Loona

Biography

Loona (born Marie-José van der Kolk, on 16 September 1974) is a Dutch pop singer and dancer.

1994–1998: Beginnings and Life Is Just a Game

In 1991, Van der Kolk met DJ and producer DJ Sammy at Zorba's Club in El Arenal Mallorca. In 1992, DJ Sammy became resident DJ at the Joy Palace Club in El Arenal, while Van der Kolk was a resident dancer there, for whom she started to be a background singer for live performances. She adopted the stage name "Carisma" and performed as a featured artist on DJ Sammy's music. In 1996, they released their first singles "Life is Just a Game" and "You Are My Angel", which was their first hit. In 1997, with the release of their third single "Prince of Love", they scored a Top 30 hit in Germany, followed by the singles "Golden Child" and "Magic Moment". DJ Sammy's debut studio album Life Is Just a Game, which featured van der Kolk on vocals, peaked at number 62 in the German album chart. In the Summer of 1998, van der Kolk came up with a new project called Loona (leaned on the Spanish word "luna" for "moon"), also produced by DJ Sammy. Originally started as a Duo, DJ Sammy stayed in the background for music videos and cover arts. The first single, which also appeared as a bonus track on Life is Just a Game, was a cover of Paradisio's song "Bailando×Bailando15 June 1998 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Bailando (Energia mix short version)3:362Bailando (Energia mix extended version)5:283Bailando (Besa Me mix extended version)4:564Noche Linda3:59" and it became the summer song of 1998 in Germany, reaching the number 1 of the German charts 8 weeks long and Echo-awarded as "Best International Dance Single". By Autumn, it was followed by another single "Hijo de la Luna×Hijo de la luna23 November 1998 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 5 tracks1Hijo de la luna (Sentimiento version)4:102Hijo de la luna (radio remix version)3:533Another Christmas Without You4:114Hijo de la luna (instrumental version)4:175Hijo de la luna (Flip MJC Accapella version)3:20" (a cover of the Spanish band Mecano) which also reached number 1 on the German charts. These two singles sold millions and became gold- and platinum selling records in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

1999–2000: Lunita and Entre dos Aguas

In 1999, Loona's first studio album titled Lunita×Lunita1999 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Intro0:572Hijo de la Luna4:123Mama4:144Maripossa3:465Another Christmas Without You4:176Donde vas4:027Amor, amor5:008Hijo de la Luna (radio version)3:569Bailando3:3610Oye, oye!4:0411Outro2:2712¿Porque?3:11 was released, followed by the third and final single from this album, the Top 30 hit "Dónde Vas". Afterwards, the song "Mamboleo×Mamboleo1999 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Mamboleo (Mambo mix)3:472Mamboleo (Arriba, Abajo extended mix)5:443Mamboleo (live at Festival Acapulco Milenio mix)2:564Oye, Oye!4:00", a cover version of Herbert Grönemeyer's song "Mambo", was released from the second album Entre dos Aguas×Entre dos aguasDecember 1999 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Pájaro sin cielo5:442Salvador Dalí5:043Entre dos aguas5:594La vida es una flor4:175Escúchame (Ai, ai, ai)4:126It’s Love para siempre4:147Salvador Dalí (dance remix)4:318Tell Me Why?3:509It’s Alright4:1310Navidad (Christmas)4:1011Buenas noches (Good Night)3:0012Entre dos aguas (instrumental)5:59 reaching number 5 in German single chart. It was Echo-awarded as "Best Dance Single" in 1999. Due to a lawsuit set up by Herbert Grönemeyer for infringement, a second black and white music video was shot, and finally both videos were banned from music stations and only played for just one day of airing. The song itself then had to be removed from Entre dos Aguas, the re-issued versions of the album do not include the track and only can be found on rare and early pressings. Still the song re-appeared and included on Loona's first compilation album Greatest Hits later in 2000. Entre dos Aguas saw three more single releases "Salvador Dalí", another cover of the Spanish band Mecano, "La Vida es una Flor" and the Christmas single "Navidad", becoming minor hits which did not reach the Top 50 in Germany. In 2000, Loona's first compilation album Greatest Hits and its first single, "Latino Lover×Latino Lover26 June 2000 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Latino Lover (family radio version)3:492Latino Lover (big family version)5:093It's Love Para Siempre (love version)4:154Tell Me Why (prince version)3:50" (a Spanish remake of "You're the Greatest Lover" by the pop band Luv'), was released and peaked at number 6 in German and Swiss single chart. In 1999, van der Kolk again provided guest vocals as Carisma for DJ Sammy's single "In 2 Eternity" from his first remix album DJ Sammy at Work (In the Mix).

