Robyn

Robyn is the stage name of Swedish singer-songwriter Robin Miriam Carlsson, who is born in Stockholm in 1979. She works in pop and electropop, and becomes known for combining electronic influences with dance-pop and for her live performances.

Early career

She starts her career in the Swedish pop industry as a teenager and signs to Ricochet Records Sweden, a BMG subsidiary, after being noticed by singer Meja. Before that, she already works in music as a child, recording the theme song for the Swedish television programme Lilla Sportspegeln and performing it on television. Her parents are actors, and she also appears on stage as a child in Kronbruden at Dramaten.

In 1994 she signs to RCA Records and releases her debut single, “You’ve Got That Somethin’”, followed by “Do You Really Want Me (Show Respect)”. Her first album, Robyn Is Here, appears in 1996. In the United States, she breaks through in 1997 with the singles “Show Me Love” and “Do You Know (What It Takes)”, both of which reach the Billboard Hot 100 top 10.

Albums, labels and collaborations

Her second album, My Truth, is released in Sweden in 1999 and later in parts of Europe. The single “Electric” helps the album reach number two in Sweden. The record is not issued internationally because it deals with an abortion she has had.

During this period and afterwards, she works with several artists and producers, including Max Martin, Denniz Pop, Ulf Lindström, Johan Ekhé, Christian Falk, Petter, Basement Jaxx, Snoop Dogg, Röyksopp, Kleerup, and deadmau5. She contributes to Christian Falk’s Quel Bordel and People Say, Petter’s self-titled album, the On the Line soundtrack, Basement Jaxx’s Crazy Itch Radio, Fleshquartet’s Voices of Eden, and Röyksopp’s Junior.

Konichiwa Records and later releases

In 2005 she leaves Jive Records and sets up her own label, Konichiwa Records, which she uses to release her music, including Robyn and the Body Talk series. Before that label shift, she releases Don’t Stop The Music in Sweden in 2002, after moving from RCA to Jive within BMG. That album includes the singles “Keep This Fire Burning” and “Don’t Stop The Music”.

Her 2005 single “Be Mine!” is followed by the album Robyn, which becomes her first number one album in Sweden. The record includes work with Klas Åhlund, The Knife and Alexander Kronlund, and draws on electronic, rap and R&B influences. It earns her three Swedish Grammy Awards in 2006 for best album, best writer with Klas Åhlund, and best female pop artist.

International success and Body Talk

In 2007 she releases a revised edition of Robyn in the UK, adding “With Every Heartbeat” and “Cobrastyle”. “With Every Heartbeat”, a collaboration with Kleerup, reaches number one in the UK singles chart. Other singles from this period include “Handle Me”, “Be Mine!”, “Who’s That Girl” and “Dream On”.

Her Body Talk project appears in three parts in 2010, with Klas Åhlund as the main producer. The first part includes “Fembot”, “Dancehall Queen” and “None of Dem”, while “Dancing On My Own” becomes one of her defining songs, reaching number one in Sweden and number eight in the UK. The second part includes “Hang With Me” and “You Should Know Better” with Snoop Dogg. The final album, Body Talk, combines songs from the earlier parts with new material, including “Indestructible”.

Awards, touring and live work

Robyn wins a Grammis Award for Best Live Act for 2008. She supports Madonna on select European dates of the Sticky & Sweet Tour in 2008, and performs “Hyperballad” at the Polar Music Prize in 2010. Her live reputation remains closely associated with her electropop recordings and stage performances.

Other notable songs and appearances

Her recordings also include “Call Your Girlfriend”, released in 2011, and she appears on remixes and guest tracks with artists such as Snoop Dogg. “Dancing On My Own” is nominated for Best Dance Recording at the Grammy Awards, and it receives strong critical attention, including placements on end-of-year lists.