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Dr. Alban

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Dr. Alban
Dr. Alban squinting into camera, wearing an open jacket, partially exposing chest; two people appear to have a hand on each of his shoulders
Dr. Alban in 2018
Background information
Birth nameAlban Uzoma Nwapa
Born (1957-08-26) 26 August 1957 (age 67)
Oguta, Imo, Federation of Nigeria
OriginStockholm, Sweden
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • rapper
  • producer
InstrumentVocals
Years active1980s—present
Labels
Websitedralban.net

Alban Uzoma Nwapa (born 26 August 1957), better known by his stage name Dr. Alban, is a Swedish musician and producer with his own record label, Dr. Records.[1] His music can best be described as Eurodance/hip-hop reggae in a dancehall style.[1] He has sold an estimated 16 million records worldwide[2][3][4] and is most famous for his worldwide 1992 hit "It's My Life", from the album One Love.[1]

Life and career

Early life

Alban was born Alban Uzoma Nwapa into a middle-class family of 10 children in Oguta, Imo state, Nigeria. He is Igbo.[1]

Education

He got his secondary education at Christ the King College and spent most of his youth in his hometown of Oguta. At age 23, he travelled to Sweden to study dentistry.[1] To finance his studies, Dr. Alban became a DJ at the Stockholm club Alphabet Street.[1] Very quickly, his name became widely known, especially since he often sang to the records he put on turntables. DJ René Hedemyr discovered him. Alban finished his studies and opened his own dentistry practice, keeping his DJ-ing as a lucrative sideline.

Denniz Pop and achieving success: 1990s

In 1990, he met Denniz Pop from the SweMix label and, together with Denniz and rap artist Leila K, released his first record Hello Afrika. At this point, he took the stage name Dr. Alban, a nod to his dental studies. His debut album included hits like "Hello Afrika" and "No Coke", both of which ended up being million-selling singles.[1] The album itself was quite successful and earned him gold certification awards in numerous markets including Germany (for sales of over 250,000 units), Austria (25,000), and Switzerland (25,000).[5][6][7]

One year later, this success was surpassed by his second album One Love. The album included European hit singles such as "It's My Life" (which was used as background music for a Tampax advert) and "Sing Hallelujah". The single "It's My Life" reached No.1 in Israel, Austria, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Germany, and No.2 in Norway, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.[8][9][10] The song "It's My Life" went platinum in Germany (for sales of over 500,000 units), in the Netherlands (75,000), and it sold over two million copies overall in Europe.[1][11][12] The album in turn reached the top of the album chart in Austria and entered the top five in Switzerland, also reaching No.6 in Germany.[13][14] It went gold in Germany (for sales of over 250,000 units) and platinum both in Austria and Switzerland (both 50,000).[6][15][16]

Alban's third album Look Who's Talking!, released in 1994, hit the top 10 in numerous markets including Germany, Switzerland, and Austria.[14][17] The album was the first to earn Alban a gold certification award in his home country of Sweden for sales of over 50,000 units.[18]

Dr. Alban founded his own record label Dr. Records, whereon he released his 1996 album Born in Africa. The album was unable to match the success of his previous releases. It only reached No.12 in Finland, while it peaked at No.37 in Switzerland and Sweden, No.52 in Germany, and No.41 in Austria.[14][19] The single "Born in Africa" went to number 1 in Finland.

In 1997, Alban released the compilation album The Very Best of 1990–1997, which only charted in Austria, Sweden, and Germany. The same year, the artist also released the studio album Believe, which peaked at No.27 in Sweden, No.30 in Finland, and No.41 in Austria.[20] In late 1998, Dr. Alban released a single with German-based artist Sash!, entitled "Colour the World", which experienced moderate chart success in Europe.[21]

Decline and return to music: 2000s

Dr. Alban and Yamboo signing autographs in 2005, promoting the 1993 single Sing Hallelujah!

In 2000, Alban released the single "What Do I Do", which charted only in Sweden at No.43; it spent only two weeks on the charts there.[22] The album Prescription was a flop as it failed to chart anywhere.

