Kris Kross Amsterdam

Named in homage to the early-'90s rap duo Kris Kross, the Dutch trio Kris Kross Amsterdam originated as a throwback DJ event series before evolving into a dance-pop act whose sets blended rap, funk, dancehall, R&B, and house. Their first international breakthroughs arrived with the 2016 single "Sex" and the 2018 release "Whenever."

Brothers Jordy and Sander Huisman launched KKA in 2011 by hosting a club night devoted to the R&B, hip-hop, funk, and house records of their youth instead of the prevailing dance sounds. The format quickly caught on, filling venues across Amsterdam, and the pair sustained momentum through years of gigs, mixtapes, and a clothing line before recruiting MC Yuki Kempees in 2014 to develop original tracks. After signing with Spinnin' Records they issued the trap-tinged R&B cut "Until the Morning" in 2015, then followed it in early 2016 with "Sex," a quasi-cover of Salt-N-Pepa's "Let's Talk About Sex" that featured Los Angeles' Cheat Codes and peaked at number two in the Netherlands while reaching the Top Ten in both the U.K. and Ireland.

Further singles drew in outside collaborators: Conor Maynard and Ty Dolla $ign appeared on the third release, "Are You Sure?," while Maynard returned for 2018's "Whenever," recorded with the Boy Next Door and peaking at number three at home. KKA's first number-one single, "Hij Is Van Mij," united them with Maan, Tabitha, and Bizzey. Additional 2019 successes included "Moment" alongside Kraantje Pappie and Tabitha as well as "Ik Sta Jou Beter" with Nielson; a third Maynard collaboration, "Ooh Girl," also featured A Boogie wit da Hoodie.