Gerwin ‘Gers’ Pardoel is living proof that you can achieve anything as long as you set your mind to it. Like becoming a hip-hop idol, even though you don’t possess a natural talent for hip-hop. “I was quite bad when I started out, to be honest, but I just knew: ‘one day I’ll make it’. When I want something, there’s no stopping me.” Determined to succeed, Gers decided to quit his job and focus entirely on his music. 

While living in Rotterdam with his twin brother, he met rapper and Postman frontman Remon Stotijn, who became his mentor. Stotijn suggested going by the name Gers, which means ‘cool’. He also influenced him musically, says Gers. “Because of Remon, my musical horizon has broadened.” Another friend, actor and director Steffen Haars, introduced Gers to Dutch rappers Sef and Big2 (The Opposites), with whom Gers recorded ‘Broodje Bakpao’, the title track of the immensely popular New Kids movie. ‘Broodje Bakpao’ hit the No. 1 spot in the Dutch charts and the video was viewed over 2.5 million times. It was the perfect launch of Pardoel's career. One year later, he scored yet another hit with ‘Ik Ga Hard’, collaborating with the Partysquad, Adje, Jayh and Reverse. 

 Gers Pardoel went on to sign a record deal with Dutch hip-hop label Top Notch and released his debut album ‘Deze Wereld Is Van Jou’. With hits like ‘Ik Neem Je Mee’ and ‘Bagagedrager’, the album went certified gold. This year, Gers Pardoel won two 3FM Awards and performed on the renowned Pinkpop festival.