Dr Alban   (Sweden)

EuroDance group
Added : 24/01/2000
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Latest Dr Alban news

07/06/2022 : Simone Angel interviewed Dr Alban on her Ancient & Justified podcast

21/04/2022 : Dr Alban posted snippets from the video from his forthcoming single Change (I have a dream), featuring Whitney Peyton

07/04/2022 : Dr Alban teased a new single entitled Change (I have a dream)

12/12/2021 : Dr Alban teamed with Admiral C4C and Lian Ross to record single Moving On. You can also check the making of videoclip (thanks to Pim)

29/10/2021 : Dr Alban's hit Sing Hallelujah was covered by Aquagen & Andrew Spencer

14/08/2020 : Dr Alban was featured by Polish rapper Popek on a new version of his hit It's My Life

24/06/2020 : Dr Alban released a new single, a collaboration with Folkhemmet entitled Drama

More news

Dr Alban albums

	Hello Afrika	Oct 1990	BUY X
	One Love	May 1992	BUY X
	Look Who's Talking	1994	BUY X
	Look Who's Talking (French release)	1994	BUY X
	Born In Africa	1996	BUY X
	The Best of Dr. Alban 1990-1997	1997	BUY X
	I Believe	12th Dec 1997	BUY X
	It's My Life (re-release of Look Who's Talking)	1998	BUY X
	Prescription	29th May 2000	BUY X
	Back To Basics	2007	BUY X
	The Ultimate Collection 1990-2014	28th May 2014	BUY X

Dr Alban DVDs and VHS

Look Who's Talking (Video And More)

1994

VHS

Dr Alban singles

	Fly Eagles		BUY X
	Hello Afrika (feat Leila K)	Jul 1990	BUY X
	No Coke	Sep 1990	BUY X
	Sing Shi-Wo-Wo (Stop The Pollution)	1991	BUY X
	U & Mi	Jan 1991	BUY X
	It's My Life	Apr 1992	BUY X
	One Love	Aug 1992	BUY X
	Sing Hallelujah	Jan 1993	BUY X
	No Coke '93	Sep 1993	BUY X
	Look Who's Talking	Feb 1994	BUY X
	Away From Home	May 1994	BUY X
	Let The Beat Go On	Aug 1994	BUY X
	This Time I'm Free	Aug 1995	BUY X
	Born In Africa	Feb 1996	BUY X
	Hallelujah Day	20th May 1996	BUY X
	Mr DJ	Aug 1997	BUY X
	It's My Life '97	12th Sep 1997	BUY X
	Long Time Ago	Nov 1997	BUY X
	Feel The Rhythm	Apr 1998	BUY X
	Sing Hallelujah '98	Apr 1998	BUY X
	Guess Who's Coming To Dinner / Enemies (feat Michael Rose)	22nd Apr 1998	BUY X
	Papaya Coconut (vs Kikki Danielsson)	Oct 1998	BUY X
	Because Of You	Feb 2000	BUY X
	What Do I Do	Apr 2000	BUY X
	Saturday Is A Rub-A-Dub Day	2003	BUY X
	Work Work	Jun 2003	BUY X
	Sing Hallelujah 2004 (with Yamboo)	Dec 2003	BUY X
	Habibi (feat Melissa)	2007	BUY X
	I Love The 90's (with Haddaway)	31st May 2008	BUY X
	Hello South Africa (vs Sash!)	2010	BUY X
	Tell Me What U Want (with Melissa)	Sep 2010	BUY X
	Freedom	22nd Feb 2012	BUY X
	It's My Life 2014	10th Jan 2014	BUY X
	Around The World	23rd Feb 2014	BUY X
	Hurricane	29th May 2015	BUY X
	Elmoped Video only	18th Jun 2018	BUY X
	Drama (with Folkhemmet)	12th Jun 2020	BUY X
	Moving On (with Admiral C4C & Lian Ross)	2nd Dec 2021	BUY X
	Change (I Have A Dream) (with Whitney Peyton)	29th Apr 2022	BUY X

