Bluetiek-Inn. Here he played with the Dutch House music
House music
House music is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in Chicago, Illinois, United States in the early 1980s. It was initially popularized in mid-1980s discothèques catering to the African-American, Latino American, and gay communities; first in Chicago circa 1984, then in other...
pioneer Peter Slaghuis
Peter Slaghuis
Peter Slaghuis was a Dutch DJ, producer and remixer, whose work was mostly released under the name Hithouse ....
. Around this time he also hooked up with Rob Fabrie and Richard van Naamen to form Holy Noise, with whom he released a string of releases at the Hithouse record label (owned by Slaghuis). In 1991 Holy Noise had their biggest success with their release James Brown is Still Alive. This release was a reply to the popular house record James Brown is Dead by L.A. Style
L.A. Style
L.A. Style was a Dutch electronic dance music duo, founded and produced by radio host Wessel van Diepen, who also created Nakatomi and the very successful Vengaboys, also produced by Fonny de Wulf, Michiel van der Kuiy [aka Denzil Slamming] & FX.The group was fronted by Rapper/Singer/Songwriter &...
.
In 1992 Elstak created his own record label, Rotterdam Records (under the flag of Mid-Town records) to release hardcore
Hardcore techno
Hardcore techno is a type of electronic music typified by the rhythmic use of distorted and atonal industrial-like beats and samples...
and Rotterdam Tekno. The first release on this label was a Holy Noise release under the guise of De Euromasters, releasing Amsterdam Waar Lech Dat Dan? (Translated; Amsterdam where is that?). This record was an implicit complaint about the Dutch media paying most attention to Amsterdam and not to Rotterdam. In 1995 he released the first DJ Paul Elstak single, Life Is Like a Dance. After this record, a few commercial releases followed. Rainbow in the Sky was the most successful of these. Several of his singles reached the Dutch Top 40
Dutch Top 40
The Dutch Top 40 is a weekly music chart, which started as the "Veronica Top 40", because the offshore radio station Radio Veronica was the first to introduce it. It remained "The Veronica Top 40" until 1974, when the station was forced to stop broadcasting...
in the mid-1990s. After two years, Elstak decided to leave the commercial dance scene and devote his time releasing gabber
Gabber
Gabber , is a style of electronic music and a subgenre of hardcore techno. "Gabber" is a slang word of Yiddish origin that means "mate", "buddy" or "friend"....
.
In 2001 he left Mid-Town and Rotterdam Records to start a new record label at Rige Entertainment, called Offensive Records.
To this day Paul still releases hardcore on this imprint in his own typical style.