Elmer is the stage persona of Merel Pauw (Amsterdam, 1995), a Dutch rapper, producer, actor and theatre-maker. She broke through in 2021 with the viral single 'Je Vader' and has since become one of the most distinctive live acts in Dutch hip-hop, playing festivals such as Lowlands, Pukkelpop and ESNS alongside theatre work with collective DIEHELEDING. Performing in a suit and fake moustache, she deliberately plays with gender norms and expectations. In 2025 she won the Edison Pop award for Best Newcomer.
In 2026, Elmer works on a completely new album, made together with producer Wesley Fransen (Keenan Mundane), and a completely renewed live show.
Elmer performed at Pukkelpop 2026 in Hasselt and at Hit the City 2026 in Eindhoven.
Merel Pauw presented the VPRO children's program 'Bollox', in which she helps children express their anger through punk music as an 'emotion expert'.
Elmer won the Edison Pop for Best Newcomer and toured through the Netherlands again after the success of debut album 'Platland'.
Elmer was featured as a Summer Guest at VPRO.
Rapper Elmer delivers an energetic show packed with bouncy beats, humor, and self-deprecating wit.
Elmer performs at Be Proud Weekend with a bold show full of humour and incisive lyrics, questioning norms around gender and appearance.
Rapper Elmer brings his energetic, humorous style to De Oosterpoort in Groningen.
British singer-songwriter Elmer performs at De Oosterpoort in Groningen.
Elmer performs electro hip-hop with a hard edge at 013 in Tilburg.
Voorheen Nacht van het Absurdisme brings together over thirty performances across Paradiso: theatre, music, visual art and dialogue featuring artists including Elmer, Marcel van Roosmalen and Jody Bernal.
