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Famous Swedes – Artists & Producers Part 1

Source: Canva

Sweden is home to many internationally famous artists. The fact is that, after the United States, Sweden is also the country with the largest net export of music worldwide, according to a report from Export Music Sweden. Therefore, thanks to several talented musicians, our country has become a recognized force in the music scene. Let’s look at some famous Swedish musicians who have helped put Sweden on the map.

Avicii

Avicii, or Tim Bergling, was born September 8, 1989, in Stockholm and died April 20, 2018, in Muscat, Oman. He was a Swedish DJ, musician, remixer, songwriter, singer, and music producer. Avicii broke through internationally in 2011 with the song Levels, which reached number one in several countries. 

Avicii released many other international songs in the following years, such as Wake Me Up! (which stayed at the top of "Billboard's "Dance/Electronic" music chart for 14 weeks), Hey Brother, Waiting for Love, and Addicted to You. He was widely regarded as one of the most talented and successful electronic musicians of his generation, and he received numerous awards, including Grammy nominations and wins, for his contributions to music.

Max Martin

Max Martin, whose real name is Karl Martin Sandberg, born on February 26, 1971, in Stockholm, Sweden, is a Swedish songwriter, record producer, and musician. He is one of the most successful and influential figures in the history of the music industry, and he is renowned for his ability to create chart-topping hits. He has produced and written numerous successful songs for artists across various genres, including pop, rock, and R&B. 

Martin has worked with some of the biggest names in the music industry, including Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys, *NSYNC, Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, Ariana Grande, The Weeknd, and many others. Max Martin has won numerous awards for his contributions to the music industry, including Grammy Awards, Billboard Music Awards, and the Polar Music Prize. He was also inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2016.

Roxette

Roxette was a Swedish pop-rock duo consisting of Marie Fredriksson (vocalist) and Per Gessle (songwriter, guitarist, and vocalist). Formed in 1986, Roxette became one of the most successful and internationally acclaimed musical acts to come out of Sweden. The group gained international fame in the late 1980s and early 1990s with a string of hit singles, including "The Look," "Listen to Your Heart," "It Must Have Been Love" (featured in the movie "Pretty Woman"), and "Joyride."

Roxette achieved significant success in the United States, with several singles reaching the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart. "The Look" and "It Must Have Been Love" became number-one hits in the U.S. They also received numerous awards during their career, including several Swedish Grammy Awards and BMI Awards for their contributions to the music industry. Sadly, Marie Fredriksson passed away on December 9, 2019, after a long battle of illness.

ABBA

Abba is a Swedish pop group that was active for ten years, between 1972 and 1982, and before the launch of its last studio album, released in 2021. The group comprises two former married couples, Björn Ulvaeus and Agnetha Fältskog, and Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid "Frida " Lyngstad. 

The band's big international breakthrough came in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1974 when they won with the song "Waterloo". ABBA is considered one of the biggest bands in music history, with over 400 million records sold, worldwide success, and Sweden's most successful music export.

Zara Larsson

Zara Larsson is a Swedish singer and songwriter born on December 16, 1997, in Solna, Sweden. Zara gained national fame in 2008 when she won the talent show "Talang," the Swedish version of "Got Talent," at ten years old. This victory marked the beginning of her successful music career. 

The artist released her debut studio album, "1," in 2014, which included hit singles like "Uncover" and "Lush Life." "Uncover" became a massive success in Sweden and several other countries. Still, her international breakthrough came with the single "Lush Life" in 2015. The song charted in multiple countries and earned her widespread recognition. Zara Larsson has since then collaborated with various artists, including British singer MNEK for the hit single "Never Forget You" (2015) and Clean Bandit for the song "Symphony" (2017).

Galantis

Galantis is a Swedish electronic music duo formed in 2012, consisting of Christian Karlsson and Linus Eklöw. Christian Karlsson, also known as Bloodshy, is a prominent Swedish producer and songwriter who has worked with artists like Britney Spears and Madonna. Linus Eklöw, also known as Style of Eye, is a DJ and producer known for his work in the electronic dance music (EDM) scene.

Galantis' breakthrough came with the release of the single "Runaway (U & I)" in 2014. The song became a massive hit, reaching the top of the charts in several countries. The duo has collaborated with artists like OneRepublic, Dolly Parton, and ROZES.