Lil' Kleine
A Dutch chart dominator who fused rap and melodic pop, creating anthems that defined a generation's party soundtrack.
Born 1994 (age 32)·Musical artist·Birthday: October 15·Millennials
Biography
Jorik Scholten, aka Lil' Kleine, erupted from the Dutch scene not with a whisper but with a stadium-sized chorus. His collaboration with Ronnie Flex on 'Drank & Drugs' was a cultural reset, a raw, catchy track that topped charts and ignited debates, cementing the 'New Wave' sound in the Netherlands. Kleine mastered a blend of streetwise rap and infectious pop melody, making him inescapable. His albums, often created in tandem with producer Jack $hirak, were event releases, packed with hits that played everywhere from clubs to radio. His career has been a rollercoaster of massive commercial success, high-profile relationships, and public scrutiny, mirroring the hedonistic themes of his music. More than just a rapper, Lil' Kleine became a phenomenon, a figure who shaped the sound of contemporary Dutch pop music and whose influence is felt in every artist who tries to bridge the gap between the gritty and the glossy.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Lil' was born in 1994, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Lil' Was Born
The biggest hits of 1994
#1 Movie
The Lion King
Best Picture
Forrest Gump
#1 TV Show
Seinfeld
Lil''s Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1994Born
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
1999Started school
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2007Became a teenager
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2010Could drive
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2012Could vote
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2015Turned 21
Paris climate agreement; same-sex marriage legalized in the US
Gas: $2.43/galHome: $171,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Uptown Funk" — Mark Ronson ft. Bruno MarsBest Picture: Spotlight
2024Turned 30
AI reshapes industries; Paris Olympics
Gas: $3.31/galHome: $372,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Espresso" — Sabrina CarpenterBest Picture: Anora
2026Age 32 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- His single 'Drank & Drugs' with Ronnie Flex spent weeks at number one, becoming one of the most iconic Dutch hits of the 2010s.
- The collaborative album 'Wop!' with Ronnie Flex debuted at number one on the Dutch album charts.
- Has won multiple Edison Awards, the Netherlands' most prestigious music prize.
- His solo album 'Alleen' also achieved number-one status on the Dutch charts.
Did You Know?
'Lil' Kleine' translates to 'Little Little' in English, a playful nickname from his youth.
He had a highly publicized relationship and child with fellow Dutch singer and TV personality Chantal Janzen.
He made his acting debut in the 2018 film 'God Only Knows'.
“We turned the streets into our stage, and the whole country sang along.”
