Biography
Who is DJ BoBo?
Early life and real name
The artist known as DJ BoBo was born Peter René Baumann. He arrived on January 5, 1968, in the Swiss town of Kölliken. His parents are Luigi Cipriano and Ruth Baumann. As a young man, he initially considered pursuing a career path in the confectionery and bakery industry.
This career choice did not last long, as he developed a strong interest in dancing after finishing high school. He became deeply involved in the local breakdancing scene and participated in many dance competitions. His acrobatic style helped him reach the top ten of a German dance contest called Disco Kings.
Starting a DJ career
Baumann began working as a disc jockey in 1985. A year later, he placed as a runner-up in the Swiss DJ Championships. He gained practical experience by spinning records at various Swiss night-clubs, including venues named Don Paco and Hazyland.
He soon decided to focus on creating his own music. In late 1989, he released his first single titled I Love You. By 1991, he had released two additional singles, Ladies in the House and Let's Groove On. The latter track performed well enough to be included on his debut studio album.
International breakthrough
The artist achieved his first major international success in November 1992 with the single Somebody Dance with Me. This track reached number one in Switzerland and Sweden and secured top five positions in several other European countries. The song was certified gold in Germany for selling over 250,000 units.
He followed this success with the single Keep on Dancing, which also charted in the top ten across various parts of Europe. His debut album, titled Dance with Me, arrived in October 1993 and maintained a presence on European charts for a significant period. He subsequently released the single Take Control, which earned another gold certification in Germany.
Career milestones and awards
Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, the artist earned numerous accolades for his commercial performance. He received multiple World Music Awards for his status as Switzerland's best-selling artist. By 1996, he had secured eight consecutive gold records in Germany. That same year, he released the album World in Motion, which reached the third position on the German charts and achieved platinum status.
His experimental approach continued with the 1998 album Magic, which topped the Swiss charts for four consecutive weeks. He also collaborated with American singer Irene Cara on the 2001 single What a Feeling, a cover of the original hit from the film Flashdance. Throughout his career, he has performed big shows, including a tour that attracted over one million spectators across Europe.
Birthday and age
DJ BoBo was born on January 5, 1968, which makes DJ 58 years old today. That birthday falls under the Capricorn sign. DJ shares the date with 50 other famous people.
Explore more
