Winne, born Winston Bergwijn in Paramaribo, Suriname, on April 20, 1978, is a Dutch rapper, record label owner, and cultural ambassador based in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Raised in Rotterdam, he began rapping in English under the name Static before switching to Dutch. He gained national attention with his tracks “Top 3 MC” in 2005 and “Pomp Die Shit!” in 2006, leading to a recording contract with Top Notch in 2006. His debut extended play, Onoverwinnelijk, was released in 2007, featuring the single “Begrijp me niet verkeerd”, whose music video won the 2008 State Award for Best Video. His debut studio album, Winne Zonder Strijd, was released in 2009, winning Best Album, Best Artist, and Best 101Barz Session at the State Awards. His subsequent studio albums include Oprecht Door Zee in 2018 and Mssyeh in 2025 on Couture 33, alongside chart-topping singles “W.I.N.N.E.” in 2009 and “Mooie Val” in 2015. In 2024, he donated a kidney to a childhood friend, and in 2025, he received the Laurenspenning for his cultural contributions to Rotterdam.
