Eva Maria Simons (born 27 April 1984) is a Dutch singer-songwriter and music video director from Amsterdam. She is best known for her song "Policeman" and collaborations with artists such as Afrojack; in 2012, Simons broke through internationally after being featured on the will.i.am single "This Is Love".[1] During her solo career she has released 12 singles, including "Bludfire" which appeared in November 2015.

Eva Simons
Background information
Birth nameEva Maria Simons
Born (1984-04-27) 27 April 1984 (age 40)
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • producer
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • piano
Years active2004–present
Labels
  • Unsigned
Websiteevasimons.com

Biography

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Early life

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Raised in Amsterdam, Simons grew up in a family of musicians. Her mother is Ingrid Simons, a backing-singer and vocalist of Surinamese origin,[2] who worked with DJ Paul Elstak and T-Spoon. Her grandfather was Dutch accordionist Johnny Meijer; her father was a pianist who inspired her to take up the instrument. In her early teens she was part of Jody's Kids, an ensemble that provided vocals for production music.[3] She is a graduate from the Conservatorium van Amsterdam.[citation needed] In 2001 she sang on the single "I Believe in Love" by Cooper.[4] After graduating in 2004 she entered the Dutch version of the Popstars The Rivals competition, where she was selected as one of the five members of the band Raffish.[5] The five-piece had a hit-single with "Plaything" and released the album How Raffish Are You? in January 2005. Two further singles from the album failed to replicate the success and over the course of the summer of the same year, Simons announced that she was leaving the group.[6]

2009–present

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In 2009, a demo of Simons' song "Silly Boy" was leaked on YouTube generating 4 million views. It caused a degree of confusion as some mistook it for an unreleased single by Lady Gaga or Rihanna. Upon confirming her authorship, she signed an initial contract with EMI for the release of the single.[7]

In mid-2010, Eva and Mike Hamilton (also known as the writing team Topline Ink) wrote the song “Take Over Control”. They played the idea to DJ Afrojack, who produced the hit single, which spent 6 weeks on the Billboard Top Dance Airplay Chart, topped iTunes dance charts globally, and gained Platinum status in Australia and certified Gold in the US. The song became a globally dance crossover anthem, propelling the profiles of both Eva and Afrojack worldwide.[2]

In 2011, as well as touring across the globe, Simons went on to sign a major label US deal, and was featured on LMFAO's track "Best Night". In addition to this, she also collaborated with will.i.am on tracks for his solo album #willpower.

On 20 March 2012 Simons premiered her new single, "I Don't Like You", which was released in most countries on 26 March under Interscope Records, USA. The track is produced by Zedd. In May 2012, she joined LMFAO in their North American "Sorry For Party Rocking" tour.[8] On 24 July 2012 Simons released her second single, "Renegade", produced by J.O.B. On 14 May 2012 will.i.am premiered his new single "This Is Love" which features Simons' vocals.[9] The song went on to become number 1 in multiple countries including the UK, and a top 10 hit in many other countries. In October of the same year Simons received a BMI Songwriting Award for "Take Over Control".[10]

On 21 and 22 April 2013, Simons supported Beyoncé on The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour in the Netherlands.[11] Shortly after that was announced in March, Pepsi launched an ad campaign in the Netherlands giving customers a chance to meet Simons when she performed at Beyoncé's tour. A song by Simons named 'Chemistry' used in the advert was released in the Netherlands 22 March 2013.[12]

On 28 January 2014 Simons released a 'bootleg' remix of the Martin Garrix track "Animals".[13] In June 2014 she married her longtime partner Sidney Samson in Amsterdam.[14] That summer Simons also made her acting debut in the Dutch-language film Heksen Bestaan Niet aimed at the adolescent market.[15]

On 10 April 2015 Simons released the single titled 'Policeman' through Powerhouse Music, a dancehall song produced by Sidney Samson. It was supported by a video directed by Rigel Kilston.[16] On 23 November 2015 Simons released the single titled Bludfire (feat. Sidney Samson) that received airplay on the Dutch radio stations Radio 538 and SLAM!.[17]

Simons released the single "Guaya" via the label Powerhouse Music on 17 July 2017.[18] On 6 April 2018, Simons released her single titled "The One" via 8ball Music, which was produced by Boaz van de Beatz and Ruud van Schaik.[19] 25 January 2019 saw Simons release her single "Like That" on the dance label Spinnin' Records.[20] She performed the song live for the first time on RTL Late Night.[21]

