Madcon

The Norwegian rap act known as Madcon achieved broad acclaim throughout their native country, where they functioned both as prominent television personalities and successful recording artists, while also gaining traction across much of Western Europe thanks to tracks including "Beggin" that resonated on an international scale. The pair consists of Tshawe Baqwa, who performs under the moniker Kapricon and was born in Germany to parents of South African descent, alongside Yosef Wolde-Mariam, known as Critical and born in Norway with Ethiopian and Eritrean roots; their moniker derives from the phrase "Mad Conspiracy." They initially gained recognition through guest appearances alongside the award-winning Norwegian rap duo the Paperboys on the 2002 Top Ten single "Barcelona." Following that initial breakthrough, Madcon inked a deal with Bonnier Amigo, the label associated with the Paperboys, and issued their inaugural album It's All a Madcon in 2004. From this project emerged several singles, among them the Top 20 successes "Doo-Wop" and "Infidelity," which helped solidify their status among Norway's top rap outfits. The year 2007 brought them a global chart triumph via "Beggin," a track first recorded in 1967 by the Four Seasons and Frankie Valli; the single ascended to the summit of the Norwegian charts while also registering positions of number seven in Austria, number 11 in Sweden, and number 33 in Switzerland. Soon after came the album So Dark the Con of Man, which entered the Norwegian album chart at number three. During this period Madcon basked in television exposure by hosting their program The Voice of Madcon, and Baqwa further participated in the Dancing with the Stars-style competition Skal vi Danse?, ultimately claiming victory in that season. Continued momentum arrived in 2008 through the Top Ten single "Back on the Road," a Paperboys release featuring the duo, as well as the arrival of their third album An Inconvenient Truth. Two years afterward they delivered "Glow," which served to inaugurate the 2010 Oslo Eurovision Song Contest amid live flash mob performances of the song throughout Europe. This single achieved commercial success and was followed promptly by the full-length Contraband, which peaked at number two on the Norwegian charts. Following yet another two-year hiatus their fifth album Contakt surfaced and found strong acceptance at home, featuring Norwegian vocals on every track. Madcon kicked off 2013 by issuing the single "One Life," which included a guest appearance by Kelly Rowland, formerly of Destiny's Child.