# Alesso
**Alesso** (Alessandro Renato Rodolfo Lindblad, born 1991 in Stockholm, Sweden) is a Swedish DJ, record producer, and songwriter known for progressive house and big-room electronic dance music, with mainstream pop crossover hits such as "Heroes (We Could Be)" and "Under Control"[1](https://www.alesso.org/bio) • [2](https://minatrix.com/en/artists/name/alesso/).
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Alessandro Renato Rodolfo Lindblad, born 1991, Stockholm, Sweden[1](https://www.alesso.org/bio) • [2](https://minatrix.com/en/artists/name/alesso/) |
| Style | Progressive house and EDM, with deep house, tech house, and pop-crossover material; his own DJ Mag style listing is simply "EDM"[3](https://djmag.com/top100djs/2024/43/alesso) |
| Breakthrough | 2011 remix of Nadia Ali's "Pressure," picked up in sets by Armin van Buuren, Tiësto, Calvin Harris, and Swedish House Mafia[4](https://edmhousenetwork.com/the-evolution-of-alesso/) |
| Grammy nomination | "If I Lose Myself (Alesso vs OneRepublic)" nominated for Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical, in 2014[5](https://www.insomniac.com/magazine/sound-evolution-the-musical-progression-of-alesso/) |
| Debut album | *Forever* (Def Jam, May 2015), which topped the iTunes Dance Chart in its first week[5](https://www.insomniac.com/magazine/sound-evolution-the-musical-progression-of-alesso/) • [6](https://www.nylon.com/articles/alesso-biggest-edm-acts-on-planet) |
| Billboard record | First international recording artist in Billboard Dance Radio chart history with two #1 hits from two different songs in consecutive weeks; owns the label Body Hi[7](https://www.universalmusic.ca/2026/02/06/alesso-arrives-to-2026-with-anthem-fade-long-awaited-us-tour-announcement-leaning-into-his-signature-sound-the-collaboration-with-pendulum-kicks-off-an-epic-2026/) |
| DJ Mag Top 100 | No. 20 (2016), No. 45 (2020), No. 43 (2024), his 13th straight appearance in the poll[3](https://djmag.com/top100djs/2024/43/alesso) • [8](https://djmag.com/top100djs/2016/20/Alesso) |
## Early life and start
Alesso grew up in Stockholm and began playing the piano at age 7[5](https://www.insomniac.com/magazine/sound-evolution-the-musical-progression-of-alesso/). At 16, a close friend passed him a CD with music by [Daft Punk](https://www.edgepedia.org/daft-punk) and his countrymen [Swedish House Mafia](https://www.edgepedia.org/swedish-house-mafia), and he became absorbed in electronic music[5](https://www.insomniac.com/magazine/sound-evolution-the-musical-progression-of-alesso/). He practiced production on a home computer, learned to arrange drum patterns, layer synths, and mix tracks, and tested his sound at local events and school parties around Stockholm[1](https://www.alesso.org/bio).
His first release was the *Alesso EP* on Joia Records in 2010, which straddled tech house and deep house; the opening track "Think It's Time" already showed the big-beat, progressive tendencies that became his formula[5](https://www.insomniac.com/magazine/sound-evolution-the-musical-progression-of-alesso/). At 19, his debut EP attracted the attention of established EDM figures including [David Guetta](https://www.edgepedia.org/david-guetta) and Avicii[6](https://www.nylon.com/articles/alesso-biggest-edm-acts-on-planet).
## Mentorship and breakthrough
**Sebastian Ingrosso.** In 2011, Swedish House Mafia founder [Sebastian Ingrosso](https://www.edgepedia.org/sebastian-ingrosso) discovered the young producer, introduced him to DJ culture, and helped develop his sonic identity; Alesso sent Ingrosso demos that led to a mentorship and a record deal with Ingrosso's label Refune Music[5](https://www.insomniac.com/magazine/sound-evolution-the-musical-progression-of-alesso/) • [9](https://ravebonfire.com/djs/alesso/). Ingrosso also put him in front of large international audiences as a supporting act on Swedish House Mafia's farewell run, One Last Tour[10](https://www.insomniac.com/magazine/the-evolution-of-alesso/).
The 2011 remix of Nadia Ali's "Pressure" spread quickly through other DJs' sets and became one of the year's standout EDM releases[4](https://edmhousenetwork.com/the-evolution-of-alesso/) • [11](https://codamusic.me/artists/alesso/). In 2012, at age 21, Alesso scored his first No. 1 single, played to a crowd of 60,000 at Britain's Milton Keynes Bowl, and was selected by Madonna to open her MDNA tour[12](https://www.ticketmaster.com/artist/1658366?tt_scene=anchor_view).
