DJ Paul Elstak

Paul Elstak was the crown prince of Dutch gabba, the variant of hardcore techno that consistently sought the darkest, fastest electronic dance music possible in a post-apocalyptic nihilistic frenzy. Though the “Rotterdam” producer was later reviled by many of his hardcore brethren because of his surprising chart leanings, his 1992 single “Where the Fuck Is Amsterdam?” by Euromasters practically created the gabba style. Later singles like “Rotterdam” and “The Nightmare Continues” were also popular on the emerging scene, but by 1995, Elstak had pulled back from the dark side. Instead, he followed a more light-hearted hi-NRG style — prepared with help from the Dutch production crew the Klubbheads — that resulted in a series of Top Ten Dutch pop hits including “Life Is Like a Dance,” “Luv U More” (a cover of the Sunscreem hit), “Don’t Leave Me Alone,” and “Rave On.” His first full-length, May the Forze Be With You, appeared in 1996.