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Dr. Alban

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Biography

Infobox musical artist|name = Dr. Alban|image = Dr Alban.jpg|caption = Dr. Alban during a live concert in 2005|image_size =|background = solo_singer|birth_name = Alban Nwapa|alias =|birth_date = birth date and age|1957|8|26|birth_place = Imo State|Imo , Nigeria |death_date =|origin = Stockholm , Sweden |instrument =|genre = Eurodance , Hip hop music|hip hop , reggae , dancehall |occupation = Musician |years_active = 1980s–present|label = Dr-Records|associated_acts = Leila K , Denniz Pop , Kikki Danielsson , Sash! , Haddaway |website = http://www.dralban.net/ dralban.net|current_members =|past_members = Alban Uzoma Nwapa (born August 26, 1957), known by his stage name Dr. Alban , is a Nigerian -born Sweden|Swedish musician and Record producer|producer with his own record label dr-records .cite web |url= http://www.allmusic.com/artist/dr-alban-p50869/biography|title=Allmusic: Dr. Alban (Biography)|publisher= Allmusic |accessdate=2011-03-19 His music can best be described as a Eurodance / Hip hop music|hip-hop reggae with a dancehall style. He is most famous for his worldwide 1992 hit It's My Life (Dr Alban song)|"It's My Life" .

Biography


Dr. Alban was born as Alban Uzoma Nwapa into a middle class family of 10 children in Oguta , Imo state , Nigeria. He had his secondary education at Christ The King College, Aba, Nigeria and spent most of his youth in his hometown Oguta . At age of 23, he traveled to Sweden to study dentistry . In order to be able to finance his studies, Dr. Alban became a DJ. He worked as a DJ at the Stockholm club Alphabet Street . Very quickly his name became widely known, especially since Dr. Alban often sang to the records he put on the turntable. DJ Renι couldn't help but notice him and so he was discovered.

In 1990, he met Denniz Pop from the SweMix label and together with Denniz and Rap-Queen Leila K , they released his first record, "Hello Africa". Alban Uzoma Nwapa took the stage name Dr. Alban, a nod to his dental studies. His debut album Hello Africa included hits like "Hello Africa" and "No Coke", both of which ended up being million-selling singles. The album itself was quite successful which earned Alban Gold-certification-awards in numerous markets including Germany (for sales of over 250,000 units), Austria (for sales of over 25,000 units) and Switzerland (for sales of over 25,000 units).cite certification|region=Germany|artist=Dr. Alban|title=Hello Africa|accessdate=2011-03-19cite web |url= http://www.ifpi.at/? section=goldplatin|title=Gold & Platin|publisher=IFPI (Austria)|accessdate=2011-03-19cite web |url= http://www.swisscharts.com/awards.asp? year=1991|title=AWARDS 1991|work=IFPI (Switzerland)|publisher=Hung Medien|accessdate=2011-03-19

