Winne | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Winston Bergwijn |
| Born | April 20, 1978 Paramaribo, Suriname |
| Origin | Rotterdam, Netherlands |
| Genres | Hip hop |
| Occupation(s) | Rapper, label owner, director, entrepreneur |
| Years active | 2005–present |
| Labels | Top Notch, Couture 33 |
| Website | https://www.winne.world/ |
Winston Bergwijn (born 20 April 1978) is a Dutch rapper, label owner, director, entrepreneur, and cultural ambassador, recognized for his influential role in the Dutch hip-hop scene. [1] Renowned for his distinctive style, introspective lyrics, and community focus, Winne has been a prominent figure in Dutch hip hop since the mid-2000s.
Winne was born in Paramaribo, Suriname, and moved to Rotterdam, Netherlands, at a young age. He began rapping in English under the name Static, later switching to Dutch at the encouragement of friends. He performed with the group D.C.O. at various venues in Rotterdam. [2]
Winne gained national attention in 2005 with the track "Top 3 MC," produced by Kapitein Mo and widely circulated online. He further established his reputation with "Pomp Die Shit!" on the compilation album What's da Flavor?! and collaborated with artists such as Opgezwolle and U-Niq. In 2006, he signed with the label Top Notch. [3]
His debut EP, Onoverwinnelijk ("Invincible"), was released in 2007 and included tracks like "Top 3 MC", "Pomp Die Shit!" and "Begrijp me niet verkeerd". The music video for "Begrijp me niet verkeerd" won the State Award for Best Video in 2008. [4]
In 2009, Winne released his first full-length album, Winne Zonder Strijd, featuring the singles "W.I.N.N.E.", "Alles Wat Ik Wil" (with GMB), and "Lotgenoot".
In 2018, Winne released his second studio album, Oprecht Door Zee. [5]
In 2025, Winne released the highly personal album Mssyeh under Couture 33. The project is an ode to friendship and is dedicated to the late rapper Feis, one of Winne's closest friends. [6]
In 2009, Winne collaborated with Patta on the mixtape So So Lobi, a project that celebrated the Rotterdam hip hop community and featured a range of guest artists. [7]
A second mixtape, So So Lobi II, was released with Patta in 2015. All proceeds from So So Lobi II were donated to The Black Archives and Kick Out Zwarte Piet, supporting anti-racism and Black heritage initiatives in the Netherlands. [8]
Winne is the founder and owner of the independent label Couture 33, established in 2017. The label has signed artists including Melissa Lopes, Harry Femer, and Raw Roets. [9]
Angry Young Men is a theatre production co-directed by Winne and the Rotterdam-based collective Wat We Do. [10] The play premiered at Theater Zuidplein and toured the Netherlands. Angry Young Men blends hip hop, spoken word, and theatre to tell the story of two young men from Rotterdam who find themselves on opposite sides of the law. Through the perspectives of their mothers, the play explores themes of masculinity, choices, loss, and the struggle for a better future. The performance is noted for its raw energy, musicality, and honest portrayal of the challenges faced by young people in urban environments.
KINGS...come home is a theatre production co-directed by Winne and Ira Kip. The play was performed in the Netherlands and had its international debut at The Apollo Stages at The Victoria Theater in Harlem, New York, in 2025. [11] KINGS...come home follows the journey of a family searching for a new home after being uprooted. The story addresses migration, resilience, and the ongoing impact of colonial history and institutional racism. The production is praised for its poignant narrative, cross-cultural cast, and its exploration of identity, belonging, and the meaning of home.
Winne resides in Rotterdam. He shared a close friendship with rapper Feis, performing together for fifteen years. After the first part of the Oprecht Door Zee tour, Feis was tragically murdered, which had an enormous impact on his life. [12] In 2024, Winne donated a kidney to his childhood friend Alee Rock. [13]
Winne has appeared three times on the Dutch hip hop platform 101Barz:
Winne’s artistry is deeply inspired by ninetees hip hop and hip hop icons Nas , Jay-Z and Nipsey Hussle . [23] Like his influences, Winne is known for his narrative-driven, reflective lyrics and his focus on authenticity and social consciousness.
| Year | Title | Type | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Onoverwinnelijk | EP | Top Notch |
| 2009 | Winne Zonder Strijd | Studio Album | Top Notch |
| 2009 | So So Lobi (with Patta) | Mixtape | Top Notch |
| 2015 | So So Lobi II (with Patta) | Mixtape | Top Notch |
| 2018 | Oprecht Door Zee | Studio Album | Top Notch |
| 2025 | Mssyeh | Studio Album | Couture 33 |