Madcon
Encyclopedia
Madcon is a Norwegian
Hip Hop
duo formed in 1992 by Yosef Wolde-Mariam and Tshawe Baqwa.
They are well known from the Eurovision Song Contest 2010
Interval Act, in which they performed their hit song "Glow". Madcon quickly established themselves in the Nordic music industry, and supports various international superstars like Destiny's Child
, 50 Cent
, Alicia Keys
, Wu-Tang Clan
, Xzibit
, Saian Supa Crew
, Clipse
, Redman (rapper), and Busta Rhymes
. Madcon supported the latest official European tour with Gang Starr
. Madcon 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. The show "The Voice of Madcon", a behind-the-scenes of the duo, was a great success for both Madcon and the network. At the end of 2007, Tshawe was invited to take part in the popular Norwegian version of Dancing With The Stars, and was the last winner. [1] 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 [2] 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. 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 time in Norway [3]. Madcon’s cover of "Beggin was created by 3Elementz, 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. 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. [4] Their song "Glow", was the background of the "Eurovision 2010 Flashmob dance" music video that aired in the Eurovision Song Contest 2010 Interval act.
In 2011, during the gala awards ESKA Music Awards 2011 in Poland
, was awarded the International Band of the Year.
, 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.
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
Hip Hop
Hip hop
Hip hop is a form of musical expression and artistic culture that originated in African-American and Latino communities during the 1970s in New York City, specifically the Bronx. DJ Afrika Bambaataa outlined the four pillars of hip hop culture: MCing, DJing, breaking and graffiti writing...
duo formed in 1992 by Yosef Wolde-Mariam and Tshawe Baqwa.
They are well known from the Eurovision Song Contest 2010
Eurovision Song Contest 2010
The Eurovision Song Contest 2010 was the 55th annual Eurovision Song Contest, broadcast from the Telenor Arena in Bærum, Greater Oslo, Norway. It was the third time Norway had hosted the contest, having previously done so in 1986 and 1996. The 2010 winner was Germany with Lena singing "Satellite",...
Interval Act, in which they performed their hit song "Glow". Madcon quickly established themselves in the Nordic music industry, and supports various international superstars like Destiny's Child
Destiny's Child
Destiny's Child was an American R&B girl group whose final line-up comprised lead singer Beyoncé Knowles alongside Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams. Formed in 1997 in Houston, Texas, Destiny's Child members began their musical endeavors in their pre-teens under the name Girl's Tyme...
, 50 Cent
50 Cent
Curtis James Jackson III , better known by his stage name 50 Cent, is an American rapper, entrepreneur, investor, record producer, and actor. He rose to fame with the release of his albums Get Rich or Die Tryin and The Massacre . Get Rich or Die Tryin has been certified eight times platinum by...
, Alicia Keys
Alicia Keys
Alicia Augello Cook , better known by her stage name Alicia Keys, is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and occasional actress. She was raised by a single mother in the Hell's Kitchen area of Manhattan in New York City. At age seven, Keys began playing the piano...
, Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
The Wu-Tang Clan is a hip-hop group from Staten Island that consists of RZA, GZA, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God, Masta Killa, and the late Ol' Dirty Bastard. They are frequently joined by fellow childhood friend Cappadonna, a quasi member of the group...
, Xzibit
Xzibit
Alvin Nathaniel Joiner , better known by his stage name Xzibit , is an American rapper, actor, and television host. He is known as the host of the MTV show Pimp My Ride, which brought him mainstream success...
, Saian Supa Crew
Saïan Supa Crew
Saïan Supa Crew is a French rap collective composed of three groups: Explicit Samouraï, OFX and Simple Spirit. The name 'Saïan Supa' is a reference to the Super Saiyan from the manga and anime Dragon Ball Z/GT....
, Clipse
Clipse
Clipse is a Virginia Beach, Virginia-based hip hop duo. Formed in 1992 by brothers Malice and Pusha T , the group is heavily affiliated with production team The Neptunes and signed to Star Trak Entertainment.- Exclusive Audio Footage :The Thornton brothers were born in The Bronx, New...
, Redman (rapper), and Busta Rhymes
Busta Rhymes
Trevor Tahiem Smith, Jr., better known by his stage name Busta Rhymes ,Smith is an American rapper, producer and actor. Chuck D of Public Enemy gave him the alias Busta Rhymes after NFL wide receiver George "Buster" Rhymes...
