DJb: The Driving Force of Belgian Techno

DJb is the stage name of Belgian electronic music producer and DJ Bart Claessen, a pivotal figure in the global trance and techno scenes since the early 2000s. Hailing from Geel, Belgium, he first achieved international fame with his 2001 trance anthem "Playmo," which became a staple in DJ sets worldwide and launched a prolific career spanning multiple aliases and labels.

Early career

Bart Claessen began his musical journey in the late 1990s, experimenting with production while studying sound engineering. His early demos caught the attention of the Dutch label Black Hole Recordings, which led to his first official release in 2000 under the name Barthezz. This initial phase was characterized by a harder, big room trance sound that quickly distinguished him from his peers.

Breakthrough

The year 2001 marked DJb's definitive breakthrough with the release of "Playmo" under his Barthezz alias on the influential Magik Muzik imprint. The track's relentless bassline and iconic synth riff dominated dancefloors, earning heavy rotation on radio shows like Tiësto's and propelling it into the UK Singles Chart. This success established him as a leading new voice in the evolving European trance movement.

Key tracks

Playmo (2001) — This track remains his signature hit, a defining record of the early 2000s trance era that cemented his reputation.

On The Move (2005) — Released under his DJb alias, this track showcased a shift towards a more driving, tech-influenced sound on the High Contrast Recordings label.

Madness (2009) — A collaboration with Raz Nitzan and singer Susana, this track demonstrated his skill at crafting vocal-driven progressive trance that received widespread support.

Zocalo (DJb Remix) (2005) — His acclaimed remix of Armin van Buuren's classic highlighted his remixing prowess and further solidified his industry standing.

Throughout the 2010s, DJb continued to evolve, focusing more on his techno-oriented alias, Tom Fall, and releasing on labels like Armada Music and his own Something Something. His productions consistently charted on Beatport, demonstrating his adaptability and lasting relevance within the electronic music industry. He has collaborated with artists like Armin van Buuren, Rank 1, and W&W, while his DJ sets have graced major festivals and clubs across the globe. For fans of DJb's powerful and melodic brand of electronic music, similar artists featured on our site include Armin van Buuren who shares a Dutch-Belgian trance heritage and focus on melodic energy. Rank 1 represents the same pioneering era of Dutch trance with complex production. W&W mirrors the evolution from trance to a harder, big room festival sound. Tom Fall is, of course, Claessen's own deeper techno alias, exploring the darker side of his production range.

DJb's catalog receives regular airplay across a spectrum of electronic music radio stations featured on our network. From dedicated trance and progressive channels to broader dance music FM stations and online streams, his anthems like "Playmo" are perennial favorites that continue to energize listeners.

The music of DJb, from his classic trance anthems to his modern techno productions, can be heard on numerous radio stations featured on our website. Listeners can discover his influential sound by tuning into the electronic and dance music stations available on onairium.com.