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Alesso (born as Alessandro Lindblad) is a Swedish DJ and electronic dance music producer. Specializing in progressive house, Alesso achieved worldwide attention and popularity in 2011 with wide support of his original productions and remixes from the likes of Avicii, Swedish House Mafia, Tiësto, Sander van Doorn, Kaskade and other well established DJs.^[1] His remix of "Pressure" was one of the most played EDM songs of 2011. He made his debut on DJ Mag's Top 100 DJ list in 2011, garnering the 70th spot.^[2] Being one of 2011's hottest artists was enough for MTV to name him an EDM artist to watch in 2012.^[3] On March 24th, 2012, Alesso debuted his first BBC Radio 1 Essential Mix.^[4]

Discography[link]

Singles[link]

2012[link]

• "Eclipse (Why Am I Doing This?)" (with Sebastian Ingrosso & Steve Angello)
• "Years" feat. Matthew Koma [Refune Records]
• "Calling (Lose My Mind)" (with Sebastian Ingrosso feat. Ryan Tedder) [Refune Records/Universal]

2011[link]

• "Raise Your Head" [Refune Records]
• "Calling" (with Sebastian Ingrosso) [Refune Records]
• "Nillionaire" [Refune Records]
• "Dynamite" [Refune Records]

2010[link]

• "Loose It (Anthem Mix)" [Joia Records]
• "Think It's Time" [Joia Records]
• "Moma" [Joia Records]
• "Workaholic" [Joia Records]

Remixes[link]

2012[link]

• Keane - "Silenced by the Night (Alesso Remix)"

2011[link]

• David Guetta feat. Sia - "Titanium (Alesso Remix)" [F*** Me I'm Famous]
• Jasper Forks - "River Flows In You (Alesso Remix)" [Ministry Of Sound]
• DEVolution feat. Amy Pearson - "Good Love (Alesso Remix)" [One More Tune]
• LMFAO - "Party Rock Anthem (Alesso Remix)" [Insterscope Records]
• Swedish House Mafia feat. John Martin - "Save The World (Alesso Remix)" [Virgin Records]
• Alex Kenji, Starkillers, Nadia Ali - "Pressure (Alesso Remix)" [Spinnin Records]
• Dúné - "Heiress Of Valentina (Alesso Exclusive Mix)" [Nero Recordings]
• Niko Bellotto & Erik Holmberg feat. JB - "Running Up That Hill (Alesso Remix)" [Stoney Boy Music]
• Therese - "Drop It Like It's Hot (Alesso Remix)" [Pope Records]

2010[link]

• Deniz Koyu feat. Shena - "Time Of Our Lives (Alesso Remix)" [Scream And Shout Recordings]
• Tim Berg - "Alcoholic (Alesso Taking It Back Remix)" [Joia Records]
• Tristan Garner & Gregori Klosman - "Fuckin Down (Alesso Remix)" [Joia Records]

References[link]

External links[link]

• http://www.discogs.com/artist/Alesso
• http://www.beatport.com/artist/alesso/136838/tracks
• http://www.facebook.com/AlessoOfficial
• http://www.youtube.com/AlessoOfficial
• http://www.facebook.com/pages/Alesso-Fansite/163066427086100?sk=wall&filter=2

This biographical article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (January 2012)

Sebastian Ingrosso
Sebastian Ingrosso at Germany 2010
Background information
Birth name	Sebastian Carmine Ingrosso
Born	(1983-04-20) 20 April 1983 (age 29) Stockholm, Sweden
Origin	Sweden
Genres	House
Occupations	DJ, Electronic musician, Remixer, Producer Instruments music sequencer, personal computer, synthesizers
Years active	1999-present
Labels	Refune, Size Matters, Ministry of Sound Australia
Associated acts	Swedish House Mafia, Axwell, Steve Angello, Laidback Luke, Alesso, Style of Eye, Kylie Minogue

Sebastian Ingrosso (born Sebastian Carmine Ingrosso on 20 April 1983) is a Swedish DJ and producer of Italian descent. Born in Nacka Sjukhus Stockholm, Sweden. Sebastian spent his teenage years in his father's studio learning how to make music, with his first official remix released on Mega Records in 1999. He was ranked #26 in 2011 on DJ Mag's Top 100 DJ list,^[1] and won the award for the highest new entry into the chart in 2009, a record beaten only by Deadmau5 into the 2008 Top 100 DJ list at #10.

Refune Record label

Sebastian Ingrosso is head of A&R for his own record label, Refune, which has pioneered many artists in recent years including AN21, Max Vangeli, Style of Eye and Alesso.

In Swedish House Mafia

Sebastian is also one third of DJ super-group the Swedish House Mafia, along with friends Axwell and Steve Angello.

Discography[link]

DJ mix albums[link]

• Mixmag presents Ibiza Closing (October issue, 2010)
• Sensation White – Celebrate Life Official compilation (CD1) (2010)
• Golden Wave (with Steve Angello) (2009)
• Mixmag compilation (August issue, 2008)
• Ministry of Sound presents Sessions 14 (2007)
• Mixmag presents Ibiza 4AM (with Steve Angello) (2005)
• Subliminal Sessions 8 (with Steve Angello) (2005)

Singles[link]

Charting singles[link]

Other releases[link]

As Swedish House Mafia

(Selective listing. For full list and chart positions, see Swedish House Mafia Discography section)

• 2010: "One" Swedish House Mafia)
• 2010: "One (Your Name)" Swedish House Mafia feat. Pharrell Williams)
• 2010: "Miami 2 Ibiza" Swedish House Mafia
• 2010: "Miami 2 Ibiza" (Swedish House Mafia) vs. Tinie Tempah
• 2011: "Save The World" Swedish House Mafia feat. John Martin (2011)
• 2011: "Antidote" Swedish House Mafia vs. Knife Party (2011)
• 2012: "Greyhound" Swedish House Mafia

