K3

K3 is a beloved Belgian-Dutch girl group built around bright, family-friendly pop music aimed primarily at children and their parents. The original trio, Karen Damen, Kristel Verbeke and Kathleen Aerts, launched in 1997 with the single «Wat ik wil», but it was the joyful hit «Heyah Mama» later that year that turned them into household names across Flanders and the Netherlands.

The group's sound is built on upbeat, sing-along pop hooks, playful storytelling and colorful, theatrical stage presentation, exemplified by hits like «Tele-Romeo» and «Oya Lélé». In 2009, Kathleen Aerts left and was replaced by Josje Huisman, winner of the televised search K2 zoekt K3; this lineup continued the group's chart success with albums such as MaMaSé! and Eyo!.

In 2015, all three original members retired, succeeded by Hanne Verbruggen, Klaasje Meijer and Marthe De Pillecyn, chosen through K3 zoekt K3; their debut album «10.000 luchtballonnen» became one of the group's biggest successes. In 2021, Julia Boschman replaced Klaasje Meijer after winning K2 zoekt K3, continuing the group alongside Hanne and Marthe. Across more than two decades and multiple lineup changes, K3 has remained a defining institution in Dutch-language children's pop, blending catchy songwriting with an ever-renewing, youthful image.