Biography This is the multi platinum, critically acclaimed, award winning hip hop sensation that is Madcon. 2008 brought the smash hit Beggin¹ that earned the group several 1 chart positions in Europe(including France, Portugal, Norway, Russia and many more), and an overall 2 position on the European Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Madcon has won a World Music Award, sold millions of singles and compilations, they have performed and toured all over Europe, they have been fought over by labels all over the world, and they are barely getting started. In 2009 the adventure continues with album releases all over Europe, and their debut release in the US and Australia. Madcon was founded by Tshawe Baqwa & Yosef Wolde-Mariam in 1992. Madcons musical style is a retro-urban-mix with influences from funk, soul and hip hop (with additional elements and vibes from reggae, latin and african in the finished product). Yosef & Tshawe blend singing and rapping in a unique and harmonious way. Live in concert Madcon delivers an energetic musical showcase with a full band on stage. The experience is unique for the European music scene, best described as Outkast meets The Roots meets Black Eyed Peas meets Gnarls Barkley. Madcon quickly established themselves in the Nordic music industry as “everybodys favourite rappers”, and they created a remarkable hype supporting for various international superstars like: Destiny’s Child, 50 Cent, Alicia Keys, Wu-Tang Clan, Xzibit, Saian Supa Crew, Clipse, Redman, Busta Rhymes + Madcon supported the last official European tour with the legendary Gangstarr. Madcon released their first single “God Forgive Me” in 2000 (Virgin Records) but the first commercial breakthrough was with long time collaborators Paperboys with the hit single “Barcelona” in 2002 (Bonnier Amigo). Madcon released their first official album “It’s All A Madcon” in 2004 (AA-Recordings/Bonnier Amigo), that won them a Norwegian Grammy and several other awards.
. In 2005 Madcon became tv-personalities on the Nordic music channel The Voice, while growing with their music in the studio. The show ³The Voice of Madcon² became a huge success for both Madcon and the network, showcasing the behind the scenes life of Norways favorite rapstars. In late 2007 Tshawe was invited to join the hugely popular “Dancing With The Stars” tv-show in Norway, and against all odds he won! When the mediahype was at its biggest, Madcon released their brand new single Beggin¹ (a cover version of an old Frankie Valli classic), and it immediately became a smash hit. Beggin¹ became the first urban track in Norway to make it all the way to the top of the sales and radio charts. Their second album “So Dark The Con Of Man” was released December 2007, and sold gold in 3 hours, and platinum in 3 days. The single Beggin¹ worked it¹s way to 7 x platinum status in Norway, becoming one of the biggest hits of all time in the Norwegian charts, and the impact was strong enough to make waves through Europe. Interest for this fresh and exciting talent from the Nordic territory was gathering in Europe, and after several negotiations Madcons label (Bonnier Amigo) signed a licensing agreement with SonyBMG for Central Europe, the UK, Australia and New Zealand, with Universal Republic for the US, with Warner Music for Spain, and with Just Music for South Africa. The album ³So Dark The Con Of Man² will be released all over Europe Q1-Q3 2009, and now that Madcon can finally claim the well deserved title of ³biggest hip hop act in Europe², they have set their sights on the other major territories to release in the US, Japan & Australia in 09!
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