Haaland and Kygo Surprise Fans with Remix
Norway and Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has released a remix of his viral 2016 rap song 'Kygo jo' with Norwegian DJ and music producer Kygo. The remix comes after Norway's historic FIFA World Cup campaign, where Haaland has scored seven goals to lead his nation to the quarterfinals for the first time in 28 years.
Before becoming a global football superstar, Haaland briefly pursued rap with fellow Norway under-17 teammates Erik Botheim and Erik Tobias Sandberg under the collective name 'Flow Kingz'. In 2016, while playing for Norwegian club Bryne, the trio released the original track 'Kygo jo'. The song recently went viral on social media, amassing 8.9 million views on YouTube.
Kygo's Promise and World Cup Context
Kygo, known for remixing tracks for artists like Ed Sheeran, Selena Gomez, and Ellie Goulding, had teased the remix's release if Norway beat Brazil in the round of 16. After Haaland scored a brace in a 2-1 victory, Kygo delivered on his promise. Haaland announced the remix on Instagram with the caption: "Made it moment! Thanks, @kygomusic. Does this mean I'm officially an artist now?"
In his first interview with Manchester City in 2022, Haaland explained the rap group's origin, as quoted by Goal.com: "It is a group of three. One guy - Erik Botheim - and Erik Tobias as well, we are good friends. We were a bit bored, so we decided to make a rap song!"
Haaland's Record-Breaking World Cup Performance
Haaland's seven goals in the 2026 World Cup are the joint-most by a player in his debut tournament since Poland's Grzegorz Lato scored seven in 1974. He is averaging a goal every 14 touches, the lowest ratio among players with three or more goals in a single World Cup over the past 60 years. Haaland has scored seven goals from 18 shots, a 39% conversion rate—the best finishing efficiency (with 15 or more shots) since Gary Lineker in 1986, who converted 40% of his 15 shots.
Norway's win over Brazil marked a historic milestone: Norway remains the only side among 91 nations Brazil has faced that they have never beaten, with two draws and three defeats in five meetings. Norway will next face England in the quarterfinals on July 12 at 2:30 AM IST in Miami, where Haaland will battle England captain Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham.
