The Sena Performers Grote Prijs van Rotterdam, organized by Popunie, is the music competition of Rotterdam for all Rotterdam-based Bands, Singer/Songwriters, Hip Hop, and Producer acts. On Thursday, September 18, the finals for Hip Hop and Producer will take place at BIRD. From raw to feel-good vibes, hip-hop infused with pop to trap, this year’s Hip Hop finalists are (in random order): Toobss, Giegs, YS, GIB, and Spacestation!

Meanwhile, in the Producer category's beat battle, held in the other room, you’ll witness producers creating a track live within one hour. From mytho trip-pop to drum & bass and UK garage, these five Producers are sure to surprise you (in random order):Ben Diggins, sy-ki, Jaya, ALSOTIMO, and JESSIN!

HIP HOP

Toobss is a versatile artist who touches the audience with his unique blend of Afro, Urban, and Zouk. He has collaborated with heavyweights like Broederliefde during a 101Barz session and is regularly featured on FunX and other radio stations. What makes Toobss stand out is his ability to generate good vibes. His performances are unforgettable experiences that get the crowd dancing and connecting!

Giegs is an independent artist from Crooswijk, Rotterdam, rooted in a musical family and raised with reggae and street culture. Self-taught in recording and producing, he built his own studio in the neighborhood, using it as a creative hub for young talent. Giegs represents growth, independence, and giving a voice to the streets.

YS’s sound is a hybrid mix of genres like dark trap, darkspin, supertrap, and hoodtrap, a style he calls spintrap. This genre stands out through its use of unusual, sometimes bizarre 808s and catchy melodies that create a dark atmosphere. His mission is to put this self-invented sound on the global map and surprise the music industry with something completely new.

GIB is a rough diamond and truly one of a kind. He combines raw energy, sincere emotion, and playful touches into a unique sound. His music is rebellious, poetic, and honest. With his charismatic presence and fearless attitude, he’s a natural-born entertainer you simply can’t ignore.

SpaceStation is more than a music collective, it’s a creative space where various styles merge into a unique, boundary-pushing sound. From trap drums to ambient synths, rap, R&B, and experimental autotune, everything is blended into a futuristic sound that transcends genres.

PRODUCER

Ben Diggins blends the magic of the '90s and 2000s with modern electronic sounds. Through his label Clinical Records and his strong sense for the dancefloor, he delivers timeless, high-energy sets. After winning Michel de Hey’s Kweekvijver contest, he played at venues like Thuishaven, Toffler, and Shelter. His mission: to connect people through music!

sy-ki is an innovative electronic producer and vocalist who creates Mytho Trip-Pop, a danceable journey from start to finish, full of unexpected twists, live sample drumming, synthesis, and glitchy vocal processing. With transparent storytelling, she expresses her vision for a better future, inspired by ancient mythologies.

Sanjaya Arnold, a.k.a. Jaya, is a creative jack-of-all-trades and musical pioneer. He has explored many forms of expression, from spoken word to producing and DJing. All these disciplines converge in his DJ sets: raw, eclectic, and infused with gritty UK sounds. His sets are not just performances , they’re rituals: raw, rhythmic, and soulful, peeling back layers of identity, rhythm, and emotion.

ALSOTIMO, born in Rotterdam, started out young as a DJ. In previous years, under the name Timo Noize, he focused on heavier genres like drum & bass. Recently, he began producing UK garage and house. With melodies, fat basslines, and positive vibes, his sound is built for the dancefloor. Tough beats and a dose of Rotterdam pragmatism give his tracks the edge they need.

JESSIN is a producer with a passion for Brazilian rhythms and electronic dance music. He grew up playing saxophone and guitar, and has been addicted to Ableton since the age of 15. In Brazil, he immersed himself in the local music and culture; now he blends those influences with club sounds. Through his concept Wunderlust, he makes dance floors travel the world. His sound is increasingly shifting toward broken beats with organic percussion and hard synths.