MØ
Karen Marie Aagaard Ørsted Andersen (Danish pronunciation: [ˈkɑːɑn mɑˈʁiˀə ˈɔːˀkɒˀ ˈɶɐ̯steð ˈɑnɐsn̩]; born 13 August 1988), known professionally as MØ (pronounced [ˈmøˀ] ⓘ), is a Danish singer and songwriter. She began her career in the mid-2000s as a member of the punk duo MOR and released a handful of side projects. After MOR disbanded in 2012, MØ signed a recording contract with Sony Music Entertainment, releasing her debut extended play, Bikini Daze (2013), and her debut studio album, No Mythologies to Follow (2014).
Not to be confused with M.O or Mo.
MØ
In 2014, MØ collaborated with Australian rapper Iggy Azalea on the single "Beg for It", which peaked at number 27 on the US Billboard Hot 100, earning MØ her first entry on the chart. The following year, she co-wrote and provided vocals for the Major Lazer and DJ Snake collaboration "Lean On", which became an international success, charting at number one in several countries, number two in the United Kingdom, and number four in the United States.[1] In 2016, MØ was featured on Snakehips's single "Don't Leave", and another Major Lazer single "Cold Water" with Canadian singer Justin Bieber, which debuted at number one on the UK Singles Chart and number two on the US Billboard Hot 100.[2]
MØ earned her first commercially successful solo single with 2016's "Final Song", which reached the top 10 in Denmark and Norway and the top 15 in Australia and the United Kingdom. In 2017, she released her second extended play, When I Was Young, followed by her second studio album, Forever Neverland, in 2018. In 2022, MØ released her third studio album, Motordrome, which was followed by a repackaging titled Dødsdrom.[3]
Life and career[edit]
Early life[edit]
Karen Marie Aagaard Ørsted Andersen[4][5] was born in Ubberud, near Odense,[6] and she grew up in Ejlstrup on the island of Funen, Denmark.[7] Her father, Frans Ørsted,[8] is a psychologist,[9] and her mother, Mette Ørsted, is a teacher. She has an older brother, Kasper, who is a doctor.[7]
MØ was seven when she became interested in music thanks to the Spice Girls.[10] As a teenager, she became interested in punk music and anti-fascist movements, listening to Black Flag, Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, Yeah Yeah Yeahs and especially Sonic Youth, saying she looked up to Kim Gordon as a "big hero and role model".[11]
2006–2012: Side projects and MOR[edit]
In 2006, MØ released a side project titled The Edmunds, which included tracks such as "Garbage King" and "Polly Get Your Gun". MØ also released several other side projects during 2008–10 including titles such as "A Piece of Music to F*ck to"[12] and "The Rarities". The side-projects included songs that have been previously taken down due to an unknown reason, but has been re-released by a fan on YouTube.
MØ and her friend Josefine Struckmann Pedersen formed duo MOR in 2007, and released two EPs, Fisse I Dit Fjæs ("Pussy in Your Face") and Vanvidstimer ("Madness Hours"), in 2009 and 2011, respectively. MOR disbanded on 7 September 2012, due to personal reasons.[13]
Awards and nominations
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