Birth name Jef Martens Nationality Belgian | Name Jef Martens Role Musician Years active 2005–present | |
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Also known as B Boys, Candyman, Dirty Bunch, DJ Basik, Lazy Jay, Jin Sonic, Kings of Porn Occupation(s) Record producer, musician Labels Wandu Records, Spinnin' Records, Just Entertainment, ARS, Be Yourself Music Similar People Azealia Banks, Yves V, Nicky Romero, John Dahlback, Avicii Profiles | ||
Jef Martens (born 8 January 1975), better known by his stage name Basto (stylized as Basto!), is a Belgian record producer, musician and DJ. He primarily produces electro house music, and he is signed to the ARS label. He has produced using various aliases such as Bitch Boys, Candyman, Dirty Bunch, DJ Basik, Felix Project, Jin Sonic, Kings of Porn, and Lazy Jay. He was also a member of the Belgian dance group Lasgo. Martens co-produced with the band in 2009 and 2010 on a number of singles. He is best known for producing the Azealia Banks' hit debut single "212" under the alias of Lazy Jay, together with his brother Toon. He also produced "Scream & Shout" for will.i.am and Britney Spears in 2012.
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Musical career
He started DJing in 2005, finding local success in Belgium and the Netherlands through "Rock With You" (2005) and a later cooperation with Peter Luts in "On My Own" (2008). It was with "Gregory's Theme" (2011) that Basto found chart success in France. The song was originally written as an orchestral piece, in homage to Hugh Laurie's iconic TV character Gregory House, and was later transformed into a dance record by Basto. After some well-received remixes for well-known artists, including Kylie Minogue, Moby and Sander Van Doorn, he gained international fame through a successful dance hit, "Again and Again" in 2011. Basto! dropped the exclamation mark from his name to be known as Basto.