Dr Alban remixes

	No Coke (The Twelve Inch Remixes)	1990	BUY X
	Hello Afrika	1990	BUY X
	U & Mi	1991	BUY X
	It's My Life (Raggadag Remix)	1992	BUY X
	One Love	1992	BUY X
	Sing Hallelujah	1993	BUY X
	Away From Home	1994	BUY X
	Look Who's Talking (The U.S. House Remixes)	1995	BUY X
	This Time I'm Free	1995	BUY X
	It's My Life (Redux)	20th Mar 2020	BUY X

Featurings and collaborations

	Amadin - Take Me Up (Alrabaiye)	1993	BUY X
	Swing - Sweet Dreams	13th Apr 1994	BUY X
	Rob'n'raz Circus - Take A Ride	1996	BUY X
	Swahili Nation - Hakuna Matata	1997	BUY X
	Sash! - Colour The World	Jan 1999	BUY X
	Friends In Need - Alla Vi	Apr 1999	BUY X
	DJ Aligator Project - I Like To Move It	2002	BUY X
	Starclub - Chiki Chiki	2006	BUY X
	A-moe - No Coke	Oct 2006	BUY X
	Al Azif vs Adam Tensta - My Cool	2008	BUY X
	m:ret-zon - Summerday	15th May 2009	BUY X
	Sash! - Hello South Africa	2010	BUY X
	Gosia Andrzejewicz - Loverboy	21st May 2012	BUY X
	St John's Dance - Master	3rd Oct 2012	BUY X
	Paradox Factory - Beautiful People	29th Nov 2012	BUY X
	Jessica Folcker - Who Am I	19th Mar 2013	BUY X
	Sanjin & Youthman - Zlatan	4th Feb 2014	BUY X
	Scotty presents Yamboo - Sing Hallelujah 2014	14th Mar 2014	BUY X
	Dynamic - Everybody Singing (lalala)	11th Nov 2014	BUY X
	Chawki - It's My Life (Don't Worry)	13th Nov 2014	BUY X
	Basic Element - Good To You	20th May 2016	BUY X
	Admiral C4C - Turn It Up	28th Jun 2017	BUY X
	Claysteer & Popek - It's My Life	12th Aug 2020	BUY X

Productions, co-production, executive production

	Amadin - U Make Me Feel Alright	1994	BUY X
	Cool James and Black Teacher - Free	1998	BUY X
	Friends In Need - Alla Vi	Apr 1999	BUY X

Songwriting

	Dr Alban - It's My Life	Apr 1992	BUY X
	Amadin - Take Me Up (Alrabaiye)	1993	BUY X
	Dr Alban - Sing Hallelujah	Jan 1993	BUY X
	Jennifer (3) - Tell Me	1998	BUY X
	Sash! - Colour The World	Jan 1999	BUY X
	Sash! - Hello South Africa	2010	BUY X

Dr Alban biography

Alban Nwapa was born on August 26th 1957 in Uguta, Enugu (Nigeria). He grew up listening to Fela Kuti and James Brown. His dad was a doctor and wanted to make sure that his 10 children would be following good studies. At age 23 Alban moved to Stockholm to live with his uncle (a diplomate) and began studying dentistry in Karolinska Institute. In order to be able to finance his university studies the music-loving medical student started making his own music. During this time Alban worked as a DJ in the well known Stockholm club 'Alphabet Street'.

Very quickly his name became widely well known, especially since Alban often sang to the records he put on the turntable as a DJ. DJ René couldn't help but notice him and so the highly intelligent and  medical student was discovered. But first Alban finished his studies and even opened his own dentistry practice.

In 1990, he met Denniz PoP from the SweMix label in the legendary 'Alphabet Street'. Even then Denniz PoP was already one of the top producers in the music business. Alban laid aside his dentist's drill and realised his dream, together with Denniz and Rap-Queen Leila K: his first record, Hello Africa - his declaration of love for his African home - broke all records. Alban Nwapa became Dr. Alban - and a superstar. His debut-album Hello Africa sold roughly one million copies world-wide!

