Alan Walker
Biography
Alan Olav Walker is a Norwegian DJ and record producer who was born on August 24, 1997, in Northampton, England. He moved to Bergen, Norway, with his British father and Norwegian mother at the age of two. From an early age, Walker was drawn to computers, showing an interest in graphic design and programming. His musical journey began around 2012 when, inspired by EDM producers like K-391 and Ahrix, and film composers such as Hans Zimmer, he started creating music on his laptop using FL Studio. Initially known as DJ Walkzz, he began sharing his music on YouTube and SoundCloud, gathering feedback from an online community.
Career Breakthrough
Walker's career took a significant turn with the release of the instrumental track "Fade" in 2014 on the label NoCopyrightSounds. The track gained massive popularity online. This success led to a record deal with Sony Music Sweden. In 2015, a remastered version of the track, now titled "Faded" and featuring vocals from Norwegian singer Iselin Solheim, was released. "Faded" became a colossal international hit, topping charts in numerous countries and receiving multi-platinum certifications worldwide. The song's music video has since garnered billions of views on YouTube. Following the massive success of "Faded," Walker left high school to focus on his music career.
Subsequent Success and Style
After his breakthrough, Walker released a string of successful singles, including "Sing Me to Sleep," "Alone," "All Falls Down," and "Darkside". These tracks further solidified his signature sound, which is often described as a mix of electro house, progressive house, and future bass. A distinctive element of his public image is his use of a mask and hoodie, which he adopted to maintain a degree of anonymity and create a sense of unity among his fans.
Albums and Tours
Walker has released several studio albums, including "Different World" (2018), "World of Walker" (2021), "Walkerverse Pt. I & II" (2022), and "Walkerworld" (2023). His albums often feature collaborations with a diverse range of artists, such as Noah Cyrus, Ava Max, Sabrina Carpenter, and Hans Zimmer. He is also a prominent figure on the global festival circuit, having performed at major events like Coachella, Tomorrowland, and Lollapalooza.
Discography Highlights
Studio Albums:
- Different World (2018)
- World of Walker (2021)
- Walkerverse Pt. I & II (2022)
- Walkerworld (2023)
Key Singles:
- Fade (2014)
- Faded (2015)
- Sing Me to Sleep (2016)
- Alone (2016)
- All Falls Down (with Noah Cyrus and Digital Farm Animals) (2017)
- Darkside (with Au/Ra and Tomine Harket) (2018)
- On My Way (with Sabrina Carpenter and Farruko) (2019)