## Hit run, 2012–2015
"Calling (Lose My Mind)," a collaboration with Ingrosso featuring [OneRepublic](https://www.edgepedia.org/onerepublic) frontman [Ryan Tedder](https://www.edgepedia.org/ryan-tedder), topped Billboard's Hot Dance Club Songs chart in the US and became a Top 10 hit on the dance charts in the UK and Australia[5](https://www.insomniac.com/magazine/sound-evolution-the-musical-progression-of-alesso/). The Alesso vs. OneRepublic remix "If I Lose Myself" went four times platinum in Sweden and silver in the UK and earned his first Grammy nomination[5](https://www.insomniac.com/magazine/sound-evolution-the-musical-progression-of-alesso/). "Under Control," made with [Calvin Harris](https://www.edgepedia.org/calvin-harris) and featuring the duo Hurts, debuted at No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart, Alesso's first UK chart-topper, and went platinum in several territories[5](https://www.insomniac.com/magazine/sound-evolution-the-musical-progression-of-alesso/).
**Forever.** In 2014 Alesso became the second EDM producer ever, after Afrojack, to sign to [Def Jam Recordings](https://www.edgepedia.org/def-jam-recordings), and his debut album *Forever* followed in May 2015[5](https://www.insomniac.com/magazine/sound-evolution-the-musical-progression-of-alesso/) • [13](https://aeschtunes.com/2025/07/22/album-review-alesso-forever/). It took about a year and a half to produce and traces his path from Stockholm bedroom producer to global DJ[14](https://www.wonderlandmagazine.com/2015/05/21/profile-alesso/). The album topped the iTunes Dance Chart in its first week, outselling Tiësto, David Guetta, and [Jack Ü](https://www.edgepedia.org/jack-u)[6](https://www.nylon.com/articles/alesso-biggest-edm-acts-on-planet), and charted in the top 5 in Sweden and the top 30 in both the UK and US[8](https://djmag.com/top100djs/2016/20/Alesso).
Its lead single, "Heroes (We Could Be)" with Swedish pop singer [Tove Lo](https://www.edgepedia.org/tove-lo), topped the dance charts in the US and UK and went platinum in both territories[5](https://www.insomniac.com/magazine/sound-evolution-the-musical-progression-of-alesso/). It reached No. 31 on the Billboard Hot 100 and had been streamed more than 150 million times on Spotify by May 2015[15](https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/00s/2015/BB-2015-14-05-09.pdf). The song interpolates the chorus of [David Bowie](https://www.edgepedia.org/david-bowie)'s "Heroes," and Alesso said the similarity was unintentional; the credit was cleared with co-writer [Brian Eno](https://www.edgepedia.org/brian-eno) rather than litigated[6](https://www.nylon.com/articles/alesso-biggest-edm-acts-on-planet).
## Later career and sound shifts
Between 2016 and 2017 Alesso worked across the global pop market: a two-version release of "I Wanna Know," first with [Nico & Vinz](https://www.edgepedia.org/nico-and-vinz) and then with Taiwan's Jolin Tsai; a Korean and Chinese version of his 2012 track "Years" featuring Chen of Exo; the Brazilian collaboration "Is That for Me" with Anitta; and "Let Me Go," an EDM-meets-country crossover with [Hailee Steinfeld](https://www.edgepedia.org/hailee-steinfeld), Florida Georgia Line, and watt that became a US Top 40 platinum hit[5](https://www.insomniac.com/magazine/sound-evolution-the-musical-progression-of-alesso/). In 2018, "Remedy" with [Conor Maynard](https://www.edgepedia.org/conor-maynard), debuted on *Good Morning America*, topped the US Dance Airplay chart, and he partnered with streamer Tyler "Ninja" Blevins on "Tilted Towers" for the *Ninjawerks* soundtrack[5](https://www.insomniac.com/magazine/sound-evolution-the-musical-progression-of-alesso/).
By his own account, the sound that made him famous became predictable to produce. In a 2018 interview he described feeling bored after years of the same style, signing with new management at Shots Studios, and deliberately widening his output from pop to deep house; after the change, his streams and following began growing again[10](https://www.insomniac.com/magazine/the-evolution-of-alesso/). Recent releases have continued that range: the country-pop-dance crossover "I Like It" with Nate Smith and the club-focused *Hypnotize* EP in 2024[3](https://djmag.com/top100djs/2024/43/alesso) • [2](https://minatrix.com/en/artists/name/alesso/), the collaboration "Never Going Home Tonight" with David Guetta and Madison Love in 2024[3](https://djmag.com/top100djs/2024/43/alesso), chart-topping tracks including "Surrender" with Becky Hill and "Inside Our Hearts" with Martin Garrix in 2025[7](https://www.universalmusic.ca/2026/02/06/alesso-arrives-to-2026-with-anthem-fade-long-awaited-us-tour-announcement-leaning-into-his-signature-sound-the-collaboration-with-pendulum-kicks-off-an-epic-2026/), and in 2026 "FADE" with the Australian electronic rock band Pendulum, which announced his first-ever US headline tour starting at Red Rocks Amphitheater[7](https://www.universalmusic.ca/2026/02/06/alesso-arrives-to-2026-with-anthem-fade-long-awaited-us-tour-announcement-leaning-into-his-signature-sound-the-collaboration-with-pendulum-kicks-off-an-epic-2026/). In August 2026 he released *The One*, a two-track EP on his own label Body Hi in partnership with Tomorrowland Music, built around the diamond-shaped stage design of his current world tour[16](https://los40.com/2026/08/25/alesso-presenta-su-nuevo-ep-the-one-con-dos-nuevas-canciones/).
