E-type

Biography

Bo Martin Erik Erikson (born 27 August 1965), better known by his stage name E-Type, is a Swedish Eurodance musician, songwriter, record producer and former heavy metal drummer. His professional name is based on the Jaguar E-Type sports car.

Early years

Erikson was born in Uppsala. His father is Bo ("Bosse") G. Erikson (b. 1933), known as the host of the science TV-show Vetenskapens värld (World of Science) on SVT. His mother's name was Elisabeth and he has one sibling, a sister Erika. His mother died of cancer in 1987.
In his teens, E-Type and his family moved to Bromma, a borough in the western part of Stockholm, and he is currently living in the heart of Stockholm. He started his musical career in the 1980s as a drummer in the speed metal bands Maninnya Blade and Hexenhaus. In 1991, he met up with Stakka Bo with two singles as a result of the partnership: "We Got the Atmosphere×We Got The Atmosphere29 May 1991 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracksAWe Got The Atmosphere3:18BWe Got The Atmosphere (Dub Version)3:56" in 1991 and "Numania 1×Numania 11992 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1Numania 1 (7" Version)3:372Numania 1 (The Loch Ness Remix)5:443Obey3:47" in 1992. This earned E-Type a job as a VJ on ZTV. His first solo single, "I'm Falling×I'm Falling1993 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracks1I'm Falling3:392Believe In Me3:33" was released in mid-1993, but did poorly commercially.

