From: Andreas Wallström Facebook page
Sad news just reached me that SID musician and old Flash Inc. group mate Francois Prijt has passed.
Francois was a DJ and producer, especially active in the hardcore/gabber music scene where he went under the name Chosen Few with fellow DJ Bastiaan de Waard. Francois is considered a pioneer in the hardcore/gabber scene having played at major events (e.g. Thunderdome, Mayday) and released tracks on labels such as Mokum Records, BZRK, Megarave, and Spleen Kick. He ran his own label too as far as I can remember.
source:
https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=10162162276368691&set=gm.1803909963826372&idorvanity=380392412844808
DJ Chosen (his real life DJ Nickname) Few was the alias of a Dutch hardcore producer François Prijt. He was also the head of the Chosen Few Recordz together with Shelley Webb aka Lady Chosen Few.
At the end of 1991 DJ Chosen Few began playing hardcore and became a resident DJ in a small club in the Amsterdam red-light district, and got his first international booking (Austria) in 1993. Over time, he played over 1000 events such as Mayday in Berlin, Nightmare in Rotterdam 1993, Mayhem and Enchanted in Australia, Thunderdome 1994 in Utrecht and 15 years of Thunderdome 2008, 20 years of Thunderdome 2012, Hellraiser in Amsterdam, Resurrection in Scotland, the biggest club in Europe: “Number One” in Italy and gigs in Poland, Hungary, Russia, the United States, Sweden, Switzerland etc. His style is a mix of early hardcore, gabber, up-tempo hardcore with a strong twist of drum & bass.
Although Chosen Few has been Francois’ solo project most of the time, he was joined by Bastiaan de Waard between 2008 and 2013.
Michel “François” Prijt passed away on 14 October 2025 at the age of 53.
Source: https://www.discogs.com/artist/6172-Chosen-Few
Early C64 Demoscene Days (1987–1991)
Francois Prijt’s musical journey began in 1987, when he started experimenting on the Commodore 64 at just 15 years old. What began as curiosity in hacking and phreaking soon shifted toward the incredible electronic music potential of the C64’s legendary SID chip.
He later described his early days this way:
“In the year 1987 I started experimenting on the Commodore 64 and went on and on and found my way into the world called hacking & phreakin =) After some years I wanted to make music on the C64 because I liked some tunes I heard from musical artists on that machine and was very impressed. I tried and tried and finally, after composing with 0 and 1s, I became better and better and even landed in some top 10s in that scene =).”
By the late 1980s and early 1990s, Prijt had become deeply embedded in the C64 demoscene, joining multiple groups and contributing to dozens of productions.
Demoscene Groups
- Audial Arts (1990–1992)
- Mega Industries
- Art & Beat Creations (1990)
- Flash Inc. (1991)
- Hitmen (1991)
- Ruthless (1990–1991)
Roles in the Scene
He worked as a coder, graphician, musician, and swapper—a rare combination that highlighted both his technical skill and artistic creativity.
Notable C64 Productions
His catalog spans demos, crack intros, music packs, tools, and disk magazines from 1990–2016. Notable releases include:
- Creation (1993)
- Something Fishy (2005)
- Rastertool (2016)
Prijt’s SID compositions leveraged the unique warmth and grit of the C64 sound chip, helping shape the chiptune style that became a cornerstone of the European demoscene.
Extensive Discography and Performances
Throughout his career, DJ Chosen Few released over 70 tracks on Mokum Records alone, with many more on additional influential labels. His music reflected the technical precision he developed during his Commodore 64 years, blending raw sampling power with the aggressive, signature sound of early hardcore.
His performances took him around the world, appearing at legendary events including:
- Thunderdome series
- Hellraiser
- Energy-Rave festivals
- Mayday celebrations
He played across Australia, the United States, Russia, and throughout Europe, becoming a true global ambassador for the hardcore movement.
Aliases and Creative Range
Beyond the name DJ Chosen Few, Francois Prijt showcased his versatility through several additional aliases, each exploring a different angle of electronic music. These included:
- The Original Gabber
- Strontium 9000
- Da Seduction
- Angel (2)
- Kirsty
- The Drunk Team
Each alias allowed him to experiment creatively while maintaining the unmistakable production character that defined his sound.
Legacy and Impact
Francois Prijt’s career stands as a unique bridge between the underground, technology-driven creativity of the Commodore 64 demoscene and the explosive rise of hardcore gabber. His technical background in SID chip composition shaped his approach to sampling, synthesis, and sound design, giving his tracks a distinctive edge that helped define the genre.
His passing in October 2025 at the age of 53 marked the end of an era, but his influence continues through the countless DJs and producers inspired by his work. He was remembered by peers as more than a musician—he was family, a driving force whose passion helped shape the hardcore scene into what it is today.
His enduring anthem “Name of the DJ” and his vast catalog ensure that his legacy as both a C64 SID composer and hardcore pioneer will continue to resonate for generations.
Key Career Highlights
- 1987 – Begins C64 experimentation at age 15
- 1990–1992 – Active member of several major C64 demoscene groups
- 1991 – Joins Mokum Records at age 20
- 1995 – Releases “Name of the DJ,” becoming a worldwide gabber anthem
- 1990s–2000s – Performs at major international hardcore festivals and events
- 2016 – Continues active C64 music production with modern releases
- 2025 – Passes away, leaving behind four decades of influence and innovation
From teenage C64 hacker to global hardcore icon, Francois Prijt’s journey is a testament to how creativity, technical skill, and passion can transcend boundaries—shaping electronic music history and inspiring countless artists worldwide.
here you can listen to C64 tunes of Francois Prijt
https://deepsid.chordian.net/?file=/MUSICIANS/A/Audial_Arts/Prijt_Francois/
On this link you can see his music producing catalogue under “Chosen Few” handle
https://www.discogs.com/artist/6172-Chosen-Few
Legends of the C64, Atari & Amiga scene 
Our loved ones will always be by our side, no matter where they are. I am now 82 years and still fighting for our beloved Commodore and Amiga Retro Computer.
I am so sorry that again a legend we lost.
Our thoughts and love will always be filled with your memory.
Rest in peace
Petro Tyschtschenko
former president of Amiga and employee at Commodore/Amiga from 1982 to 2001
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