Hardwell | |
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Hardwell (2013)
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Background information | |
Birth name | Robbert van de Corput |
Born |
Breda, Netherlands |
7 January 1988
Origin | Netherlands |
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Occupation(s) |
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Instruments |
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Years active | 2005–present |
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Associated acts | |
Website | djhardwell |
Robbert van de Corput (born 7 January 1988), who performs under the stage name Hardwell, is a Dutch big room house and electro house DJ, record producer and remixer. He was voted the World's No. 1 DJ on DJ Mag in 2013, and again in 2014. He is currently ranked at No. 3 on DJ Mag Top 100 DJs 2016 poll. Hardwell is best known for his sets at major music festivals such as Ultra Music Festival, Sunburn and Tomorrowland.
Hardwell first gained recognition in 2009 for his bootleg of "Show Me Love vs. Be". He founded the record label Revealed Recordings in 2010 and his own radio show and podcast Hardwell On Air in 2011. He has since released seven compilation albums through his label, as well as his own documentary film. His debut studio album, United We Are, was released on 23 January 2015.
Robbert van de Corput was born on 7 January 1988 in Breda, Netherlands, where he grew up as well. He started learning classical piano and DJing. Van de Corput was first inspired to become a DJ after watching a documentary about DJs on the Dutch MTV. He was signed to his first record label and he began DJing at reputable clubs across the Netherlands. He enrolled at a music-oriented school and the Rock Academy. Three months into the Rock Academy, he was advised to quit and to pursue a career in music immediately, changing his name to Hardwell. He often cited fellow Breda native, Tiesto, as his biggest inspiration and mentor.
Hardwell gained recognition in 2009 for his bootleg of "Show Me Love vs. Be". The song is a mashup of Robin S.'s "Show Me Love" and the instrumental track "Be" by Steve Angello and Laidback Luke. In 2010, Hardwell formed his own record label, Revealed Recordings. Soon after the launch, Hardwell started the release of Hardwell presents Revealed, a compilation album released annually which featured some of the label's biggest tracks of that year.