2001–2002: Baila mi Ritmo and Colors

In 2001, Loona released the singles "Baila mi Ritmo×Baila mi ritmo2002 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks1Baila Mi Ritmo3:592Viva El Amor3:333Rhythm Of The Night3:424Can't Help Falling In Love3:085Una Noche De Amor3:296All My Life3:307La Vida (Es Una Flor)4:258Donde Vas3:589Escuchame (Ai, Ai, Ai)4:0910Entre Dos Aguas5:5611Pájaro Sin Cielo5:3912Baila Mi Ritmo (Unplugged)3:0413Tormenta En Mi Corazón3:2614Rhythm Of The Night (Spanish Version)3:42" and "Viva el Amor×Viva el amor2002 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 5 tracks1Viva el amor (loca vista radio edit)3:302Viva el amor (buena vista radio edit)3:373Viva el amor (super vista version)4:274Viva el amor (mega vista version)4:285Viva el amor (solo vista version)3:31" followed by her second compilation album Baila mi Ritmo. "Viva el Amor" became a number 1 hit in Spain. In 2002, she released the singles "Rhythm of the Night×Rhythm of the Night2002 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 5 tracks1Rhythm of the Night (rhythm radio English)3:452Rhythm of the Night (rhythm radio Spanish)3:443Rhythm of the Night (rhythm Dr. B – NYC version)4:134Rhythm of the Night (rhythm uhh version)4:135Tormenta en mi corazón3:27" and "Colors×Colors21 October 2002 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1Baila mi ritmo4:012Rhythm of the Night3:433Land of Broken Dreams3:434Colors4:135If You Want My Love3:226Una noche de amor3:317Can’t Help Falling in Love3:108All My Life3:339All I Really Want3:4410Tormenta en mi corazón3:2811Viva el amor3:2812Baila mi ritmo (live)3:0613Can’t Help Falling in Love (Rumble V)5:42" from the third studio album Colors. For this album, Loona experimented with a more mature and oriental sound, which can be heard on songs like "Land of broken dreams", "If you want my love" or on the third single release and a number 4 song "Rhythm of the Night", a remake of "Hadi Bakalim" from Sezen Aksu's 1991 album Gülümse. In 2002, van der Kolk continued providing guest vocals for DJ Sammy's singles "Sunlight" and the Don Henley cover version "The Boys of Summer" from his second studio album Heaven, but this time for the first time credited as "DJ Sammy feat. Loona" both reaching number 1 in several countries in the world.

2003–2005: Wind of Time, hiatus and motherhood

In 2004, Loona was featured on DJ Sammy's single "Rise Again" and released her first and only single, the Eric Clapton classic "Tears In Heaven×Tears in Heaven2004 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1Tears in Heaven (original radio version)3:502Tears in Heaven (P.O.P. version)3:513Tormento en mi Corazón3:26", of her fourth studio album Wind of Time×Wind of Time2004 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Tears in Heaven3:522If Only4:373A Whiter Shade of Pale3:334She3:395When I See You Smile5:086The Rose3:167The Streets of London4:138Blowin' in the Wind4:189Fragile3:4510With or Without You4:1911Where do You Go to My Lovely4:3312Tears in Heaven (Pop version)3:52, followed in 2005. Both singles became moderate hits. The album is a collection full of cover versions. According to van der Kolk, she dedicated the album title, selected track list and the entire album to her mother, whom she lost ten years ago. It features covers such as Procol Harum's "A Whiter Shade of Pale", Peter Sarstedt's "Where Do You Go to My Lovely", Ralph McTell's "Streets Of London", Sting's "Fragile" or Bob Dylan's "Blowin' In The Wind". She emotionally performed "Tears In Heaven" at "The Dome" crying and pregnant with her first child. Her daughter named Saphira Maria was welcomed in 2005. In 2005, Loona released the David Bisbal classic "Oye el Boom×Oye el boom2005 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1Oye el boom (radio version)3:192Oye el boom (extended version)4:463Te siento dentro de mi3:07" and went on hiatus for her baby.

