Robyn biography
Date of birth : 1979-06-12
Date of death : -
Birthplace : Stockholm, Sweden
Nationality : Swiss
Category : Arts and Entertainment
Last modified : 2010-06-02
Credited as : Electropop R&B singer-songwriter, ,
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Her big break came at 13, however, when the pop star Meja held a workshop at Robyn's school and heard her sing her song about her parents. In 1994, Meja got her a record contract with Sweden's Ricochet Records, which released her debut single, You've Got That Somethin' and the hit Do You Really Want Me (Show Respect). Though she was still only 16, Robyn began recording her debut album in 1995 with producers Max Martin and Denniz Pop and co-songwriters Ulf Lindstrem and Johan Ekhe. The results, Robyn Is Here, quickly topped the Swedish charts. When the album was released in the U.S. almost a year and a half later, the single Do You Know (What It Takes) hit the Top Ten, as did Show Me Love. She was set to support the Backstreet Boys on their 1997 tour, but she had to pull out of the shows due to exhaustion. In 1998 Robyn began work on her second album, My Truth, which was released the following year in Europe, where Electric was a smash hit single. However, Robyn's U.S. label didn't feel that America would respond to My Truth as it was, and suggested that she re-record parts of the album. She refused, and the album was not released in the States. Robyn also became a UNICEF ambassador in 1999 and traveled the world for two years.
She returned to music by contributing "Say You'll Walk the Distance" to the On the Line soundtrack, and moved from RCA to Jive for her 2002 album, Don't Stop the Music, which ended up being a Swedish-only release; only the album's singles were released in Europe. Despite the album's limited release, other artists covered songs from it, including Beverley Knight, who released a version of "Keep This Fire Burning." Disheartened by her continuing label troubles, Robyn returned to Stockholm in 2003, where she heard the Knife's debut album, Deep Cuts. She was so impressed by the duo's experimental, futuristic synth pop that she collaborated with them on her next single, Who's That Girl. However, her label didn't like the track and instead released 2004's Robyn's Best in the U.S. and another compilation in Sweden.
Robyn bought herself out of the rest of her contract, formed her own label, Konichiwa, in 2005, and collaborated with the Knife, the Teddybears STHLM's Klas Ahlund, and Alexander Kronlund. The single Be Mine and her fourth, self-titled album arrived later that year and earned several Swedish Grammys, including Best Album, Best Female Pop Artist, and Best Songwriter (which she shared with Ahlund). Robyn continued to gain momentum in 2006, appearing on Basement Jaxx's Crazy Itch Radio and releasing the Rakamonie EP, a collection of covers and alternate takes. Robyn was released in the U.K. in 2007, as was the single Konichiwa Bitches. The ballad "With Every Heartbeat" really reestablished Robyn in the U.K., reaching number one on the singles chart that summer. Rakamonie was finally released in the U.S. in early 2008.
In March 2010 Robyn appeared on the Swedish television series Dom kallar oss artister. She said that her goal is to have the new album out in June. She also said that the album will be very personal, like a diary. The track listing has been confirmed, including: "Don’t Fucking Tell Me What to Do" which is written by Robyn and Klas Åhlund, "None of Dem" with Röyksopp, "Dance Hall Queen" with Diplo, "Fembot" and "Dancing on My Own," written by Robyn and Patrik Berger.
In an interview for Swedish magazine Bon, Robyn stated that she will be releasing three new albums in 2010. The first is due in the spring, with subsequent albums released in the summer and autumn/winter. Robyn says about her new work- "I think this splitting a full album up into different releases is, in a way, how people listen to music as well. It’s more about songs now." "But for me this is not an EP or a lesser version of an album. It’s an album, but it’s maybe not the normal length.
Robyn will be embarking on the All Hearts Tour with American singer Kelis in support of the Body Talk albums.