Icelandic pop star Daði Freyr rose to international fame with the infectious 2020 hit "Think About Things," a song intended to represent his home country in that year's Eurovision Song Contest. Despite the contest's cancellation due to the global pandemic, Freyr's playful synth pop anthem became a hit in several countries and was followed in 2021 by the similarly buoyant "10 Years," which successfully competed in that year's Eurovision, coming in fourth place. A singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, Freyr is known for his quirky stage show, dance moves, and commitment to melodic pop songcraft. Born in Reykjavik and raised partly in Denmark, Freyr's family later settled in Iceland's Southern Region where he studied music management in college. His first major project was an electronic pop band called ReTroBot, which released one album and won the 2012 Músíktilraunir song contest in Reykjavik. After relocating to Berlin where he studied music production, Freyr began his solo career with the self-released Næsta Skref EP and a 2017 entry into Söngvakeppni, the annual contest that decides which Icelandic act will represent the country in the Eurovision Song Contest. While his song "Is This Love?" didn't win, it established his signature sound and visual aesthetic. A mix of growling synth hooks and tight dance beats, Freyr's crafty pop song was represented on-stage by his sister, backing vocalist Sigrún Birna Pétursdóttir, his wife, dancer Árný Fjóla Ásmundsdóttir, and a group of friends and musicians all wearing memorable teal sweaters bearing pixelated portraits of themselves. The group became known as Daði & Gagnamagnið, an Icelandic word that translates to "data plan." After releasing the 2019 full-length & Co., Freyr got back to work on his quest for Eurovision glory. Released in January 2020, the undeniably catchy "Think About Things" handily won the Söngvakeppni and was set to represent Iceland in that year's Eurovision contest. The song's popularity led many to believe it was one of the frontrunners, but when the global pandemic led to Eurovision's cancellation, "Think About Things" took on new life as a viral hit around the world and did win several international song competitions in places like Austria, Sweden, Norway, and Australia. Riding a wave of momentum, Daði & Gagnamagnið returned in 2021 with "10 Years," a similarly hooky dance ode to Freyr's wife which went on to take fourth place at that year's Eurovision contest. Another global hit that topped the Icelandic pop chart, the song anchored his Welcome EP. Freyr returned in 2022 with the filous-assisted single "Sabada" and announced a world tour. - Biography by Timothy Monger