## Standing and recognition
Alesso has been a fixture of the DJ Mag Top 100 DJs poll; 2024 marked his 13th straight appearance, at No. 43[3](https://djmag.com/top100djs/2024/43/alesso). His earlier chart positions include No. 20 in 2016 and No. 45 in 2020[8](https://djmag.com/top100djs/2016/20/Alesso) • [17](https://djmag.com/top100djs/2020/45/Alesso). His label states that, in the history of the Billboard Dance Radio chart, no international recording artist before him had landed two #1 hits from two separate songs in back-to-back weeks.[7](https://www.universalmusic.ca/2026/02/06/alesso-arrives-to-2026-with-anthem-fade-long-awaited-us-tour-announcement-leaning-into-his-signature-sound-the-collaboration-with-pendulum-kicks-off-an-epic-2026/)
Beyond recordings, his touring is festival- and residency-based: recent appearances include Ultra Music Festival, a back-to-back set with Gorgon City at Coachella's Quasar stage, EDC Las Vegas, and regular OMNIA and Palm Tree Beach Club dates in Las Vegas[7](https://www.universalmusic.ca/2026/02/06/alesso-arrives-to-2026-with-anthem-fade-long-awaited-us-tour-announcement-leaning-into-his-signature-sound-the-collaboration-with-pendulum-kicks-off-an-epic-2026/) • [18](https://alessoworld.com/tour). His booking lists his set style as spanning progressive house and EDM, and festival audiences know him mainly for his melodic mainstage sets[19](https://earf.tv/earfstage/artist/alesso).
## References
1. [Alesso Biography – Songs, Albums, Tour Dates & Career](https://www.alesso.org/bio)
2. [Alesso – Biography and discography, Minatrix](https://minatrix.com/en/artists/name/alesso/)
3. [Alesso | Top 100 DJs 2024, DJ Mag](https://djmag.com/top100djs/2024/43/alesso)
4. [The Evolution of Alesso, EDM House Network](https://edmhousenetwork.com/the-evolution-of-alesso/)
5. [Sound Evolution: The Musical Progression of Alesso, Insomniac Magazine (John Ochoa, Feb 22, 2019)](https://www.insomniac.com/magazine/sound-evolution-the-musical-progression-of-alesso/)
6. [How Alesso Became One of the Biggest EDM Acts On the Planet, Nylon (June 3, 2015)](https://www.nylon.com/articles/alesso-biggest-edm-acts-on-planet)
7. [Alesso arrives to 2026 with anthem "FADE" & US tour announcement, Universal Music Canada (Feb 6, 2026)](https://www.universalmusic.ca/2026/02/06/alesso-arrives-to-2026-with-anthem-fade-long-awaited-us-tour-announcement-leaning-into-his-signature-sound-the-collaboration-with-pendulum-kicks-off-an-epic-2026/)
8. [Alesso | Top 100 DJs 2016, DJ Mag](https://djmag.com/top100djs/2016/20/Alesso)
9. [Alesso: Bio, Songs & Tour Info, Rave Bonfire](https://ravebonfire.com/djs/alesso/)
10. [The Evolution of Alesso, Insomniac Magazine (Katie Bain, Mar 9, 2018)](https://www.insomniac.com/magazine/the-evolution-of-alesso/)
11. [Alesso – Biography, Discography & Albums, Coda Music](https://codamusic.me/artists/alesso/)
12. [Alesso Tickets, Ticketmaster artist page](https://www.ticketmaster.com/artist/1658366?tt_scene=anchor_view)
13. [Album Review: Alesso – "Forever", AeschTunes (July 22, 2025)](https://aeschtunes.com/2025/07/22/album-review-alesso-forever/)
14. [Profile: Alesso, Wonderland Magazine (May 21, 2015)](https://www.wonderlandmagazine.com/2015/05/21/profile-alesso/)
15. [Billboard Magazine, May 9, 2015 issue](https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/00s/2015/BB-2015-14-05-09.pdf)
16. [Alesso presenta su nuevo EP 'The One', LOS40 (Aug 25, 2026)](https://los40.com/2026/08/25/alesso-presenta-su-nuevo-ep-the-one-con-dos-nuevas-canciones/)
17. [Alesso | Top 100 DJs 2020, DJ Mag](https://djmag.com/top100djs/2020/45/Alesso)
18. [Tour — Alesso, official site](https://alessoworld.com/tour)
19. [Alesso: Festival Sets and Tracklists, EARFSTAGE](https://earf.tv/earfstage/artist/alesso)
---
*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Music › Music scenes › Transnational genre scenes › Electronic dance music (EDM) and rave culture › Artists, groups, and people: Electronic dance music (EDM) and rave culture › House music artists › Global house scene (2010s–present) › European and North American house artists*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 12, 2026; Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license