In 2007, after years of absence from the music scene, Dr. Alban released the studio album Back to Basics. It was sold on the internet only through Dr. Alban's official website. In Russia, however, physical CDs and cassettes were released.

Later activities: 2010s–present

In 2010, Alban collaborated once again with Sash! to produce a remake of "Hello Afrika", "Hello South Afrika", dedicated to the 2010 FIFA World Cup. It was followed by a single consisting of 16 remixes.[23]

On 15 February 2014 at the Scandinavium arena in Gothenburg, Dr. Alban teamed up with Jessica Folcker and arrived in fifth place in the third heat of Melodifestivalen 2014, with the song "Around the World", to win the right to represent Sweden at the Eurovision Song Contest 2014 in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Dr. Alban performing on ZDF-Fernsehgarten in 2018

In 2015, he released the single "Hurricane", which failed to enter the European charts.

In May 2020, Alban released the song "Hello Sverige" (in Swedish) to encourage the population of Sweden to respect social distancing measures put in place to counteract the COVID-19 pandemic. The next month, he released an English version titled "Hello Nations". The song is another remake of his classic hit "Hello Afrika".

In June 2020, Alban released the single "Drama", also in Swedish, in collaboration with singer Folkhemmet. The song talks about Alban's long-running acrimonious relationship with Swedish tabloid journalists.

Personal life

Alban met his future wife, Swedish teacher Katrine Hermansson, in 2004, through footballer Tomas Brolin. The couple had two daughters together, Jane (2005) and Julia (2008). The relationship ended in 2021.[24] Since his divorce, Alban has continued to live in Stockholm.[25]

Discography

Studio albums

List of studio albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart positions Certifications
SWE
[26] 		AUS
[27] 		AUT
[28] 		FIN
[29] 		GER
[30] 		NLD
[31] 		NOR
[32] 		SWI
[33]
Hello Afrika 6 — 2 29 11 43 — 8
One Love
  • Released: 4 May 1992
  • Label: Ariola
  • Formats: LP, CD, cassette
 15 149 1 4 6 20 15 3
  • BVMI: Gold[34]
  • IFPI AUT: Platinum[6]
  • IFPI SWI: Platinum[16]
Look Who's Talking!
  • Released: 25 March 1994
  • Label: Ariola
  • Formats: LP, CD, cassette
 11 98 7 4 7 28 13 8
Born in Africa
  • Released: 9 April 1996
  • Label: Ariola
  • Formats: LP, CD, cassette
 37 — 41 12 52 — — 37
I Believe
  • Released: 1 October 1997
  • Label: Metrovynil (EAMS Lesser)
  • Formats: LP, CD, cassette
 27 — 41 30 — — — —
Prescription
  • Released: 26 November 2001
  • Label: Rough Trade/Dr. Records
  • Formats: CD, cassette
 — — — — — — — —
Back to Basics
  • Released: 13 November 2008
  • Label: Haring Records/Dr. Records
  • Formats: Digital download, CD
 — — — — — — — —
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released.

Compilations

List of compilation albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart positions
SWE
[26] 		AUT
[28] 		GER
[30]
The Very Best of 1990–1997
  • Released: 30 June 1997
  • Label: Ariola
  • Formats: LP, CD, cassette
 38 38 66