Only a year later this success was surpassed by the second album One Love. 1,6 million single units of the song It's My Life were sold (the single was even used as background music for an Tampax advert). It was # 1 in Israel, # 2 in UK, # 1 in Germany and Europe. The following single One Love was # 5 in Israel. The album immediately sold over 1,7 million units. Then followed the albums Look Who's Talking and Born In Africa. All in all Dr. Alban can look back on world-wide sales of over 5 millions albums and over 6 millions singles - which resulted in: 7 times Silver, 30 times Gold and 30 times Platinum so far. These rather dry (but very impressive) figures leave to doubt: the Dance-dentist belongs to the group of International Mega-Stars. His hit No Coke was even used to illustrate a anti-drugs campain in Sweden. The single Sing Hallelujah was also very successful, reaching # 5 in Israel.

After a re-release of No Coke, Dr Alban confirmed his Eurodance style with his hit Look Who's Talking Now, reaching # 4 in Israel, # 6 at MTV Europe, and # 54 in UK. Let The Beat Go On was # 12 in Israel, # 12 at MTV. It featured the voices of Nana Hedin, as always, and Jessica Folcker.

In 1995, along with Swing, he covered the famous Euroythmics song Sweet Dreams. Birgitta Edoff contributed to the vocals.

Dr. Alban's musical influences cannot be missed : the late Fela Kuti is 'the' African National Hero, the king of Afro Beat. As his idols the doctor names Jimmy Cliff and Bob Marley, two of the most important Reggae-legends of all time. The combination of these sounds, mixed with rhythmic dance grooves and harmonic pop melodies have become Dr. Alban's hallmark. That his musical talent runs in the family is shown by the fact that one of his nieces has joined the ranks of the famous in the music business - Alban is the uncle of Ricarda Nonyem Wältken, better known under the name Ricky, member of the group Tic Tac Toe.

And it's not only musical talent that makes Alban stand out. He created his own record company 'Dr. Records', on which he released Born in Africa, the first CD recorded completely in his Dr Records studios. He became the producer of many successful artists such as La Cream. He even began designing clothes and created his own fashion company but he had to give it up because his musical career left him no time to manage anything else. Anyway he keeps on creating all the clothes he wears on the scene. He didn't forget her family in Nigeria either : he built a house for them, and he spends 6 weeks each weeks in his homeland, with his Swedish girlfriend. Eventually he is very interested in soccer...

Yet these are not the only passions of the Swedish Nigerian. The great statesman Nelson Mandela and the committed artist have a lot in common. Both African men fight for peace and justice, against war, racism, famine and oppression. These are subjects which are documented in nearly all of Dr. Alban's songs: 'Men are men and should be treated equally. Peace, love and harmony between nations and peoples are more important than the colour of one's skin or one's religion.'

With his last album, Dr. Alban is about to write a new and extremely exciting chapter in the book of his career. On I Believe he was able to work together with some of his own heroes, like Sly & Robbie, Freddie Mc Gregor, Beenie Man, Charlie King, a.m.m. and several exciting mixes have been produced by Sash! & DJ Quicksilver (to name but a few). The album featured many interesting tracks such as Long Time Ago which was also released as a single, reaching # 9 in Israel. Then came Feel The Rhythm, featuring female vocals by Monica Lofgren.

In 1999, his voice was featured on Sash's single Colour The World. He also produced and released under his label Doctor records the track Alla Vi, a collaboration with the tennis-legend Björn Borg and former soccer-star Tomas Brolin. The project was called Friends In Need.

After one year of silence he came back with a new track entitled Because Of You, followed by What Do I Do and a new album, unfortunately absolutely not Eurodance-related. Alban says: ' I'm very satisfied with my new album Prescription, it has taken us two years to find a new sound that will stand out, be fresh and reach a broad public. Many hands have been involved in making this new album sound special. There are also guest appearances from Tony Rebell and Anthony B to name a few.'

2002 : DJ Aligator released a track featuring the voice of Dr. Alban : I Like To Move It, the cover of the Real 2 Reel hit.

