Afrojack performing live on stage with dramatic lighting and energetic crowd at a major music festival
Afrojack portrait

Afrojack

Nick Leonardus van de Wall

Electro House Progressive House EDM Dutch House Heat 91
91
Heat Score
#7
DJ Mag Peak
2007
Active Since
NL
Spijkenisse

🎧 Biography

Grammy-winning Dutch powerhouse and the architect behind EDM's biggest anthems

Afrojack, born Nick Leonardus van de Wall on September 9, 1987, in Spijkenisse, Netherlands, is one of the most decorated and influential figures in electronic dance music. A Grammy Award-winning producer, world-touring DJ, and the founder of Wall Recordings, Afrojack rose from the Dutch underground scene to become a global superstar whose productions have shaped the sound of modern pop and dance music alike. His journey began in the vibrant Dutch club scene of the mid-2000s, where his raw talent for crafting massive, bass-heavy electro house tracks quickly set him apart from his peers. By his early twenties, Afrojack had already established himself as a leading force in the emerging Dutch House movement, alongside contemporaries like Chuckie, Laidback Luke, and Nicky Romero. His early releases on local labels caught the attention of the international dance music community, and it was not long before he was headlining major clubs and festivals across Europe.

The breakthrough moment that catapulted Afrojack into the mainstream came with "Take Over Control" featuring Eva Simons in 2010. The track became a worldwide hit, reaching the top 10 in multiple countries and introducing his sound to pop radio audiences. This success opened the floodgates to a series of high-profile collaborations that would define the EDM era. He co-produced Pitbull's global smash "Give Me Everything" (featuring Ne-Yo and Nayer), which hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2011 and earned Afrojack a Grammy Award for Best Remixed Recording in 2012. That same year, he co-produced Beyoncé's empowerment anthem "Run the World (Girls)," proving his versatility as a producer who could seamlessly bridge the worlds of underground dance music and mainstream pop. Further collaborations followed with David Guetta ("Lunar," "Titanium" co-production credits), Steve Aoki ("No Beef"), Nicki Minaj, and even Madonna, establishing Afrojack as one of the most sought-after producers in the music industry.

Today, Afrojack continues to be a dominant force in electronic music, consistently ranking in DJ Mag's Top 100 and headlining the world's premier festivals and clubs. His own label, Wall Recordings, has become a respected platform for emerging talent and a home for his own releases. His Wynn Las Vegas residency at XS Nightclub and Encore Beach Club is one of the most popular on the Strip. Beyond the decks, Afrojack has earned recognition for his production prowess, having ghostwritten and produced tracks for some of the biggest names in pop music. His ability to create anthemic, festival-ready tracks while simultaneously crafting polished pop productions makes him a unique figure in the music world. Standing at an imposing 6'10" (208 cm), Afrojack cuts a distinctive figure on stage, and his larger-than-life presence matches the scale of his productions. He remains deeply connected to his Dutch roots and continues to push the boundaries of what electronic dance music can achieve on a global scale.


🎶 Best Sets

The most iconic Afrojack live performances and music videos

Tomorrowland 2023 Mainstage

Massive mainstage set featuring his biggest anthems and unreleased collaborations

Ultra Miami 2022

High-octane headline set at Miami's legendary Ultra Music Festival

Take Over Control ft. Eva Simons (Official Video)

The breakthrough single that launched Afrojack into global stardom in 2010

Ten Feet Tall ft. Wrabel (Official Video)

Anthemic crossover single showcasing Afrojack's melodic production side

EDC Las Vegas 2019

Electric Daisy Carnival headline performance with spectacular festival production

Give Me Everything — Pitbull ft. Ne-Yo & Afrojack

The Grammy-winning #1 hit that defined the 2011 summer and won Best Remixed Recording


🎪 Concert Timeline

Key milestones in Afrojack's live performance career

2007

Dutch Club Scene Emergence

A young Nick van de Wall began making waves in the Dutch club circuit, performing at iconic Amsterdam venues and building a reputation as one of the most talented new DJs in the Netherlands. His early sets at clubs like Jimmy Woo and Escape showcased his natural ability to command a dancefloor with pounding Dutch House rhythms and electro house energy.