Singles

As lead artist

List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
SWE
[35] 		AUS
[27] 		AUT
[28] 		FIN
[29] 		GER
[36] 		NLD
[37] 		SPA
[38] 		SWI
[39] 		UK
[40] 		US
[41]
"Hello Afrika"
(featuring Leila K.) 		1990 7 180 1 — 2 25 7 3 — — Hello Afrika
"No Coke" 1 — 2 12 3 7 6 3 — —
"U & Mi" 1991 20 — 11 6 14 — 15 9 — —
"(Sing Shi-Wo-Wo) Stop the Pollution" 36 — 16 3 — — — 13 — —
"It's My Life" 1992 1 43 1 5 1 1 11 2 2 88 One Love
"One Love" 19 193 9 7 7 14 — 11 45 —
"Sing Hallelujah" 1993 6 5 7 2 4 6 8 4 16 —
"Look Who's Talking" 1994 2 215 3 1 3 4 2 6 55 — Look Who's Talking!
"Away from Home" 24 92 12 2 25 45 5 26 42 —
"Let the Beat Go On" 17 186 23 3 18 19 — — — —
"Sweet Dreams"
(featuring Swing) 		1995 12 — — 4 — 44 — — 59 — Non-album single
"This Time I'm Free" 3 — 23 1 27 35 — 32 — — Born in Africa
"Born in Africa" 1996 11 — 31 1 — — — 47 — —
"Hallelujah Day" 30 — 35 12 — — — — — —
"It's My Life '97"
(featuring Sash!) 		1997 — — — 18 — — — — — — The Very Best of 1990–1997
"Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (Carolina)" 6 — — — — — — — — — I Believe
"Mr. DJ" — — 21 8 70 — 3 — — —
"Long Time Ago" 55 — — 15 — — 15 — — —
"Feel the Rhythm" 1998 56 — — — — — 13 — — —
"What Do I Do" 2000 43 — — — — — — — — — Prescription
"Because of You" 2002 — — — — — — — — — —
"Work, Work" 2003 13 — — 19 — — — — — — Non-album single
"Habibi"
(featuring Melissa) 		2008 — — — — — — — — — — Back to Basics
"We Love the 90's"
(featuring Haddaway) 		— — — — — — — — — — Non-album singles
"Freedom" 2012 — — — — — — — — — —
"Loverboy" — — — — — — — — — —
"It's My Life 2014" 2014 — — 39 — 29 — — — — —
"Around the World"
(featuring Jessica Folcker) 		52 — — — — — — — — —
"Hurricane" 2015 — — — — — — — — — —
"Drama"
(Dr. Alban & Folkhemmet, in Swedish language) 		2020 — — — — — — — — — —
"Change (I Have a Dream)"
(featuring Whitney Peyton) 		2022 — — — — — — — — — —
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released.
List of singles as featured artist, with selected chart positions
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
SWE
[44] 		FIN
[45] 		FRA
[46] 		GER
[36] 		NL
[47] 		SWI
[48] 		UK
[49]
"Papaya Coconut"
(Kikki Danielsson featuring Dr. Alban) 		1998 22 — — — — — — Non-album singles
"Colour the World"
(Sash! featuring Dr. Alban) 		1999 54 — — 39 69 39 15
"Sing Hallelujah (New Version)"
(Yamboo featuring Dr. Alban) 		2005 — 12 — — — — — Okama de Mapouka
"Chiki Chiki"
(Starclub featuring Dr. Alban) 		2006 — — — — — — — Non-album singles
"It's My Life (Don't Worry)"
(Chawki featuring Dr. Alban) 		2014 — — 187 — — — —
"Good to You"
(Basic Element featuring Dr. Alban) 		2016 — — — — — — —
"It's My Life"
(Popek featuring Dr. Alban) 		2020 — — — — — — —
"Life Is Now"
(Basic Element, Dr. Alban, Waldo's People featuring Elize Ryd) 		2022 — — — — — — —
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released.