One year later this success was surpassed by the second album One Love . The album contained European hit singles such as "It's My Life" (which was used as background music for a Tampax advert) and "Sing Hallelujah". The single "It's My Life" reached No.1 in Austria , the Netherlands , Sweden , Germany and No.2 in Norway, Switzerland, the United Kingdom.cite web |url= http://www.swedishcharts.com/showitem.asp? interpret=Dr%2E+Alban& titel=It%27s+My+Life& cat=s|title=DR. ALBAN: IT'S MY LIFE (SONG)|publisher=Hung Medien|accessdate=2011-03-20cite web |url= http://www.charts.de/search.asp? search=Dr.+Alban& x=13& y=1& cat=s& country=de|title=Charts.de: Dr. Alban (Singles)|publisher=Charts.de|accessdate=2011-03-19cite web |url= http://www.chartstats.com/artistinfo.php? id=6592|title=ChartStats: Dr. Alban |publisher=ChartStats|accessdate=2011-03-19 While the song "It's My Life" reached Platinum status in Germany (for sales of over 500,000 units), in the Netherlands (for sales of over 75,000), it managed to sell over two million copies in Europe.cite certification|region=Germany|artist=Dr. Alban|title=It's My Life|accessdate=2011-03-19cite web |url= http://www.nvpi.nl/nvpi/pagina.asp? pagkey=61112& documentid=1236225& zoekform=60463& formposted=yes|title=Dr. Alban - It's my life|publisher= NVPI |accessdate=2011-03-19 The album in its turn reached the top of the album chart in Austria and entered the top-5 in Switzerland, also managed to reach No.6 in Germany.cite web |url= http://www.swedishcharts.com/showitem.asp? interpret=Dr%2E+Alban& titel=One+Love+%2D+The+Album& cat=a|title=Dr. Alban: One Love (Album)|publisher=Hung Medien|accessdate=2011-03-20cite web |url= http://www.charts.de/search.asp? search=Dr.+Alban& x=12& y=10& cat=a& country=de|title=Charts.de: Dr. Alban (Albums)|publisher=Charts.de|accessdate=2011-03-19 The album received a Gold-certification-award in Germany (for sales of over 250,000 units) and Platinum-award both in Austria and Switzerland (for sales of over 50,000).cite certification|region=Germany|artist=Dr. Alban|title=One Love|accessdate=2011-03-19cite web |url= http://www.swisscharts.com/awards.asp? year=1992|title=AWARDS 1992|work=IFPI (Switzerland)|publisher=Hung Medien|accessdate=2011-03-19

Alban's third album ''Look Who's Talking!'' was released in 1994, which managed to enter the top-10 in numerous markets including Germany, Switzerland and Austria.cite web |url= http://www.swedishcharts.com/showitem.asp? interpret=Dr%2E+Alban& titel=Look+Who%27s+Talking+%2D+The+Album& cat=a|title=Dr. Alban: Look Who's Talking Now (Album)|publisher=Hung Medien|accessdate=2011-03-20 The album was the first to earn Alban a Gold-certification-award at his home of Sweden for sales of over 50,000 units.cite web |url= http://www.ifpi.se/wp/wp-content/uploads/guld-platina-1987-1998.pdf|title=Guld & Platina 1987-1988|language=Swedish|publisher= International Federation of the Phonographic Industry|International Federation of the Phonographic Industry — Sweden |accessdate=2011-03-20

Dr. Alban founded his own record label Dr. Records , whereon he released his 1996 album, Born in Africa . The album was unable to match up with the success of the previous album releases. It only reached the No.12 position in Finland, while it peaked at No.37 in Switzerland and Sweden, No.52 in Germany, No.41 in Austria.cite web |url= http://www.swedishcharts.com/showitem.asp? interpret=Dr%2E+Alban& titel=Born+In+Africa& cat=a|title=Dr. Alban: Born in Africa (Album)|publisher=Hung Medien|accessdate=2011-03-20

In 1997, Alban released a compilation album entitled The Very Best of 1990-1997 which only charted in Austria, Sweden and Germany. In 1997, Alban, also released a studio album entitled Believe which peaked at No.27 in Sweden, No.30 in Finland, and No.41 in Austria.cite web |url= http://www.swedishcharts.com/showitem.asp? interpret=Dr%2E+Alban& titel=I+Believe& cat=a|title=Dr. Alban: Believe (Album)|publisher=Hung Medien|accessdate=2011-03-20 In the end of 1998, Dr. Alban released a single with German-based artist Sash! , entitled "Colour the World" which experienced a moderate chart success in Europe.cite web |url= http://www.swedishcharts.com/showitem.asp? interpret=Sash%21+with+Dr%2E+Alban& titel=Colour+The+World& cat=s|title=Dr. Alban: Colour the World (Single)|publisher=Hung Medien|accessdate=2011-03-20

In 2000, Alban released a single entitled "What Do I Do" which appeared on the album chart of Sweden only at the No.43, it spent only two week on the chart there.cite web |url= http://www.swedishcharts.com/showitem.asp? interpret=Dr%2E+Alban& titel=What+Do+I+Do& cat=s|title=Dr. Alban: What Do I Do (Single)|publisher=Hung Medien|accessdate=2011-03-20 The album Prescription was a flop as it failed to chart anywhere.

