The Partysquad

Dutch electronic dance outfit the Partysquad built a reputation for high-octane club material that fuses pop, hip-hop, trap, garage, and R&B. Their first full-length effort, De bazen van de club, arrived in 2006, and the duo have since logged more than ten Dutch Top 40 entries, among them “I’m Sorry,” “Stuk,” “Ik ga hard,” and “Lit.” They also operate the Rebel Yard imprint beneath Spinnin’ Records and assembled the 2018 compilation Nachtwacht, while maintaining a presence on dance charts via the 2021 single “Wat heb je nodig,” the 2023 release Niet naar huis, and 2024’s “Warrior.”

Formed in Amsterdam, the project originally consisted of producer DJ Jerry (Jerry Leembruggen) and MC Ruben (Ruben Fernhout). The pair first connected in 1998 on a talent-search tour. After signing with the Good Life label they issued their debut single “Wat wil je doen” in 2005, which reached number 12 in the Netherlands and appeared in the film Het Schnitzelparadijs. Subsequent Top 40 cuts such as “I’m Sorry” (with RMXCRW and Gio) and “Non Stop” (featuring Brainpower) led directly to the 2006 album De bazen van de club.

Further successes followed in 2008, including the Afrojack collaboration “Drop Down (Do My Dance)” and the number-11 single “Stuk” (featuring Dio, Sef, Sjaak, and Reverse). Plans for international breakthrough were interrupted when DJ Jerry spent time in a coma after a car accident; once recovered, the duo resumed charting with another Afrojack track, “A Msterdamn.” In 2009 they joined Diplo’s Mad Decent roster and delivered the EP Hollertronix #10, later adding 2012’s Badman Rave and 2014’s Wake M’ Up, alongside Top 20 hits “Ik ga hard” (with Adje, Gers, Jayh, and Reverse), “Helemaal naar de klotem” (with Jayh, Sjaak, and Reverse), and “Lit” (featuring Equalz).

They launched the Rebel Yard label under Spinnin’ Records, collaborating with Armand Van Helden, A-Trak, Boaz, Major Lazer, M.I.A., and additional artists. In 2018 the pair curated Nachtwacht, a collection featuring Outsiders, Mr. Polska, Ronnie Flex, and others. The lineup became a trio in 2021 with the arrival of MC Laurent (Lorenzo Biemans), after which they issued further singles such as 2022’s “Warrior” and “Hardcore Life.”