Dr. Alban

Dr. Alban

Dr. Alban during a live concert in 2009
Background information
Birth name Alban Nwapa
Born (1957-08-26) 26 August 1957
Imo, Nigeria
Origin Stockholm, Sweden
Genres Eurodance, hip hop, reggae fusion, house, dancehall
Occupation(s) Musician
Years active 1980s–present
Labels Dr. Records, Ariola
Associated acts Leila K, Denniz Pop, Kikki Danielsson, Sash!, Haddaway
Website dralban.net

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

Biography

Dr. Alban was born as Alban Uzoma Nwapa into a middle-class family of 10 children in Oguta, Imo state, Nigeria.[1] He had his secondary education at Christ The King College, Aba, Nigeria and spent most of his youth in his hometown Oguta. At age of 23, he travelled to Sweden to study dentistry.[1] To be able to finance his studies, Dr. Alban became a DJ. He worked as a DJ at the Stockholm club Alphabet Street.[1] Very quickly his name became widely known, especially since Dr. Alban often sang to the records he put on the turntable. DJ René Hedemyr discovered him. Alban finished his studies and even opened his own dentistry practice, keeping his disk jockeying as a lucrative sideline.

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

One year later this success was surpassed by the second album One Love. The album contained 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, Germany and No.2 in Norway, Switzerland, the United Kingdom.[8][9][10] While the song "It's My Life" reached Platinum status in Germany (for sales of over 500,000 units), in the Netherlands (for sales of over 75,000), it managed to sell over two million copies in Europe.[1][11][12] The album in its turn reached the top of the album chart in Austria and entered the top-5 in Switzerland, also managed to reach No.6 in Germany.[13][14] The album received a Gold-certification-award in Germany (for sales of over 250,000 units) and Platinum-award both in Austria and Switzerland (for sales of over 50,000).[6][15][16]

Alban's third album Look Who's Talking! was released in 1994, which managed to enter 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 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 up with the success of the previous album releases. It only reached the No.12 position in Finland, while it peaked at No.37 in Switzerland and Sweden, No.52 in Germany, No.41 in Austria.[14][19]

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

In 2000, Alban released a single entitled "What Do I Do" which appeared on the album chart of Sweden only 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 a new studio album Back to Basics. It was sold on the Internet only, through Dr. Alban's official website. In Russia; however, both the physical CDs and cassettes were released.

In 2014, on 15 February, at the Scandinavium arena in Gothenburg, Dr. Alban teamed up with Jessica Folcker in the third heat of Melodifestivalen 2014 performing last with the song "Around the World" to win the chance to represent Sweden at the Eurovision Song Contest 2014 in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Discography

Studio albums

Title Album details Peak chart positions Certifications
SWE
[23]		 AUS
[24]		 AUT
[25]		 FIN
[26]		 GER
[27]		 NDL
[28]		 NOR
[29]		 SWI
[30]
Hello Afrika 6 – 2 3 11 43 – 8
One Love
  • Released: 4 May 1992
  • Label: Ariola Records
  • Formats: LP, CD, Cassette
 15 – 1 1 6 20 15 3
Look Who's Talking!
  • Released: 25 March 1994
  • Label: Ariola Records
  • Formats: LP, CD, Cassette
 11 98 7 1 7 28 13 8
Born in Africa
  • Released: 9 April 1996
  • Label: Ariola Records
  • 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.

Compilation albums

Title Album details Peak chart positions
SWE
[23]		 AUT
[25]		 GER
[27]
The Very Best of 1990–1997 38 38 66
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released.

Singles (as lead artist)

Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
SWE
[32]		 AUS
[24]		 AUT
[25]		 FIN
[33]		 GER
[34]		 NLD
[35]		 NOR
[29]		 SPA
[36]		 SWI
[37]		 UK
[38]		 US
[39]
"Hello Afrika"
(feat. Leila K.)		 1990 7 180 1 – 2 25 – 7 3 – — Hello Afrika
"No Coke" 1 – 2 12 3 7 6 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 2 11 2 2 88 One Love
"One Love" 19 – 9 7 7 14 10 – 11 45 —
"Sing Hallelujah" 1993 6 5 7 2 4 6 8 – 4 16 —
"Look Who's Talking" 1994 2 – 3 1 3 4 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 1 – – — —
"Sweet Dreams"
(feat. Swing)		 1995 12 – – 4 – 44 – – – 59 — Non-album Track
"This Time I'm Free" 3 – 23 1 27 35 11 – 32 – — Born in Africa
"Born in Africa" 1996 11 – 31 1 – – – – 47 – —
"Hallelujah Day" 30 – 35 12 – – – – – – —
"It's My Life '97"
(feat. 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 Track
"Habibi"
(feat. Melissa)		 2008 – – – – – – – – – – — Back to Basics
"We Love The 90's"
(feat. Haddaway)		 – – – – – – – – – – — Non-album Track
"Freedom" 2012 – – – – – – – – – – —
"Loverboy" – – – – – – – – – – —
"It's My Life 2014" 2014 – – 39 – 29 – – – – – —
"Around the World"
(feat. Jessica Folcker)		 52 – – – – – – – – – —
"Hurricane" 2015 – – – – – – – – – – –
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released.
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
SWE
[41]		 FIN
[42]		 FR
[43]		 GER
[34]		 NDL
[44]		 SWI
[45]		 UK
[46]
"Papaya Coconut"
(Kikki Danielsson feat. Dr. Alban)		 1998 22 – – – – – – Non-album Track
"Colour the World"
(Sash! feat. Dr. Alban)		 1999 54 – – 39 69 39 15
"Sing Hallelujah (New Version)"
(Yamboo feat. Dr. Alban)		 2005 – 12 – – – – – Okama de Mapouka
"Chiki Chiki"
(Starclub feat. Dr. Alban)		 2006 – – – – – – – Non-album Track
"It's My Life (Don't Worry)"
(Chawki feat. Dr. Alban)		 2014 – – 187 – – – – Non-album Track
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released.

In the British TV series Little Britain, Dr. Alban is the name of the doctor to whom Vicky Pollard visits when she is pregnant.[47]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Allmusic: Dr. Alban (Biography)". Allmusic. Retrieved 19 March 2011.
  2. ↑ http://www.dralban.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=55&Itemid=118
  3. ↑ http://www.naijasmostincredible.com/dr-alban-50-greatest-nigerians-of-all-time/
  4. ↑ http://www.calista.com.tr/news/newsread.asp?ID=114
  5. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Dr. Alban; 'Hello Afrika')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 19 March 2011.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 "Gold & Platin". IFPI (Austria). Retrieved 19 March 2011.
  7. 1 2 "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.
  10. ↑ "ChartStats: Dr. Alban". ChartStats. Retrieved 19 March 2011.
  11. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Dr. Alban; 'It's My Life')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 19 March 2011.
  12. 1 2 "Dr. Alban – It's my life". NVPI. Retrieved 19 March 2011.
  13. ↑ "Dr. Alban: One Love (Album)". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 March 2011.
  14. 1 2 3 "Charts.de: Dr. Alban (Albums)". Charts.de. Retrieved 19 March 2011.
  15. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Dr. Alban; 'One Love')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 19 March 2011.
  16. 1 2 "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. 1 2 3 4 "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. 1 2 "Dr. Alban: Album / Song Chart-History for Sweden". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 March 2011.
  24. 1 2 Australian (ARIA Chart) peaks:
  25. 1 2 3 "Dr. Alban: Album / Song Chart History for Austria". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 March 2011.
  26. ↑ "Dr. Alban: Album / Song Chart History for Finland". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 March 2011.
  27. 1 2 "Charts.de: Dr. Alban (Albums)". Charts.de. Retrieved 23 April 2013.
  28. ↑ "Dr. Alban: Album / Song Chart History for Holland". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 March 2011.
  29. 1 2 "Dr. Alban: Album / Song Chart History for Norway". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 March 2011.
  30. ↑ "Dr. Alban: Album Chart History for Switzerland". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 March 2011.
  31. 1 2 3 4 "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Dr. Alban)" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 20 March 2011.
  32. ↑ Peak positions for Swedish Singles:
  33. ↑ Peak positions for Finland:
  34. 1 2 "Charts.de: Dr. Alban (Singles)". Charts.de. Retrieved 23 April 2013.
  35. ↑ Peak positions for Dutch Singles:
  36. ↑ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
  37. ↑ Peak positions for Swiss Singles:
  38. ↑ Peak positions for UK Singles:
  39. ↑ "Billboard: Dr Alban (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 23 April 2013.
  40. ↑ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988-2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
  41. ↑ Peak positions for Swedish Singles:
  42. ↑ "Dr. Alban: Album / Song Chart History for Finland". Hung Medien. Retrieved 31 January 2012.
  43. ↑ "Dr. Alban: Album / Song Chart History for France". Hung Medien. Retrieved 23 January 2015.
  44. ↑ Peak positions for Dutch Singles:
  45. ↑ Peak positions for Swiss Singles:
  46. ↑ Peak positions for UK Singles:
  47. ↑ TV.com http://www.tv.com/shows/little-britain/watch/series-1-episode-6-284957/. Missing or empty |title= (help)
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Dr. Alban.
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 10/24/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.