Darude

Darude ( born July 17, 1975 in Eura, Finland, Ville Virtanen actually ) is a Finnish DJ.

Biography

From a young age very interested in dance music, he worked as a DJ on school parties. Because he the song Rudeboy by Leila K. played more often than any other, he got from his friends nicknamed " Rudeboy ". It later emerged his stage name Darude.

1996 Darude began producing his own songs. When he gave the music producer Jaako Salovaara a demo tape with the track Sandstorm, he could sign a contract with the label 16 Inch Records. Sandstorm 2000 was a worldwide hit, reaching the top 10 in many countries and even came to the U.S. pop charts ( number 86 ). In the Finnish charts the piece was indeed at # 3 hanging, but with platinum status, and 42 chart weeks - just a song from 1995 onwards there longer in the charts - it was an unusual success.

The successor Feel The Beat was able to build international once again on the success and reached in many countries around the rankings and 20 in the UK 5th place in Finland, it was the first number - one hit and the following album Before The Storm reached yet in same year No. 1 among the albums.

Until next album Rush, it took three years. It reached only number 4 in Finland, but it threw two number 1 hits from: Music and Next To You. International reigned but only limited interest in the Finn and his music.

2007 Darude returned titled Tell Me, and had thus his fourth number - one hit in his homeland.

Discography

Albums

• 2001: Before the Storm
• 2002: Before the Storm Special Edition
• 2003: Rush
• 2007: Label This!

Singles

Sources: Charts - DE AT CH UK U.S. FI

Awards

• Dance Music Award 2000: in the category "Best Dance Hit " ( Sandstorm )
• 2000: in the category " Best International Single Act of the DDC "