Kygo

🧒 Early Life and Musical Roots

Kyrre Gørvell-Dahll, known professionally as Kygo, was born on September 11, 1991, in Singapore to Norwegian parents. Shortly after his birth, his family relocated to Norway, where he was raised in Bergen. Kygo's mother, Kjersti Gjerde, is a dentist, and his father, Lars Gørvell-Dahll, worked in the maritime industry. He has two older sisters, Johanne and Jenny, an older stepbrother, Mads, and a younger half-brother, Sondre. During his childhood, he lived and traveled with his family in countries including Brazil, Japan, Kenya, and Egypt.

Kygo began taking piano lessons at the age of six and considers himself more of a pianist than a disc jockey. He stopped formal lessons in his mid-teens and started producing music with Logic Studio and a MIDI keyboard while watching tutorials on YouTube. He was halfway through a degree in business and finance at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland, when he decided to pursue music full-time. Kygo has cited Swedish DJ Avicii as his main inspiration. 

🚀 Breakthrough and Rise to Fame

Kygo's breakthrough came in December 2013 with his remix of Ed Sheeran's "I See Fire," which garnered millions of plays on SoundCloud and YouTube. His unique blend of melodic piano and laid-back beats caught the attention of major artists, leading to a remix of Coldplay's "Midnight." In December 2014, he released "Firestone" featuring Conrad Sewell, which became an international hit, amassing over a billion streams on Spotify. 

By June 2016, Kygo had reached two billion streams on Spotify, becoming the fastest artist to achieve this milestone. 

🎶 Discography and Collaborations

Kygo's debut studio album, "Cloud Nine," was released on May 13, 2016, featuring collaborations with artists like John Legend, Foxes, and Tom Odell. He continued to release successful singles, including "It Ain't Me" with Selena Gomez in 2017, which reached the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 and has nearly a billion streams on Spotify. 

In 2019, he released a remix of Whitney Houston's "Higher Love," bringing the late singer's vocals to a new generation. His fourth studio album, "Thrill of the Chase," was released as a surprise in November 2022. In June 2024, Kygo released his self-titled fifth studio album, "Kygo," to commemorate 10 years of his career. The album peaked at No. 1 in Norway and No. 2 on the Billboard Dance/Electronic Charts. 

🌍 Global Performances and Recognition

Kygo has performed at major festivals and events worldwide, including TomorrowWorld, Lollapalooza, and Coachella. Notably, he became the first house music producer to perform at an Olympics closing ceremony during the 2016 Rio Olympics. He has also performed at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert and various Formula One Grand Prix events. 

His accolades include winning the Spellemann of the Year at the 2016 Spellemannprisen, Norway's equivalent of the Grammy Awards, and being ranked third on Billboard's 2018 Dance 100 list. 

👔 Ventures Beyond Music

In August 2016, Kygo launched his lifestyle brand, Kygo Life, offering high-fashion and relaxed wear, as well as audio products like headphones. He also co-founded Palm Tree Records in partnership with Sony Music Entertainment, aiming to support emerging artists. 

❤️ Personal Life

As of May 2025, Kygo is dating Norwegian musician Victoria Nadine. He is a supporter of British football club Manchester United and his local team, SK Brann. Kygo is also a fan of Formula One racing. 

Kygo's journey from a young pianist in Norway to an international DJ and producer showcases his dedication to music and his ability to connect with audiences worldwide through his distinctive tropical house sound.