Dr Alban opened his own restaurant and club, the "Stacy nite club" on Regeringsgatan in downtown Stockholm (Sweden). With seats for approximately 75, the restaurant serves lunches and dinners with a distinct tinge of the Asiatic while attracting commendations from the culinary columnists. "Classical and robust hot meals at affordable prices " commented Aftonbladet, the evening Swedish newspaper. "Exquisite fancy dishes - worth a visit" wrote Dagens Nyheter, a major national daily. Side by side with the restaurant, yet still separate, lies the night-club, open Wednesdays to Saturdays with enough space for 500 people to mingle in a recognizable club environment with bar, small tables and a stage for performances.

2003 : at last Dr Alban released some new material. Entitled Work Work, his new single was out in the stores in May.

2004 : Dr Alban released a cover of one of his biggest success : Sing Hallelujah Recall 2004, which entered Danish charts at #31.

2006 : Sing Hallelujah was once again covered, this time by Yamboo. It entered the Swedish, Danish and Norwegian Dance Charts. In May, Dr Alban did a tour in Russia, he also appeared in Austria and Denmark with Yamboo. Dr Alban was featured on a new released single : Starclub feat. Dr Alban - Chiki Chiki. He started a collection of men's underwear : Exclusive Fashion from Dr Alban.

Dr Alban rumoured to be one of the wildcards in Melodifestivalen 2007. He confirmed to Swedish newspaper Expressen that he has been in discussions with broadcaster SVT. At the moment though, he's not saying any more than yes, he might make Melodifestivalen the place where he has his come-back. One of his backing singers on his big hit It's My Life, Marie Bergman, had herself represented Sweden in 1994.

Dr Alban is the uncle of Ricarda Wältken, a member of the German group Tic Tac Toe.

2007 : Dr Alban recorded a new single together with Lebanese artist Melissa entitled Habibi. A brand new album called Back To Basics followed. It is sold only on the Internet through his official website.

2008 : Dr Alban and Haddaway recorded together a single entitled I Love The 90s. It was released on May 31st, along with a videoclip. Female vocals were done by Malin Sundström, from the Caramell project.

Dr Alban also recorded a new song entitled Music In Me in April, with Sasi The Don, the Indian king of dancehall music. The song appeared on the Dutch version of the album Back To Basics.

2010 : Sing Hallelujah was covered by Italian artist DJ Hush. Dr Alban re-recorded his hit Hello Africa for Soccer World Cup 2010 and released it under the title Hello South Africa.

2011 : A part of Dr Alban's Sing Hallelujah's chorus was sampled and used in Collectif Métissé's new single Laisse Tomber Tes Problèmes.

2012 : Dr Alban's new single Freedom is a pop dance beat track will be released in Sweden on Febrary 22nd. He plays the role of an African king in the movie Sean Banan, to be released in Sweden on February 15th

©1998 Dr Records
Thanks to Shimon O'Hana for the charts positions
Thanks to Andrei Dinu, Madenn, Mihai, Mattias, aZo, Stavros aka Musicboy,Vision and Anders Bøgh
Oikotimes

Dr Alban biography was last updated Tue, June 7th 2022

Charts (singles)

Hello Afrika		#1				#25			#7	#3
No Coke		#2	#26			#7		#6	#1	#3
Sing Shi-Wo-Wo (Stop The Pollution)		#16							#36	#13
U & Mi		#11							#20	#9
It's My Life	#43	#1	#1		#13	#1	#49	#2	#1	#2
One Love		#9	#8			#14	#42	#10	#19	#11
Sing Hallelujah	#5	#7	#3		#4	#6		#8	#6	#4
Look Who's Talking		#3	#5		#17	#4		#4	#2	#6
Away From Home		#12	#27			#45			#24	#26
Let The Beat Go On		#23	#9		#12	#19			#17
This Time I'm Free		#23	#20	#2		#35		#11	#3	#32
Born In Africa		#31		#1					#11	#47
Hallelujah Day		#35		#12					#30
Mr DJ		#21		#8

Links to Dr Alban

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