Under various names

• 2001: "Freshly Squesed EP" (as Outfunk)
• 2002: "Echo Vibes" (as Outfunk)
• 2003: "Sin EP1" and "Sin EP2" (as The Sinners)
• 2003: "Lost in Music" (as Outfunk)
• 2004: "Swing Me Daddy" (as Mode Hookers)
• 2004: "Cross the Sky" (as General Moders)
• 2005: "Stockholm 2 Paris" (as First Optional Deal)
• 2005: "Breathe/Instrumental" (as Mode Hookers)
• 2006: "I Can't Get Enough" (as Fireflies, feat. Alexandra Prince)
• 2005: "For Sale" (as Buy Now with Steve Angello)
• 2008: "Body Crash" (as Buy Now! with Steve Angello)

Collaborations

• 2000: "Dreams of Beirut" (with Luciano Ingrosso)
• 2000: "Aero" (with Unless)
• 2002: "Moonflower" (with Luciano Ingrosso)
• 2004: "Yo Yo Kidz" (with Steve Angello)
• 2004: "Stockholm Disco" (EP) (with John Dahlback)
• 2005: "Yeah" (with Steve Angello)
• 2005: "83-83" (with Steve Angello)
• 2005: "Together" (with Axwell)
• 2006: "Click" (with Steve Angello)
• 2007: "Lick My Deck" (with John Dahlback)
• 2007: "Get Dumb" (with Axwell, Steve Angello & Laidback Luke)
• 2007: "Umbrella" (with Steve Angello)
• 2008: "IT" (with Steve Angello & Laidback Luke)
• 2008: "Partouze" (with Steve Angello)
• 2008: "555" (with Steve Angello) (2008)
• 2009: "Meich" (with Dirty South)
• 2012: "Eclipse (Why Am I Doing This)" (with Alesso & Steve Angello)
• 2012: "Calling" (feat.Ryan Tedder with Alesso)

Solo

• 2000: "Par Telephone"
• 2004: "Mode Machine" (EP)
• 2004: "Hook Da Mode" (EP)
• 2005: "Body Beat"
• 2005: "Walk Talk Acid"
• 2005: "Mode Machine"
• 2006: "Infatuation of a Dancing Belmun"
• 2006: "Stockholm Disco" (EP)
• 2008: "Chaa Chaa"
• 2008: "Fired UP"/"Click"
• 2009: "Kidsos"
• 2009: "Laktos"

Productions[link]

• 2008: Lazee - "Can't Change Me"
• 2008: Lazee - "Rock Away"
• 2009: Kid Sister - "Right Hand Hi"
• 2010: Kylie Minogue - "Cupid Boy"

Remixes[link]

2002

• Sheridan - Wants Vs. Needs
• Robyn - Keep This Fire Burnin

2003

• Arcade Mode - Your Love (Angello & Ingrosso Remix)

2004

• Dukes Of Sluca - Don't Stop: Remixes
• Steve Angello - Acid / Euro
• Eric Prydz - Call On Me (Angello & Ingrosso Remix)
• StoneBridge - Put 'Em High (Steve Angello & Sebastian Ingrosso Remix)

2005

• In-N-Out - EQ-Lizer (Angello & Ingrosso Remix)
• Steve Lawler - That Sound (Angello & Ingrosso Remix)
• Robbie Rivera & StoneBridge - One Eye Shut (Steve Angello & Sebastian Ingrosso Remix)
• Naughty Queen - Famous & Rich (Angello & Ingrosso Remix)
• Sahara - Everytime I Feel It (Steve Angello Remix)
• Full Blown - Some Kinda Freak
• Modern, The - Industry
• Joachim Garraud - Rock The Choice (Sebastian Ingrosso Remix)
• Moby - Dream About Me
• Tony Senghore - Peace (Sebastian Ingrosso Remix)
• Ernesto Vs Bastian - Dark Side Of The Moon (with Axwell)
• Deep Dish - Say Hello (Angello & Ingrosso Remix)
• Röyksopp - 49 Percent (Angello & Ingrosso Remix)
• Alex Neri - Housetrack
• DJ Flex And Sandy W - Love For You (Angello & Ingrosso Remix)

2006

• Ultra DJ's - Me & U (Steve Angello & Sebastian Ingrosso Edit)
• Justin Timberlake - My Love (Angello & Ingrosso Remix)
• Eric Prydz vs. Floyd - Proper Education
• Julien Jabre - Swimming Places (Sebastian Ingrosso Re-Edit)

2007

• Robbie Rivera - One Eye Shut (Angello & Ingrosso Remix)
• Hard-Fi - Suburban Knights (Angello & Ingrosso Remix)

2008

• Felix Da Housecat ft P Diddy - Jack U (Angello & Ingrosso Remix)

2010

• Mohombi - Bumpy Ride
• Miike Snow - Silvia (Sebastian Ingrosso & Dirty South Remix)

2011

• Benny Benassi feat. Chris Brown - Beautiful People (Sebastian Ingrosso Edit)

References[link]

External links[link]

• Sebastian Ingrosso discography at Discogs
• Sebastian Ingrosso on Myspace
• Sebastian Ingrosso on Twitter

This article relies on references to primary sources or sources affiliated with the subject, rather than references from independent authors and third-party publications. Please add citations from reliable sources. (September 2010)

Amy Pearson
Amy Pearson at Decjuba Girls Day Out Fashion Marquee, Melbourne Spring Fashion Week 2008
Background information
Birth name	Amy Pearson
Born	(1985-07-19) 19 July 1985 (age 26)
Origin	Birmingham, England
Genres	Pop
Occupations	Singer-songwriter
Years active	2006–present
Labels	Sony-BMG (2006–2010)
Website	Official Site

Amy Elizabeth Pearson (born 19 July 1985) is an English singer-songwriter. Her debut album, "Who I Am", was released April 2008.