In 2007, after years of disappearance from the music scene, Dr. Alban released a new studio album Back to Basics . It was sold on the Internet only, through Dr. Alban's http://www.dralban.net official website. In Russia ; however, both the physical CDs and Compact Cassette|cassettes were released.

Discography


Studio albums


Year Album details Peak chart positionsCertifications
SWE
cite web		AUT
cite web		FIN
cite web		GER
cite web		NDL
cite web		NOR
cite web		SWI
cite web
1991 Hello Afrika
  • Released: February 18, 1991
  • Label: Ariola Records
  • Formats: LP record|LP , Compact disc|CD , Compact Cassette|Cassette
    		• 6 2 3 11 — — 8align="left"
  • International Federation of the Phonographic Industry|AUT : Gold
  • Bundesverband Musikindustrie|GER : Goldcite certification|region=Germany|artist=Dr. Alban|accessdate=2011-03-20
  • International Federation of the Phonographic Industry|SWI : Gold
    • 1992 One Love (Dr Alban album)
  • Released: May 4, 1992
  • Label: Logic Records
  • Formats: LP record|LP , Compact disc|CD , Compact Cassette|Cassette
    		• 15 1 1 6 — 15 3align="left"
  • AUT: Platinum
  • GER: Gold
  • SWI: Platinum
    • 1994 'Look Who's Talking!
  • Released: March 25, 1994
  • Label: Cherion Records
  • Formats: LP record|LP , Compact disc|CD , Compact Cassette|Cassette
    		• 11 7 1 7 28 13 8align="left"
  • International Federation of the Phonographic Industry|SWE : Gold
    • 1996 Born in Africa
  • Released: April 9, 1996
  • Label: Ariola Records
  • Formats: LP record|LP , Compact disc|CD , Compact Cassette|Cassette
    		• 37 41 12 52 — — 37align="left"
    1997 The Very Best Of 1990-1997
  • Released: June 30, 1997
  • Label: Ariola Records
  • Formats: LP record|LP , Compact disc|CD , Compact Cassette|Cassette
    		• 38 38 — 66 — — —align="left"
    I Believe
  • Released: October 1, 1997
  • Label: Metrovynil (EAMS Lesser)
  • Formats: LP record|LP , Compact disc|CD , Compact Cassette|Cassette
    		• 27 41 30 — — — —align="left"
    2001 Prescription
  • Released: November 26, 2001
  • Label: Rough Trade
  • Formats: Compact disc|CD , Compact Cassette|Cassette
    		• — — — — — — —align="left"
    2008 Back to Basics
  • Released: November 13, 2008
  • Label: Haring Records
  • Formats: Download, CD
    		• — — — — — — —align="left"
    "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released.