2007–2008: Everybody on the Floor and Moonrise

In 2007, Loona's third compilation album Everybody on the Floor×Everybody On The Floor2007 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1Everybody On The Floor (Uh La La La La)2Baila Mi Ritmo3Rhythm Of The Night4Viva El Amor5Bailando (2007 Version)6Latino Lover7Oye El Boom8If You Want My Love9Te Siento Dentro De Mi10All I Really Want11Everybody On The Floor (Uh La La La La) (Menea El Cuerpo Mix) and the same titled single, a reggaeton song titled "Everybody on the Floor (Uh la la la)" have been released. In May 2008, Loona signed a new contract with Sony BMG/Ariola and returned with her fifth studio album "Moonrise×Moonrise10 October 2008 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 21 tracks1Angel3:462Salam aleikoum (album version)2:553Shining Star (Gipsy Circus)3:334Por la noche (video edit)2:585Et me voila3:166Eternally4:147In the Sound of Silence4:218No One Loves You (Like I Do)4:399Love (One on One)3:5210Hot Stuff3:1811Na Na Na3:1712Sube el calor3:2013Isla del sol3:2114Va saliendo la luna3:4815Gib mir deine Angst4:1316Hijo de la luna 20085:4017Prince of Love 20083:5218Bailando 20083:2419Mamboleo 20083:3720Rhythm of the Night 20083:4321Por la noche (Canis club mix)3:31" in October, preceded by its two single releases "Por la Noche" and "Salam Aleikoum", all with limited success. Professionally and in private, van der Kolk parted ways with her longtime collaborator and father of her daughter, DJ Sammy. She was also a Judge in the seventh season of the German version of "Popstars" alongside rapper Sido and choreographer Detlef Soost.

2009–2013: Vamos a la Playa and collaborations

In 2009, Loona returned with the cover version of Cidinho & Doca, "Parapapapapa" to her summer tune roots since "Viva el Amor×Viva el amor2002 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 5 tracks1Viva el amor (loca vista radio edit)3:302Viva el amor (buena vista radio edit)3:373Viva el amor (super vista version)4:274Viva el amor (mega vista version)4:285Viva el amor (solo vista version)3:31" in 2001. The single peaked number 29 in the German single chart. Van der Kolk attended the VOX television program Das perfekte Promidinner im Schlafrock. In 2010, the single "Vamos a la playa×Vamos a la playa12 July 2010 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1Vamos a la playa (radio edit)3:052Vamos a la playa (extended)4:363Vamos a la playa (a.k.a. Red ! remix)3:084Vamos a la playa (a.k.a. Red ! extended remix)4:385Vamos a la playa (Commercial club Crew (remix))3:496Vamos a la playa (Commercial club Crew extended mix)5:267Vamos a la playa (Evana remix)3:328Vamos a la playa (Evana extended remix)5:339Vamos a la playa (Minage Boyz remix)3:2210Vamos a la playa (Minage Boyz extended remix)5:5111Vamos a la playa (Movetown remix)5:53", a Miranda cover, she landed another summer hit, charted at number 2 in Belgium, and "El Cucaracho, El Muchacho", a collaboration with Movetown, followed. "Vamos a la playa" also reached number 3 in France, number 1 in Haïti, number 5 in South-Africa, number 16 in Switzerland, number 22 in Denmark, and number 29 in Germany. With over 100 Million views in YouTube her greatest hit worldwide. In July 2011, the single and Pigbag classic "El Tiburón×El tiburón2011 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracks1El tiburón (radio mix)3:012El tiburón (Sean Finn remix)6:11" charted at number 31 in the German single chart. Again in 2012, van der Kolk attended the VOX television program "Das perfekte Promidinner im Schlafrock" and the ProSieben program "TV Total Wok WM". In June 2012, Loona posed nude for the German edition of Playboy. Until 2013, Loona released four further songs, the singles "Policia", "Oh la la, dance avec moi", the Los Diablos cover version "Rakatakata (Un Rayo de Sol)×Rakatakata (Un Rayo de Sol)5 July 2013 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracks1Rakatakata (Un Rayo de Sol)3:042Rakatakata (Un Rayo de Sol) (Rico Bernasconi remix)2:56". All these singles to be included on her long-awaited, sixth studio album with the working title Summer Dance, later retitled Rakatakata (Un Rayo de Sol). Loona appeared as guest vocalist on DJ Cassey Doreen's single "Tell it to my Heart", a Taylor Dayne cover version.