. Madcon supported the latest official European tour with Gang Starr
Gang Starr
Gang Starr was an influential East Coast hip hop duo that consisted of the late MC Guru and DJ/producer DJ Premier. Their style combined elements of New York jazz and hip hop.-Background:...
. Madcon 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. The show "The Voice of Madcon", a behind-the-scenes of the duo, was a great success for both Madcon and the network. At the end of 2007, Tshawe was invited to take part in the popular Norwegian version of Dancing With The Stars, and was the last winner. [1] 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 [2] In Norway, the album was certified gold in 3 hours and platinum in 3 days. The album featured soul singer Noora Noor
Noora Noor
Noora Noor aka Noora is a Norwegian neo soul singer. She is often noted as Norway's Queen of Soul.Noor started early on her musical journey, performing locally from the age of 8. She got a recording contract with Warner Music at only 15. She then began working with Stargate to make her first album...
and Paperboys
Paperboys
Paperboys is a Norwegian hip hop-duo consisting of rapper Øyvind «Vinni» Sauvik and DJ Ole Aleksander «Pope Dawg» Halstensgård. The duo has released four albums and their debut included Barcelona, a collaboration with Madcon which was a hit in Norway...
on two of the songs. In 2008, Madcon published a cover version of a 1967 Four Seasons Song "Beggin'
Beggin'
"Beggin" is the title of a song composed by Bob Gaudio and Peggy Farina and popularized by The Four Seasons in 1967. In 2007, the song received new popularity when it was remixed by the French DJ Pilooski and then covered by the Norwegian hip-hop band Madcon...
, 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
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
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 time in Norway [3]. Madcon’s cover of "Beggin was created by 3Elementz, 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. 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!
Don't Forget the Lyrics!
Don't Forget the Lyrics! is a game show that originally aired on Fox from July 11, 2007 to June 19, 2009, hosted by Wayne Brady and produced by RDF USA, part of RDF Media. The launch of this show prompted NBC to move up the launch of their similar game show The Singing Bee...
, "Kan du Teksten?" on TV 2 (Norway)
TV 2 (Norway)
TV 2 is the largest commercial television station in Norway. Over 30% of the time Norwegians spend watching TV is spent watching TV 2. The station has 65% of the market for TV commercials in 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. [4] Their song "Glow", was the background of the "Eurovision 2010 Flashmob dance" music video that aired in the Eurovision Song Contest 2010 Interval act.
In 2011, during the gala awards ESKA Music Awards 2011 in Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
, was awarded the International Band of the Year.
Musical style and performance
Madcon describe their musical style as a retro-urban mix with influences from funkFunk
Funk is a music genre that originated in the mid-late 1960s when African American musicians blended soul music, jazz and R&B into a rhythmic, danceable new form of music. Funk de-emphasizes melody and harmony and brings a strong rhythmic groove of electric bass and drums to the foreground...
, soul
Soul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
and hip hop
Hip hop
Hip hop is a form of musical expression and artistic culture that originated in African-American and Latino communities during the 1970s in New York City, specifically the Bronx. DJ Afrika Bambaataa outlined the four pillars of hip hop culture: MCing, DJing, breaking and graffiti writing...
(with additional elements from reggae
Reggae
Reggae is a music genre first developed in Jamaica in the late 1960s. While sometimes used in a broader sense to refer to most types of Jamaican music, the term reggae more properly denotes a particular music style that originated following on the development of ska and rocksteady.Reggae is based...
, 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.
Discography
- It's All a Madcon (2004)
- So Dark the Con of ManSo Dark the Con of Man-Charts:-Release history:...
(2007) - An InCONvenient TruthAn InCONvenient Truth-Personnel:*Bass - Jonny Sjo *Drums - Kim Ofstad*Instruments - Hitesh Ceon*Mastered By - Bjørn Engelmann**Producer - 3Elementz*Recorded By, Mixed By - 3Elementz...
(2008) - ContrabandContraband (Madcon album)Contraband is the fourth studio album by Norwegian urban duo Madcon. It was released on 1 November 2010. It peaked at number two on the Norwegian Albums Chart, becoming the group's highest-charting album...
(2010)