R.I.O.
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R.I.O. is a German DJ-duo (formerly trio). The members are
DJ Manian Manuel Reuter (born 7 July 1978), better known by his stage name DJ Manian or just Manian, is a German music producer, DJ and owner of Zooland Records label. Career DJ Manian was born in 1978 in Bonn, Germany. He has produced a number of sin ...
and
Yann Peifer Yann Peifer (born 6 March 1974), known professionally as Yanou, is a German trance and Eurodance musician and producer. He is most famous for collaborating on DJ Sammy's hit "Heaven (DJ Sammy song), Heaven" with vocalist Do (singer), Do and for ...
, who originally founded the band in 2007. Until 2012,
Tony T. Neal Antone Dyer better known by the stage name Tony T. is a British singer, rapper and DJ of Jamaican origin, best known as the frontman of German dance music projects Beat System and R.I.O.Turn This Club Around "Turn This Club Around" is a song by German dance band R.I.O., featuring vocals from pop, R&B and hip-hop singers U-Jean and Tony T. The song was written by Yann Peifer, Manuel Reuter, Neal Anthony Dyer and Andres Ballinas. It was released in Ger ...
", which charted in the top 5 in Germany and Austria and at number one in Switzerland.


Production and members

DJs Manian and Yanou founded R.I.O. in the middle of 2007, after success with joint projects such as
Cascada Cascada (, Spanish for "Waterfall", stylized as CASCADA, CASC''A''DA and cascada) is a German dance music act founded in 2004 by singer Natalie Horler and DJs/producers DJ Manian and DJ Yanou. They are best known for their hit singles " Everyti ...
and Tune Up!. R.I.O. was initially intended as an "experimental project". The name is derived from their first recording with the same title, as well as the re-release as "De Janeiro". In their songs Manian and Yanou are active as songwriter, composer and producer. Andres Ballinas, a good friend of the duo, collaborated as an author. In 2008,
Tony T. Neal Antone Dyer better known by the stage name Tony T. is a British singer, rapper and DJ of Jamaican origin, best known as the frontman of German dance music projects Beat System and R.I.O.Jesus Christ Jesus, likely from he, יֵשׁוּעַ, translit=Yēšūaʿ, label=Hebrew/Aramaic ( AD 30 or 33), also referred to as Jesus Christ or Jesus of Nazareth (among other names and titles), was a first-century Jewish preacher and religious ...
(from
Nazareth Nazareth ( ; ar, النَّاصِرَة, ''an-Nāṣira''; he, נָצְרַת, ''Nāṣəraṯ''; arc, ܢܨܪܬ, ''Naṣrath'') is the largest city in the Northern District of Israel. Nazareth is known as "the Arab capital of Israel". In ...
) in its music video. He then went on to play this same role in all the songs and music videos until 2011. In addition to their own releases, they often appear as remixers. Songs by artists who record for their own label Zooland Records, for example the
ItaloBrothers ItaloBrothers is a German dance project from Nordhorn, Germany. The band consists of vocalist Matthias Metten (former member of YouTube music group, 2busk), who works in the studio with Zacharias Adrian (also known as Zac McCrack) and Christian ...
or King & White, as well as old and new single releases of the members Manian and Yanou are mixed by them irregularly in the ordinary R.I.O.-style. Initially they released their songs on Zooland until they signed a contract with German label
Kontor Records Kontor Records or Kontor New Media is a record label based in Hamburg, Germany. The label's artist roster includes ATB, Tiësto, Armin van Buuren and Scooter. Jens Thele is the head manager of Kontor and is also the manager of Scooter. Edel ...
in 2011. Previously they had published individual songs on Kontor, but no contract was reached until 2011. Two more contracts for the international publication of their songs closed in 2011 with Swedish record label
Roxy Recordings King Island Roxystars Recordings AB, more known as Roxy Recordings, or Roxy is an independent record label based in Kungsholmen, Stockholm, Sweden where their office is the former site of Cheiron Studios and its successor The Location. It was bo ...
and Dutch label
Spinnin' Records Spinnin' Records is a Dutch electronic music record label founded in 1999 by Eelko van Kooten and Roger de Graaf. In September 2017, Warner Music Group acquired Spinnin' Records for over $100 million. Background Van Kooten is the son of former ...
. On music videos and live performances, Manian and Yanou stayed in the background. Since the entry of British singer, rapper and DJ of Jamaican origin
Tony T. Neal Antone Dyer better known by the stage name Tony T. is a British singer, rapper and DJ of Jamaican origin, best known as the frontman of German dance music projects Beat System and R.I.O.U-Jean Alex Hutson, known professionally as U-Jean, is an American pop, R&B and hip-hop artist mostly performing in Europe. He is mostly known for features of the songs " Turn This Club Around" and " Summer Jam" by German dance band R.I.O. His debut ...
(Alex Hutson) was used in some recordings. In 2012 "Party Shaker" was sung by Nicco. This confirmed that R.I.O. was a project of two DJs featuring various voices. At live performances still U-Jean represented the duo. After Tony T. left the project, R.I.O. became known as a duo consisting of Manian and Yanou with U-Jean performing at their concerts and in videos. Songs sung by U-Jean are credited as "R.I.O. feat. U-Jean".


