Eva Simons

Eva Maria Simons is a Dutch singer-songwriter and music video director from Amsterdam. She is best known for her song "Policeman" and collaborations with artists such as Afrojack; in 2012, Simons broke through internationally after being featured on the will.i.am single "This Is Love". During her solo career she has released 12 singles, including "Bludfire" which appeared in November 2015.

Biography

Early life Raised in Amsterdam, Simons grew up in a family of musicians. Her mother is Ingrid Simons, a backing-singer and vocalist of Surinamese origin, who worked with Paul Elstak and T-Spoon, and was also a member of pop group Say When, whose 1987 single ‘Save Me’ was later reworked into Eurodance album ‘The Rhythm of the Night’ by Corona. Her grandfather was Dutch accordionist Johnny Meijer; her father was a pianist who inspired her to take up the instrument. In her early teens she was part of Jody's Kids, an ensemble that provided vocals for production music. She is a graduate from the Conservatorium van Amsterdam. In 2001 she sang on the single "I Believe in Love" by Cooper. After graduating in 2004 she entered the Dutch version of the Popstars The Rivals competition, where she was selected as one of the five members of the band Raffish. The five-piece had a hit-single with "Plaything" and released the album How Raffish Are You? in January 2005. Two further singles from the album failed to replicate the success and over the course of the summer of the same year, Simons announced that she was leaving the group.

2009–present In 2009, a demo of Simons' song "Silly Boy" was leaked on YouTube generating 4 million views. It caused a degree of confusion as some mistook it for an unreleased single by Lady Gaga or Rihanna. Upon confirming her authorship, she signed an initial contract with EMI for the release of the single.

In mid-2010, Eva and Mike Hamilton (also known as the writing team Topline Ink) wrote the song “Take Over Control”. They played the idea to DJ Afrojack, who produced the hit single, which spent 6 weeks on the Billboard Top Dance Airplay Chart, topped iTunes dance charts globally, and gained Platinum status in Australia and certified Gold in the US. The song became a globally dance crossover anthem, propelling the profiles of both Eva and Afrojack worldwide. On 24 July 2012 Simons released her second single, "Renegade", produced by J.O.B. On 14 May 2012 will.i.am premiered his new single "This Is Love" which features Simons' vocals. The song went on to become number 1 in multiple countries including the UK, and a top 10 hit in many other countries. In October of the same year Simons received a BMI Songwriting Award for "Take Over Control".

On 21 and 22 April 2013, Simons supported Beyoncé on The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour in the Netherlands. Shortly after that was announced in March, Pepsi launched an ad campaign in the Netherlands giving customers a chance to meet Simons when she performed at Beyoncé's tour. A song by Simons named 'Chemistry' used in the advert was released in the Netherlands 22 March 2013.

On 28 January 2014 Simons released a 'bootleg' remix of the Martin Garrix track "Animals". In June 2014 she married her longtime partner Sidney Samson in Amsterdam. That summer Simons also made her acting debut in the Dutch-language film Heksen Bestaan Niet aimed at the adolescent market.

On 10 April 2015 Simons released the single titled 'Policeman' through Powerhouse Music, a dancehall song produced by Sidney Samson. It was supported by a video directed by Rigel Kilston. On 23 November 2015 Simons released the single titled Bludfire (feat. Sidney Samson) that received airplay on the Dutch radio stations Radio 538 and SLAM!.

Simons released the single "Guaya" via the label Powerhouse Music on 17 July 2017. On 6 April 2018, Simons released her single titled "The One" via 8ball Music, which was produced by Boaz van de Beatz and Ruud van Schaik. 25 January 2019 saw Simons release her single "Like That" on the dance label Spinnin' Records. She performed the song live for the first time on RTL Late Night. In 2025 she played Mary in the Dutch live event and television program The Passion.

