MØ is the stage name of Karen Marie Ørsted, a Danish singer-songwriter from Odense, Denmark. She is born in 1988 and comes through as a solo artist, although she has also sung in the punk duo MOR in her teenage years.

Early life and influences

Ørsted begins making music after being inspired by the Spice Girls at the age of seven. In her teens she performs in MOR and cites Kim Gordon as a major influence and role model. In her early twenties she develops an interest in hip-hop, and those influences feed into her own electro-pop sound. Her stage name, MØ, means “maiden” or “virgin” in Danish.

Career

In 2012, MØ begins working with Ronni Vindahl on her first recordings. The first tracks include Glass and Pilgrim, released in 2013. Pilgrim charts in Denmark and earns her recognition as P3s Uundgåelige, a title used by Danish radio station DR P3 for rising artists. Later in 2013 she releases her debut EP, Bikini Daze, and wins the P3 Guld award in December.

Her debut album, No Mythologies to Follow, appears in 2014 and is followed by touring in Europe and North America. The album is supported by the singles Don't Wanna Dance, a cover of the Spice Girls song Say You'll Be There, and Walk This Way.

Collaborations and chart success

In 2014, MØ features on Iggy Azalea’s single Beg for It and appears on Saturday Night Live. The track becomes her first entry on the US Billboard charts, peaking at number 27. In 2015 she contributes vocals to Lean On, the Major Lazer and DJ Snake single, which reaches number 4 in the US and tops charts in several other countries. In 2016 she releases Kamikaze and Final Song ahead of her second studio album; both chart in several countries, and Final Song reaches number 1 in the UK. She also appears on Major Lazer’s Cold Water with Justin Bieber, which reaches number 2 on the Billboard charts.