History


2007: Origin

Yanou and Manian experimented in their studio, producing a cover of "Samba de Janeiro Bellini". The title was called "R.I.O." which was released as a single, but only in the form of remixes by artists such as Spencer & Hill, Stereo Palma or as MYPD, Manian and Yanou themselves. The track appeared on many labels throughout Europe. Although in Germany, it met limited success, in Spain, their version advanced to the top 10. They picked up this project in the winter of 2007 and mixed the track again. On 9 November 2007 the song appeared in stores re-recorded as "De Janeiro". The original track "R.I.O." appeared on this single as a Spencer & Hill Remix. In no time the track became an international club anthem. The single reached number 8 on the Spanish chart and number 14 in the Netherlands.


2008-2009: "Shine On"

A few months after the release of "De Janeiro", the duo released "Cool" by Lowrida in February 2008. In May Yanou remixed "Children of the Night". The two Cologne producers discovered the 36-year-old British singer and rapper
Tony T. Neal Antone Dyer better known by the stage name Tony T. is a British singer, rapper and DJ of Jamaican origin, best known as the frontman of German dance music projects Beat System and R.I.O.Shine On". Its popularity reached southern Europe and the entire Middle East, charted in most European countries, including peaking at number 25 in Germany, 21 in Austria, 17 in Switzerland and 22 in Spain. The video pulled over 30 million
YouTube YouTube is a global online video platform, online video sharing and social media, social media platform headquartered in San Bruno, California. It was launched on February 14, 2005, by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim. It is owned by ...
views. In September 2008, they performed a third time as a producer team. The follow-up was "Turn the Tide" with R.I.O. member Manian and singer Alia. The original came from the vocal trance project
Sylver The Sylver (SYstème de Lancement VERtical) is a vertical launching system (VLS) designed by DCNS and introduced in 2001. Specifications The basic unit of Sylver VLS is an eight-cell module fitted with two rows of 56 cm. missile cells surroundi ...
from 2000. In December, "
When the Sun Comes Down "When the Sun Comes Down" is a song by German Dance-Band R.I.O. The song was written by Yann Peifer, Manuel Reuter and Andres Ballinas. It was released in Germany as a digital download on 5 December 2008. In autumn 2017 the dutch DJ and producer ...
" appeared. In November 2008, they were picked on the " Kontor Top of the Clubs Vol 41". The single reached the top ten of the Dutch Top 40 and Spanish chart and number 22 in the Dutch Top 100. It saw lesser success in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. No official music video was released. On 10 July 2009, R.I.O. released "
After the Love "After the Love" is a song by German Dance-Band R.I.O. The song was written by Yann Peifer, Manuel Reuter and Andres Ballinas. It was released in Germany as a digital download on 10 July 2009. Track listing ;Digital download # "After the Love" ...
". This single was used on the compilation ''The Dome Summer 2009''. In Austria, the track reached number 41 and number 65 in Germany, Netherlands and Portugal. In October the trio mixed the song "Brighter Day" and in November "Serenade" as a download. The single is based on the eponymous track of the American rock band the
Steve Miller Band The Steve Miller Band is an American rock music, rock band formed in 1966 in San Francisco, California. The band is led by Steve Miller (musician), Steve Miller on guitar and lead vocals. The group had a string of mid- to late-1970s hit singles t ...
from 1976. Steve Miller and C. McCarthy were credited as songwriter.