Discography Albums + List of collaboration albums, with selected chart positions Title Album details Peak chart positions NLD How Raffish Are You? (as part of Raffish)Released: 2005 14

Singles + List of solo singles, with selected chart positions Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications NLD AUS AUT BEL(WA) FRA GER SPA "Silly Boy" 2009 32 45 55 — — 36 — "I Don't Like You" 2012 — — — — — — — "Renegade" — — — — — — — "Chemistry" 2013 64 — — — — — — "Celebrate the Rain" 2014 23 — — — — — — "Policeman"(featuring Konshens) 2015 7 — — 9 12 49 90 BEA: Gold NVPI: Platinum "Bludfire"(featuring Sidney Samson) 56 — — 34 38 — — "Escape from Love"(with Sidney Samson) 2016 — — — — 69 — — "Heartbeat"(with Richard Orlinski) — — — — 1 — — SNEP: Gold "Guaya" 2017 — — — — — — — "Avalon" — — — — — — — "The One" 2018 — — — — — — — "Like That" 2019 — — — — — — — "Blessing" 2020 — — — — — — — "Christmas Will Be Better Next Year" — — — — — — — "Bebe" 2021 — — — — — — — "Baila" — — — — — — — "Tan" — — — — — — — "Close To You" 2022 — — — — — — — "Nooit Alleen (Dit Is Wat Mijn Mama Zei" 2023 — — — — — — —

+ List of collaboration singles, with selected chart positions TitleYearPeak chart positionsCertifications Album NLD FRA US "I Believe In Love"(as part of Cooper) 2000 64 — — — — — — — — —"Plaything"(as part of Raffish) 2004 1 — — — — — — — — —"Als Je Iets Kan Doen"(as part of Artiesten voor Azie)2005 1 — — — — — — — — —"Thursday Child"(as part of Raffish) 28 — — — — — — — — —"Let Go (DJ Chuckie Remix)"as part of Raffish ft. Gio 27 — — — — — — — — —"Silly Boy"(Dave Aude Radio Version) 2009 — — — — — — — — — — "Take Over Control"(Afrojack featuring Eva Simons) 2010 12 17 46 — 39 — 78 — 24 41 ARIA: Platinum RIAA: Platinum "Best Night"(LMFAO featuring will.i.am, GoonRock and Eva Simons) 2011 — — — — — — — — — — "This Is Love"(will.i.am featuring Eva Simons)2012 2 7 15 2 14 2 54 9 1 — ARIA: 2× Platinum BEA: Gold BPI: Gold #willpower "I Need More (Club Mix)"(Apster featuring Eva Simons) — — — — — — — — — — "Let's Do It Right"(The Young Professionals featuring Eva Simons)2014 — — — — — — — — — — "Unstoppable"(R3hab featuring Eva Simons) — — — — — — — — — — "This Girl"(Stafford Brothers featuring Eva Simons and T.I.) — — — — — — — — — —"Policeman (Jockeyboys Remix)"(Jockeyboys featuring Eva Simons & Konshens) 2015 — — 60 — — — — — — — BVMI: Gold "Heartbeat (Extended Mix)"(Richard Orlinkski featuring Eva Simons) 2016 — — — — — 25 — — — —"One + One"(Made In June featuring Eva Simons) 2018 — — — — — — — — — —"Bad Boy"(Jebroer featuring Eva Simons) 2021 — — — — — — — — — —"Flexin'"(Laidback Luke featuring Eva Simons) 2022 — — — — — — — — — —"Desire'"(Vanco featuring Eva Simons)2023 — — — — — — — — — —"Bad Love'"(Laidback Luke featuring Eva Simons) — — — — — — — — — —"Have It All'"(CHOCO featuring Eva Simons) — — — — — — — — — —"Todo Mucho'"(Laidback Luke, Sevek featuring Eva Simons) — — — — — — — — — — "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Other appearances Title Year Artist(s) Album "Pass Out" 2009 Chris Brown Graffiti "Mr & Mrs Smith" 2010 M. Pokora Mise à Jour "What Do They Know" Roll Deep Winner Stays On "Pressure in the Club" DJ Snake "Love The Girls" 2011 Chris Brown F.A.M.E. "Bulletproof" 2012 Doctor P Animal Vegetable Mineral Part 1 EP "Circle of One" 2017 Nicky Romero "Pienso En El Momento" 2019 Juan Magan 4.0

Tours Opening act Sorry For Party Rocking Tour (2012) The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour (2013) Purpose World Tour (2016)

Awards and nominations Year Ceremony Category / nominated work Result 2012MTV Europe Music AwardsBest Dutch Act BMI London AwardsPop Songs Award "Take Over Control"