Who Is Darude? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Darude, born on July 17, 1975, is a prominent Finnish DJ and music producer, widely recognized for his iconic 1999 hit "Sandstorm." As of 2025, Darude is 49 years old. His real name is Ville Virtanen, and he gained fame in the late 1990s and early 2000s, pioneering the EDM movement. Over the years, Darude has released several albums and singles, captivating audiences worldwide with his electrifying beats.
| Occupation | Musicians |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | July 17, 1975 |
| Age | 49 Years |
| Birth Place | Eura, Satakunta, Finland |
| Horoscope | Cancer |
| Country | Finland |
Popularity
Darude's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Darude stands at an impressive height of 6 feet (183 cm) and maintains an athletic build weighing around 180 lbs (82 kg). His dedication to fitness contributes to his energetic performances. As a public figure, he is often in the limelight, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle has been an essential part of his career as a DJ.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
In personal matters concerning relationships, Darude has remained quite private. As of 2025, there is limited public information about his dating life. He was previously linked to several individuals but has chosen to focus largely on his music career. Fans are keen to know whether he has a boyfriend or girlfriend currently, but Darude has kept this information away from the media spotlight.
Darude has a son (born 2009) and a daughter (born 2017) with his American wife, Michelle. He lived in Atlanta, in the United States, from the late 2000s to 2013. As of 2013, Darude has lived in Salo, Finland, with his family.
Net Worth and Salary
Darude's net worth is estimated to be around $10 million in 2025. His earnings come from various sources, including music sales, live performances, and lucrative partnerships with brands. With a career spanning over two decades, Darude's financial success reflects his talent and hard work in the competitive music industry.
Career, Business, and Investments
Darude's career took off with the release of "Sandstorm," which became a dance anthem and remains a staple in clubs worldwide. Beyond his music, Darude has ventured into various business endeavors, including his own production label. He has also collaborated with other artists in the electronic dance music scene, enhancing his brand and expanding his musical repertoire.
In 2025, Darude continues to perform at major music festivals and events across the globe, further solidifying his status as a DJ legend. He has also invested in various tech startups, showcasing his vision for the future of music and entertainment.
Virtanen started his career as a musician while studying at Turku Polytechnic, making music using his PC's tracker software. As his interest in music production rapidly grew, he moved on to more serious production techniques.
While at a classmate's party, Virtanen played the song "Rude Boy" (written by Swedish artist Leila K) several times in a row. This earned him the nickname "Rude Boy," which gradually morphed into "Da Rude" and then "Darude". Active in the Finnish music trance and house scene since 1995, Virtanen continued producing music into the 1990s.
He began occasionally releasing demos to radio stations beginning in 1997, and offering his music for download on MP3.com, making him an early adopter of online file sharing for music promotion.
Social Network
Darude is active on social media, where he connects with fans and shares insights into his life and career. You can follow him on platforms like:
His single "Tell Me" was released in Finland on April 11, 2007, and "My Game" on September 19, 2007. Label This! is the third studio album from Darude.
Released on October 24, 2007, in Finland and on October 27 in Europe, the American edition was released in 2008, with the notable inclusion of Darude's newest single, "I Ran (So Far Away)" featuring Blake Lewis, as the third track on the album.
The album did not chart as high as Darude's two previous album releases, though Gawker wrote that the album's single "In the Darkness" "is a floating, gossamer piece of trance music of the kind AraabMuzik spun into such magic on Electronic Dream.
Like 'Sandstorm,' it's tightly composed, easy to dance to, and has a soaring, undeniable hook." Darude was ranked No. 96 on the DJ List as of December 11, 2010 and No. 314 in the DJ Mag Top 100.
He has also recently completed remixes for artists such as ATB and The Thrillseekers, with radio play from Radio 1 personalities such as Pete Tong, Judge Jules, Ferry Corsten, and Paul Oakenfold. Darude co-founded the record label EnMass Music in 2011. Through EnMass Music, Darude released a DJ mix compilation titled Salmiakki Sessions Vol.
1 on December 20, 2011. The compilation is a reflection of his namesake radio mix show, and includes ten of his recent remix productions and eight of his track redone by Finnish artists and producers. Five of the tracks are previously unreleased exclusives for the compilation.
He took part in a label showcase for EnMasse in Amsterdam in October 2012.
Education
Darude studied at the University of Jyvaskyla, where he pursued a degree in music technology. His educational background equipped him with the skills necessary to navigate the evolving landscape of music production. The knowledge he gained during his studies has played a significant role in shaping his career and producing the chart-topping hits he is known for today.