2010: First album

In 2010, they collaborated with Dutch singer Liz Kay. Their collaboration led to "Something About You" and "Watching You". The songs appeared on 12 February and became another success. They stuck for nine weeks at number 19 in Bulgaria. In Portugal, the single debuted at number 49 and rose for six weeks to number 34. On 19 February, the trio released their first studio album ''Shine On (The Album)''. It contained all previously released singles, as well as some new tracks. In September a deluxe version was released, which also contained " Hot Girl". Neither of these releases reached the Top 100. The seventh single " One Heart" appeared in three variations. It was once considered a two-track single in February in the Netherlands. Similarly, the song was released as a double single with "Can You Feel It", in some countries, as well as a three-single with "Can You Feel It" and "Lay Down" in April in the rest of Europe. In the solo version of "One Heart" Tony T. sings the vocals. On the Internet, a second version added singer Nina Nyembwe. In the Netherlands the single reached charted for 4 weeks, topping out at number 24. In Portugal, the single charted at number 21 and remained for 25 weeks. "Hot Girl" was the last single release from ''Shine On (The Album)''. However, it appeared only on the Deluxe Edition. The song was released on 28 October as a promotional single in the Netherlands, where it charted for two weeks. They added a music video for the first time since "After the Love". It appeared on 13 July on YouTube, and was viewed over two million times. The only commercial success was in the Netherlands. "Hot Girl" is one of their biggest club successes. In addition, the track marked their transition from reggae to house style.


2011: "Sunshine" and "Turn This Club Around"

