LePrince: “Hardstyle is Intense, Emotional, and Demands Realness”

Reggatronic trailblazer LePrince stopped by to discuss his artistic journey, his debut on Filth on Acid, and his thoughts on the hard dance scene!

From an early age, music has always been in the blood of Reggatronic trailblazer LePrince. His early roots in Suriname culture greatly influenced his journey into the scene, starting with the reggae and dancehall styles that were present everywhere, from family gatherings to the streets of his childhood. Being surrounded by music his entire life, LePrince was sure that music was his calling, and it was the direction he was supposed to go towards.

As he grew up, physically and as an artist, he became enamored with dance music. Attending underground parties and discovering this new world quickly became his life’s passion. Eventually, he decided to take on the mission of expressing himself and spreading his message to the world through artistic endeavors. Later in his career, he became connected with the hardstyle scene, and today, he is one of the most well-known voices in the genre.

While he usually adjusts to the needs of other artists, sharing their stories and emotions in his incredible collaborations, he recently took on the challenge of showcasing his own identity with the Who Dem EP, released on Filth On Acid. Over three brand-new records, LePrince explores the sonic realms of hardstyle and hard techno while remaining true to his Reggatronic roots. Pure intensity manifests through pounding kickdrums, powerful vocals with a positive message, and the hardest-hitting sounds, making for the perfect dancefloor-ready bangers to start any party.

To learn more about his journey as an artist, we sat down with LePrince to dive deep into his origins, his work in the hardstyle scene, the Who Dem EP, and so much more! Get to know LePrince through our full conversation by reading on, and stream the EP on Spotify or your preferred platform.

Stream LePrince – Who Dem on Spotify:

Hello, LePrince! Thank you for taking the time to chat with us at EDM Identity! I’d like to turn back the clock on your career. You’ve been a musician for a very long time. What initially sparked your love for creating music?

Honestly, music was in me before I even realized it. Growing up, it was all around in my family gatherings, street vibes, and the energy of Suriname culture. I didn’t have a choice; music chose me. I started creating music to express things I couldn’t say out loud. It gave me a voice before I even found my voice. From the beginning, it’s always been about feeling — capturing a vibe, a moment, a truth — and turning it into something people can connect with. That’s where real love started, and it’s never left.

You started in a completely different scene. What led you to discover dance music?

Yeah, I come from a different scene with Surinamese roots. It’s more urban, reggae, and dancehall-influenced, but I’ve always had an open ear. I’m about energy. One night, I ended up at this underground party where the DJ was building and building the vibe. There were no words, no rules, just pure connection through sound. It hit me differently.

That was my first real experience with dance music, and it opened a new door for me creatively. I realized I could bring my own voice and my own roots into this world and not lose myself doing it. That’s when I knew dance music wasn’t just something to listen to — it was something to live.

Since finding your way into dance music, you’ve become an integral part of the hardstyle scene. How did you get connected with the hardstyle scene, and what led you to become one of the main voices of the genre?

It’s crazy because I didn’t plan it. I was doing me, bringing my energy, voice, and flavor into the dance music world. Along the way, I started connecting with producers such as Boaz van de Beatz and other DJs who were deep into hardstyle. They saw something different in me — my rawness and the way I bring emotion and power into a track.

Hardstyle is intense, emotional, and demands realness. That’s exactly how I move, so it felt natural. One collaboration led to another, and before I knew it, I became one of those voices people recognized. I’m grateful for it, but I also know it’s because I never tried to copy anyone. I just stayed true to my sound and my story: REGGATRONIC.

Getting back to the present, you just released your latest solo project, the Who Dem EP. How does it feel to showcase your signature reggatronic style on such a respected label, Filth on Acid?

Man, it feels powerful. Releasing Who Dem on Filth on Acid is a real moment for me. Bigup Reinier, Timo, and Kiki! That label stands for freedom, raw energy, and realness — exactly my reggatronic style. It’s bigger than just dropping tracks. It’s me planting my flag and showing the world that my sound has a place at the highest level.

I’m blending cultures, rhythms, and raw emotion. To do that on a techno label that’s respected worldwide… It’s proof that staying true to yourself pays off. It’s just the beginning, too. I’m here to open even more doors for this sound.

