MANILA, Philippines — Two years ago, Norwegian superstar and record producer Kygo was on the cover of Billboard Magazine with a striking caption that says: “This DJ Reached 1 Billion Streams (without you knowing his name),” and since then, he became a household name in the world of electronic dance music (EDM).
With consistency in selling out arenas, crossing a billion streams on Spotify several times, and collaborating with A-listers, Kygo is a bona fide music prodigy.
Norwegian superstar and record producer Kygo in Manila. Philstar.com/Kat Leandicho
Born KyrreGorvell-Dahll, Kygo grew up making music in his bedroom where he dreamt of — one day — becoming a force in the music scene. But more than having record-breaking streams, the talented artist is all about making music that truly inspires.
He signed a major label deal at the height of his successful remixes for artists such as Ed Sheeran and Coldplay, but it was not until he released his own hit track “Firestone” and several other collaborations with Selena Gomez, John Legend, and British act Ellie Goulding, that made him a certified hit-maker; propelling him to crossover to mainstream music with a global audience.
Norwegian superstar and record producer Kygo in Manila. Philstar.com/Kat Leandicho
Unbelievably, this 27-year-old started out making remixes on SoundCloud. Little did he know that in those moments where he was experimenting with his music, and trying to find his own style, would prompt several record labels to pay serious attention to his craft.
In 2015, he found his mojo and started attracting millions of followers, and eventually getting included in the top 10 of the Hot Dance/Electronic Songs and Dance/Electronic Streaming Songs charts. And in the same year, he became one of the few artists to break the record for cracking the one billion streams on Spotify, and got to perform at the Sunburn Festival in Goa, where roughly 50,000 people attended — his biggest show to date.
Norwegian superstar and record producer Kygo in Manila. Philstar.com/Kat Leandicho
After releasing his much-anticipated sophomore studio album, “Kids in Love,” he began touring this month, kicking off in Asia and Oceana.
On October 25, thousands of screaming and dancing Filipino fans have experienced his electrifying and infectious beats (combining electro-pop and ballads) at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Norwegian superstar and record producer Kygo in Manila. Philstar.com/Kat Leandicho
Of all the current DJs in the music scene, it is quite inevitable for Kygo not to stand out. What makes him, or his music, so different for that matter? He is not just an EDM artist, he is not just a record producer, he is a pop artist. And as his fans would explain: his music is extremely chill.
And just like any wise artist, he latched on pop music and he knew exactly how to make his music carry a certain appeal that will resonate to young listeners. Taking inspiration from various genres of music, he made popular the effervescent congas and pan flutes that set apart in today’s EDM war, most prominently, Justin Bieber’s comeback song “What Do You Mean,” which hit the No. 1 spot in the Billboard Hot 100 single.
Filipino fans have also experienced what it is like to be in his heart-stopping performance through his signature CrowdSync LED wristbands that were sold at the venue. These high-tech wristbands are remotely controlled to light up the dance floor, and to synchronize with Kygo’s performance — creating an out of this world live experience.
"Kygo: Kids in Love Tour" was brought to Manila by Ovation Productions.