Kygo
Artist Facts
Active: 2009-present
Name: Kygo (born Kyrre Gorvell Dahll)
Genre: Deep House, Tropical House, Down Tempo, Progressive House
Birth Date: September 11, 1996
Place of Birth: Singapore
Artist Background
This Singapore born DJ, musician and producer produces a World Rock sound influenced by a globe-trotting upbringing in Brazil, Kenya, Egypt and Japan. With a Norwegian following and heavy social media presence, he has both topped the charts and gained notoriety for collaborating with a host of vocalists.
Born in Singapore Kygo’s childhood was spent with stepbrother Mads, sisters Johanne and Jenny, and little half-brother Sondre, traversing across Brazil, Kenya, Egypt and Japan.
Kygo’s musical journey started with piano lessons at 6 years old. A decade later, he traded the piano for the producing seat at Logic Studio. Armed with a MIDI keyboard, he honed the craft by watching a variety of YouTube tutorials. That led to his decision to pursue music full-time after studying business and finance at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland, thanks to the inspiration of Swedish DJ Avicii.
Artist Music Career
Kygo’s upward trajectory began with his first single, “Epsilon,” which released on May 15, 2013 on the Romania Ensis Records label. The he lit the scene with “Firestone,” a December 1, 2014 release featuring vocalist Conrad aka Conrad Sewell. The project garnered international attention by charting across the globe. Racked up more than 80 million hits on YouTube and SoundCloud, Kygo was tapped by Avicii and by Coldplay’s Chris Martin to remix “Midnight.” Kygo also hit the stage at the Findings Festival in Oslo, Norway in 2014. As the year progressed, Avicci had growing health concerns that led Kygo to replace him on the TomorrowWorld mainstage on September 19, 2014.
In the July 2014 issue of Billboard magazine, Kygo told writer Matt Medved what it was like to partner with Diplo and Coldplay for the remix project, as well as his plans to tour North America. In that same month he collaborated with EDM lifestyle brand Electric Family to create a bracelet, with proceeds benefitting Medecins Sans Frontières. That busy month also included Kygo signing record deals with Sony International and Ultra Music.
He was also featured in an interview for Billboard magazine, where he talked to writer Matt Medved about his remixes for Diplo and Coldplay, and talked about his upcoming tour in North America. In July 2014, he signed a record label deal with Sony International and Ultra Music.
In February 2015, Kygo’s song “ID” was featured in the official trailer for Ultra Music Festival. The same track was also showcased at well known association football video game FIFA 16. In August 2015, Kygo headlined at Lollapalooza in the Windy City. Kygo graced U.S. television with an October 2015 appearance on “The Late Late Show” with James Cordon.
Kygo’s third single, “Nothing Left,” debuted July 31, 2015, and featured Will Heard, going on to top the Norwegian Singles Chart. Less than two months later, his fourth single “Here for You,” featured Ella Henderson debuted at the Ultra Music Festival. His fifth single, “Stay,” closed out 2015 with 1 billion Spotify hits.
Kygo’s second studio album, “Kids in Love,” dropped October 2017 and led to a tour, followed by the March 2018 release of “Remind Me to Forget,” featuring Miguel.
Artist Major Works and Achievements
“Stole the Show,” 2015 winner of YouTube Music Video Award
Kygo, 2015 winner of MTV Europe Music Awards and International Dance Music Awards for Best Norwegian Act, Best Break-Through DJ, Best Solo Break-Through Artist.
“Stole the Show,” 2015 winner of International Dance Music Awards Best Chill-Out/Lounge Track
Kygo, Spellemannprisen, 2016 winner Arets Spellemann Spellemann of the Year
“Stole the Show,” 2016 winner Arets Lat (Song of the Year)
“It Ain’t Me,” featuring Selena Gomez, 2017 winner LOS40 Music Awards Best International Video
