Hits Unlimited

Biography

Hits Unlimited is not a distinct musical artist or band but the title of a 1995 greatest hits compilation album by the Belgian-Dutch Eurodance act 2 Unlimited, marking the final release featuring original front members Ray Slijngaard and Anita Doth before their departure in 1996[1][2]. Founded in 1991 in Antwerp, Belgium, by producers Jean-Paul De Coster and Phil Wilde, 2 Unlimited initially operated as a studio project without live performers until Slijngaard, a Dutch rapper, and Doth, a Dutch vocalist from Amsterdam, were brought on board following their contributions to early tracks[1][3]. The group achieved massive worldwide success from 1991 to 1996 with high-energy Eurodance hits like 'No Limit,' 'Get Ready for This,' and 'Twilight Zone,' selling 18 million records globally and becoming staples in sports events, particularly in the US NBA and NHL[1][3][4].

The Hits Unlimited album compiled 13 prior singles plus three new tracks, including 'Do What's Good for Me' and 'Jump for Joy,' and was certified gold in the Netherlands while charting internationally, though it fueled rumors of the group's split[1][2]. Post-1996, 2 Unlimited continued with new vocalists and producers De Coster and Wilde, releasing further material like the 1998 album II, but never recapturing early peak success; reunions occurred in 2009 and later, with ongoing activity as of 2022 featuring Slijngaard and new vocalist Michèle Karamat Ali[1]. The Hits Unlimited era encapsulated 2 Unlimited's classic Eurodance style—characterized by rapid beats, rap verses, and soaring female vocals—leaving a legacy as a defining act of 1990s dance music[2][3].

Fun Facts

• The Hits Unlimited release in 1995 sparked split rumors for 2 Unlimited, which became reality shortly after when Slijngaard and Doth declined to renew their contracts[1].
• Ray Slijngaard's raps were omitted from verses on the UK edition of Hits Unlimited, altering the album's sound for that market[2].
• Anita Doth was working as a traffic warden in Amsterdam when Ray Slijngaard recruited her for 2 Unlimited after she added vocals to an early demo[1].
• 2 Unlimited tracks from the Hits Unlimited era, like 'Get Ready for This,' remain popular anthems at US sports events despite limited US chart success[3][4].

Musical Connections

Key Collaborators

• Jean-Paul De Coster - co-founder and music producer (Hits Unlimited album and all early 2 Unlimited releases) [1991-1996]
• Phil Wilde - co-founder and music producer (Hits Unlimited album and all early 2 Unlimited releases) [1991-1996]
• Ray Slijngaard - rapper and frontman on final album (Hits Unlimited (featured on all tracks)) [1991-1996]
• Anita Doth - vocalist and frontwoman on final album (Hits Unlimited (featured on all tracks)) [1991-1996]

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia