Oliver Nelson & Tobtok bring Nena’s classic “99 Red Balloons” to dancefloors

Written by on 20 May 2018


To celebrate the 35th anniversary of Nena’s “99 Red Balloons” emerging Nordic talents Oliver Nelson and Tobtok have teamed up to create a modern dance floor version of the 80’s classic “99 Red Balloons” – out now on Astralwerks.

Oliver Nelson and Tobtok’s approach to the track is to stay true to the original. Melodically, an incredible Future House instrumental compliments the classic arrangement while vocalist River makes it her own with a unique take on the lyrics.

“We decided to maintain the 80’s vibe yet make it contemporary and used the iconic bassline as the lead-melody and it turned out a really cool mixture!”Oliver Nelson x Tobtok

Oliver Nelson’s productions have amassed 235 million plus streams across platforms such as YouTube, Spotify and Soundcloud. Career highlights include releasing music on Kistuné and being a resident DJ in Europe for the tastemaker French label in addition to touring around the world, his own Toolroom Records mix compilation, his remix of NEIKED’s “Sexual” and Ella Henderson’s “Ghost,” his Polydor single “Found Your Love” and his first ever collaboration with Tropical House king Kygo titled “Riding Shotgun.”

Tobtok aka Tobias Karlsson has long been affiliated with some of the coolest artists and labels in dance music including Kitsune, Good Soldier, Perfect Havoc and Ministry of Sound/Sony while receiving support from BBC Radio 1 Pete Tong, Mistajam, Zane Lowe, Annie Nightingale and Phil Taggart, among others.

Oliver Nelson is on tour in the United States in March 2018. He will be joined by Tobtok in London on January 31 for a groundbreaking 3D performance on the largest audio spatialisation system in the world. The performance will take place under the Banksy Tunnel at Aures London.