The Vengaboys is more a euro pop project than a real euro dance project in the literal sense of the term. Originally, the Vengaboys was a working name of two Dutch DJ’s, known as Danski and Delmundo. Their real names are Dennis van den Drieshen and Wessel van Diepen. Wessel van Diepen is a famous Radio DJ in the Netherlands and he wants to stay anonymous. Wessel van Diepen made more productions. In 1991 he got a big hit with James Brown Is Dead from L.A. Style.
The origin of the Vengaboys, according to van Diepen, comes from the time when they were touring with their school bus across Spain from 1992 till 1997. During one of the hottest Spanish summers (1996), the Vengaboys met up with Kim and the other band members (Roy, Denice and Robin) at one of their beach parties. During the autumn of 1996 the idea grew that it was time to expand the over successful parties throughout the world. They would be performing under the name the Vengaboys.
Danski and Delmundo based themselves in a well-equipped studio in the northern part of Europe, while the band members continued their over successful European tour under the name Vengaboys. The first two singles only had a local success. Parada De Tettas, featuring Kim, and only released in the Netherlands, reached number 14 in the charts. To Brazil was a Dutch summer hit, reaching the #22 position. Everything began with the single Up & Down, which was released in 1997. It went Top 5 in the Netherlands, Denmark, France, Spain. In fact, it was a big hit across Europe, reaching #4 in the UK. The UK really caught the Venga-flu, where the band has since had 2 #1’s with Boom Boom Boom Boom!!! (including remixes by Brooklyn Bounce and The Klubbheads) and We’re Going To Ibiza. Along with We Like To Party, these four singles have given the band a combined sales total of almost 2 million singles in the UK alone.
The first Vengaboys-album, Greatest Hits went platinum in the UK, Germany, Scandinavia, Belgium, South America and India. The release in America and South Africa meant gold, while sales in Holland and Canada resulted in triple platinum. So far, the Vengaboys have sold over 10 million singles and 4 and a half million copies of their albums, proving to be one of the most successful Dutch pop group ever.