DJ Tonka (born Thomas-René Gerlach on June 24, 1973 in

Mainz Mainz () is the capital and largest city of Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. Mainz is on the left bank of the Rhine, opposite to the place that the Main (river), Main joins the Rhine. Downstream of the confluence, the Rhine flows to the north-we ...

, West Germany) is a German electronic dance musician. He is also known as Tonka, Chip Tunes, and Thomastic.

Musical career

In his early career, Thomas-René Gerlach worked with fellow producer

Ian Pooley Ian Pooley (born Ian Pinnekamp in 1973) is a German record producer and DJ. While incorporating samples of various musical genres, Pooley's creations are usually classified as house or tech house with Brazilian influence. Biography Pooley's mu ...

in the groups Outrage, Space Cube, and T'N'I. Together they produced several records in

techno Techno is a genre of electronic dance music (EDM) which is generally produced for use in a continuous DJ set, with tempo often varying between 120 and 150 beats per minute (bpm). The central rhythm is typically in common time (4/4) and often ch ...

progressive house Progressive house is a subgenre of house music. The progressive house style emerged in the early 1990s. It initially developed in the United Kingdom as a natural progression of American and European house music of the late 1980s.Gerard, Morgan; ...

and

breakbeat Breakbeat is a broad type of electronic music that tends to use drum breaks sampled from early recordings of funk, jazz, and R&B. Breakbeats have been used in styles such as hip hop, jungle, drum and bass, big beat, breakbeat hardcore, and UK ...

. In 1996, the partnership was dissolved (an EP with unreleased tracks was still released in 1997), and coincidentally, both started producing a more mainstream-friendly sound. As a solo artist, Gerlach took on the name DJ Tonka and began producing

house music House is a music genre characterized by a repetitive Four on the floor (music), four-on-the-floor beat and a typical tempo of 120 beats per minute. It was created by Disc jockey, DJs and music producers from Chicago metropolitan area, Chicago' ...

, with influences from

synthpop Synth-pop (short for synthesizer pop; also called techno-pop; ) is a subgenre of new wave music that first became prominent in the late 1970s and features the synthesizer as the dominant musical instrument. It was prefigured in the 1960s a ...

and the American

garage house Garage house (originally known as "garage"; local terms include "New York house" and New Jersey sound) is a dance music style that was developed alongside Chicago house music. The genre was popular in the 1980s in the United States and the 1990s ...

scene. He achieved some notoriety as a

remix A remix (or reorchestration) is a piece of media which has been altered or contorted from its original state by adding, removing, or changing pieces of the item. A song, piece of artwork, book, video, poem, or photograph can all be remixes. The o ...

er, reworking tunes such as "Trapped" for disco artist

Colonel Abrams Colonel Abrams (May 25, 1949 – November 24, 2016) was an American musician, singer, songwriter, dancer and actor. Early life Colonel Abrams (his real name) was born in Detroit, Michigan. His family later moved to East 13 Street, in Manhattan's ...

, "Love Shack" for

The B-52's The B-52's, also styled as The B-52s, are an American new wave band formed in Athens, Georgia, in 1976. The original lineup consisted of Fred Schneider (vocals, percussion), Kate Pierson (vocals, keyboards, synth bass), Cindy Wilson (vocals, p ...

and "Push It" for

Salt-N-Pepa Salt-N-Pepa (also stylized as Salt 'N' Pepa or Salt 'N Pepa) is an American hip-hop group formed in New York City in 1985, that comprised Salt (Cheryl James), Pepa (Sandra Denton), and DJ Spinderella (Deidra Roper). Their debut album, ''Hot, C ...

. Tonka cites

Grandmaster Flash Joseph Saddler (born January 1, 1958), popularly known by his stage name Grandmaster Flash, is an American DJ and rapper. He is considered to be one of the pioneers of Hip Hop DJing, cutting, scratching and mixing. Grandmaster Flash and the Fur ...

and

Depeche Mode Depeche Mode are an English electronic music band formed in Basildon, Essex, in 1980. The band currently consists of Dave Gahan (lead vocals and co-songwriting) and Martin Gore (keyboards, guitar, co-lead vocals and main songwriting). Depeche ...

among his influences. He has also founded two record labels: Uplifting Records in 1997 and Vivienne Records in 2000.

