Ralphie B

Ralph Barendse also known as Ralphie B, is a successful producer in the electronic dance music scene. Ralph is no newcomer, he is responsible for some of the biggest trance classics of all time. There is no Trance DJ nowadays who doesn't know "Ralphie B - Massive" or "Midway - Monkey Forest", two of Ralph's early productions, which goosebumped trancelovers throughout the world. But also the later hits like "Sierra Nevada", "Evergreen" and "Falling" under the First State guise shook the dance scene obviously all over the world. As for being a perfectionist in every way possible, producing enchanting melodies combined with catchy and addictive sounds are his drives to always treat every single track as a process of moulding them into a real gem. Therefore it's no surprise his tracks are signed to the most important dance labels of all time: Armada Music, Black Hole Recordings, Vandit and Ministry of Sound. Ralph's quality of production and distinct sound made him a favorite to do remixes for the most significant artists in the scene, among them Armin van Buuren (Unforgivable, These Silent Hearts), Tiesto (Ten Seconds Before Sunrise), Solar Stone (Solarcoaster), Dario G (Feels Like Heaven) and 4-Strings (Catch a Fall). On the other hand his tracks were remixed by big shots in the EDM scene like Paul van Dyk, Ronski Speed, Filterheadz, and D. Ramirez. As a DJ, Ralph played all over the world and joined no one less then Tiesto on one of his summertours.

It was a bittersweet experience being neighbours with Ralph, who at his young age already worked his way around keyboards and tapedecks, inspired by synthesizer music and early "rave tracks". He was hammering his homemade beats and melodies day and night in his bedroom until neighbours came knocking the door. Ralph grew up in the Netherlands, where the manifestation of the dance music has grown into a global industry very quickly and where dance music is one of the biggest export products. Ralph never needed music lessons before in his entire life as the music and notes come naturally.

His first records were back in 1999 under the disguise of Alpha Breed at Deal Records. From there onwards there was no stopping Ralph. His track "Ralphie B - Massive" was noticed by Tiesto and immediately signed to the famous In Trance We Trust label of Black Hole Recordings. The track was an instant hit and got hammered by all the big jocks, among them also Armin van Buuren who played it at the very first episode of his radioshow A State of Trance. The success continued with releases at In Trance We Trust such as "Midway - Monkey Forest", "Midway - Inca", "Midway - Amazon" and numerous remixes including the ever famous "Solar Stone - Solarcoaster (Midway remix)".

In the urge of trying something new again, in 2005 Ralph started the project "First State". As part of this project, Ralph was responsible for many club hits like "Sierra Nevada" (Tiesto in Concert DVD), "Evergreen" (ASOT 2007 CD) and "Falling" (In Search of Sunrise 6 CD). A bestselling First State album was finished called "Time Frame" and remixrequests followed coming from Armin, Tiesto and 4-Strings. As a DJ, Ralphie traveled the world, from South Korea to South Africa, from Ibiza to Siberia.

After using his x-factor for a few years in First State, he preferred to do his own thing again and in May 2009 Ralph decided to leave the project to focus on his solo projects again. He released a new solo single "Midway - What If" and a Midway album "Equator" in 2010. With great success. "What If" became both Tune of the Week and Future Favorite at Armin's A State of Trance. Ralph continued with remixing "Beat Service ft Emma Lock - Cut & Run" and his own classic gem "Ralphie B - Massive".

As he welcomes the fresh new ideas coming into his way in 2011 Ralph returned to his Ralphie B alias at Armada Music and produced new singles "Bullfrog" (Dash Berlin's United Destination), "Delphi", "Epic Battle" and a new project "Sun Crusaders - Oceanic". Next to this he was asked by Armin van Buuren to do a remix for one of his Mirage Album tracks featuring BT, "These Silent Hearts". The remix got its premiere at the legendary ASOT500 Parties and it became one of the most successful and bestselling remixes of the album .

It certainly does not end here, because there is a whole lot more coming. So stay tuned with ears and eyes wide open for Ralphie B continuously bringing you fantastic new trance productions to enjoy in the club, in your car, at the beach or anywhere else you desire!