Early life[link]

Pearson was born on 19 July 1985 in Birmingham, England. Whilst signed to a production company called P.O.E.T Productions run by ex Take That Session musician and songwriters Neil Oldfield and Neil Evington, Pearson was introduced to and began working closely with SonyBMG Australia's future A&R director, former Australian Idol judge Jay Dee Springbett. As a result, Pearson moved to Australia and signed to SonyBMG in 2004 at 18 years of age.^[1] Pearson commenced work on her debut album, which was recorded across 2006 and 2007.

Music career[link]

In 2006, Pearson was recorded a song with the first Australian Idol winner, Guy Sebastian titled "We Both Know", which was featured on Home: Songs of Hope & Journey to raise funds and bring attention to beyondblue. Pearson also recorded a cover of Joy to the World for the compilation The Spirit of Christmas 2007.

In late 2006, Pearson began working on her debut album Who I Am, originally set for release in late 2007, but was pushed back to early 2008. Three singles were released from the album; "Don't Miss You" and "Not Me" in 2007, and "Ready to Fly" in 2008. "Don't Miss You" was a top 20 hit and certified Gold.

Pearson attended the world premiere for Lord Richard Attenborough's film Closing the Ring, for which she sings the main single "Lost Without Your Love", which she stated will be released in 2008.^[2] Pearson is also featured on Seany B's new single "B Good 2 Me".

In early 2008, Amy starred in television commercials on Australian network 7 singing "Ready to Fly". The advertisement digitally places her atop the Great Wall of China, endorsing the commencement of the 2008 Olympic Games.^[1] An alternate version of Ready to Fly, a duet with Indonesian singer Rio Febrian, is available with a music video on YouTube.

The album, Who I Am, was released in Japan in late 2008, with Pearson travelling there to promote it.^[3]

According to her Twitter account, she has currently been in LA working with producers The Heavyweights and Rodney Jerkins, who recently worked on Lady Gaga, Beyonce and Anastacia's fourth studio album Heavy Rotation, and Sheppard Solomon, who has worked with Natalie Imbruglia and Kelly Clarkson among others. So far two tracks have been confirmed "Doctor Love" and "Aftershock",^[4] co-written with production team Dreamlab consisting of singer-songwriter Leah Haywood and her husband Daniel James.

In 2010 Amy wrote the club number 1 and ARIA top 10 smash Freefallin with Denzal Park. Performed by Zoe Badwi. Freefallin earned Amy and Denzal Park APRA Dance Work of 2011 award in June 2011 and ARIA nomination.

In December 2011 Amy joined forces with Sony/ATV publishing signing a worldwide contract and beginning a new career in the UK and most recently wrote Good Love with DEVolution and performs vocals on the track.

Song writing[link]

A song written by Pearson called "Some Kind of Beautiful" was recorded by Canadian Idol fourth-season winner Eva Avila and was a track on Avila's debut album Somewhere Else.

Also, along with Klaus Derendorf and Tom Nichols, Pearson also shares a writing credit in British singer and actress Dani Harmer's debut single Free, which was released in the UK on 25 May 2009, taken from Harmer's upcoming album. The song was originally recorded by Pearson herself and was made an iTunes-only B-side of her single Don't Miss You in 2007.

in 2011 Pearson worked on Demi Lovato's third album Unbroken, released on September 20, 2011.

Discography[link]

Studio albums[link]

Singles[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Amy Pearson (Official Site)
• Amy Pearson (Sony BMG)
• take40.com Amy Pearson Artist Profile

Nadia Ali
Nadia Ali in 2011
Background information
Birth name	Nadia Ali
Born	(1980-08-03) August 3, 1980 (age 31) Libya
Origin	Queens, New York, U.S.
Genres	Electronic dance music, trance, house
Occupations	Singer-songwriter
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	2001–present
Labels	Smile in Bed
Associated acts	iiO, Armin van Buuren, Morgan Page, Avicii, Starkillers, Sultan & Ned Shepard
Website	nadiaali.com

Nadia Ali (Urdu: نادیہ علی; born August 3, 1980) is a Pakistani American singer-songwriter, born in Libya and raised in Queens, New York. She gained attention as the frontwoman and songwriter of the band iiO, after their 2001 hit "Rapture" reached No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart.^[1] The song also charted across several countries in Europe.^[2] Their 2006 single, "Is It Love?", reached the top of the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play Chart.^[3]

After embarking on a solo career in 2005, Ali became successful as an oft-requested vocalist in electronic dance music. She released her debut album Embers in 2009. Critics praised her unique songwriting, which combined electronica with ballads, Eastern and acoustic music. Three singles from the album reached the top-ten of the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play Chart, including the No. 1 hit, "Love Story".^[4][5][6] The song was also nominated at the 25th International Dance Music Awards at the Winter Music Conference, while "Fantasy" was nominated for a Grammy award.^[7][8]

In 2010, she released a remix compilation titled Queen of Clubs Trilogy to mark her decade-long career as a singer-songwriter. "Rapture" was re-released as the only single from the compilation and the song was once again a chart success in Europe.^[9] Ali released the single "Pressure" with Starkillers and Alex Kenji in 2011, which became a club and festival anthem and received an International Dance Music Award.^[10] She has also collaborated with several notable producers and DJs, such as Armin van Buuren, Schiller, BT and John Creamer & Stephane K. Ali is currently working on her second studio album titled Phoenix, which is due to be released in 2012.