    Singles


    Year Single Peak chart positionsCertifications Album
    SWE
    Peak positions for Swedish Singles:
  • For all other singles: cite web|url= http://www.swedishcharts.com/showinterpret.asp? interpret=Dr%2E+Alban|title=Dr. Alban: Album / Song Chart-History for Sweden|work=Hung Medien|accessdate=2011-03-20
  • For "Sweet Dreams": cite web|url= http://www.swedishcharts.com/search.asp? cat=s& artist=Swing& artist_search=starts& title=Sweet+Dreams& title_search=starts|title=Swing Feat. Dr. Alban: Sweet Dreams (Sweden)|work=Hung Medien|accessdate=2011-03-20
  • For "Colour the World:cite web|url= http://www.swedishcharts.com/search.asp? cat=s& artist=Sash%21& artist_search=starts& title=Colour+the+World& title_search=starts|title=Sash& #33; Feat. Dr. Alban: Colour the World (Sweden)|work=Hung Medien|accessdate=2011-03-20
    		• AUT
    		FIN
    Peak positions for Finland:
  • For "All except those listed below" :cite web|url= http://www.finnishcharts.com/showinterpret.asp? interpret=Dr%2E+Alban|title=Dr. Alban: Album / Song Chart History for Finland|work=Hung Medien|accessdate=2012-01-31
  • For '''"Look Who's Talking" : cite web|url= http://books.google.com/books? id=NQgEAAAAMBAJ& lpg=PA5& rview=1& pg=PA57#v=onepage& q& f=false|title=Hits of the World: Finland (3/9/94)|work= Billboard magazine|Billboard |accessdate=2012-01-31
  • For '''"This Time I'm Free" : cite web|url= http://books.google.ca/books? id=xgsEAAAAMBAJ& lpg=PA68& vq=hits%20of%20the%20world& pg=PA53#v=onepage& q& f=false|title=Hits of the World: Finland (8/5/95)|work= Billboard magazine|Billboard |accessdate=2012-01-31
    		• GER
    Peak positions for German Singles:
  • For all other: cite web|url= http://www.charts.de/search.asp? search=Dr.+Alban& x=8& y=6& cat=s& country=de|title=Charts.de: Dr. Alban (Singles)|work=Charts.de|accessdate=2011-03-20
  • For "Colour the World: cite web|url= http://www.charts.de/song.asp? artist=Sash%21+with+Dr%2E+Alban& title=Colour+The+World& cat=s& country=de|title=Charts.de: Sash& #33; Feat. Dr. Alban (Singles)|work=Charts.de|accessdate=2011-03-20
    		• NDL
    Peak positions for Dutch Singles:
  • For all other: cite web|url= http://www.dutchcharts.nl/showinterpret.asp? interpret=Dr%2E+Alban|title=Dr. Alban: Album / Song Chart History for Holland|work=Hung Medien|accessdate=2011-03-20
  • For "Sweet Dreams": cite web|url= http://www.dutchcharts.nl/search.asp? cat=s& artist=Swing+& artist_search=starts& title=Sweet+Dreams& title_search=starts|title=Swing Feat. Dr. Alban: Sweet Dreams (Holland)|work=Hung Medien|accessdate=2011-03-20
  • For "Colour the World:cite web|url= http://www.dutchcharts.nl/search.asp? cat=s& artist=Sash%21& artist_search=starts& title=Colour+the+World& title_search=starts|title=Sash& #33; Feat. Dr. Alban: Colour the World (Holland)|work=Hung Medien|accessdate=2011-03-20
    		• NOR
    		SWI
    Peak positions for Swiss Singles:
  • For all other: cite web|url= http://www.swisscharts.com/search.asp? cat=s& artist=Dr.+Alban& artist_search=starts& title=& title_search=starts|title=Dr. Alban: Singles Chart History for Switzerland|work=Hung Medien|accessdate=2011-03-20
  • For "Colour the World":cite web|url= http://www.swisscharts.com/search.asp? cat=s& artist=Sash%21& artist_search=starts& title=Colour+the+World& title_search=starts|title=Sash& #33; Feat. Dr. Alban|work=Hung Medien|accessdate=2011-03-20
    		• UK
    Peak positions for UK Singles:
  • For all other: cite web|url= http://www.chartstats.com/artistinfo.php? id=6592|title=Chart Stats: Dr. Alban|work=Chart Stats|accessdate=2011-03-20
  • For "Sweet Dreams": cite web|url= http://www.chartstats.com/artistinfo.php? id=7392|title=Chart Stats: Swing Feat. Dr Alban|work=Chart Stats|accessdate=2011-03-20
