Basshunter facts for kids
{{Infobox person | name = Basshunter | image = Basshunter, 20 april 2008 in Halmstad.jpg | caption = Basshunter performing in Halmstad, 2008 | alt = Basshunter, who is dressed in white, sings into microphone while standing in front of people and blue background | birth_name = Jonas Erik Altberg | birth_date = 22 December 1984 | birth_place = Halmstad, Sweden
| works =
- Discography
- songs
- videography
- performances
| occupation =
- Singer
- record producer
- songwriter
- DJ
| years_active = 2001–present | spouse =
| awards = Full list | signature = Basshunter signature 1.png
| module = Musical career
Jonas Erik Altberg (born December 22, 1984), who is known by his stage name Basshunter, is a Swedish singer, record producer, and DJ. He is famous for his Eurodance music, which is a type of electronic dance music with a strong bass beat.
Born in Halmstad, Sweden, Basshunter started making music when he was 17 years old. He began by performing at small events in his area. In 2006, he released his song "Boten Anna" online for free. It quickly became very popular. Soon after, he signed with record labels and started releasing his music officially.
His 2007 song "Now You're Gone" became a huge international hit. The song used the melody from "Boten Anna" but had new English lyrics. Basshunter has recorded five studio albums and has also written songs for other artists. He has appeared on TV shows like the British reality show Celebrity Big Brother and the Swedish game show Fångarna på fortet.
Contents
- 2001–2006: How It All Started
- 2006–2008: The Success of LOL
- 2007–2009: Becoming a Global Star
- 2009: The Bass Generation Album
- 2010–2013: Calling Time
- 2013–Present: Focusing on Singles
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Early Life and First Steps in Music
Jonas Erik Altberg was born in Halmstad, Sweden. He has a younger brother named Joakim. When he was a teenager, he sang in a choir that his mother directed. He also played in a rock band for two years.
He went to a high school that focused on music. After finishing high school in 2005, he went to college but did not finish his studies. He wanted to focus on making music instead.
Music Career
2001–2006: How It All Started
Altberg began making music at age 17 using a computer program called FruityLoops (now known as FL Studio). He chose the name "Basshunter" because it described his bass-heavy style of music.
In 2004, he released his first album, The Bassmachine, through a small record label. He shared his music for free on the internet, using online communities and gaming websites. For several years, he also worked as a DJ in Swedish clubs.
2006–2008: The Success of LOL
In March 2006, Basshunter released his song "Boten Anna" online. It was about a user on an IRC chat channel who he thought was a bot (a computer program). The song was downloaded 37,000 times in just one day.
Because of this success, he signed a contract with Warner Music Sweden. "Boten Anna" was officially released as a single and became a number-one hit in Sweden and Denmark. It was also popular in other European countries.
His second album, LOL, came out in August 2006. It included "Boten Anna" and another hit single, "Vi sitter i Ventrilo och spelar DotA". This song was about playing the video game DotA with friends using the voice chat program Ventrilo. The album was very successful in Denmark, where it was certified double platinum.
2007–2009: Becoming a Global Star
In 2007, Basshunter released an English version of "Boten Anna" called "Now You're Gone". The song had a completely new story in its lyrics. It was a massive success, especially in the United Kingdom, where it stayed at number one on the charts for five weeks. It was the first Swedish song to reach number one in the UK since ABBA's "Dancing Queen".
His third album, Now You're Gone – The Album, was released in 2008. It went to number one on the UK album chart and was also a number-one album in New Zealand. The album included other hit singles like "All I Ever Wanted" and "Angel in the Night".
2009: The Bass Generation Album
Basshunter's fourth album, Bass Generation, was released in 2009. The main single from the album was "Every Morning". The album reached the top 20 in the UK, Ireland, and New Zealand. Another single from the album was a cover of the Nick Kamen song "I Promised Myself".
2010–2013: Calling Time
In 2010, Basshunter released the single "Saturday". It was a hit in New Zealand, where it was certified gold.
His fifth album, Calling Time, was released in 2013. Basshunter said he recorded over 30 songs for the album and chose the best fifteen. He wanted to show his growth as an artist while keeping his classic sound. The album was popular on the US Dance/Electronic Albums chart.
2013–Present: Focusing on Singles
After Calling Time, Basshunter announced he would stop making full albums. Instead, he decided to focus on releasing singles. He said this was because the music industry had changed.
Since then, he has released several singles. In 2018, he released "Masterpiece". In 2021, he released "Life Speaks to Me" as a tribute to the late DJ Avicii. In 2023, he worked with singer Victor Leksell on a new version of "Boten Anna," which became a top-five hit in Sweden.
Music Style and Influences
Basshunter describes his music as Eurodance. He says it is happy, energetic, and melodic. He is known for the strong basslines in his songs. He gets ideas for his music from many places, including German and Dutch techno music, trance, and even reggae and blues.
He uses computer software like FL Studio and Logic Pro to create almost all of his music. He writes most of his own songs, but sometimes gets help with English lyrics. Basshunter's music has influenced other artists, including the world-famous DJ Avicii.
Other Activities
Television and Video Games
Basshunter is well-known for appearing on TV. In 2010, he was a contestant on the British reality show Celebrity Big Brother, where he finished in fourth place.
He is also a big fan of video games. He has played Counter-Strike at a semi-professional level. His song "Vi sitter i Ventrilo och spelar DotA" is a tribute to his love for gaming. In 2021, he appeared in a promotional video for the Netflix series Dota: Dragon's Blood, where he performed the song while playing Dota 2.
Charity Work
Basshunter has taken part in several charity events. In 2008 and 2010, he supported the Cash for Kids event. He also performed at Musikhjälpen, a Swedish charity event that raises money for good causes.
In 2012, a school in the UK held a 20-hour charity event where they played his song "Now You're Gone" on repeat. The event raised over £2,000 for cancer research charities.
Personal Life
Basshunter has Tourette syndrome, a condition that can cause a person to make involuntary sounds or movements. He has described himself as a spontaneous and sensitive person.
In 2017, he married Tina Makhia Khayatsadeh. The couple divorced a year later.
Discography
- The Bassmachine (2004)
- LOL (2006)
- Now You're Gone – The Album (2008)
- Bass Generation (2009)
- Calling Time (2013)
See also
In Spanish: Basshunter para niños
