Brainpower is the stage name of Gert-Jan Mulder (born Antwerp, 1975), who grew up in Alphen aan den Rijn before moving to Amsterdam. He broke through in the early 2000s as the first Dutch-language rapper to score a number-one hit in both the Netherlands and Belgium, with 'Dansplaat' going gold and platinum on both sides of the border. With more than twenty albums and a hundred singles to his name, he is widely regarded as one of the most influential MCs in Dutch hip-hop history.
Brainpower kicked off his anniversary tour 'Door Merg & Brain 25: The 25th Anniversary Tour' on 19 February 2026 at Paradiso, Amsterdam - exactly 25 years after the original release and in the same venue as the release party in 2001.
Brainpower announced in November 2025 via NPO Radio 2 that he would tour again in February 2026, with the first concert on 19 February.
On 5 February 2025, Brainpower celebrated his fiftieth birthday and simultaneously released his 100th single, titled '100' - a track with 100 lines.
Brainpower spoke out in January 2025 on NPO 1 about the recognition of Dutch hip-hop culture and warned against historical falsification within hip-hop historiography.