Discography

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Albums

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List of collaboration albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart positions
NLD
[22]
How Raffish Are You? (as part of Raffish)
  • Released: 2005
14

Singles

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List of solo singles, with selected chart positions
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications
NLD
[23]
AUS
[24]
AUT
[25]
BEL
(WA)

[26]
FRA
[27]
GER
[28]
SPA
[29]
"Silly Boy" 2009 32 45 55 36
"I Don't Like You" 2012
"Renegade"
"Chemistry" 2013 64
"Celebrate the Rain" 2014 23
"Policeman"
(featuring Konshens)
2015 7 9 12 49 90
"Bludfire"
(featuring Sidney Samson)
56 34 38
"Escape from Love"
(with Sidney Samson)
2016 69
"Heartbeat"
(with Richard Orlinski)
1
"Guaya" 2017
"Avalon"
"The One" 2018
"Like That" 2019
"Blessing" 2020
"Christmas Will Be Better Next Year"
"Bebe" 2021
"Baila"
"Tan"
"Close To You" 2022
"Nooit Alleen (Dit Is Wat Mijn Mama Zei" 2023
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.
List of collaboration singles, with selected chart positions
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
NLD
[23]
AUS
[24]
AUT
[24]
BEL
(WA)

[26]
CAN
[33]
FRA
[27]
GER
[28]
SPA
[29]
UK
[34]
US
[35]
"I Believe In Love"
(as part of Cooper)
2000 64
"Plaything"
(as part of Raffish)
2004 1
"Als Je Iets Kan Doen"
(as part of Artiesten voor Azie)
2005 1
"Thursday Child"
(as part of Raffish)
28
"Let Go (DJ Chuckie Remix)"
as part of Raffish ft. Gio
27
"Silly Boy"
(Dave Aude Radio Version)
2009
"Take Over Control"
(Afrojack featuring Eva Simons)
2010 12 17 46 39 78 24 41
"Best Night"
(LMFAO featuring will.i.am, GoonRock and Eva Simons)
2011
"This Is Love"
(will.i.am featuring Eva Simons)
2012 2 7 15 2 14 2 54 9 1 [a] #willpower
"I Need More (Club Mix)"
(Apster featuring Eva Simons)
"Let's Do It Right"
(The Young Professionals featuring Eva Simons)
2014
"Unstoppable"
(R3hab featuring Eva Simons)[41][42]
"This Girl"
(Stafford Brothers featuring Eva Simons and T.I.)
"Policeman (Jockeyboys Remix)"
(Jockeyboys featuring Eva Simons & Konshens)
2015 60
"Heartbeat (Extended Mix)"
(Richard Orlinkski featuring Eva Simons)
2016 25
"One + One"
(Made In June featuring Eva Simons)
2018
"Bad Boy"
(Jebroer featuring Eva Simons)
2021
"Flexin'"
(Laidback Luke featuring Eva Simons)
2022
"Desire'"
(Vanco featuring Eva Simons)
2023
"Bad Love'"
(Laidback Luke featuring Eva Simons)
"Have It All'"
(CHOCO featuring Eva Simons)
"Todo Mucho'"
(Laidback Luke, Sevek featuring Eva Simons)
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Other appearances

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Title Year Artist(s) Album
"Pass Out" 2009 Chris Brown Graffiti
"Mr & Mrs Smith" 2010 M. Pokora Mise à Jour
"What Do They Know" Roll Deep Winner Stays On
"Pressure in the Club" DJ Snake
"Love The Girls" 2011 Chris Brown F.A.M.E.
"Bulletproof" 2012 Doctor P[44] Animal Vegetable Mineral Part 1 EP[45]
"Circle of One" 2017 Nicky Romero
"Pienso En El Momento" 2019 Juan Magan 4.0

Tours

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Opening act

Awards and nominations

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Year Ceremony Category / nominated work Result Ref.
2012 MTV Europe Music Awards Best Dutch Act Nominated [46]
BMI London Awards Pop Songs Award
"Love Me Like You Mean It"
Won [47]

Notes

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  1. ^ "This Is Love" did not chart on the Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at number 10 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart.