2010

"Take Over Control" Global Breakthrough

The release of "Take Over Control" featuring Eva Simons transformed Afrojack from a Dutch club DJ into an international star. The track topped charts across Europe and broke into the US Billboard Hot 100. Suddenly, Afrojack was being booked for major festivals worldwide, and his electrifying live shows became must-see events on the global circuit.

2011

Tomorrowland Mainstage & Pop Crossover

Afrojack took the Tomorrowland mainstage in Belgium for the first time, delivering a set that cemented his status as a festival headliner. That same year, his collaboration with Pitbull on "Give Me Everything" reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, and he co-produced Beyoncé's "Run the World (Girls)," bridging the gap between EDM and mainstream pop in spectacular fashion.

2012

Grammy Award Win

Afrojack won the Grammy Award for Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical for his remix of "Give Me Everything" at the 54th Annual Grammy Awards. This recognition placed him among the elite of electronic music producers and validated the growing influence of EDM in mainstream music culture. He celebrated with a triumphant set at Ultra Music Festival in Miami.

2014

Wynn Las Vegas Residency Launch

Afrojack secured a lucrative residency at Wynn Las Vegas, performing regularly at XS Nightclub and Encore Beach Club. The residency became one of the most popular on the Las Vegas Strip, with Afrojack's high-energy sets drawing capacity crowds every weekend. This cemented his position as one of the highest-earning DJs in the world.

2017

DJ Mag Top 100 Peak at #7

After years of consistent chart presence, Afrojack peaked at #7 in DJ Mag's prestigious Top 100 DJs poll, his highest-ever ranking. The achievement reflected a decade of relentless touring, hitmaking, and festival dominance. His performances at Tomorrowland, Ultra, EDC, and Creamfields that year were among the most talked-about sets of the season.

2022

Post-Pandemic Return & Renewed Energy

After the COVID-19 pandemic forced a pause on live events, Afrojack returned to the global stage with renewed creative energy. His comeback sets at Tomorrowland and Ultra Miami were charged with emotion, featuring new productions alongside his classic anthems. The period also saw him experimenting with new sounds while staying true to his signature big room style.

2024–2025

Global Arena Tour & New Music

Afrojack embarked on a worldwide arena tour featuring a completely redesigned stage production, incorporating immersive LED walls, pyrotechnics, and CO2 effects. The tour brought his biggest show yet to cities across North America, Europe, and Asia, while new collaborations with David Guetta and a fresh wave of Wall Recordings releases kept him at the forefront of the electronic music scene.


🌎 Lifestyle

Where Afrojack lives, parties, travels, eats, and more

🏠

Where He Lives

Afrojack splits his time between the Netherlands and Las Vegas. He maintains a home base near his roots in the South Holland region, while also keeping a residence in Las Vegas to accommodate his long-running Wynn residency. His Dutch home features a state-of-the-art recording studio where much of his production work takes place.

🎆

Where He Parties

As both a performer and a fan of nightlife culture, Afrojack frequents the world's best venues.

  • XS Nightclub / Encore Beach Club, Wynn Las Vegas — Residency
  • Tomorrowland, Belgium — Annual headliner
  • Hi Ibiza & Ushuaia Ibiza — Guest appearances
  • Amsterdam Dance Event — Wall Recordings showcases
✈

Where He Travels

Afrojack's touring schedule takes him across the globe year-round.