Life and career[link]

1980–2005: Early life and iiO[link]

Nadia Ali was born in Libya to Pakistani parents in 1980. The family relocated when she was five years old and she was subsequently raised in Queens, New York.^[11][12] An eight year old Ali used any opportunity she could get to sing after a friend heard her humming a Madonna song at school and complimented her.^[13] While continuing singing as a hobby and for the thrill of performing and receiving no formal vocal training, she had also started writing poems and songs for her friends by the time she was 15.^[11] As a teenager her interest in dance music developed after visiting nightclubs in Manhattan and inspired her to dream that she would one day be featured on one of the records playing in the club.^[14]

Ali started working in the New York offices of Versace when she was 17, where she attracted attention by singing at the Christmas parties.^[11] A colleague from Versace introduced her to producer Markus Moser, who was looking for a female singer to collaborate on some of his original production for a girl group in Germany.^[13] The two teamed up with Moser working on production, while Ali wrote the lyrics and vocals for the songs.^[15] Her first song was the single "Rapture", which she wrote in 30 minutes based on an encounter with an Australian nightclub patron.^[16] A demo of the song was first played at the New York club Twilo in 2001 and received early support from influential DJ Pete Tong who played the demo on his show on BBC Radio 1. The song eventually became an Ibiza favourite after support from prominent DJ's such as Sasha, Danny Tenaglia and Sander Kleinenberg during the summer season.^[17] Released in late 2001 by Ministry of Sound, the single became a commercial success peaking at No. 2 on UK Singles Chart and Billboard's Hot Dance Club Play Chart, while charting in several countries in Europe.^[1][2][3] The success of "Rapture", Ali said, caused the formation of iiO as the music they were initially working on was quite different from dance music and were asked to come up with a project name to promote the single.^[18] They originally named themselves Vaiio after the Sony VAIO laptop Ali used to write the lyrics on.^[2] The duo toured internationally and released several more singles, including "At the End", "Runaway", "Smooth", and "Kiss You". Their first studio album, Poetica followed in 2005.^[4]

Ali left the group in 2005 to pursue a solo career, while Moser continued to release iiO material featuring her on vocals. Most notably, these releases include the 2006 single "Is It Love?", which reached No. 1 in America on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play Chart,^[3] the 2007 remix album Reconstruction Time: The Best Of iiO Remixed^[4] and the 2011 studio album Exit 110.^[4] When asked about her decision to pursue a solo career, she said her time with iiO was a great learning experience but she decided to leave because she didn't want to restrict herself to one style of music but explore her creativity and also to have the freedom to collaborate with others artists.^[19]

Her decision to pursue a career as a singer was not initially encouraged by her Pakistani parents who were academically inclined and wanted her to pursue a more stable career. She has said since then they have evolved and are one of her biggest supporters.^[12] Speaking of her identity as a Pakistani and Muslim woman, she has said it is very important to her to set an example that they are able to contribute positively and capable of taking their career into their own hands. Explaining further, she said that she feels it as her responsibility to any women who are sometimes stereotyped to show that they can contribute to arts or any professional field.^[11] Her ethnicity, she has stated, has been an advantage and helped her stand out in the entertainment industry.^[20] She has said that over the years, she has met South Asian women who have told her that her story has inspired them to pursue something they loved.^[21]

[edit] 2006–09: Embers

Nadia Ali performing at Avalon, Boston in 2006

Ali started working on her debut solo album soon after leaving iiO, a process which took her four years. She attributed the delay to her busy tour schedule and the fact that she was still learning and "trying to establish her identity as a songwriter and co-producer".^[18][22] Her first solo release was the 2006 single, "Who is Watching?", a collaboration with Dutch DJ Armin van Buuren, which appeared on his album Shivers.^[23] She has described "Who is Watching?" as one of her most meaningful songs, the song described one's struggle to reach the top, only to realise once one is there how lonely it is and how one has forgotten their priorities and the important people in their life.^[24] This was followed by "Something to Lose" in 2006, a duet with singer-songwriter Rosko, produced by John Creamer & Stephane K and released by Ultra Records. The track was licensed to Roger Sanchez's Release Yourself, Vol. 5, as well as Sharam Tayebi of Deep Dish for his Global Underground debut Dubai.^[25][26]

In June 2008, she released "Crash and Burn", the first single from her solo album. The single became a club success peaking at No. 6 on Billboard's Hot Dance Club Play Chart.^[5] She released the second single, "Love Story" from the as-yet untitled album in February 2009. It topped Billboard Hot Dance Club Play Chart in April 2009 and was nominated for the Best Progressive/House Track at the 2010 International Dance Music Awards at the Winter Music Conference.^[6][7] Ali was featured on MTV Iggy in March 2009, where she recorded three live acoustic videos, performing "Rapture", "Crash and Burn" and "Love Story".^[27]

The third single "Fine Print" was released in July 2009. Ali announced that the single preceded the release of her debut solo album Embers.^[28] The single peaked at No. 4 on Billboard's Hot Dance Club Play Chart.^[29] Embers was released in September 2009. Co-produced by Sultan & Ned Shepard, Alex Sayz and Scott Fritz, Ali self-released the album on her own label, Smile in Bed Records.^[22] Embers generally received positive reviews, Chase Gran from About.com called it a "well rounded, gourmet album with impressive songs".^[30] Gail Navarro from Racket magazine complimented Ali on her songwriting saying, "It wasn’t just her sultry sound mixed in together with that enchanting singing voice; her songwriting got me hook, line and sinker".^[31] Speaking about the self-release of the album, she has cited her creative independence and the pressure of deadlines as the main reasons why she created her own record label.^[32][33] She chose to release her singles and albums digitally citing the nature of the electronic music audience with the listener choosing to click a button and getting music instantly and the traditional method of distribution deals in the United States.^[32]

