2 Unlimited: The Dutch Eurodance Powerhouse

2 Unlimited is a Dutch Eurodance and Euro house project that became a defining force of 1990s dance music. Formed in 1991 by producers Jean-Paul De Coster and Phil Wilde, the group achieved massive commercial success with a string of high-energy, chart-topping singles across Europe and beyond.

Early career

The project was assembled in Belgium and the Netherlands in 1991 around the core duo of rapper Ray Slijngaard and singer Anita Doth. Producers and songwriters Jean-Paul De Coster and Phil Wilde crafted the group's signature sound, characterized by rapid-fire rapping, catchy vocal hooks, and relentless synth-driven beats, releasing their music on the Belgian label Byte Records.

Breakthrough

2 Unlimited's breakthrough came swiftly with their debut single Get Ready for This in late 1991, which became an international club anthem. Their first album, Get Ready! (1992), solidified their status, spawning further hits like Twilight Zone and Workaholic and achieving multi-platinum sales in several European territories.

Key tracks

Get Ready for This - The group's debut single became a global sports arena staple and remains one of the most recognizable Eurodance tracks of all time.

No Limit - This 1993 single from the album No Limits! was a monumental success, reaching number one in numerous countries including the UK and becoming their signature song.

Tribal Dance - A hit from their second album, this track exemplified their formula of infectious melodies and driving house rhythms.

The Real Thing - Showcasing a slightly more melodic side, this 1994 single continued their run of top-ten entries across Europe.

No One - A later hit from 1998 that demonstrated the enduring appeal of their high-energy style even as musical trends shifted.

The group's initial run from 1991 to 1996 was incredibly prolific, resulting in three multi-platinum studio albums and a consistent stream of chart hits. After a hiatus, Slijngaard and Doth reunited for performances in the 2000s and 2010s, capitalizing on the enduring nostalgia for 1990s Eurodance, while the production team of De Coster and Wilde continued to be involved in the project's legacy.

Fans of the energetic, synth-heavy sound of 2 Unlimited might also enjoy the work of Snap!, another German-based act that mastered the early 90s dance chart. The Dutch Eurodance scene also produced Vengaboys, who followed with a similarly upbeat and party-oriented style. For the iconic rapped verses paired with female vocals, listeners can explore Real McCoy, a German group with parallel success. The Belgian project Technotronic also shares the foundational hip-house influence that propelled 2 Unlimited to fame.

The music of 2 Unlimited remains a fixture on dedicated 90s dance and Eurodance radio stations, where their high-tempo anthems are regularly featured to energize listeners. Their catalog provides a direct link to the peak era of electronic dance music breaking into the global pop mainstream.

You can discover the hits of 2 Unlimited by tuning into radio stations available on onairium.com, where their iconic Eurodance sound continues to be celebrated.