  • For "Colour the World": cite web|url= http://www.chartstats.com/release.php? release=26962|title=Chart Stats: Sash& #33; Feat. Dr Alban|work=Chart Stats|accessdate=2011-03-20
    • 1990" Hello Afrika (song) 7 1 — 2 25 — — —align="left"
  • International Federation of the Phonographic Industry|SWE : Gold
    		•  Hello Afrika
    " No Coke " 1 2 — 3 7 6 3 —align="left"
  • SWE: Platinum
    • 1991"U & Mi" 20 11 — 14 — — 9 —align="left"
    "(Sing Shi-Wo-Wo) Stop The Pollution" 36 16 — — — — 13 —align="left"
    1992" It's My Life (Dr Alban song) 1 1 — 1 1 2 2 2align="left"
  • International Federation of the Phonographic Industry|AUT : Gold
  • Bundesverband Musikindustrie|GER : Platinum
  • NVPI : Platinum
    		•  One Love (Dr Alban album)
    " One Love (Dr Alban song) 19 9 — 7 14 10 11 45align="left"
    1993" Sing Hallelujah " 6 7 — 4 6 8 4 16align="left"
  • GER: Platinum
    • 1994" Look Who's Talking (song) 2 3 1 3 4 4 6 55align="left"''Look Who's Talking!
    " Away From Home " 24 12 — 25 45 — 26 42align="left"
    " Let the Beat Go On " 17 23 — 18 19 — — —align="left"
    1995"Sweet Dreams"
    Feat. Swingfly    		 12 — — — 44 — — 59align="left" Non-album Track
    "This Time I'm Free" 3 23 1 27 35 11 32 —align="left" Born in Africa
    1996"Born in Africa" 11 31 1 — — — 47 —align="left"
    "Hallelujah Day" 30 35 12 — — — — —align="left"
    1997"It's My Life '97"
    Feat. Sash!     		— — 18 — — — — —align="left" The Best of 1990-1997
    "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" 6 — — — — — — —align="left" I Believe
    "Mr. DJ" — 21 8 70 — — — —align="left"
    "Long Time Ago" 55 — 15 — — — — —align="left"
    1998" Papaya Coconut (song) 22 — — — — — — —align="left" Non-album Track
    1999"Colour the World"
    Sash& #33; Feat. Dr. Alban    		 54 — — 39 69 — 39 15align="left" Non-album Track
    2000"What Do I Do" 43 — — — — — — —align="left" Prescription
    2002"Because of You" — — — — — — — —align="left"
    2003"Work Work" 13 — 19 — — — — —align="left" Non-album Track
    2005"Sing Hallelujah 2005"
    Yamboo Feat. Dr. Alban    		 — — 12 — — — — —align="left" Non-album Track
    2006"Chiki Chiki"
    Starclub Feat. Dr. Alban    		 — — — — — — — —align="left" Non-album Track
    2008"Habibi"
    Melissa Feat. Dr. Alban    		 — — — — — — — —align="left" Back to Basics
    2008"We Love The 90's"
    Dr. Alban Feat. Haddaway    		 — — — — — — — —align="left" Non-album Track
    2012"Freedom"
    Dr. Alban    		 — — — — — — — —align="left" Non-album Track
    "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released.


    References


    reflist|colwidth=30em

    External links


    Commons|Dr. Alban
  • http://www.dralban.net The Official Website of Dr. Alban

  • http://www.drrecords.com/ Dr. Alban records

  • http://www.dralban.info/ About Dr. Alban


    • Dr. Alban
    Persondata | NAME =Dr. Alban
    | ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
    | SHORT DESCRIPTION =
    | DATE OF BIRTH =26 August 1957
    | PLACE OF BIRTH = Imo State|Imo , Nigeria
    | DATE OF DEATH =
    | PLACE OF DEATH =
    DEFAULTSORT:Dr. Alban Category:1957 births
    Category:Living people
    Category:Igbo pop musicians
    Category:Swedish pop musicians
    Category:Eurodance musicians
    Category:Electronic musicians
    Category:Dance musicians
    Category:Nigerian musicians
    Category:Enugu
    Category:Swedish people of Nigerian descent
    Category:Swedish dentists

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    eo:Dr. Alban
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    ka:Dr. Alban
    lmo:Dr. Alban
    hu:Dr. Alban
    nl:Dr. Alban
    no:Dr. Alban
    pl:Dr Alban
    pt:Dr. Alban
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    ru:?????? ?????
    fi:Dr. Alban
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    Copyright Citations

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