On 11 February 2011, R.I.O. published "
Like I Love You "Like I Love You" is the debut solo single of American singer-songwriter Justin Timberlake from his debut studio album, '' Justified'' (2002), which features American hip hop duo Clipse. It was co-written by Timberlake and the Neptunes (Chad H ...
" as the first single and an announcement for their second studio album ''Sunshine''. With "Like I Love You" they reached the top half of the charts again. The video was uploaded to the Kontor Records YouTube Channel on 4 January and was viewed more than 25 million times. The instrumental part of the song was sample of the same-titled song of the dance-trio The Hitmen . Together with Dan Winter, and the pseudonym Black Toys Manian mixed the track in the style of the original song. In February 2011, R.I.O. mixed the single "Good Vibe" by the Good Vibe Crew along with Cat. The Good Vibe Crew is another project of Manian and Yanou. The song was released on 25 February on Zooland, but was not a success. The successor to "Like I Love You" was " Miss Sunshine", a cover of "Sunshine" from 2001, produced by the Dance Project Dance Nation. This song charted in every German-speaking country of Europe. It was released in May in parallel with ''Sunshine''. ''Sunshine'' featured old and new songs. The album made it to number 49 of the Swiss chart for two weeks. Also in May they released their first non-album single "One More Night", a cover of the same song by
Phil Collins Philip David Charles Collins (born 30 January 1951) is an English singer, musician, songwriter, record producer and actor. He was the drummer and lead singer of the rock band Genesis and also has a career as a solo performer. Between 1982 and ...
, as a downloadable single. In the middle of 2011, Manian and Yanou met American singer and rapper
U-Jean Alex Hutson, known professionally as U-Jean, is an American pop, R&B and hip-hop artist mostly performing in Europe. He is mostly known for features of the songs " Turn This Club Around" and " Summer Jam" by German dance band R.I.O. His debut ...
, who had aroused a stir with
Carlprit Rudi Schwamborn, professionally known as Carlprit, is a German- Zimbabwean rapper, actor, songwriter, and music manager. He has performed and written for acts such as Cascada, Alexandra Stan and Laurent Wolf. Schwamborn is best known for his ...
. Together they recorded the song "
Turn This Club Around "Turn This Club Around" is a song by German dance band R.I.O., featuring vocals from pop, R&B and hip-hop singers U-Jean and Tony T. The song was written by Yann Peifer, Manuel Reuter, Neal Anthony Dyer and Andres Ballinas. It was released in Ger ...
", which served as an announcement for the next album. It peaked at number one on iTunes, where it stayed for 3 weeks. In the Media Control Charts "Turn This Club Around" made number three, while in Switzerland it reached the top. It was their first single that charted in the United Kingdom, hitting 36th place. It was their first to chart in Canada. In Germany, Austria and Switzerland, R.I.O. earned gold records for more than 150.000 sold units. It made the year-end charts of Germany, Austria and Switzerland, at 48, 72 and 60, respectively. In September, the trio remixed "1234" by Carlprit. This mix became the official and only version of the track. The style of the remix is similar, very unlike their other remixes, the subject of their very successfully single "Turn This Club Around". Coinciding with the release of their third studio album, ''Turn This Club Around'' they released their thirteenth single "Animal", which was another collaboration with U -Jean. The song debuted on number 48 in Germany, 51 in Switzerland and peaked at 33 on the Austrian chart. Many critics compared the single with the song " Levels" of the Swedish DJ
Avicii Tim Bergling (; 8 September 1989 – 20 April 2018), known professionally as Avicii (, ), was a Swedish DJ, remixer and music producer. At the age of 16, Bergling began posting his remixes on electronic music forums, which led to his first rec ...
.


2012: "Turn This Club Around (Deluxe Edition)"

In March 2012, Tony T. left the group to concentrate on his solo career. Shortly thereafter, he released "Way to Rio". Manian and Yanou then remixed "Rock This Club" by King & White in collaboration with Cimo. Manian and Yanou recorded R.I.O.'s next single "
Party Shaker A party is a gathering of people who have been invited by a host for the purposes of socializing, conversation, recreation, or as part of a festival or other commemoration or celebration of a special occasion. A party will often feature ...
", with American singer
Nicco Nick Constantine Maniatty better known by his mononym Nicco is an American singer, songwriter with pop, Europop, dance, reggae, house and electronic influences. He was signed to Sony in April 2011 and released his debut single "Downpour" in Aug ...
. It was a big hit in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the Netherlands. " Summer Jam" then charted at number 2 in Austria and Switzerland and number 7 in Germany. It is a cover of " Summer Jam" by the
Underdog Project The Underdog Project is a German Electronic dance music, dance group which launched its first album, ''It Doesn't Matter (album), It Doesn't Matter'' in 2001. Their hits include "Saturday" (not to be confused with "Saturday Night"; this was not ...
.