Discography

Studio albums

* 1998: ''Peaktime'' (In One Go) (Warner/Germany) * 2004: ''84'' (Uplifting Rec. Warner/Germany)

Singles & EPs

* 1995: "Flashback" (Force Inc. US) * 1995: "Flashback, Remixes" (Outland Rec./NL) * 1995: "Got to Get Up" (Force Inc. 100) * 1995: "Feel" (Force Inc. US,Disco Magic/Italy,Airplay Rec./France) * 1995: "Feel, Remixes" (Force Inc. US) * 1995: "Phun-ky" (Force Inc. US,Skint/UK,Dance Net/Australia) * 1996: ''Feel Phun-ky EP'' (Outland Rec./NL) * 1996: "Old Skool" (F.Inc.US,Dance Net/Aus,Happy One/Danm,Pen Pot/Italy) * 1996: "Feel the Street vs. Deskee" (Force Inc. US) * 1996: "Feel the Street vs. Deskee" Remixes (Outland Rec./NL) * 1996: "Radical Noise, Remixes" (Outland Rec./NL) * 1996: "Happiness" (Force Inc. US) * 1997: "Old Skool" (

Joey Negro David Russell Lee (born 18 June 1964) is an English DJ and house music producer, formerly known by the stage name Joey Negro, which he retired in July 2020 following the George Floyd protests. He has released music under a variety of pseudo ...

Rmx) (Club Masters/UK) * 1997: "Old Skool" (Fletch Remix) (Happy One/Danm) * 1997: "The Night", Security (Upl,Warn/Ger,Ginger Music/Spain,Hitland/Italy,Airplane/France) * 1998: "She Knows You" (Uplifting Rec./Warner) * 1998: "She Knows You" (Birthday Edition) (Uplifting Rec.) * 2000: "Don't Be Afraid" (Vivienne Rec., Warner/Ger., BlancoYNegro/Spain) * 2000: "Don't Be Afraid" (Nerio's Dubwork Remix) (Promo Only/Warner) * 2002: "J.O.E, Never!" (Vivienne Rec.) * 2002: "Keep Klimbing" (Vivienne Rec.) * 2004: "84" (Vivienne Rec. Warner) * 2004: "Get Back, PT1" (Vivienne Rec. Warner, BlancoYNegro/Spain) * 2004: "Get Back, PT2" (Vivienne Rec. Warner, BlancoYNegro/Spain) * 2008: "Orca", Freeze (Munich Disco Tech Vol.1, Great Stuff Germany) * 2008: "Orca" (Ian Pooley Rmx) (Munich Disco Tech Vol.2, Great Stuff/Germany) * 2008: ''Drop Box EP'' (Alphabet City/Germany) * 2009: ''Ready for War EP'' (Southern Fried Records/UK) * 2011: "Aliens & Earthlings" (WePLAY/Germany) * 2012: "Atlantis" (WePLAY/Germany) * 2012: "Atlantis Remixes" (WePLAY/Germany) * 2015: "Calippo - 4U" (Enormous Tunes) * 2016: "Security" (Cat 'N Dogz 2016 Edit) (12", S/Sided) (Petsedits, Pets Recordings) * 2019: "Don't Stop" (Big & Dirty) ;TONKA presents CHIP TUNES * 2001: Heartjumpa, Reflect, Fallin', Passion (Chip Tunes,Warner/Germany)

Mix-CDs

* 1998: ''The House of Disco'' (Vision Sound Carriers/Germany) * 2000: ''Essential Streetparades / Proved'' (Warner Music/Germany)

Remixes

* 1995: Ian Pooley - "Celtic Cross Remixes" (Force Inc.) * 1996: Celvin Rotane - "You've Got to Be You" (Alphabet City/Edel) * 1996: The Moodyman - "The Dancer" (After Midnight Rec.,UCA Records/NL) * 1996:

Smokin Beats Smokin Beats are a house and garage duo consisting of Paul Landon and Neil Rumney. The duo founded their own record label Smokin Beats and released a string of singles throughout the 1990s and 2000s, and one album ''Ready to Fly'' in 1997. They ...

