Björk

Björk Guðmundsdóttir ([ˈpjœr̥k ˈkvʏðmʏnstoʊhtɪr] (help·)) (born November 21, 1965 in Reykjavík, Iceland) is an Icelandic singer/songwriter and com

Björk Guðmundsdóttir ([ˈpjœr̥k ˈkvʏðmʏnstoʊhtɪr] (help·)) (born November 21, 1965 in Reykjavík, Iceland) is an Icelandic singer/songwriter and composer (formerly the lead singer of alternative rock band The Sugarcubes), as well as an occasional actress. She is best known for her expressive range and an interest in many kinds of music including pop, alternative rock, jazz, ambient music, electronica, folk, and classical music. She has won numerous awards including receiving 12 Grammys and an Academy Award Nomination. Her record label, One Little Indian, reported in 2003 that she has sold over 15 million albums worldwide.

Björk's musical career began when she was 11, studying classical piano in elementary school. One of her instructors sent a recording of Björk singing Tina Charles' song "I Love to Love" to RÚV, then the only radio station in Iceland. The recording was broadcast on radio nationally; after hearing it, a representative of the record label Fálkinn contacted Björk with a record contract offer. She recorded her eponymous debut in 1977, with the help of her stepfather, who played guitar. This album featured several Icelandic children's songs and covers of popular songs such as the Beatles' "The Fool on the Hill", sung in Icelandic. The album went platinum in Iceland, and is now a highly sought-after collectors item.