2013-2014: "Ready or Not"

Their first single in 2013 was "Living in Stereo", with Howard Glasford (vocals) best known from Shakira's single "Un poco de amor". It was released in March. The single peaked at number 70 in Germany, 32 in Switzerland and 41 in Austria. On 10 May, R.I.O. released the single and same-name album "Ready or Not". The album reached 4 in Switzerland, 26 in Austria and 47 in Germany. The single jumped to 54 in Germany and peaked at 40 in Austria. Later it charted in Switzerland for a week. On 2 August, they released an eight-minute medley, consisting of "Turn This Club Around", "Like I Love You", "Animal", "Ready or Not", "Summer Jam", "Party Shaker" and "Shine On". In addition, the various music videos of the songs were edited together. It was offered on ''Kontor Summer Jam 2013'', as well as a single-track on iTunes. In a few hours it reached the top 100 on iTunes. On the singles chart, the song charted after a week. In Germany and Austria it reached 19. At the end of August, they previewed "
Komodo (Hard Nights) "Komodo (Hard Nights)" is a song by German dance band R.I.O., featuring vocals from Pop, R&B and Hip-Hop singer U-Jean. The song was released in Germany as a digital download on 27 September 2013. The song has charted in Austria, Germany and Sw ...
" and published it on 27 September. This was another collaboration-with U-Jean. It was seen as using synths too similar to "The Code" of W&W and Ummet Ozcan. This song covered "Komodo" by
Mauro Picotto Mauro Picotto (born December 25, 1966) is an Italian electronic music producer and DJ, and previously a member of the Italian Euro house group "R.A.F.". He became well known as a solo artist with songs including "Komodo (Save a Soul)", "Puls ...
, using similar background sounds. The track reached the download Charts of all online music services in hours. On the German singles chart, it reached 58th. In Austria and Switzerland "Komodo (Hard Nights)" debuted at number 45. In October, a further remix appeared as a reinterpretation of "Maria (I Like It Loud)" by Scooter from 2003 and was featured ''20 Years of Hardcore''. The Scooters version was itself a remix. The first version was from 1997 by
Marc Acardipane Marc Trauner (born April 7, 1969) better known by his numerous aliases including Marc Acardipane, Mescalinum United, The Mover, Pilldriver, Marshall Masters and Resident E, is a DJ and producer based in Frankfurt, Germany. History Trauner w ...
, Marshall Masters and The Ultimate MC as "I Like It Loud".


2014-2015: "One in a Million" and disappearing success

On 4 July 2014, R.I.O. and U-Jean released "One in a Million", based on big-room-style. The single reached the charts of Germany, Austria and Switzerland. "Thinking of You" consists of vocals by songwriter
Andres Ballinas Andres Ballinas (also known as Andy Lopez) is a German singer and songwriter. He has written songs and was a featured singer for fellow German producers R.I.O., Cascada, Carlprit, and Manian. He entered the Eurovision Song Contest in 2013 as ...
as well as "Sun Is Up". These show a calmer style and did not chart but it’s release did accompany a music video. In autumn, R.I.O. and U-Jean released "Cheers to the Club". It was supposed to be a solo-single by U-Jean, but they decided to release it as a collab-single. The commercial house track did not reach the charts.


2017: Comeback with "Headlong"

On 16 March 2017, their label Kontor Records confirmed that the duo would start a comeback. One day later they presented "Headlong", a mixture of deep, and tropical-house. The second single from the comeback was released called "The Sign" featuring
Vengaboys Vengaboys () are a Dutch Eurodance music group based in Rotterdam. The group was the creation of Dutch producers Wessel van Diepen and Dennis van den Driesschen (known as Danski and Delmundo). It consists of lead vocalist Kim Sasabone, female v ...
.


Discography

;Studio albums * ''Shine On (The Album)'' (2010) * '' Sunshine'' (2011) * ''
Turn This Club Around "Turn This Club Around" is a song by German dance band R.I.O., featuring vocals from pop, R&B and hip-hop singers U-Jean and Tony T. The song was written by Yann Peifer, Manuel Reuter, Neal Anthony Dyer and Andres Ballinas. It was released in Ger ...
'' (2011) * ''Ready or Not'' (2013) ;Compilation albums * ''Greatest Hits'' (2012)


References


External links


Official R.I.O. site
{{Authority control German dance music groups German musical duos German Eurodance groups Electronic dance music duos DJ duos