Robyn

Biography

Robin Miriam Carlsson, known professionally as Robyn, is a Swedish singer, songwriter, record producer, and DJ born on June 12, 1979, in Stockholm, Sweden.[2][3] She was discovered by Swedish pop singer Meja in the early 1990s when Meja and her band, Legacy of Sound, visited Robyn's school as part of a musical workshop.[1][2] Impressed by Robyn's performance, Meja facilitated a meeting with her management. At age 14, after completing middle school education in 1993, Robyn signed with Ricochet Records Sweden (which was acquired by BMG in 1994), collaborating with producers Max Martin and Denniz Pop, who shaped her distinctive sound.[1][2]

Robyn began her pop music career at age 15, signing with RCA Records in 1994 and releasing her debut single "You've Got That Somethin'" in Sweden.[1][2] Her Swedish breakthrough came later that year with "Do You Really Want Me (Show Respect)." Her 1995 debut album Robyn Is Here achieved international success, producing two Billboard Hot 100 top 10 singles: "Do You Know (What It Takes)" and "Show Me Love."[1][2][4] Her second and third albums, My Truth (1999) and Don't Stop the Music (2002), were released primarily in Sweden and Europe.[1][2] In 2005, she released her fourth album, Robyn, which became her first number-one album in Sweden and earned her three 2006 Swedish Grammy Awards for Best Album, Best Writer (with Klas Åhlund), and Best Pop Female.[1][2]

Robyn is best known for her critically acclaimed electropop music, impressive live shows, and hit singles including "With Every Heartbeat" (UK number one) and "Dancing On My Own" (UK number 8, Sweden number one).[3] Her musical style is influenced by electronica, rap, R&B, and new-age music.[1][2][3] She has maintained a presence in the music industry since 1989 and has collaborated with notable artists including Norwegian electronic band Röyksopp and served as supporting act for Madonna's Sticky & Sweet Tour at select European dates in 2008.[3]

Fun Facts

• Robyn recorded her first professional song, "Du kan alltid bli nummer ett" ("You Can Always be Number One"), as the theme song for the Swedish television show Lilla Sportspegeln at just 12 years old in 1991.[2]
• Her second album My Truth (1999) was not released in the United States despite her earlier US success with Robyn Is Here, due to the album's discussion of an abortion the singer had experienced.[3]
• In January 2009, Robyn won a Swedish Grammis Award for Best Live Act 2008, recognizing her impressive live performance abilities.[3]
• The title track from her 2002 album Don't Stop the Music was later covered by Swedish girl group Play, and the lead single "Keep This Fire Burning" was covered by British soul singer Beverley Knight.[1][2]

Associated Acts

• Robyn & La Bagatelle Magique - eponymous, original

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Meja - Swedish pop singer who discovered Robyn during a musical workshop at her school in the early 1990s and facilitated her initial management meeting (Discovery and early career development) [Early 1990s]
• Max Martin - Producer who collaborated with Robyn and helped shape her distinctive gritty pop sound (Early albums including Robyn Is Here) [1994-1990s]
• Denniz Pop - Producer who collaborated with Robyn and contributed to her early sound development (Early albums including Robyn Is Here) [1994-1990s]

Key Collaborators

• Klas Åhlund - Swedish producer and songwriter from Teddybears who collaborated on Robyn's self-titled album (Robyn (2005 album)) [2005]
• The Knife - Swedish electronic duo who collaborated on Robyn's self-titled album (Robyn (2005 album)) [2005]
• Röyksopp - Norwegian electronic band featuring Robyn on the single 'The Girl and the Robot' (The Girl and the Robot from album Junior) [2009]
• Ulf Lindstrom and Johan Ekhe - Writing and production collaborators who assisted on early albums (Early albums until 2003) [1990s-2003]

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #alternative-dance, #alternative-indie-rock, #club