International DJ and producer Paul van Dyk was voted “America’s Favorite DJ” for 2004 by BPM
Magazine and was the big winner
at the 2004 Dancestar Awards, taking home 3 awards: Best
International DJ, Best Event and Best Music in a Commercial (Motorola). He also won the Mexican Oscar for his soundtrack in the film Zurdo in March 2004. Paulpartnered with the “Rock the Vote” campaign in order to encourageAmerica’s youth to exercise their right to vote in the 2004presidential election. Paul’s involvement marked the first time anelectronic artist became involved in the campaign and he joined otherartists such as Bono, Mary J. Blige, Lenny Kravitz and the Black EyedPeas. Previously, Paul was voted "Best Music Maker" by DJ
magazine, ahead of DJ legends Fatboy Slim (2) and Paul Oakenfold (3). Hethen went on to receive the “Best International DJ Award” at the 1999Music Awards in London. Ministry of Sound Magazine named him the "Bestinternational DJ", and his regular 6 hour set at “Gatecrasher” wasvoted as the "second best club night ever" by the readers of theEnglish magazine Muzik. In 1999, Mixmag elected him as “Man of the Year” and Muzik Magazine named him “Leader of the Trance Nation.”Bornin Eisenhuettenstadt, East Germany, Paul grew up in communist EastBerlin. Prior to Germany’s reunification, he had an early window to thecapitalist world via the cross-border airwaves. Because his communitydid not have a true club culture, Paul listened to the radio where hediscovered the music of artists such as The Smiths and New Order.Thenin 1989, after the wall finally came down, a broad club culture sprungup throughout all of Berlin and although Techno music emerged, Paul waslooking for a different, more unique sound.In 1993, Paul created the club hit of the year with his remix ofHumate’s "Love Stimulation". The following year, his first album 45 RPMwas recorded, while he was also regularly spinning sets at thelegendary Berlin club "E–Werk". Over the next few years Paulgarnered further respect by remixing tracks of many renowned artistssuch as Inspiral Carpets, Sven Väth, Curve and New Order. This was ofcourse until the release of his second album, Seven Ways, which firmlyestablished him as one of the world’s truly great electronic artists.SevenWays unleashed a frenzy of national and international interviews, andPaul was catapulted into the Top 100. Even the English music media,typically protective of their own homespun DJ artists, unanimouslypraised the record. Readers of DJ Magazine – voted Seven Ways as theNumber 1 album of the year. Bellowing singles such as "BeautifulPlace", "Forbidden Fruit" and "Words", featuring remixes of Salt Tank,Quattara and Curve, fully secured him a place as a major player in theBritish and European dancecharts. Before the club closed, Paulbecame an institution at Berlin’s “E–Werk”, regularly spinning newmusical magic, with guest appearances by fellow superstar DJs NickWarren, BT, Dave Seaman and Sasha. In 1998 his first album 45RPM was released in the UK, and the new remix of the single "For anAngel" attacked dance floors worldwide. The album buzzed for two weeksat number 1 in England and four weeks at number 1 in the German dancecharts, and also achieved high positions in the American, Australian,Dutch, Belgian and Scandinavian dance charts. Paul then became aresident DJ at New York’s legendary dance club “Twilo” and also at theacclaimed “Gatecrasher” in Sheffield.Shortly after the album’s third single “Crush” was released, Paulcollaborated with Peter Heppner, singer of the band Wolfsheim, whichresulted in the hit single “Wir sind Wir” (translation: This is Us).Both artists were inspired by the German TV documentary “Das Wunder vonBern”. The song illustrates the spirit and history of Germany andalthough lots of Germans in east and west lost their self-esteem, theyare united and unafraid of what the future may bring. Today,Paul’s touring diary is incredibly hectic with regular globetrottingstops at major venues in London, Tel Aviv, Mexico, New York andSingapore. Between all that, Berlin is always there and waiting -- ifnot for the interviews and local club dates, then for looking after hisown label Vandit, recording studio and his radio show Soundgarden whichairs every Wednesday 2pm – 4pm (EST) on Fritz radio and over theinternet (www.fritz.de).