- "Disco Dancin'" (Music Man,Legato Rec.,News/Belgium) * 1996:

Full Intention Full Intention is an English house music duo consisting of Michael Gray and Jon Pearn. They are best known as prolific producers and remixers. They have reworked songs for varied artists such as the Sugababes, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and ...

- "America" (Logic/Germany,Sugar Daddy,Stress Rec/UK) * 1996: The Hipgrinders - "Good Times" (Positiva,Additive/UK) * 1996: Gina G - "I Belong to You" (Eternal,Warner/UK) * 1997: Colonel Abrahams - "Trapped" (Up Beat,Warner/Germany,Mantra/Italy,Ginger/Spain) * 1997:

Jimmy Somerville James William Somerville (born 22 June 1961) is a Scottish pop singer and songwriter. He sang in the 1980s with the pop groups Bronski Beat and The Communards, and has also had a solo career. He is known in particular for his powerful and soul ...

- "Safe" (Heaven Rec./Germany,Ginger/Spain) * 1997:

Bootsy Collins William Earl "Bootsy" Collins (born October 26, 1951) is an American bass guitarist and singer. Rising to prominence with James Brown in the early 1970s, and later with Parliament-Funkadelic, Collins established himself as one of the leading n ...

- "I'm Leavin' U" (Gotta Go, Gotta Go)" (feat. MC Lyte) (Warner/Germany,Mercury/US) * 1997: Dave Angel - "Funk Music" (Island/UK) * 1998: The Funkjunkeez a.k.a. Roger Sanchez - "Got Funk?" (Strictly/US, Motor/Germany) * 1998: Louise - "All That Matters" (EMI/UK) * 1998: Urban Soul - "Love Is So Nice" (VC,Virgin/UK) * 1998: Black & White Brothers - "Put Your Hands Up" (Edel/Germany,Happy Music/France) * 1998: DJ Tonka vs The B52's - "Love Shack" (Warner/Germany,Reprise/US) * 1998:

K-Klass K-Klass are a British electronic music musical ensemble, group from Wrexham, Wales and Chester, England, who are based in Manchester, England. Its original members were Andy Williams, Carl Thomas, Russ Morgan and Paul Roberts. In 1991, K-Klass ...

- "Live It Up" (EMI/UK, Dance Factory/Italy) * 1999:

- "Push It" (Motor/Germany) * 1999: Tony Esposito - "Kalimba De Luna" (Warner/Germany) * 2000: Dominica - " Gotta Let You Go" (Fuel, East West, Warner/Germany,Outland Music/NL) * 2000: Bump a.k.a. Steve Travell & MA - "I'm Rushing" (Fuel,East West,Warn/Germany) * 2001: Cleptomaniacs a.k.a. Brian Tappert & John Julius Knight – "All I Do" (Edel/Germany) * 2002:

Robin S Robin Stone (born April 27, 1962) is an American singer and songwriter, who scored success in the 1990s with such house music singles as "Show Me Love (Robin S. song), Show Me Love" (which was her debut single) and "Luv 4 Luv". She has had th ...

. - "Show Me Love" (Stereoph,BMG/Ger., Champion/UK) * 2002: Robin S. - "Luv 4 Luv" (Stereophonic, BMG,Champion/UK) * 2002:

Alizée Alizée Lyonnet (''née'' Jacotey; born 21 August 1984), known professionally as Alizée, is a French singer, dancer and musician. She was born and raised in Ajaccio, Corsica. She first became known with her winning performance in the talent s ...

