Photo L - R: Marloes Janssen (A&R Manager UMPG Benelux), Tom Baltussen (Management, Dio), Dio, Lotte Sterk (Director of A&R UMPG Benelux), Evert Wytema (Legal & Business Affairs Manager UMPG Benelux)

Universal Music Publishing Group are excited to welcome the hugely talented artist and songwriter Dio to the family.

Dio (Diorno Braaf) rocketed into his music career in 2007 at the age of 19 with his iconic feature on the hit single ‘Dom, Lomp & Famous’ by The Opposites. From that moment on, things moved quickly for Dio. His infectious energy, bravado, and undeniable talent swiftly earned him a prominent spot in the Dutch hip-hop scene. At the end of 2008, he released his debut studio album, 'Rock & Roll,' under the Top Notch label. The album was a massive success, featuring hits like ‘Aye’, ‘Baby’, and ‘Tijdmachine’. Dio won multiple TMF Awards and embarked on a successful album tour, finishing in a packed Alpha tent at Lowlands as the highlight.

In the following years, Dio released the albums ‘Benjamin Braafs Festival’ (2012) and ‘De Man’ (2015), as well as the EP ‘Venus’ (2017). He received a gold record for ‘We Zijn Hier’ and for his contribution to ‘Zulke Dingen Doe Je’ by I Am Aisha.

In 2025, Dio returns with De Vlugtlaan, his first album in ten years. The project is a coming-of-age story, inspired by a journey that brought him back to his roots, both personally and musically. More mature and honest than ever, yet infused with the same bravado and energy that prove Dio, even after fifteen years, remains one of the best and most distinctive hip-hop artists in the Netherlands.