CJ Bolland

Born in 1971 in Stockton-on-Tees, England, but raised in Belgium, CJ Bolland became one of the pioneering figures in European techno and electronic music. Immersed in Belgium’s vibrant club scene from a young age, he began producing tracks in his teens, inspired by synth-pop, electro, and the emerging sounds of new beat. In the late 1980s, Bolland honed his skills at the legendary R&S Records, releasing influential tracks such as “Horsepower” (1991) and “Camargue” (1992).

His robust, boundary-pushing productions quickly established him as both a formidable studio talent and an energetic DJ. Bolland’s seminal debut album *The 4th Sign* (1992) remains a benchmark in techno, blending industrial strength with melodic sensibility. Major mainstream success arrived with the single “Sugar Is Sweeter” (1996), which topped the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart and introduced his music to a global audience.

Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Bolland released a string of albums and remixes under his own name and various aliases, consistently pushing the limits of genre and technology. Renowned for his dynamic live sets and technical prowess behind the decks, CJ Bolland has remained a fixture on the international club and festival circuit for over three decades. His productions have influenced countless artists and his tracks continue to be regarded as foundational works in the evolution of techno, rave, and electronic dance music.