Vengaboys

Lore & Background

The name Vengaboys originated as the title of an electronic musical project by Dutch producers Danski and Delmundo in the early 1990s, derived from the Spanish word 'venga' meaning 'come on!'. In 1997, they decided to use the name for a pop group, selecting Moluccan-Dutch singer Kim Sasabone as vocal lead. After auditions, Denise Post-Van Rijswijk, Roy den Burger, and Robin Pors were added. Their debut single 'Parada de Tettas' was released in August 1997, followed by 'To Brazil!' in December 1997 and 'Up and Down' in February 1998. Their debut album 'Up & Down – The Party Album' was released in April 1998 in the Netherlands and Belgium, achieving gold certification in the Netherlands. 'We Like to Party' peaked at number 2 on the Dutch charts and number 1 in Belgium in June 1998. 'Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom!!' and 'Greatest Hits! Part 1' followed in October 1998, with the album reaching number 1 on the Dutch chart. In November 1998, 'Up and Down' entered the UK Singles Chart at number 4. 'We Like to Party' was released internationally in 1999, becoming a Top 10 hit in many countries and reaching number 26 on the Billboard Hot 100. 'Boom Boom Boom Boom' topped charts in the UK, New Zealand, and the Netherlands. 'We're Going to Ibiza', a reworking of Typically Tropical's 1975 hit 'Barbados', reached the top slot in the Netherlands in September 1999. The album spent 30 consecutive weeks on the U.S. Billboard 200 and was certified gold in November 1999. Note: Donny Latupeirissa replaced Roy den Burger as male vocalist around 2000.

Reader's Guide

Vengaboys represent a peak of late-1990s Eurodance, with their upbeat, party-oriented sound achieving global commercial success. Their estimated 25 million records sold and two consecutive World Music Awards underscore their international appeal, particularly in the UK and Europe. The group's longevity, marked by multiple line-up changes and a 20th anniversary celebration in 2019, demonstrates their enduring popularity in nostalgia-driven tours and festivals. Their music has been used in advertising, such as the 1999 Nissan Wingroad ad in Japan, and they have collaborated with artists like Timmy Trumpet and Pete Burns. The group's significance lies in their role as a defining act of the Eurodance genre, with hits that remain staples of 1990s-themed events. Their recognition by Nu.nl as the most successful Dutch pop group in history highlights their cultural impact in the Netherlands.

Did You Know?

• The name Vengaboys derives from the Spanish word 'venga', meaning 'come on!'.
• 'We're Going to Ibiza' is a reworking of Typically Tropical's 1975 number 1 hit 'Barbados'.
• In 1999, 'Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom!!' was used in a Japanese Nissan Wingroad advertisement.
• In 2021, the band released a cover of Charli XCX and Troye Sivan's '1999' retitled '1999 (I Wanna Go Back)' with a deep fake-style video.