Ali released two collaborations in 2009, the first "Better Run" with Tocadisco was released on his album TOCA 128.0 FM and "12 Wives In Tehran" with Serge Devant was released on his album Wanderer.^[34][35]

[edit] 2010–2011: Queen of Clubs Trilogy

Ali's first release in 2010 was the track "Try", a collaboration with German producer Schiller, chosen as the lead single from his album Atemlos, the music video premiered on YouTube in February 2010.^[36] In April 2010, Ali released "Fantasy", the fourth single from Embers. The track was chosen as a single by her fans after a poll conducted by Ali on her Facebook page.^[22] The music video for "Fantasy" was set to the Morgan Page remix, which served as a prologue to Ali's next project; Queen of Clubs Trilogy: The Best of Nadia Ali Remixed. Speaking about the project, Ali mentioned that she wanted a remix compilation, which spanned the 10 years of her career from her one-half as iiO, to her solo album and collaborations.^[37] Explaining the name of the concept, she said she wanted to incorporate her upbringing in Queens and the fact that her music is predominantly played in nightclubs.^[38] Using that inspiration, she decided to use the playing card "Queen of Clubs" as the title, portraying herself as the Queen, a move she described as "audacious" but something she felt she could prove because she had the substance.^[37] The package was broken into three releases: Ruby Edition (August 2010), Onyx Edition (October 2010) and Diamond Edition (December 2010). It featured collaborations with, and remixes by, Armin van Buuren, Gareth Emery and Avicii amongst several other prominent DJs and producers.^[39]

I think the fact that it (electronic dance music) is mostly male dominated makes females stand out that much more if they are driven enough. I believe anything is possible with hard work.

– Nadia Ali^[40]

With a decade-long career, MTV described Ali as one of the "enduring empresses" of electronic dance music and the Queen of Clubs Trilogy as "aptly titled".^[41] Noted for being the "definitive" and "unmistakable" voice of dance music, she is said to have "enriched" and "invigorated" the genre.^[21][42] Ali has went on to become an oft-requested collaborator by DJs and producers.^[22] She was praised for acquiring notability in a male and DJ-dominated genre where vocalists serve as supporting acts.^[40][43] In December 2010 she received her first Grammy nomination when the Morgan Page remix of "Fantasy" was nominated in the Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical category.^[8]

Her first track with iiO, "Rapture" was re-released as a single from Queen of Clubs Trilogy with remixes by Tristan Garner, Gareth Emery and Avicii. A new music video for the track was shot based on the "Queen of Clubs" theme and released on January 24, 2011.^[44] The song peaked at No. 3 on the Romanian Top 100 chart, while charting in other European countries.^[9]

Nadia Ali performing at Armin Only in Poland

Throughout 2010, Ali's collaborations with DJs and producers were released. These included remixes of her upcoming collaboration "That Day" with Dresden and Johnston, which were released on compilation albums. The next, "The Notice" with Swiss duo Chris Reece was released on July 13 on all digital retailers.^[45] Ali was featured on the track "Feels So Good" on Armin van Buuren's fourth album Mirage. Released as the fifth single from the album, the song was voted as the Best Trance Track at the 27th International Dance Music Awards in the Best Trance Song category.^[10][46] She was also a featured guest on his Armin Only tour.^[12]

During 2011, Ali announced the release of collaborations with several DJs and producers. The first of these was "Call My Name" with the duo Sultan & Ned Shepard, released by Harem Records on February 9. "Call My Name" was a club success, charting at No. 5 on Billboard Hot Dance Club Play Chart.^[47] The second track "Pressure", a collaboration with Starkillers and Alex Kenji was released on February 15 by Spinnin' Records.^[48] The Alesso remix of "Pressure" became a club and festival anthem and received support from notable DJs such as Armin van Buuren, Tiesto, Swedish House Mafia and Calvin Harris and was voted the Best Progressive House Track at the 27th International Dance Music Awards.^[10][49]

In April, iiO released the studio album Exit 110, which featured Ali on vocals. She distanced herself from the album and stated she had no involvement in the project besides her vocals and words from nearly 10 years ago being used for the songs.^[50] She described it as "interesting" that there was new material featuring her released by iiO when she hadn't worked with Moser since 2005.^[19] She further said that she hadn't spoken with Moser since her departure and when asked whether the split of iiO was amicable, she refused to explain the circumstances surrounding the dissolution of the duo.^[19] On May 23, her next collaboration, "Free To Go" with Alex Sayz was released by Zouk Recordings.^[51] She was featured on Sander van Doorn's second studio album Eleve11 on the track "Rolling the Dice", a collaboration between van Doorn, Sidney Samson and her.^[52] Her next release was the single "Believe It" with the German duo Spencer & Hill, which was released on October 3 by Wall Recordings.^[53] She collaborated once again with Starkillers on the single "Keep It Coming", which was released on December 26 by Spinnin' Records.^[54]

[edit] 2012–present: Phoenix

As of November 2010, Ali had begun working on her second studio album.^[12] A music video for the lead single from the album, "When It Rains", was released on her YouTube channel on August 17 2011 with a release date to be announced.^[55] She attributed the delay in the release of the album once again on her busy touring schedule citing the demand to perform live particularly in the United States.^[56][57] However, beginning in February 2012 she took 40 days off to finalise the album, which she said would be titled Phoenix.^[56] She chose the name as an allusion to what she felt was a relaunch of her career.^[58] Explaining the creative process behind the album, she said she chose to work with a mix of international producers in an effort to combine the North American understanding of good songwriting with the European expertise in production to create a high energy dance album catered for her dance music fans.^[57][59] She said she had tried to bring together the DJs who she had released songs with in the last few years to make one cohesive compilation.^[58] The theme of the album, she elaborated, was trying to get the listener to understand the "artist personality" and the singer-songwriter behind the music.^[59]