- "L'Alizé (Tonka's Sunny Season Mix)" (Universal/Germany & France) * 2002: Sharam Jey pres the Punisher - "Straight Up!" (King Kong Rec,Warner/Germany) * 2004: Ian Pooley ft Jade & Dantelle - "Heaven" (Pooled Music,MOS/Germany) * 2004:

Erick Morillo Erick Morillo (March 26, 1971 – September 1, 2020) was a Colombian-American disc jockey, music producer, and record label owner. Having produced under a number of pseudonyms, including Ministers de la Funk, The Dronez, RAW, Smooth Touch, RBM, D ...

ft. Leslie Carter - "Waiting in the Darkness" (Subliminal/US) * 2005: Tonka vs The Adjuster - "All Over Again" (Disco Inc.,Force Inc./Germany) * 2005:

Room 5 Vito Lucente (; born 31 August 1971), known by his stage name Junior Jack, is an Italian house music producer and DJ based in Belgium. Biography In the early years, Vito Lucente produced several acid house and Eurodance projects, mostly in co ...

a.k.a. Junior Jack - "Make Love 2005" (EMI/Germany) * 2006: Ian Pooley & Tonka - "Celtic Cross 2006" (Pooled Music/Germany) * 2006: Erick Morillo ft P.Diddy - "Dance I Said" (Subliminal/US) * 2008: MDX & Namito - "Hot & Spicy" (Long Distance Rec./Australia) * 2009: Gus Gus - "Lust" (Great Stuff/Germany) * 2009: Ian Pooley vs Zoo Brazil - "Reader" (Pooled Music/Germany) * 2009: Coburn - "We Re-Interrupt This Programme" (Tasted,Great Stuff/Germany) * 2009: Aquasky - "You Know We Do It Big Girl" (Passenger/UK) * 2009: AudioFun - "Dirty Gold" (Freek Records/UK) * 2010:

Ellie Goulding Elena Jane Goulding ( ; born 30 December 1986) is an English singer and songwriter. Her career began when she met record producers Starsmith and Frankmusik, and she was later spotted by Jamie Lillywhite, who became her manager and Artists and ...

- "Guns and Horses" (Polydor/UK) * 2010:

Housse de Racket Housse de Racket are a musical duo from Paris, France. The band consists of Pierre Leroux and Victor Le Masne. Biography Housse de Racket began as session musicians for Air and Phoenix Phoenix most often refers to: * Phoenix (mythology), a ...

- "Oh Yeah!" (M20 Solution,Kuskus/France) * 2010: Simon Rose - "Stachus" (Bobble Music/Germany) * 2010: Mercedes - "Shock Absorber" (Eye Industries/UK) * 2010: Aggro Santos - "Saint or Sinner" (Mercury Records,Future Rec./UK) * 2010: The Wanted - "Heart Vacancy" (Geffen Records/UK) * 2011:

Natalia Kills Natalia Noemi "Teddy" Sinclair (née Cappuccini; born 15 August 1986), is an English singer, songwriter and actress. She has recorded music under various aliases, most famously as Natalia Kills and Verbalicious. She is currently the lead vocali ...

- "Mirrors" (Interscope Rec./USA) * 2011: Dabruck & Klein ft Ollie James - "I Found Love" (WePLAY/Germany) * 2011: Arty - "Around the World" (WePLAY/Germany, Anjunabeats/UK) * 2012:

The Disco Boys The Disco Boys are a German house music DJ and production duo from Hamburg, which consists of Raphael Krickow (* 1966) and Gordon Hollenga (* 1969). They play a mixture of disco classics and modern house songs. The Disco Boys have played at the ...

- "Around the World" (WePLAY/Germany) * 2012: Medina - "Forever" (EMI/ Germany) * 2012: Laserkraft 3D - "Urlaub" (WePLAY/Germany) * 2015:

Robin Schulz Robin Alexander Schulz (; born 28 April 1987) is a German musician, DJ and record producer. On 4 February 2014, he released the first single from his debut album, a remix of "Waves" by Dutch hip hop artist Mr. Probz. This remix later received ...

