Brainpower is the stage name of Gertjan Mulder, who was born in Antwerp. He moved to Amsterdam to study communication sciences and was introduced to the thriving Dutch-hop scene. After that it went quickly: he won the Grote Prijs van Nederland, rapped as a guest on singles by Extince (De Zoete Inval) and Doe Maar (Als Niet Als) and scored a Top 40 hit with De Vierde Kaart. The latter song, with
… vocal support from R&B singer Lloyd, is also featured on his long-awaited debut Door Merg En Brain. On this album we hear that Brainpower mainly wants to enjoy making music. He ignores all the laws of hip-hop. His image on the case, with a nod to the game Mastermind, says enough in that respect. You won't hear Brainpower ranting against fellow rappers anytime soon, like for example the Osdorp Posse does. With his intelligent lyrics, he also deviates from macho hip-hop culture. In the handsome Je Moest Probably Gaan he tells about the suicide of a good friend and Timeless has heartbreak as its subject. Together with DJ TLM, Brainpower has delivered a fine Dutch-language rap album, where the competition can bite their teeth. (MvP)more