Photo Credit: WRTN

Speaking of reggatronic, what defines this genre to you, and what does it mean to you to be the face of it today?

Reggatronic, to me, is freedom. It’s the raw spirit of reggae and dancehall mixed with the heavy energy of electronic music. It’s about breaking rules and not fitting into one box. That’s how I live, and that’s how I create. Being the face of it today means carrying a whole movement on my back, but it’s a responsibility I’m proud to have.

Reggatronic is about giving people something fresh, something real, and something they can feel, whether they come from the islands, the city, or the rave scene. Reggatronic is for the ones who don’t want to choose between cultures or sounds. It’s all blended into one fire. Like my friend Jan from LNY TNZ says, “Fvck Genres.”

Most of the time, you collaborate with other artists and help them complete their tracks. How was it different when producing your EP, where you were only focused on bringing your complete artistic vision to life instead of the other way around?

Collaborating is something I love, don’t get me wrong, because working with other artists brings a whole new energy and a fresh perspective. But with Who Dem, it was different. This time, it was all about fully diving into my own vision without compromise. I had the space to work with my producers and my teammates, Luis and Sven, to build the sound I’ve been carrying in my head and heart for years.

It felt like I was finally bringing everything together from my experiences, influences, and story. I didn’t have to adjust for anyone else’s vibe or vision. It was just me, my music, and the message I wanted to send to the world. That’s a powerful feeling, honestly. Big up my team. I’m not easy, but they know my mind is on a different level.

You’ve recently debuted your new live act with performances at Qlimax and Defqon.1. Can you share more with us about the preparation that went into creating these big stage shows?

Debuting my live act at Qlimax and Defqon.1 was a huge milestone and something I’ve been working towards for a while. The preparation was intense. It was eight years of DJing at home while I was doing crazy shows, but it was necessary to make sure I delivered an experience and not just a set.

I’ve been perfecting my performance by adding layers of my reggatronic style with live vocals, mixing, and creating a vibe that’s different from a regular DJ set. I’ve got to make sure everything flows perfectly for the transitions, the energy, and the crowd.

The technical side of things took a lot of work, but seeing the crowd’s reaction when it all came together was the real reward. It’s not just about the music! It’s about the whole energy of the show. This is the next step in me showing people what I’m capable of, and I’m just getting started, brethren. The world will soon TRUST ME!

You also recently had your debut performance in the United States with Hard Dance NYC. Do you have any other plans to return and tour for your fans stateside?

My debut performance in the U.S. with Hard Dance NYC was a game-changer. Big up, Chris! The energy there was insane, and the people were so ready to embrace my sound. I’ve definitely got plans to return and tour across the States. Actually, I’m residing in the States right now! There’s so much love for the hard dance and techno scene over here, and I feel like I’ve only scratched the surface.

I want to hit more cities, connect with the fans, and spread my vibe. The U.S. has always been a key part of my vision, and I’m working hard to make sure I’m getting it all done and bringing something fresh every time. So stay tuned because we’ve been cooking with even bigger and sweeter things.

With 2025 in full force, what else can fans expect from you for the rest of the year on the music front?

2025 is definitely going to be a big year. The release of my Who Dem EP was just the beginning, and there’s so much more on the way. I’ve got a few collaborations coming up with some good names in the electronic scene. I’m also working on new solo material that will enhance my sound. I’m focused on pushing boundaries and making music that resonates with my fans on a deeper level.

Beyond the tracks, I’ve got more live shows and international gigs lined up, so expect to see me on the road a lot. I’m bringing the energy, and I’m not slowing down. This year will be full of surprises, so keep your ears and eyes open. The journey is just getting started.

Thank you for talking with us today, LePrince. We look forward to seeing you in America again soon!

Thank you for this interview! It’s been a pleasure sharing my journey and what’s coming next. I’m super grateful for all the love and support. It’s people like you who keep me going. You can definitely expect to see me in America. I’m here already, and I’m coming stronger than ever. Stay tuned, and I’ll see you all on the dancefloor! Maximum respect and love to the world!

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