Keiino: Norway's Genre-Bending Pop Visionaries

KEiiNO is a Norwegian supergroup that masterfully blends contemporary pop with the indigenous joik singing tradition and electronic dance music. Formed in 2018, the trio catapulted to international fame by winning the public vote at the Eurovision Song Contest 2019 with their anthemic entry "Spirit in the Sky".

Early career

The group was assembled in late 2018 specifically for Norway's Melodi Grand Prix, the national selection for Eurovision. The members—songwriter and pop vocalist Tom Hugo Hermansen, joiker and rapper Fred Buljo, and singer Alexandra Rotan—were brought together by a clear vision to create modern pop music infused with Sámi culture. Their collaboration was an immediate creative success, resulting in the powerful and unique track that would define their early career.

Breakthrough

KEiiNO's breakthrough was spectacular and global, occurring at the Eurovision Song Contest in Tel Aviv in May 2019. Their song "Spirit in the Sky" finished sixth overall in the jury vote but won the televote by a massive margin, receiving the highest public score from viewers across Europe and Australia. This triumph translated into major commercial success, with the single going platinum in Norway and charting across Europe, including a Top 20 placement in the UK Singles Chart.

Key tracks

Spirit in the Sky — This Eurovision 2019 televote winner is their signature hit, famed for its infectious chorus and fusion of joik with mainstream pop and EDM.

Monument — The group's 2021 Melodi Grand Prix entry, which later became the title track for their debut album, showcasing a more anthemic and grand-scale production.

Black Leather — A standout track demonstrating their versatility, leaning into a darker, more synth-heavy and rock-influenced sound.

Would I Lie — A collaboration with electric violinists from the group STU that highlights their ability to create vibrant, dance-floor-ready pop anthems.

Okta — A beautiful and atmospheric track where Fred Buljo's joik takes center stage, emphasizing the cultural heart of the group's music.

Following their Eurovision fame, KEiiNO released their debut studio album, OKTA, in 2021. The record was a critical success, debuting at number three on the Norwegian albums chart and solidifying their reputation as more than a one-hit wonder. They have since continued to release new music and perform internationally, including a notable collaboration with Australian singer-songwriter Electric Fields and a return to the Melodi Grand Prix stage in 2023.

Fans of KEiiNO's euphoric, culturally rich pop may also enjoy the music of Aurora, another Norwegian artist known for her ethereal and atmospheric pop soundscapes. The energetic and theatrical stage presence of Subwoolfer shares a similar playful and anthemic Eurovision spirit. For the fusion of contemporary beats with traditional Nordic elements, explore the work of Wardruna. The catchy, dance-oriented pop of Swedish duo Icona Pop also aligns with KEiiNO's most upbeat tracks.

KEiiNO's vibrant catalog receives regular airplay on a variety of stations featured here, including European pop radio stations, online dance music streams, and specialty shows focusing on Nordic music and Eurovision hits. Their unique sound makes them a perfect fit for playlists seeking energetic and culturally distinctive pop anthems.

You can discover the genre-defying music of KEiiNO by tuning into the radio stations available on onairium.com, where their hits and latest releases are featured in regular rotation for listeners worldwide.