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "Allmusic: Dr. Alban (Biography)". Allmusic. Retrieved 19 March 2011.
  2. ^ "Dr Alban - the Story". Archived from the original on 24 August 2013. Retrieved 6 September 2013.
  3. ^ "Dr Alban – 50 Greatest Nigerians of All Time? (Video) :: Naija's Most Incredible". Archived from the original on 13 September 2012. Retrieved 6 September 2013.
  4. ^ "Calista Luxury Resort Hotel | Belek • Antalya • Türkiye". Archived from the original on 18 June 2013. Retrieved 6 September 2013.
  5. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Dr. Alban; 'Hello Afrika')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 19 March 2011.
  6. ^ a b c d e "Gold & Platin". IFPI (Austria). Archived from the original on 11 May 2011. Retrieved 19 March 2011.
  7. ^ a b "AWARDS 1991". IFPI (Switzerland). Hung Medien. Retrieved 19 March 2011.
  8. ^ "DR. ALBAN: IT'S MY LIFE (SONG)". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 March 2011.
  9. ^ "Charts.de: Dr. Alban (Singles)". Charts.de. Retrieved 19 March 2011.[dead link‍]
  10. ^ "The Official Charts Company: Dr. Alban". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 March 2011.
  11. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Dr. Alban; 'It's My Life')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 19 March 2011.
  12. ^ a b "Dr. Alban – It's my life". NVPI. Retrieved 19 March 2011.[permanent dead link‍]
  13. ^ "Dr. Alban: One Love (Album)". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 March 2011.
  14. ^ a b c "Charts.de: Dr. Alban (Albums)". Charts.de. Retrieved 19 March 2011.[dead link‍]
  15. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Dr. Alban; 'One Love')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 19 March 2011.
  16. ^ a b "AWARDS 1992". IFPI (Switzerland). Hung Medien. Retrieved 19 March 2011.
  17. ^ "Dr. Alban: Look Who's Talking Now (Album)". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 March 2011.
  18. ^ a b c d "Guld & Platina 1987–1988" (PDF) (in Swedish). International Federation of the Phonographic Industry – Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 May 2012. Retrieved 23 April 2013.
  19. ^ "Dr. Alban: Born in Africa (Album)". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 March 2011.
  20. ^ "Dr. Alban: Believe (Album)". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 March 2011.
  21. ^ "Dr. Alban: Colour the World (Single)". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 March 2011.
  22. ^ "Dr. Alban: What Do I Do (Single)". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 March 2011.
  23. ^ "Dr. Alban Vs. Sash! – Hello South Africa (2010, File)". Discogs.com. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
  24. ^ Over between Dr. Alban and Kin Hermansson after 18 years together – Slut mellan Dr Alban och Kin Hermansson efter 18 år tillsammans, aftonbladet.se, 17. June 2021, read 26 August 2022.
  25. ^ Dr. Alban about his new life as single – Dr Alban om nya livet som singel, aftonbladet.se, 18. Mau 2022, read 26. August 2022.
  26. ^ a b "Dr. Alban: Album / Song Chart-History for Sweden". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 March 2011.
  27. ^ a b Australian (ARIA) peaks:
  28. ^ a b c "Dr. Alban: Album / Song Chart History for Austria". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 March 2011.
  29. ^ a b Pennanen, Timo (2021). "Dr. Alban". Sisältää hitin - 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021 (PDF). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. pp. 66–67. Retrieved 20 June 2022.
  30. ^ a b "Charts.de: Dr. Alban (Albums)". Charts.de. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 23 April 2013.
  31. ^ "Dr. Alban: Album / Song Chart History for Holland". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 March 2011.
  32. ^ "Dr. Alban: Album / Song Chart History for Norway". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 March 2011.
  33. ^ "Dr. Alban: Album Chart History for Switzerland". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 March 2011.
  34. ^ a b c d "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Dr. Alban)" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 20 March 2011.
  35. ^ Peak positions for Swedish Singles:
  36. ^ a b "Charts.de: Dr. Alban (Singles)". Charts.de. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 23 April 2013.
  37. ^ Peak positions for Dutch Singles:
  38. ^ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
  39. ^ Peak positions for Swiss Singles:
  40. ^ Peak positions for UK Singles:
  41. ^ "Billboard: Dr Alban (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 23 April 2013.
  42. ^ "British certifications – Dr Alban". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 12 March 2023. Type Dr Alban in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  43. ^ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 86.
  44. ^ Peak positions for Swedish Singles:
  45. ^ "Dr. Alban: Album / Song Chart History for Finland". Hung Medien. Retrieved 31 January 2012.
  46. ^ "Dr. Alban: Album / Song Chart History for France". Hung Medien. Retrieved 23 January 2015.
  47. ^ Peak positions for Dutch Singles:
  48. ^ Peak positions for Swiss Singles:
  49. ^ Peak positions for UK Singles:
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