Her first release in 2012 was "This Is Your Life", the fourth single from Swiss DJ EDX's album On The Edge.^[60] That was followed by "Carry Me", a collaboration with Morgan Page on his third studio album, In the Air.^[61] Her next release will be "Must Be The Love", the lead single from BT's upcoming eighth studio album, which was a collaboration between him, Arty and Ali.^[62]

Musical style and influences[link]

Ali is perhaps best known for her characteristic voice and vocal abilities.^[21][31][63] Reema Kumari Jadeja from MOBO described her work as "masterfully encapsulating euphoric and melancholic, Ali’s signature music style sees Eastern mystique caressed with intelligent electronica and fortified with soul".^[21] The songs on Embers were likened to Madonna's work in her prime and a "modern re-intepretation" of Stevie Nicks. Billboard praised her voice for having "too much life on its own".^[42][31][63] Ali has been influenced by an eclectic mix of artists, which she credits to her Eastern background and upbringing in Queens.^[18][33] She listed alternative, folk, Indian and Pakistani music as her biggest influences.^[16][18] Some of her vocal and songwriting influences, she said, were Stevie Nicks, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Madonna, Sade and Bono.^[13][16][32]

	"Crash and Burn" (2008) noicon "Crash and Burn" combines Ali's signature music styles: Eastern, electronic and acoustic
Problems listening to this file? See media help.

Her debut album was noted for a blend of electronica, acoustic and Middle Eastern melodies.^[30] Speaking about Embers, Ali said she did not want a typical dance record and chose to experiment, particularly with the number of ballads on the album.^[18] Meanwhile, her second album Phoenix, she said would be a more "high-energy" dance album, where while she maintained her characteristic vocal style, she also experimented with the musical style.^[58] She said while working on the album she was inspired and influenced by indie pop and the styles of Avicii, R3hab and Skrillex.^[58] Ali has collaborated with DJs from a broad range of genres and styles in electronic dance music. Some of the resulting work has been described as minimal trance,^[64] "sad disco"^[36] and "mainstream pop".^[45]

She has been praised for her songwriting, describing personal experiences with people, which "hit a powerful and striking chord" with the listener.^[31] Ali has said she almost always prefers to sing a song she has written herself and that the best songs are mostly written when they narrate a true account.^[13][14] The songs on Embers, Ali has stated, describe the relationships she has experienced and the emotions they have left behind.^[40] The song "Fantasy", she said, summed her up how she likes to be recognised, "an emotional songwriter who loves being a part of electronic music".^[22] Ali has said in the future she would like to focus more on production and songwriting and has written songs for Tocadisco, Avicii, Hardwell, Sultan & Ned Shepard, EDX and Pete tha Zouk.^[21][24]

Discography[link]

Studio albums

• Embers (2009)
• Phoenix (2012)

Compilations

• Queen of Clubs Trilogy: Ruby Edition (2010)
• Queen of Clubs Trilogy: Onyx Edition (2010)
• Queen of Clubs Trilogy: Diamond Edition (2010)

Awards and nominations[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

	Biography portal
	Asian Americans portal

• Official website

Ryan Tedder
Tedder in Austria, 2010
Background information
Birth name	Ryan Benjamin Tedder
Also known as	Alias Ryan "Alias" Tedder
Born	(1979-06-26) June 26, 1979 (age 33) Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States
Genres	Pop rock, R&B, alternative rock, teen pop, cello rock
Occupations	Singer, musician, songwriter, record producer, multi-instrumentalist
Instruments	Vocals, guitar, piano, organ, bass, drums, synthesizers, clarinet, glockenspiel, vibraphone
Years active	1999 – present
Labels	Columbia Records Interscope Records (2007–present)
Associated acts	OneRepublic, Far East Movement, Adele, Gym Class Heroes
Website	myspace.com/aliastheproducer

Ryan Benjamin Tedder (born June 26, 1979) is a Grammy Award winning singer-songwriter and record producer.^[1][2] He is best known as the frontman of the pop rock band, OneRepublic, though he has an independent career as songwriter and producer for various artists such as Adele, Jennifer Lopez, Beyoncé, B.o.B., Kelly Clarkson, Far East Movement, Adam Lambert, Jordin Sparks, Leona Lewis, Gavin DeGraw, Demi Lovato, Sebastian Ingrosso, Maroon 5, and Paul Oakenfold.^[3]

Early life and education[link]

Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Tedder was raised by an extended family of missionaries and pastors and grew up in the church.^[4][5] He began learning to play the piano at the age of three via the Suzuki method.^[4] His early interest in music was prompted by his musician father and school-teacher mother, who coaxed their young son into practicing piano in exchange for candy corn.^[4] Tedder started singing at the age of seven.^[2] A self-taught vocalist, Tedder began honing this skill at the age of twelve by imitating his favorite artists, who ranged from The Beatles to acts as diverse as Peter Gabriel, Stevie Wonder and Sting. He has commented, "I sang for two hours a day every day of my life until I was eighteen."^[4] He continued to perform musically during his adolescence through church, school, and personally formed groups.^[2]

In his senior year, he moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado.^[6] There he met and became friends with future OneRepublic band-mate Zach Filkins on their soccer team at the Colorado Springs Christian School. He attended Oral Roberts University in Oklahoma and began to showcase his own material there. Tedder completed his college education and graduated from ORU in 2001 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Relations and Advertising.^[7]

Career[link]

Early musical career[link]

For years Tedder worked as a waiter, and also as a shop assistant at Pottery Barn, before securing an internship at DreamWorks SKG in Nashville, singing on demos to break into the music scene. He produced demos for songwriters and labels, charging $300 to $400 a track.^[4] Tedder claims that DreamWorks offered him his first publishing deal shortly after his arrival; however, he was intent on pursuing a career as an artist and his first venture in that arena came via a different route all together.