References

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  1. ^ Sexton, Paul (2 July 2012). "Linkin Park, Will.i.am Score No. 1s on U.K. Charts". billboard.com. Nielsen.
  2. ^ a b Slomowitz, Ron (4 September 2012). "Interview: Eva Simons (2012)". notabledance.com. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
  3. ^ "5x Eva Simons - LXRY". LXRY. 26 January 2015. Archived from the original on 14 June 2015. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
  4. ^ "Cooper - I Believe In Love". Discogs. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
  5. ^ "Jackie interviewt Eva Simons - Jackie" (in Dutch). 24 December 2012. Archived from the original on 13 June 2015. Retrieved 11 June 2015.
  6. ^ "Raffish". Discogs. Retrieved 11 June 2015.
  7. ^ Lester, Paul (3 September 2009). "New band of the day – No 620: Eva Simons". the Guardian. Retrieved 12 July 2015.
  8. ^ Vena, Jocelyn (22 May 2012). "LMFAO Enlist 'Little Sister' Eva Simons For Party Rocking Tour". mtv.com. Archived from the original on 13 June 2015. Retrieved 11 June 2015.
  9. ^ "Will.i.am Gives New Song 'This Is Love' Surprise World Premiere On Capital FM - Audio". Capital. 14 May 2012.
  10. ^ Williams, Paul (9 October 2012). "BMI rolls out another award for Adele". musicweek.com. NewBay Media. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
  11. ^ "Eva Simons in voorprogramma Beyonce". RTL Nieuws.
  12. ^ "Muziek - 'Chemistry - Single' van Eva Simons". iTunes.apple.com. January 2013. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
  13. ^ "Eva Simons Lends Her Vocal To Martin Garrix's Club Smash "Animals": Listen". Music News, Reviews, and Gossip on Idolator.com. 28 January 2014.
  14. ^ Leeuwen, Marlies (14 July 2014). "Eva Simons over bruiloft: ik weet zeker dat ik ga huilen". Algemeen Dagblad (in Dutch). Retrieved 12 June 2015.
  15. ^ "Eva Simons twijfelde over Heksen Bestaan Niet". RTL Nieuws. 19 June 2014. Archived from the original on 16 June 2015. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
  16. ^ van Stuyvenberg, Martijn (June 2015). "Eva Simons - Interview". Mokum Magazine (4:6): 16–17.
  17. ^ "538 Dance Smash". 538.nl. Archived from the original on 16 December 2015. Retrieved 2 December 2015.
  18. ^ "Guaya - Single by Eva Simons". iTunes. Retrieved 17 February 2019.
  19. ^ "Eva Simons - The One". Top40.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 17 February 2019.
  20. ^ "Like That". Spinnin' Records. 25 January 2019. Retrieved 17 February 2019.
  21. ^ "Eva Simons is terug met nieuwe muziek!". RTL Late Night. 25 January 2019. Retrieved 17 February 2019.
  22. ^ "Zoeken naar: Raffish". dutchcharts.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  23. ^ a b Peak chart positions for singles in Netherlands:
  24. ^ a b c "Discography Eva Simons". australian-charts.com. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  25. ^ "Suche nach: Eva Simons". austriancharts.at (in German). Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  26. ^ a b "Recherche pour: Eva Simons". ultratop.be (in French). Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  27. ^ a b "Recherche pour: Eva Simons". lescharts.com (in French). Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  28. ^ a b "Discographie von Eva Simons" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  29. ^ a b "Search for: Eva Simons". spanishcharts.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  30. ^ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – 2015". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  31. ^ "Goud/Platina". NVPI (in Dutch). Archived from the original (Enter "Eva Simons" in "Artiest of titel" field) on 23 August 2018. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  32. ^ "French single certifications – Heartbeat" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  33. ^ "Eva Simons: Billboard Canadian Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  34. ^ Peak chart positions for singles in the UK:
  35. ^ "Eva Simons – Chart History: Billboard". Billboard. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  36. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2011 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  37. ^ "American single certifications – Take Over Control". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  38. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2012 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  39. ^ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – 2012". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  40. ^ "British certifications – Eva Simons". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 2 June 2021. Type Eva Simons in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  41. ^ "Unstoppable (R3hab feat. Eva Simons) - Single". iTunes.apple.com. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
  42. ^ "R3hab ft. Eva Simons - 'Unstoppable' (From Pepsi Beats of the Beautiful Game)". R3HAB. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 27 May 2014.
  43. ^ "Datenbank: BVMI" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  44. ^ "funkadelphia". Archived from the original on 8 September 2012. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
  45. ^ "Beatport". Beatport.com. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
  46. ^ "Taylor Swift and ONE DIRECTION triumph at MTV Europe Music awards". Guardian UK. 13 November 2012. Retrieved 12 November 2012.
  47. ^ "2012 BMI London Awards". bmi.com. 9 October 2012. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
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