Ralph Barendse

Ralph Barendse (, born April 6, 1977), also known as Ralphie B, is a successful producer in the electronic dance music scene. Ralph is responsible for some of the biggest trance classics of all time. Two early well-known productions are "Ralphie B - Massive" and "Midway - Monkey Forest". But also the later hits like "Sierra Nevada", "Evergreen" and "Falling" under the First State guise were played all over the world. As for being a perfectionist in every way possible, producing enchanting melodies combined with catchy and addictive sounds are his drives to always treat every single track as a process of moulding them into a real gem. Therefore it is no surprise that his tracks are signed to important dance labels, including Armada Music, Black Hole Recordings, Vandit and Ministry of Sound. Ralph's quality of production and distinct sound made him a favorite to do remixes for such artists as Armin van Buuren ("Unforgivable", "These Silent Hearts"), Tiesto ("Ten Seconds Before Sunrise"), Solar Stone ("Solarcoaster"), Dario G ("Feels Like Heaven") and 4-Strings ("Catch a Fall"). On the other hand his tracks were remixed by big shots in the EDM scene including Paul van Dyk, Ronski Speed, Filterheadz, and D. Ramirez. As a DJ, Ralph played all over the world and joined Tiesto on one of his summer tours.

Ralph at a young age was already working with keyboards and tapedecks, inspired by synthesizer music and early "rave tracks". He was hammering his homemade beats and melodies day and night in his bedroom until neighbours came knocking the door. Ralph grew up in the Netherlands, where the manifestation of the dance music has grown into a global industry very quickly and where dance music is one of the biggest export products. Ralph never needed music lessons before in his entire life as the music and notes come naturally.

His first records in 1999 under the guise of Alpha Breed at Deal Records. His track "Ralphie B - Massive" was noticed by Tiesto and immediately signed to the famous In Trance We Trust label of Black Hole Recordings. The track was an instant hit and got hammered by all the big jocks, among them also Armin van Buuren who played it at the very first episode of his radioshow A State of Trance. The success continued with releases at In Trance We Trust such as "Midway - Monkey Forest", "Midway - Inca", "Midway - Amazon" and numerous remixes including the ever famous "Solar Stone - Solarcoaster (Midway remix)".

In the urge of trying something new again, in 2005 Ralph started the project “First State”. As part of this project, Ralph was responsible for many club hits like "Sierra Nevada" (Tiesto in Concert DVD), "Evergreen" (ASOT 2007 CD) and "Falling" (In Search of Sunrise 6 CD). A bestselling First State album was finished called “Time Frame” and remixrequests followed coming from Armin, Tiesto and 4-Strings. As a DJ, Ralphie traveled the world, from South Korea to South Africa, from Ibiza to Siberia.

After using his x-factor for a few years in First State, he preferred to do his own thing again and in May 2009 Ralph decided to leave the project to focus on his solo projects again. He released a new solo single "Midway - What If" and a Midway album “Equator” in 2010. With great success. “What If” became both Tune of the Week and Future Favorite at Armin's A State of Trance. Ralph continued with remixing "Beat Service ft Emma Lock - Cut & Run" and his own classic gem "Ralphie B - Massive".

In 2011 Ralph returned to his Ralphie B alias at Armada Music and produced new singles "Bullfrog" (Dash Berlin's United Destination), "Delphi", "Epic Battle" and a new project "Sun Crusaders - Oceanic". Next to this he was asked by Armin van Buuren to do a remix for one of his Mirage Album tracks featuring BT, "These Silent Hearts". The remix got its premiere at the legendary ASOT500 Parties and it became one of the most successful and best-selling remixes of the album.

Begin 2012 Ralph released "Icarus" and "Demons are Forever". "Icarus" was selected for Armin van Buuren's bestselling cd A State of Trance 2012. "Demons Are Forever" features on Dash Berlin's United Destination 2012. A Chill out version of Icarus was released july 2012 featured on the Armada Lounge 5 compilation. Ralphie's new EP was signed by Armada in july 2012. Two new Ralphie B tracks will be released: "Face Off" and "The Holy Grail".

Ralphie B continues producing new trance.