Valentijn Antoon Remmert "Tijn" Verkerk (born 11 February 2002), known professionally as Antoon, is a Dutch singer, rapper, music producer and songwriter. He first rose to popularity with his 2020 single "Hyperventilatie", which became a hit on TikTok. He has released three studio albums since; De nacht is van ons in 2020, Engel in 2022, and Tot het eind van mij in 2026. In 2022, Antoon was the most streamed artist in the Netherlands.
Early life
Valentijn Verkerk was born on 11 February 2002 in Hoorn and grew up in Midwoud, North Holland. He was involved with music from a young age and started playing drums and classical piano from an early age. His parents recognized their son's musical talent early on and actively supported him, including by traveling all over the country together from the moment he was first booked as a DJ. This started when he was just thirteen years old. At the age of 15, he dropped out of secondary school and was accepted into the Herman Brood Academy, becoming the youngest student ever accepted there.
Music career
As a DJ and producer, Verkerk began his career by focusing primarily on EDM productions, but he developed his style by integrating hip hop and adding his own lyrics. At the Herman Brood Academy, he became acquainted with Twan van Steenhoven, known from his role in Big2 and The Opposites.
In May 2020, Antoon signed with Dreamteam Music, and rose to popularity when his first single, "Hyperventilatie", which was released in June 2020, went viral on the social media platform TikTok.
Antoon's first album, De nacht is van ons, was released in 2020. That same year, he released the EP Heilig water together with Big2. In 2021, he released several singles. In 2022, Antoon was nominated for the Edison 'Newcomer' award. He participated in the online television program Het Jachtseizoen by StukTV that year. In late 2022, he performed at the Ziggo Dome, and became the most streamed artist of 2022 on Spotify in the Netherlands. The song "Vluchtstrook", featuring Kris Kross Amsterdam and Sigourney K, became the most streamed single of 2022 in the Netherlands.
In 2023, he received the Qmusic Top 40 Award for 'Best National Artist' and the Edison in the pop category. That same year, the musical film "Antoon - Engel" was made about him, for which he was awarded the 'Kristallen Film' award.
In November 2025, Antoon released the song "Tot het eind van mij" as a tribute to his deceased mother. In January 2026, Antoon released his third studio album, Tot het eind van mij.
Personal life
Just before Antoon's breakthrough in 2020, his mother died of cancer. In the song "Onweer", he sings about the loss of his mother. His father works for him as a manager. He has an older and a younger sister.
