Real name: Alan Olav Walker
Date of birth: August 24, 1997
Place of birth: Northampton, United Kingdom
Nationality: Norway / United Kingdom
Genres: EDM, progressive house, future bass, electro house
Occupation: DJ, music producer, composer
Labels: MER Musikk, Sony Music, RCA Records
Years active: since 2012
Early Life and Influences
Alan Walker was born in England, but at the age of two moved with his family to Norway. His father is British and his mother is Norwegian, and this mix of cultures shaped his artistic vision. From a young age, he showed a deep interest in technology, design, and digital creativity, spending countless hours working on his computer.
Without any formal musical education, Alan began teaching himself music production using YouTube tutorials and software like FL Studio. Inspired by artists such as David Guetta, Hans Zimmer, and Ahrix, he started composing his own tracks, blending emotional melodies with cinematic and atmospheric soundscapes.
Career Beginnings and Early Tracks
In 2012, Walker began posting his first productions online. His early track “Fade” (2014) caught listeners’ attention thanks to its melodic and cinematic sound. The composition gained popularity on SoundCloud and YouTube, becoming the starting point of his professional career.
Breakthrough: “Faded”
In 2015, Walker signed with MER Musikk / Sony Music and released an updated version of the track — “Faded”, featuring vocals by Iselin Solheim. The song became a global phenomenon:
- Topped the charts in more than 30 countries.
- The music video surpassed 3.6 billion views on YouTube.
- Certified multi-platinum in numerous countries, including the USA and Germany.
“Faded” became Alan Walker’s signature song and one of the most recognizable tracks in EDM history.
Career Development and Hit Singles
Following the success of “Faded”, Walker established himself as one of the leading producers of the new EDM wave. He continued releasing emotional, melodic tracks with powerful basslines and cinematic production:
- “Sing Me To Sleep” (2016) — continuing the signature “Faded” atmosphere;
- “Alone” (2016) — an anthem of unity and connection (“You’re not alone”);
- “The Spectre” (2017) — a rework of his early track “Spectre”;
- “All Falls Down” (2017, feat. Noah Cyrus & Digital Farm Animals);
- “Darkside” (2018, feat. Au/Ra & Tomine Harket);
- “On My Way” (2019, feat. Sabrina Carpenter & Farruko) — a global hit featured in games and soundtracks;
- “Alone, Pt. II” (2019, feat. Ava Max) — a heartfelt continuation of his “Alone” concept.
Albums and Projects
- 2018 — “Different World”: Walker’s debut studio album, featuring his biggest hits and new compositions. Concept: reflections on ecology, technology, and the human inner world.
- 2021 — “World of Walker”: a compilation of singles, remixes, and collaborations showcasing the global reach of his creative universe.
His music videos are tied together by the overarching “World of Walker” narrative — a cinematic story about the fight between light and darkness in a post-apocalyptic world, adding depth and visual storytelling to his work.
Image and Philosophy
Alan Walker has built a strong visual brand: the black hoodie, mask, and hood symbolize anonymity and unity. His AW logo — an interwoven minimalist design — became an iconic symbol, and his fan community is known as the Walkers.
His core philosophy is “Unity through music”. Walker’s mission is to connect people across cultures and generations through the universal language of sound.
Collaborations
Walker actively collaborates with artists and brands worldwide:
- Rihanna, Coldplay, Sia — official and unofficial remixes;
- Ava Max, Sabrina Carpenter, Noah Cyrus, Iselin Solheim — vocal collaborations;
- League of Legends, PUBG Mobile — music partnerships with gaming industry;
- Joint releases with K-391 and Emelie Hollow.
Achievements
- Over 15 billion streams across digital platforms.
- More than 40 million subscribers on YouTube.
- Winner of MTV Europe Music Awards, NRJ Music Awards, Swiss Music Awards.
- Regularly ranked in the DJ Mag Top 100 DJs.
Philanthropy and Social Initiatives
Alan Walker is involved in various environmental and youth support projects. He donates part of his earnings to charity and hosts educational workshops for aspiring producers.
Personal Life
Walker keeps his personal life private and avoids media attention. It is known that he resides in Norway and has interests in programming, video games, and graphic design.
Legacy
Alan Walker has become an icon of the new EDM generation. His music blends emotion and technology, and his visual identity has become a symbol of the digital era. He has inspired millions of young producers, proving that with talent, dedication, and a laptop, you can reach the world.
