Moonrunners
Rotterdam Hip-Hop Pioneers
The Moonrunners stand as true trailblazers in the history of Dutch hip-hop, widely recognized as one of the very first rap collectives to emerge from the Netherlands. Formed in Rotterdam in 1983, the pioneering group took their name from a gang in the cult classic movie The Warriors. Although Moonrunners never officially released any song their demo recordings are online. Hear Tjeerd van Zanen talk about his involvement with the band.
Birth of the Dutch hip-hop and house scene
This audio archive unearths a legendary live radio performance by The Moonrunners, widely recognized as the very first hip-hop group out of Rotterdam. Broadcasted straight from the studios of the iconic National Radio 3 show VARA’s Popkrant, this session features the group delivering a raw, electrifying rendition of their track “Like A Funky Train“. While there are no moving images left from this studio session, the timeless groove, heavy basslines, and pioneering flows speak entirely for themselves.
THE MOONRUNNERS
The Moonrunners were one of the most influential pioneers in Dutch popular music history and are widely recognised as the first live hip hop crossover band in the Netherlands. Formed in Rotterdam in 1983, the group emerged from the city’s early street culture scene and played a crucial role in introducing hip hop, rap, breakdance and DJ culture to Dutch audiences.
Long before Nederhop entered the mainstream, The Moonrunners were blending rap vocals, funk grooves, scratching, rock guitars and heavy rhythms into an explosive live experience. Their innovative sound, often compared to the groundbreaking crossover style of Run-D.M.C., would later inspire influential Dutch acts including Urban Dance Squad and help shape the development of Dutch hip hop culture.
History
The Moonrunners were formed in Rotterdam in 1983, taking their name from a gang featured in the cult film The Warriors. The original crew consisted of leading figures from Rotterdam’s emerging hip hop and breakdance scene, including rappers Jazz DMX (Urwin Herkul) and Kay Black (Ernesto Brammerloo), along with Trouble S (Steve Opmeer 🪦) and Marcel Bakker (Blonnie B). Although DJ Alien (Matthieu) was initially involved, he left the group after only a few performances and did not stay with The Moonrunners until 1989, nor is he featured on the demos.
As hip hop culture spread through Europe during the mid-1980s, the group quickly established a reputation as one of the country’s most innovative live acts. Their performances combined rap, scratching, breakdance energy and powerful musicianship at a time when most audiences had never experienced hip hop culture first hand.
The group’s importance went far beyond entertainment. They helped establish Rotterdam as one of the birthplaces of Dutch hip hop and laid important foundations for future generations of Dutch rappers, DJs and performers.
The First ever Dutch Rap Lyrics
A significant milestone in Dutch music history came when rapper and beatboxer Blonnie B (Marcel Bakker) joined the group. Blonnie B is widely recognised as the first artist in the Netherlands to perform rap lyrics in the Dutch language. His early experiments with Dutch-language rap would ultimately influence an entire generation of artists. Among those inspired by his work was Def P, who later founded Osdorp Posse and helped establish Nederhop as a major musical movement during the 1990s.
The Moonrunners therefore occupy a unique position in Dutch music history as both pioneers of hip hop performance and early innovators of Dutch-language rap.
The First Dutch Hip Hop Crossover Band
In 1986 the group took a bold new direction. Under the guidance of manager and bassist Robin “Heavy B.”, The Moonrunners evolved from a traditional hip hop crew into a fully-fledged live band.The new line-up incorporated accomplished jazz and rock musicians, including guitarist Guilla Rock (Tjeerd van Zanen) and drummer Drumatix (Hans Eijkenaar), who would later become one of the Netherlands’ most respected session drummers through his work with artists including Kayak, Anouk and others.
This combination of rap vocals, heavy guitars, funk grooves and live drums created a unique crossover sound years before the genre became commercially successful. Their energetic live performances drew comparisons to Run-D.M.C. and foreshadowed the direction later taken by groups such as Urban Dance Squad.
Discography
1987 • Funky Like A Train
“Funky Like A Train” is a self-distributed cassette demo by The Moonrunners that features recording and mixing by STM.
Released as a self-distributed cassette demo, “Funky Like A Train” by The Moonrunners features a live lineup including Robin Groenveld on bass, Hans Eijkenaar on drums, Tjeerd van Zanen on guitar, and Marcel Bakker on rap and scratches, with additional vocals by Urwin and Steve. Combining rap, funk, electro, and rock instrumentation, this rare recording remains a notable early artifact of European hip hop culture.
Bad Boyz Posse
The Moonrunners were also a driving force behind the legendary Bad Boyz Posse, an initiative established by Jazz DMX to unite Rotterdam’s rapidly expanding hip hop community during the mid-1980s.The collective brought together DJs, rappers, dancers and artists from across the city and helped create one of the Netherlands’ earliest organised hip hop movements. Through these activities, The Moonrunners became central figures in the growth of Dutch urban culture.
Line-up
Originally Moonrunners consisted of a core group of rappers and a DJ, which later expanded to include live rock and jazz musicians.
The lineup included:
Core Hip-Hop Members
• Kay Black (Ernesto Bramerloo) – Rapper
• Jazz DMX (Urwin Herkul) – Rapper
• Blonnie B (Marcel Bakker) – Rapper and human beatboxer
• DJ Alien – The group’s original DJ (replaced by DJ Automatic T)
Live Band Musicians (Added for hybrid Rap/Rock sound)
• Heavy B (Robin) – Bassist and manager
• Guilla Rock (Tjeerd van Zanen) – Guitarist
• Drumatix (Hans Eijkenaar) – Drummer
Toward the end of the group’s run around 1990, rapper Colt45 also joined the lineup following the departure of Kay Black and Blonnie B.
National Recognition
By the late 1980s The Moonrunners had become one of the country’s best-known hip hop acts. Their appearance in 1988 at Poetry Park in Rotterdam and the prestigious Noorderslag Festival confirmed their reputation as innovators within the Dutch music landscape. Although changing line-ups eventually led to the group’s dissolution around 1990, their influence continued to resonate throughout the Dutch hip hop community.