At the age of twenty-one, Tedder competed in a singer-songwriter competition and was selected by 'N Sync singer Lance Bass as one of five finalists to perform on a one-hour special on MTV, performing original material in front of millions of viewers.^[8] The prize for the winner was a music contract with Bass's now-defunct management company, Free Lance Entertainment.^[8] The contestants performed live and were then rated by judges and the audience; the highest scoring artist winning the contract. Tedder's performance of one of his songs, "The Look", received the most votes from the judges and fans, and he won the competition; however, a contract with a recording label was not finalized and no album was released.^[8] Tedder later revealed the record and publishing deal he was offered "wasn't real. It was just a bunch of hype that didn't turn into anything."^[9]

Producing and writing[link]

One year after winning the MTV competition, Tedder caught the attention of the hip hop producer Timbaland.^[10] Tedder commented that he was with Timbaland from 2002-2004 to develop as an artist while producing for other artists at the time.^[9] Tedder's work crossed many musical genres (ranging from hip hop, R&B, rock, pop to dance/techno) and he has had many chart successes both in America and the United Kingdom with a number of artists. In June 2007, Tedder signed a worldwide publishing administration deal with Kobalt Music Publishing. The deal included Tedder's new works and all songs not performed by OneRepublic.

Tedder performing on stage, 2009

Tedder is the writer of the worldwide smash hit, "Apologize", performed by his band OneRepublic, which as of 2008 is the best-selling and charting single of the decade.^[11] The song broke the US Top 40 Radio Airplay Record with 10,331 spins in one week. It was the number-one most played song for five months until May 7, 2008 when Leona Lewis's "Bleeding Love" (a song that Tedder co-wrote and produced), broke the record previously set by "Apologize", with 10,665 spins in one week.^[12] "Bleeding Love" was the best-selling single of 2007 in the United Kingdom, topping the UK charts for seven weeks and was the fastest selling CD of 2007 receiving the most radio airplay worldwide prior to its US debut. The song also earned a Best British Single award nomination at the Brit Awards in February 2008 and reached number one in over 35 countries. Tedder and co-writer Jesse McCartney received an ASCAP award for writing the song. Tedder is also credited for writing the treatment for the second music video that was filmed for the US release of "Bleeding Love". It also earned a Record Of The Year nomination at the February 2009 Grammy awards.^[13]

Tedder has written and produced singles with artists such as Jennifer Lopez, Adele, Carrie Underwood, Leona Lewis, Jennifer Hudson, Alexandra Burke, Backstreet Boys, Beyoncé, Monrose, David Cook, Jordin Sparks, AJ McLean, Chris Cornell, Ashley Tisdale, Ludacris, Gavin Degraw, James Blunt, James Morrison, Paula DeAnda, Hilary Duff, Timbaland, Bubba Sparxxx, Dima Bilan, Shayne Ward, Lemar, Esmee Denters, Clay Aiken, t.A.T.u., Menudo, Ashanti, Natasha Bedingfield, Whitney Houston, Westlife, Charice, Varsity Fanclub, Sugababes, Daughtry, Mario, DJ Tiesto and a number of songs with various rock acts in the US and abroad.^[14] He worked with Jennifer Lopez on her 2007 single Do It Well from her album Brave, then worked with Kelly Clarkson on her 2009 album All I Ever Wanted, penning the songs "If I Can't Have You", "Impossible", "Save You", "Tip Of My Tongue" and "Already Gone", which features vocals from Ryan. He also worked with Beyoncé on her album I Am… Sasha Fierce, penning the song "Halo." The similarity between the songs "Already Gone" and "Halo" prompted Clarkson to publicly state that she did not know about "Halo" and that both songs were co-written by Tedder.^[15] Tedder's work with Beyoncé also earned him two Grammy nominations with Record Of The Year for "Halo" and Album Of The Year for I Am...Sasha Fierce at the January 2010 Grammy Awards. Tedder worked extensively on Leona Lewis's second album Echo, writing and producing many songs with her, three of which have made the album, including the first single "Happy", "You Don't Care" which features vocals from Ryan and "Lost Then Found", which features OneRepublic. Tedder co-wrote and produced Jordin Sparks' lead single "Battlefield" from her second album of the same name. Tedder worked on American Idol Season 8 runner up, Adam Lambert's debut album For Your Entertainment.

In late 2009, Tedder launched his own record company, Patriot Records. Recently signed buzz artist My Name Is Kay, will release her debut EP through Interscope in 2012. Nikki Flores' single "City Lights" was released in the fall of 2010 on Universal/Republic Records. Tedder also formed his own publishing company, Patriot Games Publishing, in 2009 in alliance with Kobalt Music Publishing Worldwide. To date he has a stable of top notch writers and producers such as Inflo, cellist/bassist Noel Zancanella, and Brent Kutzle of OneRepublic). The Patriot team of writers and producers with Tedder are credited with "I Was Here" by Beyoncé, "Good Life" by OneRepublic, "I Just Had Sex" by The Lonely Island featuring Akon, "Lost Then Found" by Leona Lewis and OneRepublic, "Just a Guy" by BC Jean, "Count on You" by Big Time Rush featuring Jordin Sparks, and "And Then We Dance," the #1 hit single from Australia's Got Talent winners Justice Crew.

More recently, Ryan is credited with writing and producing hits from some of 2011's most anticipated albums, including Adele's "21," Beyoncé's "4," Colbie Caillat's "All Of You," Gavin Degraw's "Sweeter," among others.

