Björk

Born Björk Gudmundsdóttir, 21 November 1965, Rey

The former Sugarcubes vocalist, armed with a remarkable, keening vocal presence, has crossed over to huge success via her club-orientated material. The success of Debut culminated in awards for Best International Newcomer and Best International Artist at the 1994 BRIT Awards. However, she had made her "debut" proper as far back as 1977, with an album recorded in her native territory as an 11-year old prodigy (including cover versions of pop standards by the Beatles and others). It was only the start of a prodigious musical legacy. Her next recording outfit was Tappi Tíkarrass (which apparently translates as "Cork that bitch's arse"), who recorded two albums between 1981 and 1983. A high-profile role was afforded via work with KUKL, who introduced her to future Sugarcubes Einar Örn and Siggi. The band's two albums were issued in the UK on the Crass label.
Björk returned to Iceland after the Sugarcubes' six-year career, partially to pay off debts, recording a solo album in 1990 backed by a local be-bop group. She re-emerged in 1993 with Debut and a welter of more house-orientated material, including four hit singles. These chiefly came to prominence in the dance music charts (Björk having first dipped a toe in those waters with 808 State on Ex:El) via their big-name remixers. The most important of these were Underworld and Bassheads ("Human Behaviour"), Black Dog ("Venus As A Boy"), Tim Simenon of Bomb The Bass ("Play Dead", which was used on the soundtrack to The Young Americans) and David Morales, Justin Robertson and Fluke ("Big Time Sensuality"). Björk appeared at the 1993 BRIT Awards duetting with PJ Harvey, while in 1994 she co-wrote the title track to Madonna's album Bedtime Stories. Released in 1995, Post was an impressive and even more eclectic album, ranging from the hard techno beats of "Army Of Me", to the shimmering "Hyperballad" and the 40s revival number "It's So Quiet". The latter provided the singer with her biggest UK hit, reaching number 4 in December.

Now an unwilling media star, Björk made the headlines following her attack on an intrusive reporter, and through her liaison with jungle artist Goldie. Following a desultory remix album, Björk released her third solo set, the self-produced Homogenic. Though she received critical plaudits for her seemingly tireless musical invention, the album was also notable for lyrics revealing a more personal side to the singer, reflecting on her troubled year. Björk subsequently switched her focus to acting, winning the Best Actress award at the 2000 Cannes film festival for her role as Selma in Lars von Trier's Dancer In The Dark. The challenging soundtrack, Selma Songs, was written by Björk with Guy Sigsworth, Mark Bell and Vince Mendoza. Her next studio album, Vespertine, followed in August 2001.

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