Success

E-Type's breakthrough came in 1994, with the collaboration with the producers from Cheiron (Denniz PoP, Max Martin, and Amadin) on his debut album Made in Sweden×Made in Sweden31 October 1994 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Made in Sweden1:352Set the World on Fire3:453This Is the Way3:564So Dem A Com3:325Fight It Back3:296Until the End3:327When Religion Comes to Town3:238Will I See You Again?4:019Do You Always4:1010Russian Lullaby3:1411Me No Want Miseria4:5112Set the World Unplugged4:01. A single from this album, "Set the World on Fire×Set the World on FireApril 1994 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Set the World on Fire (radio version)3:452Set the World on Fire (Amadin Boeing remix)7:503Set the World on Fire (extended mix)8:054Set the World on Fire (E-Type's Tyroler mix)3:48", reached gold status in Sweden, #1 on the Swedish dance chart, #2 on the Swedish sale chart, and #4 in Israel. Eventually four other singles were released from the album: the ballad "Do You Always (Have To Be Alone)?×Do You Always (Have To Be Alone)?February 1995 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracks1Do You Always (Have To Be Alone)? (Radio Edit)4:192Do You Always (Have To Be Alone)? (Floating Version)3:58", "This Is the Way×This Is the Way1994 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1This Is the Way (radio edit)3:582This Is the Way (Waterdreamix)6:503This Is the Way (extended)6:484Me No Want Miseria (Take Me to the End)4:49" and "Russian Lullaby×Russian LullabySeptember 1995 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracks1Russian Lullaby (radio version)3:152Believe in Me3:38" (co-written by Jonas Berggren from Ace of Base). "This Is the Way" reached #15 on the Billboard Club Chart in the United States and #6 on the UK Club Chart. Most of the tracks feature the female vocalist Nana Hedin, who is featured on nearly all of E-Type's albums. The album itself was released on 31 October 1994 and reached #2 on the album-chart. Over 100,000 copies were sold in Sweden and the album was listed for 26 weeks.
During 1996, E-Type and the producer-team spent their time working on a second album The Explorer×The Explorer1996 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1The Explorer1:102Calling Your Name3:383Back in the Loop3:264I Just Wanna Be With You3:515Free Like a Flying Demon3:366You Know3:587Forever Wild3:418Fall From the Sky3:269I'm Not Alone4:3410We Gotta Go3:2511You Will Always Be a Part of Me4:0712So Dem a Com (Explorer version)4:49, which was released in Sweden on 23 October. The album sold more than 20,000 copies. His third album, Last Man Standing×Last Man Standing27 November 1998 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1Ultimos Homo Statans (Last Man Standing)0:572Angels Crying3:503Here I Go Again3:544Princess of Egypt3:405Hold Your Horses4:016I'm Flying4:207Morning Light3:348I'll Always Be Around3:419Walk Away3:3010I'll Find a Way3:3511So Far Away6:4612Angels Country4:0113Pop Preludium1:33, was released on 27 November 1998 and went to #1 in Finland and Sweden, going double platinum and platinum respectively. The album remains E-Type's best-selling album with sales of 3 million copies worldwide and includes hit singles like "Angels Crying×Angels CryingJune 1998 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracks1Angels Crying (radio version)3:522Angels Crying (extended version)6:35", "Here I Go Again×Here I Go Again1998 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Here I Go Again (radio version)3:552Here I Go Again (Richi's extended version)7:053Here I Go Again (disco 2000 remix)4:544Here I Go Again (extended version)7:38" and "Princess of Egypt×Princess Of Egypt1999 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Princess Of Egypt (Radio Version)3:392Princess Of Egypt (Pierre J's Q-Type Remix)7:003Princess Of Egypt (Pinocchio Remix)5:434Princess Of Egypt (Extended Version)5:08".
E-Type recorded the official song, "Campione 2000×Campione 200029 May 2000 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Campione 2000 (Radio Version)3:362Campione 2000 (The Only Earthbound Remix)6:413Campione 2000 (Pinocchio Remix)4:544Campione 2000 (CF Fonotron Mix)2:50" for the 2000 European football championship. In 2001, he released his new single "Life" on 12 November. The forthcoming album release, entitled Euro IV Ever×Euro IV Ever21 November 2001 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1Norby IV Ever (live at Dreamland)1:292Life3:423Africa3:384Banca Banca3:055Arabian Star (live at Dreamland)3:536When I Close My Eyes4:077Loneliness - Ring the Alarm3:258Star4:169Time4:1510No More Tears3:2811Borschstjii4:0312Campione 20003:3313Oh Weda (Song From Sveakampen)1:57, was postponed until the end of 2001 and finally released on 21 November. An album release party was held on 25 November.
Max Martin, Rami and E-Type produced the album Loud Pipes Save Lives×Loud Pipes Save Lives25 March 2004 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1Loud Pipes Save Lives1:422Paradise3:273Camilla3:354The Predator3:175Dans la fantasie4:126The Original You3:157Far Up in the Air3:348Forever More3:439Rain4:0810If Heaven Were to Fall3:4311Lost and Goodbye3:50 in 2004, and released it on 25 March. It's so far the last E-Type album to feature Nana Hedin on vocals. At the beginning of April, "Paradise×ParadiseStudio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 22 tracks1Paradise3:022Banca Banca3:073Africa3:404Life3:445This Is the Way3:596Hold Your Horses4:037Princess of Egypt3:428Here I Go Again3:579Angels Crying3:5210You Will Always Be a Part of Me4:0911I Just Wanna Be With You3:5412Back in the Loop3:2913Calling Your Name3:4014Free Like a Flying Demon3:3915Set the World on Fire3:4716Russian Lullaby3:1617Campione 20003:3518Do You Always (Have to Be Alone)4:2219I'm Falling3:4620Morning Light3:3621Loneliness-Ring Alarm3:2722Oh Weda1:57" reached #11 in Finland and entered the Finnish Dance chart at position #28. On 14 May 2007 E-Type released a new single called "True Believer×True Believer1 June 2007 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracks1True Believer (True Version)3:432True Believer (Extended Version)7:31". There was also a new album in 2007, Eurotopia×Eurotopia31 October 2007 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1True Believer3:402The Tide3:573Eurofighter3:474Make Us High4:095Like a Child4:176Last Day Alive4:017To the Lions3:428Din Ding Song3:349Inside4:5210Line of Fire3:0011True Believer (extended version)3:0012Eurofighter (extended version)5:49, released on 31 October. The album mainly features E-Type's new female vocalist, Sanne Karlsson.
In the spring of 2008, E-Type appeared in Melodifestivalen 2008 and performed the song "Line of Fire×Line Of Fire2008 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracks1Line Of Fire (Radio Version)3:002Line Of Fire (Singback Version)3:00" together with the rock band The Poodles. They advanced to a second chance heat, which was held in Kiruna on 8 March, when they lost to Sibel.
The UK record label All Around the World released "True Believer" to the UK market in late 2008, and in mid-2009, "Rain" from Loud Pipes Save Lives was unexpectedly released as a single and music video. In August 2009, a promo single and a new music video for "Life" was released, with newly shot scenes of Nana Hedin intermixed with the original 2001 video.
E-Type released the single "Back 2 Life×Back 2 Life12 January 2011 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Back 2 Life3:372Back 2 Life (Ali Payami Remix)5:293Back 2 Life (Ali Payami Radio Edit)3:394Back 2 Life (Instrumental)3:36" in January 2011. "Back 2 Life" was written by E-Type & Johan "Shellback" Schuster and Savan Kotecha (Usher, Celine Dion, Leona Lewis and more) who wrote the lyrics. The producers are Max Martin & Shellback, Şerban Ghenea (Eminem, Kesha, Justin Timberlake and more) who mixed the track.
For gym-goers, E-Type's music has become synonymous with Les Mills International's group fitness class BodyPump. The structure, lyrical content and soaring crescendos suit well the "back track" of the class. E-Type tracks used in this context include "Africa×Africa2002 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Africa (Radio Version)3:532Africa (Viva Kim Martin Extended Mix)5:103Africa (Tokapi's Radio Edit)3:374Africa (Tokapi's Extended Version)6:38", "Set the World on Fire", "Eurofighter×Eurofighter17 October 2007 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracks1Eurofighter (Radio Version)3:482Eurofighter (Extended Version)5:49", "True Believer" and "The Tide".

