DJ Tiësto, due in part to his legendary six-hour, energetic live sets, has been elevated to mythical status as one of the world's foremost trance DJs. A native of Breda, Netherlands (born Tijs Verwest on January 17, 1969), Tiësto first starting playing out at a well-known club in his hometown called the Sprock. Discovered there by the GM of Rotterdam-based Basic Beat Recordings, Tiësto released his first of five mix CDs as a part of the label's Forbidden Paradise series.

Coupled by quick success and his accelerated work ethic, Tiësto soon partnered with Arny Bink and, in late 1997, started Black Hole Recordings as a private label for his productions and mixes which became the birthplace for both his Space Age and revered Magik series (volume seven hit during the summer of 2001). In addition to these acclaimed series, Black Hole also brought the world the first mix compilations from artists such as Ferry Corsten, Johan Gielen, and Armin Van Buuren, and introduced yet another prized series called In Trance We Trust.