Dr. Alban

Dr. Alban
Dr. Alban

Dr. Alban during a live concert in 2005
Background information
Birth name Alban Nwapa
Born August 26, 1957 (1957-08-26) (age 54)
Imo, Nigeria
Origin Stockholm, Sweden
Genres Eurodance, hip hop, reggae, dancehall
Occupations Musician
Years active 1980s–present
Labels Dr-Records
Associated acts Leila K, Denniz Pop, Kikki Danielsson, Sash!, Haddaway
Website dralban.net

Alban Uzoma Nwapa (born August 26, 1957), known by his stage name Dr. Alban, is a Nigerian, Sweden-based 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 is most famous for his worldwide 1992 hit "It's My Life".[1]

Contents

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 traveled to Sweden to study dentistry.[1] In order 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 couldn't help but notice him and so he was discovered.

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 Africa". Alban Uzoma Nwapa took the stage name Dr. Alban, a nod to his dental studies. His debut album Hello Africa included hits like "Hello Africa" 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).[2][3][4]

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 Austria, the Netherlands, Sweden, Germany and No.2 in Norway, Switzerland, the United Kingdom.[5][6][7] 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][8][9] 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.[10][11] 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).[3][12][13]

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.[11][14] The album was the first to earn Alban a Gold-certification-award at his home of Sweden for sales of over 50,000 units.[15]

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.[11][16]

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.[17] 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.[18]

In 2000, Alban released a single entitled "What Do I Do" which appeared on the album chart of Sweden only at the No.43, it spent only two week on the chart there.[19] The album Prescription was a flop as it failed to chart anywhere.

In 2007, after years of disappearance 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.

Discography

Studio albums

Year Album details Peak chart positions Certifications
SWE
[20]		 AUT
[21]		 FIN
[22]		 GER
[23]		 NDL
[24]		 NOR
[25]		 SWI
[26]
1991 Hello Afrika 6 2 3 11 — — 8
1992 One Love
  • Released: May 4, 1992
  • Label: Logic Records
  • Formats: LP, CD, Cassette
 15 1 1 6 — 15 3
1994 Look Who's Talking!
  • Released: March 25, 1994
  • Label: Cherion Records
  • Formats: LP, CD, Cassette
 11 7 1 7 28 13 8
1996 Born in Africa 37 41 12 52 — — 37
1997 The Very Best Of 1990-1997 38 38 — 66 — — —
I Believe
  • Released: October 1, 1997
  • Label: Metrovynil (EAMS Lesser)
  • Formats: LP, CD, Cassette
 27 41 30 — — — —
2001 Prescription
  • Released: November 26, 2001
  • Label: Rough Trade
  • Formats: CD, Cassette
 — — — — — — —
2008 Back to Basics
  • Released: November 13, 2008
  • Label: Haring Records
  • Formats: Download, CD
 — — — — — — —
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released.

Singles

Year Single Peak chart positions Certifications Album
SWE
[28]		 AUT
[21]		 FIN
[22]		 GER
[29]		 NDL
[30]		 NOR
[25]		 SWI
[31]		 UK
[32]
1990 "Hello Afrika"
Feat. Leila K.		 7 1 — 2 25 — — — Hello Afrika
"No Coke" 1 2 — 3 7 6 3 —
1991 "U & Mi" 20 11 — 14 — — 9 —
"(Sing Shi-Wo-Wo) Stop The Pollution" 36 16 — — — — 13 —
1992 "It's My Life" 1 1 — 1 1 2 2 2 One Love
"One Love" 19 9 — 7 14 10 11 45
1993 "Sing Hallelujah" 6 7 — 4 6 8 4 16
1994 "Look Who's Talking" 2 3 — 3 4 4 6 55 Look Who's Talking!
"Away From Home" 24 12 — 25 45 — 26 42
"Let the Beat Go On" 17 23 — 18 19 — — —
1995 "Sweet Dreams"
Feat. Swing		 12 — — — 44 — — 59 Non-album Track
"This Time I'm Free" 3 23 2 27 35 11 32 — Born in Africa
1996 "Born in Africa" 11 31 1 — — — 47 —
"Hallelujah Day" 30 35 12 — — — — —
1997 "It's My Life '97"
Feat. Sash!		 — — 18 — — — — — The Best of 1990-1997
"Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" 6 — — — — — — — I Believe
"Mr. DJ" — 21 8 70 — — — —
"Long Time Ago" 55 — 15 — — — — —
1998 "Papaya Coconut"
Feat.Kikki Danielsson		 22 — — — — — — — Non-album Track
1999 "Colour the World"
Sash! Feat. Dr. Alban		 54 — — 39 69 — 39 15 Non-album Track
2000 "What Do I Do" 43 — — — — — — — Prescription
2002 "Because of You" — — — — — — — —
2003 "Work Work" 13 — 19 — — — — — Non-album Track
2005 "Sing Hallelujah 2005"
Yamboo Feat. Dr. Alban		 — — 12 — — — — — Non-album Track
2008 "Habibi"
Melissa Feat. Dr. Alban		 — — — — — — — — Back to Basics
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released.