- "Headlights (DJ Tonka's Sunlight Radio Mix)" (TONSPIEL/Warner Music Group)

Other projects

;THOMASTIC (Productions & Remixes) * 1993 Eurostyle Tunes Vol.1 (Intense Rec./Germany) * 1993 I Want to Be Free - Rmx (Intense Rec. BMG Ariola/Germany) * 1993 Dream Team EP, Whirlpool Prod. - Dreaming, Remixes (Intense Rec./Germany) ;T´N´I (DJ Tonka & Ian Pooley) * 1991 Low Mass E.P. (Force Inc./Germany) * 1991 Trip Men w. Alec Empire (Force Inc./Germany) * 1991 Paris, No More Ugly Germans, Compilation & Single (Sony Music, Germany) * 1992 Disco Beam E.P. (Intense Rec. Germany) * 1992 Do You Still Care? ft Marie Pullins (Polydor/Germany) * 1993 Depart EP (Intense Rec/Germany) * 1993 I Want to Be Free (Intense Rec.,BMG Ariola/Germany) * 1994 Mad Situation, Be Straight (Force Inc./Germany) * 1995 Nothing Can Stop Us (Force Inc.100 Compilation/Germany) ;T´N´I Remixes (DJ Tonka & Ian Pooley) * 1992 Paris Red - Do Ya (Feel It) (Dance Pool, Sony Music/Germany) * 1992 The Bionaut - Everybody is Kissing Everyone (Intense Rec/Germany) * 1992 Paradise Project - Deep Green (Sony, Germany) * 1993 Dream Team EP w. Whirlpool Prod. - Dreaming (Intense Rec./Germany) * 1993 Formosa - Dr. Strangelove (Sony/Germany) * 1993 Rainforest - The Birds (Now! Rec./Germany) * 1993 House Pimps - Get The Hook (Now! Rec./Germany) ;SPACE CUBE (DJ Tonka & Ian Pooley) * 1991 Space Cube EP (Force Inc./Germany) * 1992 Machine & Motion (Force Inc./Germany) * 1992 Pure Tendency - Ritchie Hawtin Rmx (R&S Rec./Belgium) * 1992 Kool Killer EP 1 (Force Inc/Germany) * 1993 Kool Killer EP 2 (Force Inc./Germany) * 1993 Kool Killer EP 3 (Force Inc./Germany) * 1993 Kool Killer EP, UK Mixes (Edge Rec/UK) * 1993 The Latest Adventures Of Kool Killer (Dragnet/Sony, Germany) * 1993 Sassion ft Gordon Matthewman & Force Mass Motion (Edge Rec/UK) * 1993 The Unrel. Project EP (Solid Preassure Continental/CH) * 1994 Inbound, Outbound (Riot Beats/Germany) * 1994 Kommerz Killer (Riot Beats/Germany) * 1995 Dschungelfieber, Remixes (Riot Beats/Germany) * 1996 DJ Tonka & Ian Pooley's Unrel. Space Cube Tracks (Upflifting Rec./Germany) ;SPACE CUBE Remixes (DJ Tonka & Ian Pooley) * 1993 Ilsa Gold - Silke (Force Inc./Germany) * 1993 N.R.G. - I Need Your Lovin' (Force Inc./Germany,Chill Rec./UK,Pyro Tech/US) * 1993 D.A.C. Robinson - Lucky Strike (Rabbit City Records/UK) * 1995 Legend B - Lost In Love (Lanka/Germany) ;OUTRAGE (DJ Tonka & Ian Pooley) * 1991 Emperor, Daylight (Force Inc./Germany)

External links

Official Website

Official SoundCloud Page

Official Facebook Fanpage

Official MySpace Page

DJ Tonka at Discogs

Booking Agency
{{DEFAULTSORT:Tonka, Dj 1973 births Living people Club DJs German DJs German house musicians German trance musicians Electronic dance music DJs