Pop sensation Kygo to perform at closing ceremony for Rio 2016 Olympic Games
Norwegian superstar DJ and musician is collaborating with new digital Olympic Channel, which will be launched on Sunday
Norwegian superstar DJ and musician is collaborating with new digital Olympic Channel, which will be launched on Sunday
Kygo as had a string of global hits (Getty Image/Bryan Steffy)
International pop sensation Kygo has been announced as one of the performers at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games closing ceremony this Sunday (21 August).
The 24-year-old musician, producer, songwriter and DJ will perform his smash hit Carry Me with guest vocalist Julia Michaels at the Maracanã Stadium as the curtain comes down on the world's biggest sporting event.
The Norwegian star recently announced a collaboration with the Olympic Channel, the new worldwide digital platform that will be launched on Sunday.
The International Olympic Committee's (IOC) new channel will broadcast original content and live sports events, news and highlights, as well as features on elite athletes.
“The opportunity to be a part of the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games in Rio is a huge milestone in my career and it will be the biggest performance of my life,” said Kygo. “I’ve been a sports fan since forever, and to be able to combine this with my music and help to launch something like the Olympic Channel is a dream come true.”
Mark Parkman, general manager of the Olympic Channel, said Kygo's music speaks to new generations of Olympic fans.
“His closing ceremony performance is sure to electrify viewers around the world on Sunday night as we prepare to launch the Olympic Channel," Parkman said. "Kygo and his music will be an important element of the Olympic Channel where fans will be able to continue their excitement of Rio and the Olympic Games all year long.”
Kygo, or Kyrre Gørvell-Dahll, is a Norweigan, multi-talented musician who shot to fame with his remix of I See Fire by Ed Shereen. He was born in Singapore and started piano lessons at age six. By age 16, he had started producing music and began pursuing music full-time at university.
In 2014, his career took off. That December, he released the single Firestone, which enjoyed worldwide success. After demonstrating a strong presence on SoundCloud and YouTube, Avicii and Chris Martin from Coldplay asked him to create an official remix of the song Midnight.
The following year, Kygo's song ID was featured in the official trailer for Ultra Music Festival. The song was also featued on EA Sports video game FIFA 16. Later that year, he was a headliner in Lollapalooza. His debut studio album Cloud Nine was released in May.