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "Allmusic: Dr. Alban (Biography)". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/dr-alban-p50869/biography. Retrieved 2011-03-19. 
  2. ^ "German certifications – Dr. Alban – Hello Africa" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. http://www.musikindustrie.de/gold_platin_datenbank/?action=suche&strTitel=Hello+Africa&strInterpret=Dr.+Alban&strTtArt=alle&strAwards=checked. Retrieved 2011-03-19. 
  3. ^ a b c d e "Gold & Platin". IFPI (Austria). http://www.ifpi.at/?section=goldplatin. Retrieved 2011-03-19. 
  4. ^ a b "AWARDS 1991". IFPI (Switzerland). Hung Medien. http://www.swisscharts.com/awards.asp?year=1991. Retrieved 2011-03-19. 
  5. ^ "DR. ALBAN: IT'S MY LIFE (SONG)". Hung Medien. http://www.swedishcharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Dr%2E+Alban&titel=It%27s+My+Life&cat=s. Retrieved 2011-03-20. 
  6. ^ "Charts.de: Dr. Alban (Singles)". Charts.de. http://www.charts.de/search.asp?search=Dr.+Alban&x=13&y=1&cat=s&country=de. Retrieved 2011-03-19. 
  7. ^ "ChartStats: Dr. Alban". ChartStats. http://www.chartstats.com/artistinfo.php?id=6592. Retrieved 2011-03-19. 
  8. ^ "German certifications – Dr. Alban – It's My Life" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. http://www.musikindustrie.de/gold_platin_datenbank/?action=suche&strTitel=It%27s+My+Life&strInterpret=Dr.+Alban&strTtArt=alle&strAwards=checked. Retrieved 2011-03-19. 
  9. ^ a b "Dr. Alban - It's my life". NVPI. http://www.nvpi.nl/nvpi/pagina.asp?pagkey=61112&documentid=1236225&zoekform=60463&formposted=yes. Retrieved 2011-03-19. 
  10. ^ "Dr. Alban: One Love (Album)". Hung Medien. http://www.swedishcharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Dr%2E+Alban&titel=One+Love+%2D+The+Album&cat=a. Retrieved 2011-03-20. 
  11. ^ a b c "Charts.de: Dr. Alban (Albums)". Charts.de. http://www.charts.de/search.asp?search=Dr.+Alban&x=12&y=10&cat=a&country=de. Retrieved 2011-03-19. 
  12. ^ "German certifications – Dr. Alban – One Love" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. http://www.musikindustrie.de/gold_platin_datenbank/?action=suche&strTitel=One+Love&strInterpret=Dr.+Alban&strTtArt=alle&strAwards=checked. Retrieved 2011-03-19. 
  13. ^ a b "AWARDS 1992". IFPI (Switzerland). Hung Medien. http://www.swisscharts.com/awards.asp?year=1992. Retrieved 2011-03-19. 
  14. ^ "Dr. Alban: Look Who's Talking Now (Album)". Hung Medien. http://www.swedishcharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Dr%2E+Alban&titel=Look+Who%27s+Talking+%2D+The+Album&cat=a. Retrieved 2011-03-20. 
  15. ^ a b c d "Guld & Platina 1987-1988" (in Swedish). International Federation of the Phonographic Industry — Sweden. http://www.ifpi.se/wp/wp-content/uploads/guld-platina-1987-1998.pdf. Retrieved 2011-03-20. 
  16. ^ "Dr. Alban: Born in Africa (Album)". Hung Medien. http://www.swedishcharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Dr%2E+Alban&titel=Born+In+Africa&cat=a. Retrieved 2011-03-20. 
  17. ^ "Dr. Alban: Believe (Album)". Hung Medien. http://www.swedishcharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Dr%2E+Alban&titel=I+Believe&cat=a. Retrieved 2011-03-20. 
  18. ^ "Dr. Alban: Colour the World (Single)". Hung Medien. http://www.swedishcharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Sash%21+with+Dr%2E+Alban&titel=Colour+The+World&cat=s. Retrieved 2011-03-20. 
  19. ^ "Dr. Alban: What Do I Do (Single)". Hung Medien. http://www.swedishcharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Dr%2E+Alban&titel=What+Do+I+Do&cat=s. Retrieved 2011-03-20. 
  20. ^ "Dr. Alban: Album / Song Chart-History for Sweden". Hung Medien. http://www.swedishcharts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Dr%2E+Alban. Retrieved 2011-03-20. 
  21. ^ a b "Dr. Alban: Album / Song Chart History for Austria". Hung Medien. http://www.austriancharts.at/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Dr%2E+Alban. Retrieved 2011-03-20. 
  22. ^ a b "Dr. Alban: Album / Song Chart History for Finland". Hung Medien. http://www.finnishcharts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Dr%2E+Alban. Retrieved 2011-03-20. 
  23. ^ "Charts.de: Dr. Alban (Albums)". Charts.de. http://www.charts.de/search.asp?search=Dr.+Alban&x=12&y=7&cat=a&country=de. Retrieved 2011-03-20. 
  24. ^ "Dr. Alban: Album / Song Chart History for Holland". Hung Medien. http://www.dutchcharts.nl/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Dr%2E+Alban. Retrieved 2011-03-20. 
  25. ^ a b "Dr. Alban: Album / Song Chart History for Norway". Hung Medien. http://www.norwegiancharts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Dr%2E+Alban. Retrieved 2011-03-20. 
  26. ^ "Dr. Alban: Album Chart History for Switzerland". Hung Medien. http://www.swisscharts.com/search.asp?cat=a&artist=Dr.+Alban&artist_search=starts&title=&title_search=starts. Retrieved 2011-03-20. 
  27. ^ a b c d "German certifications – Dr. Alban" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. http://www.musikindustrie.de/gold_platin_datenbank/?action=suche&strTitel=&strInterpret=Dr.+Alban&strTtArt=alle&strAwards=checked. Retrieved 2011-03-20. 
  28. ^ Peak positions for Swedish Singles:
  29. ^ Peak positions for German Singles:
  30. ^ Peak positions for Dutch Singles:
  31. ^ Peak positions for Swiss Singles:
  32. ^ Peak positions for UK Singles:

External links

v · Hello Afrika · One Love · Look Who's Talking · The Very Best Of 1990-1997
Singles

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