2014–2015: Brazil and singles

In 2014, the single "Brazil", a cover of Francisco Alves's "Aquarela do Brasil", was released for the FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Loona was also guest vocalist on Flava & Stevenson's 2k14 remix of their single "Rio de Janeiro", found on their album Quantum of Dance, which both latter mentioned songs appeared on her first extended play titled Brazil. In 2014, Loona released the single "Ademloos door de Nacht", a Dutch-language cover version of German singer Helene Fischer's single "Atemlos durch die Nacht" and first release under her real name Marie-José van der Kolk, from her upcoming studio album. In mid 2015, Loona re-released her single "Caliente" in a remixed version, and the German language single "OMG! Dein Body ist so Heiß" alongside Ko&Ko, formally Gebroeders Ko.

2016–2017: Badam

In 2016, Loona released her single "Badam×Badam2016 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 6 tracks1Badam (original mix edit)3:042Badam (Djane Housekat remix edit)3:123Badam (Rockstroh radio mix)3:244Badam (original mix)3:555Badam (Djane Housekat remix)4:006Badam (Rockstroh remix)5:09", a cover version of Lylloo & Lorinda, as a lead single from her eponymous titled seventh studio album. Later that year followed by a new single "On Va Dancer", which was sung in French.

2017–2019: Summer of Love and singles

In 2017 Loona released "Summer of Love", written by herself. A year later in 2018, Loona presented a remake of "Bailando×Bailando15 June 1998 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Bailando (Energia mix short version)3:362Bailando (Energia mix extended version)5:283Bailando (Besa Me mix extended version)4:564Noche Linda3:59" with DJ Combo and "Turn the Tide" with Dune. In 2019, "Oh lala lalalala" was released in Spanglish.

2020–present: Stars

In 2020, Loona released the album "Stars×Stars11 October 2020 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Vamos a la Playa3:002Badam3:043Caliente3:094Summer of Love3:095El Tiburon3:006Viva, Viva el Amor3:097Bailando3:348Mamboleo3:329Vamos a la Playa (Movetown Radio Remix)3:3810Caliente (Bernaiela Tropic Remix)3:4811Summer of Love (DualXess Remix)4:1512Bailando (2018)3:17", a greatest hits album. In December of that year, she released "Alquin Canto", a cover version of Udo Jürgens' "Was ich dir sagen will". Loona sung this song live with Udo Jürgens on his birthday at "Die 66-Jahre-Gala" in German ZDF television.

Personal life

On 10 February 2005, Van der Kolk gave birth to daughter Saphira María with former spouse DJ Sammy, who is also a singer and performs under Firefox alongside her mother.
From July 2011 to April 2012 van der Kolk and Gina-Lisa Lohfink faked a lesbian relationship. In July 2013, van der Kolk mentioned marketing reasons as their incentive.