Dampf

In 2022, Martin changed his genre and founded heavy metal band "Dampf", in which he is the primary songwriter and vocalist. Their first album "The Arrival" was released the same year.

Vocalists

The music of E-Type follows the typical Eurodance formula of synthesizer music built up to a dance floor crescendo, accompanied by his own vocals, and a chorus sung by Nana Hedin (who appeared in the music videos for "Set the World on Fire×Set the World on FireApril 1994 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Set the World on Fire (radio version)3:452Set the World on Fire (Amadin Boeing remix)7:503Set the World on Fire (extended mix)8:054Set the World on Fire (E-Type's Tyroler mix)3:48", "Paradise×ParadiseStudio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 22 tracks1Paradise3:022Banca Banca3:073Africa3:404Life3:445This Is the Way3:596Hold Your Horses4:037Princess of Egypt3:428Here I Go Again3:579Angels Crying3:5210You Will Always Be a Part of Me4:0911I Just Wanna Be With You3:5412Back in the Loop3:2913Calling Your Name3:4014Free Like a Flying Demon3:3915Set the World on Fire3:4716Russian Lullaby3:1617Campione 20003:3518Do You Always (Have to Be Alone)4:2219I'm Falling3:4620Morning Light3:3621Loneliness-Ring Alarm3:2722Oh Weda1:57" and the 2009 re-release of "Life"). Hedin provided vocals for more than half of all E-Type's songs. She made her last appearance on record with E-Type on his 2004 album Loud Pipes Save Lives×Loud Pipes Save Lives25 March 2004 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1Loud Pipes Save Lives1:422Paradise3:273Camilla3:354The Predator3:175Dans la fantasie4:126The Original You3:157Far Up in the Air3:348Forever More3:439Rain4:0810If Heaven Were to Fall3:4311Lost and Goodbye3:50. In 2009 she was told by doctors that she has cancer in her tongue and she is therefore currently not performing. E-Type's 2007 album, Eurotopia×Eurotopia31 October 2007 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1True Believer3:402The Tide3:573Eurofighter3:474Make Us High4:095Like a Child4:176Last Day Alive4:017To the Lions3:428Din Ding Song3:349Inside4:5210Line of Fire3:0011True Believer (extended version)3:0012Eurofighter (extended version)5:49, featured his new vocalist, Sanne Karlsson.
During E-Type's success in the 1990s, dancer Dilnarin "Dee" Demirbag performed in concerts and music videos by lip-syncing to Hedin's vocals. She is featured in several of E-Type's music videos such as "This is the Way×This Is the Way1994 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1This Is the Way (radio edit)3:582This Is the Way (Waterdreamix)6:503This Is the Way (extended)6:484Me No Want Miseria (Take Me to the End)4:49", "Calling Your Name×Calling Your Name1996 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Calling Your Name (Radio Edit)3:352Calling Your Name (Pierre J's Q-Type Mix)5:473Calling Your Name (Antiloop Garage Radio Mix)3:554Calling Your Name (Antiloop Garage Club Mix)5:42", "Angels Crying×Angels CryingJune 1998 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracks1Angels Crying (radio version)3:522Angels Crying (extended version)6:35", "Here I Go Again×Here I Go Again1998 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Here I Go Again (radio version)3:552Here I Go Again (Richi's extended version)7:053Here I Go Again (disco 2000 remix)4:544Here I Go Again (extended version)7:38" and "Life", and appeared on TV shows and concerts. "Dee" left the band in 2001 to pursue a solo career. However, she got back together with E-Type in December 2006 for a concert in Russia, and is still touring with the band occasionally. She also appeared in the 2007 music video for "True Believer×True Believer1 June 2007 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracks1True Believer (True Version)3:432True Believer (Extended Version)7:31".

Personal life

As of spring 2022, E-Type is in a relationship with Melinda Jacobs, known as the foster mother of the late Lilla hjärtat. On August 21, 2022, the couple announced that they were expecting their first child together, and their daughter was born in January 2023. This was E-Type's firstborn since he had not had any children of his own, while this was Jacobs' fourth biological child along with all of her foster children, which she has taken on over the years.