  • Las Vegas, USA — Wynn residency
  • Miami, USA — Ultra Music Festival / WMC
  • Ibiza, Spain — Summer circuit
  • Tomorrowland, Belgium — Annual fixture
  • Tokyo, Japan — Regular touring
  • Mumbai, India — Sunburn Festival
  • São Paulo, Brazil — Touring
🍴

What He Eats

Known for his towering 6'10" frame, Afrojack takes his nutrition seriously to maintain energy during marathon festival sets and long nights in the studio. He is a self-professed lover of Dutch comfort food, particularly bitterballen and stamppot, but also enjoys fine dining experiences in Las Vegas and international cuisine while touring. He has spoken about maintaining a balanced diet to fuel his demanding schedule.

👕

What He Wears

Afrojack's style leans toward sleek, modern streetwear with a premium edge. He is often seen wearing designer sneakers, fitted jackets, and contemporary fashion brands. On stage, he opts for comfortable yet stylish outfits that allow him to move freely behind the decks. His imposing physical presence means he cuts a distinctive figure regardless of what he wears, and he has been spotted at fashion events in Amsterdam, Milan, and Paris.

❤

Who He Dates

Afrojack married Dutch model and actress Elettra Lamborghini in 2020. The couple's wedding was a high-profile affair that attracted significant media attention. Elettra, an Italian-Dutch television personality and singer from the Lamborghini family, shares Afrojack's love of music and entertainment. The pair are frequently seen together at events and on social media, where they share glimpses of their life together.


🎬 Behind the Scenes

Studio sessions, production breakdowns, and the making of Afrojack's biggest hits

Afrojack Studio Session

Behind the scenes in Afrojack's production studio — a look at how he crafts his signature big room sound from initial idea to finished track

The Making of Wall Recordings

Documentary footage exploring how Afrojack built Wall Recordings from a personal outlet into one of EDM's most respected independent labels


❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Everything fans want to know about Afrojack

Yes, Afrojack won a Grammy Award in 2012 for Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical for his remix of "Give Me Everything" by Pitbull featuring Ne-Yo, Afrojack, and Nayer. The award was presented at the 54th Annual Grammy Awards and made Afrojack one of the first major EDM artists to receive this prestigious recognition. The win validated his production talent and helped elevate the profile of electronic dance music in the mainstream music industry.
Afrojack's real name is Nick Leonardus van de Wall. He was born on September 9, 1987, in Spijkenisse, a city in the province of South Holland, Netherlands. He adopted the stage name "Afrojack" early in his DJ career and has since become one of the most recognizable names in electronic dance music. Despite his global fame, he remains proud of his Dutch heritage and frequently references his roots in interviews and social media posts.
Yes, Afrojack co-produced Beyoncé's empowerment anthem "Run the World (Girls)" in 2011. The track sampled Major Lazer's "Pon de Floor" and featured Afrojack's signature electronic production layered beneath Beyoncé's powerful vocals. The collaboration was a landmark moment that demonstrated how EDM producers were increasingly being called upon by the world's biggest pop artists. Afrojack has spoken about the experience as one of the highlights of his career, noting the level of professionalism and artistry that Beyoncé brought to the studio.
Yes, Afrojack has held a longstanding and highly successful residency at Wynn Las Vegas, performing regularly at XS Nightclub and Encore Beach Club. The residency is one of the most popular on the Las Vegas Strip, with Afrojack's high-energy performances drawing capacity crowds. XS Nightclub, with its outdoor pool area and nightclub floor, provides the perfect setting for Afrojack's festival-style sets. He has been a fixture of the Las Vegas nightlife scene for over a decade, making him one of the longest-running and most beloved DJ residents in the city.
Afrojack is widely regarded as one of the pioneering figures of the Dutch House sound that emerged from the Netherlands in the late 2000s. Along with artists like Chuckie, Laidback Luke, and later Nicky Romero and Hardwell, Afrojack helped define the genre's characteristic bouncy basslines, heavy kicks, aggressive synths, and high-energy drops. His early productions were instrumental in bringing Dutch House to global prominence, and the sound he helped develop directly influenced the broader EDM explosion that swept the world in the early 2010s. His Wall Recordings label also served as an important outlet for Dutch House tracks during the genre's formative years.