Tedder worked on Demi Lovato's third album Unbroken, released on September 20, 2011. About working with her, Tedder commented, "Demi blew me out of the water vocally! I had no idea how good her voice is. She's one of the best singers I've ever worked with. Literally, that good... I mean, she's a Kelly Clarkson-level vocalist. And Kelly has a set of pipes". In 2011, he composed a new song for Vanness Wu, "Is this All" in Taiwan. He co-wrote David Cook's "The Last Goodbye" from his second album.^[16] He produced a song for K'naan titled "Better".^[17] He co-wrote "Good in Goodbye" for Carrie Underwood's third album Blown Away, released on May 1, 2012. He produced tracks for Maroon 5's new album Overexposed, set to release in June 2012 and has also been working on tracks for Jennifer Lopez's new untitled 2012 album, one of the songs being "Clothes Off".^[18] Tedder co-wrote and co-produced the song "Sattelite" for British band The Wanted which appears on their US album released on April 24, 2012.^[19] He also worked on B.o.B's Strange Clouds, released in May 2012; he produced and co-wrote single "So Good" and is featured on "Never Let You Go".

Tedder was featured in Far East Movement's 2010 hit single "Rocketeer," as well as the current Gym Class Heroes single,"The Fighter". He has also recorded vocal tracks for Sebastian Ingrosso and Alesso's dance music track he also co-wrote, titled "Calling."^[20]

Tedder is currently working with Ellie Goulding, Trey Songz, Jason Derulo, Cody Simpson, Lady Antebellum, Marina and the Diamonds, Dan Black, and Lights on their forthcoming studio albums.^{[citation needed]}

Tedder was also a judge for the 10th annual Independent Music Awards to support independent artists' careers.^[21]

OneRepublic[link]

As well as producing, Tedder also sings lead vocals and plays guitar and piano for the band, OneRepublic. The five member band consisting of Tedder, Filkins, Eddie Fisher, Drew Brown, and Brent Kutzle was formed in Colorado Springs, Colorado, in 2002 by Tedder and his high school classmate Zach Filkins.^[22] Tedder has since revealed that the band was formed at a "crossroads" in his life: "I was offered two publishing deals within two months of being in Nashville…I could have just written songs and lived a carefree life, but I knew that I had to be an artist. I wanted to form a rock band and create my own sound."^[4] Based in Los Angeles, OneRepublic started out as an unsigned act on the social networking website, MySpace. Since June 2004, they have accumulated over fifty million plays for their music on the site. As of 2009, they are the number-one band on MySpace and have been in the MySpace Music's Top Artists since the summer of 2006.^[23]

The band gained further exposure when their 2007 single, "Apologize", was re-mixed and re-released on Timbaland's compilation album, Timbaland Presents Shock Value. The remix became an international chart hit in the fall of 2007. The song broke records after gaining 10,331 spins in one week. According to SoundScan, "Apologize" is the most legally downloaded song in US digital history with sales of over 4.3 million digital downloads in the US alone.^[24] It is also the second best-selling song of the decade.^[25] OneRepublic's debut album, Dreaming Out Loud, includes both the song's original version and version with Timbaland, and was released on November 20, 2007 on Timbaland's Mosley Music Group imprint via Interscope Records.^[26] The band had previously been signed to Columbia Records, and their album was due to be released in 2006, but this did not occur. Tedder explained, "Crap happened. People got fired. Labels merged and politics abounded".^[27] Subsequently, the band was released from their deal with Columbia, and they were signed by Timbaland in the summer of 2006 becoming the first rock band to be signed to Mosley Music Group.^[27] Tedder has commented on the success of his band's hit single, "Apologize": "The toughest thing to do is write a hit song, but we had a hit song before we had an album… What has happened has been really strange and really great."^[26]

Tedder is a multi-instrumentalist. During OneRepublic's performances, he often switches from singing lead vocals to playing guitar, bass guitar, glockenspiel, tambourine or piano. On rare occasions, he plays drums alongside the band's main percussionist, Eddie Fisher.

The band finished recording their second album, titled "Waking Up" on August 25, 2009, and released their lead single, "All the Right Moves" to radio and iTunes everywhere except Germany and Austria, where "Secrets" was released instead. The album was released on November 17, 2009 in the United States. To date, the second US single, "Secrets" has reached over 2M digital downloads, and third single "Good Life" continues to climb the charts, breaking into the Top 10 on iTunes and radio everywhere.

In January 2012, the band was working on their upcoming album.^[28] Upon an interview from the 2012 Grammys, Ryan announced that they were half way through working on it.

Personal life[link]

Ryan Tedder is married. He openly acknowledged and thanked his wife, Genevieve, in the liner notes of OneRepublic's debut album Dreaming Out Loud. Ryan and Genevieve have a son, Copeland Cruz Tedder, born on August 2, 2010 in Denver, Colorado.^[29] Tedder's cousins, Adam, Ashley and Austin Clark comprise the band Sons of Sylvia and were formerly in The Clark Family Experience. He co-wrote their song "Love Left to Lose".^[30] Despite being a Christian, he does not want to be labeled as a "Christian artist".^[5] He has on one arm a tattoo written in old Japanese which he got while he was in Osaka, meaning "God's will" and literally means "God gives and God takes".^[31][32]

Tedder became involved with Southern Hospitality, a restaurant co-created in 2007 by Justin Timberlake at Second Avenue in Manhattan,^[33] when it opened a second location in Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan.^[34] On August 22, 2011, it was announced that Tedder had become the first franchisee of the Southern Hospitality BBQ brand and that there were plans to bring the concept in ten cities across the United States including Denver, Nashville, Dallas, Austin, Houston, New Orleans, Atlanta, Phoenix, Palo Alto and Washington, D.C..^[35] They will open a restaurant in the St. Elmo Hotel in October 2012.^[33]

Writing and production credits[link]

References[link]