Armand Van Helden was born 16th February 1970 in Boston Massachusetts. A Dj, Producer, Song writer, and remixer. He is widely regarded a one of the most influential figures in the House music scene. His career has spanned over 3 decades since he helped shape the sound of club culture in the early 90’s.
Van Helden was born into a multicultural family, with a Dutch Indonesian father and a French Lebanese mother. Due to his father’s role in the U.S. Air Force, he spent much of his childhood moving between countries, including the Netherlands, Turkey, and Italy.
He developed an interest in music at an early age, buying his first drum machine at 13 and beginning to DJ in his mid-teens, initially playing hip-hop and freestyle.
After returning to Boston in the late 1980s, he immersed himself in the local club scene, eventually holding a residency at the influential nightclub called The Loft.
Despite briefly working in a legal-review job after college, Van Helden left it in 1991 to pursue music full-time, beginning work as a remixer and producer. Van Helden’s early releases were rooted in the New York house and club scene. His debut single, released in 1992 under the alias Deep Creed, marked the start of his recording career. He broke onto the international scene with the release of Witch Dokter in 1994 and then in 96 came the massive hit, the Funk Phenomena, this really was a defining record for Van Helden. More recognition followed for his rework of Tori Amos’ track Professional Widow, not only was this a huge club success but it really helped establish him as one of the most sought-after remixers in the business. By the mid-to-late 1990s, he was remixing major artists including The Rolling Stones, Janet Jackson, Daft Punk, and Sneaker Pimps, pushing his profile into the mainstream.
Have a listen to Funk Phenomena and Professional widow via the links below
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRpJNJgNSzw&list=RDiRpJNJgNSzw&start_radio=1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZgI_dz9SQY&list=RDVZgI_dz9SQY&start_radio=1
Van Helden transitioned from underground producer to global star in the late 1990s and early 2000s with a string of hit singles and albums including Koochy, My My My and Bonkers that he made with Dizzee Rascal. But for me his biggest hit and what I consider to be a technically brilliant record was You Don’t Know Me. I hear this still being played in clubs to great reception and like I mention about Finally by Kings Of Tomorrow as soon as it starts playing the whole place sings along and knows all the words! Have a listen below, I bet you know the words!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bsONE-kZwI&list=RD-bsONE-kZwI&start_radio=1
Although Armand is probably known best for his solo career in 2009 he teamed up with Canadian DJ A-Trak (a great DJ in his own rights and I will do a post on him)to form the duo Duck Sauce. Their biggest hit was Barbra Streisand, which in 2010 top the charts in multiple countries and earned them a Grammy Nomination.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpxKKBLUP2g
Duck Sauce became known for fun records that were sample driven, and kind of a Disco House combo, aNYway, Big Bad Wolf and NRG to name a few.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWM5D3MwSgA&list=RDvWM5D3MwSgA&start_radio=1
Armand Van Helden is known for blending multiple genres into his productions, including House, Speed Garage (which he helped to pioneer), Hip Hop, Funk and Disco. He loves a heavy bassline, creative sampling and a minimalist remix style that brings new beats over the original material. He really did play a big part in shaping UK Garage and was a influence of latter generation of producers across the House and EDM scene. Over the years, Van Helden has maintained a strong presence as both a solo artist and collaborator. He has continued releasing music, remixing high-profile artists, and performing at major festivals and clubs worldwide.
His career is notable for its longevity and adaptability, moving from underground club circuits to mainstream chart success while remaining influential within dance music culture. A great artist with multiple dance floor weapons in his back catalogue, he said You Don’t Know Me but I certainly know his records have lasted the test of time.
So I’m off to Ibiza in a couple of days, can’t blood wait. im battling with myself with who I should go see. is it CamelPhat, The Martinez Brothers. Swedish House Mafia or Carl Cox. I will be trying to post while im out there so will blog about who I see and what club I end up at.
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