Biography
Formed in 1978, the Swedish synth pop outfit Freestyle rose to international prominence between 1981 and 1982, scaling the upper reaches of the singles charts in both Sweden and Norway before disbanding in 1983. A core trio of its members later attained even greater commercial heights as the architects of the chart-dominating synth pop act Style.
The original roster featured Christer Sandelin, Tommy Ekman, Joakim Hagleitner, Gigi Hamilton, Diane Corinne Söderholm, and Anders Uddberg. Kayo, also known as Kayo Shekoni, exited in 1981 and subsequently built a thriving solo career during the 1990s.
After issuing several singles the previous year, the group delivered its debut album Fantasi in 1981 on Sound of Scandinavia. The early single “Vill Ha Dej” became a worldwide breakout in 1981, holding the number-one position on the Swedish singles chart for five consecutive weeks and climbing to number two in Norway.
Fantasi likewise proved a strong seller, topping the Swedish albums chart and reaching the Top Ten in Norway. An English-language counterpart titled Fantasy appeared the same year, followed by additional singles capitalizing on the momentum of “Vill Ha Dej.”
The second album Modiga Agenter arrived in 1982 and registered another major success, landing in the Swedish Top Five and the Norwegian Top 20. Among its singles, “Ögon Som Glittrar” performed best, securing a Top Five placement in Sweden and a Top Ten showing in Norway.
At the height of their popularity the band dissolved, with Ekman, Sandelin, and Hamilton departing to form Style, a streamlined continuation of Freestyle’s approach. After Style itself split in 1989, all three members pursued separate solo careers.
In the wake of Freestyle’s breakup, several retrospective compilations emerged, among them 10 in 1995 and Guldkorn in 1998.
The original roster featured Christer Sandelin, Tommy Ekman, Joakim Hagleitner, Gigi Hamilton, Diane Corinne Söderholm, and Anders Uddberg. Kayo, also known as Kayo Shekoni, exited in 1981 and subsequently built a thriving solo career during the 1990s.
After issuing several singles the previous year, the group delivered its debut album Fantasi in 1981 on Sound of Scandinavia. The early single “Vill Ha Dej” became a worldwide breakout in 1981, holding the number-one position on the Swedish singles chart for five consecutive weeks and climbing to number two in Norway.
Fantasi likewise proved a strong seller, topping the Swedish albums chart and reaching the Top Ten in Norway. An English-language counterpart titled Fantasy appeared the same year, followed by additional singles capitalizing on the momentum of “Vill Ha Dej.”
The second album Modiga Agenter arrived in 1982 and registered another major success, landing in the Swedish Top Five and the Norwegian Top 20. Among its singles, “Ögon Som Glittrar” performed best, securing a Top Five placement in Sweden and a Top Ten showing in Norway.
At the height of their popularity the band dissolved, with Ekman, Sandelin, and Hamilton departing to form Style, a streamlined continuation of Freestyle’s approach. After Style itself split in 1989, all three members pursued separate solo careers.
In the wake of Freestyle’s breakup, several retrospective compilations emerged, among them 10 in 1995 and Guldkorn in 1998.