Madcon
| Madcon | |
|---|---|
 Madcon (2010) | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Oslo, Norway |
| Genres | Electropop, dance-pop, hip hop |
| Instruments | Singing, rapping |
| Years active | 1992–present |
| Labels | Cosmos, Columbia, Sony Music Nasty Kutt, Bonnier Amigo Music Norway AS, RCA Records, Universal Republic, Warner Music, Just Music |
| Website | Madcon Official Website |
| Members |
Tshawe Baqwa Yosef Wolde-Mariam |
Madcon is a Norwegian dance/hip hop duo formed in 1992 by Yosef Wolde-Mariam and Tshawe Baqwa.
Madcon quickly established themselves in the Nordic music industry releasing 5 albums to date.
History
Madcon, a shortened form of Mad Conspiracy[1] released their first single, "God Forgive Me" in 2000 (Virgin Records), but their first commercial breakthrough came with the hit single "Barcelona" in 2002 with long-time collaborators Paperboys (on the Bonnier Amigo record label). In 2004, Madcon released their first official album "It's All A Madcon" (AA-Recordings/Bonnier Amigo), for which they won a Norwegian Grammy and several other awards. In 2005, Madcon were TV personalities on the Nordic music channel The Voice, while working on their music in the studio.[citation needed] The show "The Voice of Madcon", a behind-the-scenes of the duo, was a great success for both Madcon and the network.
In autumn 2007, band member Tshawe Baqwa was invited to take part in the popular reality television program Skal vi danse?, the Norwegian version of Dancing with the Stars eventually winning that year's series.[citation needed]
Their second album, entitled So Dark The Con Of Man, was published in 2007 on 3 December. In the United Kingdom, at the RCA, the album charted on the UK album charts at number 137th. In Norway, the album was certified gold in 3 hours and platinum in 3 days. The album featured soul singer Noora Noor and Paperboys on two of the songs.[citation needed]
In 2008, Madcon published a cover version of a 1967 Four Seasons song "Beggin", earning the group several #1 chart positions in Europe (including France, Portugal, Norway and Russia), and a global position # 2 on the European Billboard Hot 100 chart. In addition, they achieved 9 x platinum in Norway, and were No. 1 on the official Norwegian sales charts for 12 weeks, making "Beggin" one of the biggest hits of all times in Norway. Madcon’s cover of "Beggin" was created by 3Elementz(now ELEMENT), who also produced the other singles “So Dark The Con Of Man", and all tracks of the "Inconvenient Truth" album. They led the World Music Awards on November 10, 2008, and won the World's Best Selling Norwegian Artist Award. "Beggin" reached Gold sales in the U.S.
After several negotiations, Madcon's label (Bonnier Amigo) signed a licensing agreement with Sony BMG for Central Europe, Great Britain, Australia and New Zealand, Universal Republic in the U.S., Warner Music in Spain, and Just Music in South Africa. Madcon have also hosted the Norwegian version of Don't Forget the Lyrics!, "Kan du Teksten?" on TV 2 (Norway).
Their third album, "Inconvenient Truth" was released all over Europe in early to mid-2009, and the group saw other major releases, including in USA, Japan and Australia.
Madcon performed their song "Glow", as the background of the "Eurovision 2010 Flashmob dance" that aired in the Eurovision Song Contest 2010 Interval act. The song became another one of the biggest hits of all times in Norway, reaching more than 10 times platinum status in Norway and platinum in Germany. The song was produced by ELEMENT.[2]
In 2011, during the gala awards ESKA Music Awards 2011 in Poland, was awarded the International Band of the Year.[3]
Madcon reached platinum status with the hit single "Freaky Like Me" feat. Ameerah produced by Norwegian hit producer DreamRoc'a, also known as Sha Arjang Shishegar and TJ Oosterhuis. "Freaky Like Me' is the group's 3rd biggest international hit.
In the Eurovision Song Contest 2010 which took place in Oslo, Norway they performed their hit song "Glow" as an interval act.
Musical style and performance
Madcon describe [4] their musical style as a retro-urban mix with influences from funk, soul and hip hop (with additional elements from reggae, Latin and African musical influences).
Madcon's song "Beggin" was also featured in the movies Step Up 3, Street Dance 3D, Just Go With It, and the theatrical trailer for Bad Teacher. It was sung by Philip Phillips on American Idol in 2012, and by Bill Downs and Max Milner in the Battle Rounds of The Voice UK Series 1.[5]
Discography
- It's All a Madcon (2004)
- So Dark the Con of Man (2007)
- An InCONvenient Truth (2008)
- Contraband (2010)
- Contakt (2012)
- Icon (2013)
References
- ↑ (in Norwegian)
- ↑ http://www.elementmusicworld.com
- ↑ "Alexis Jordan received the first prize". May 29, 2011. Retrieved May 29, 2011.
- ↑ "Madcon Official Myspace page" Retrieved on 2010-10-31
- ↑ http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00rb9rb. Missing or empty
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External links
- Official Norwegian site
- Discogs page
- Madcon on Myspace
- Daily Music Guide Beggin' Review
- Liar (Single) Review
- Glow (Their new single performed during the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest)
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Madcon. |
| Preceded by Fuerzabruta |
Eurovision Song Contest Final Interval act 2010 |
Succeeded by Jan Delay |
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