Robyn

Robyn (born Robin Miriam Carlsson, 12.6.1979)

Robyn is a Swedish pop singer and songwriter. She initially found fame in the 1990s, then again after a break from the limelight.

Robyn: The Early Years

At the age of 12, Robyn recorded the theme tune for a Swedish TV show, Lilla Sportspegeln. The same year, she performed her first self-penned song on another TV show, entitled Söndagsöppet. Then, in the early 1990s, the singer Meja visited Robyn's school, with her band Legacy of Sound. During a musical workshop, Meja was so intrigued by Robyn's talents, that she arranged a meeting with Robyn, her parents, and a management team. Robyn subsequently signed to Ricochet Records, Sweden, once she had completed her middle school education.

In 1994, she signed to RCA Records and released her debut single, 'You've Got That Somethin'. Her breakthrough single came later that year, in the guise of 'Do You Really Want Me (Show Respect)'. Both of these singles were eventually released on her debut album, entitled Robyn Is Here. The album was released in 1996 and that same year, she sang vocals on Blacknuss' 'Roll With Me'.

In 1997, Robyn entered the contest to represent Sweden in the Eurovision Song Contest but ended up in fourth place. Later that year, however, Robyn managed to crack the US market with the tracks 'Show Me Love' and 'Do You Know (What It Takes)'

The second album from Robyn was entitled My Truth and was released in 1999. The lead single, 'Electric' was a hit across Europe. Despite this, the album did not receive an international release.

After the release of My Truth, Robyn contributed to Christian Falk's solo album, Quel Bordel album, singing on the tracks 'Remember' and 'Celebration'. She also collaborated with Petter and had her song 'Say You'll Walk the Distance' covered by Darin Zanyar.

Don't Stop the Music was released in 2002 on Jive Records, another BMG subsidiary, with the lead singles being 'Keep This Fire Burning' and 'Don't Stop the Music'. The former track was covered by the UK soul singer Beverley Knight.

In 2004, Robyn parted company with her record label, when they reacted negatively to her new electro-pp sounding 'Who's That Girl?' Instead, she set up her own label, Konichiwa Records. Her first self-released album featured collaborations with respected artists such as The Knife, Alexander Kronlund and Teddybears. The single 'Be Mine' was the lead single from her fourth studio album: the eponymously titled Robyn. The album became number one in Sweden and earned Robyn three Swedish Grammy Awards. Robyn's profile was raised further when she appeared on Basement Jaxx's Crazy Itch Radio in 2006.

In the UK, Robyn released The Rakamonie EP as a precursor to 'Konichiwa Bitches'. Her self-titled EP was then released with two extra tracks: the hit single 'With Every Heartbeat' (with Kleerup) and Cobrastyle. In 2007, Robyn lent backing vocals to Britney Spears' 'Piece of Me' as well as being featured on the Fyre Department's remix of Snoop Dogg's 'Sexual Eruption'. The following year, Robyn was selected as an opening act for Madonna's Sticky & Sweet Tour. The following year, Robyn also featured on Royksopp's track 'The Girl and the Robot'.

Robyn's next album, featuring Kleerup, Diplo and Patrik Berger, was released in 2010, entitled Body Talk Part 1. It was set to be the first of three albums released the same year. The first single from the album was 'Dancing on My Own'. To support the album, Robyn scheduled a tour with Kelis.