First State is a project of Sander van Dien and Shane Halcon. First State has released numerous singles, remixes and albums and compilations, most of which gained recognition within the world wide Trance scene. Ralphie B, left the group in 2009 and Shane Halcon joined soon after.
In 2010, the record label First State Music was announced together with First State Deep and First State House. Three new partner labels of Black Hole Recordings. First State Music is owned and managed by Sander van Dien and Shane Halcon.