The positive energy is something many associate with Kaliffa Karlsson, "The world's best Karlsson!" he exclaims when introducing himself at the artist hotel before Melodifestivalen.
Are you always this happy and positive?
Yes, I try to be positive and happy. Of course, I have my days, when the kids are misbehaving and you feel "that's it, I can't take it anymore". But I try to be positive, if I can make someone happy, it's a win for me, and happiness can be contagious.
Sent to Boarding School
It started with talent hunts at the community center in Enskededalen, where he moved with his mom, who immigrated to Sweden from Gambia, after his parents' divorce.
I was in fourth grade, all community centers competed against each other, and I remember it was a blast. Then I was sent to boarding school outside Fagersta in high school. I had some concentration difficulties, but I was back in Stockholm again in high school.
He started a hip-hop collective with a friend, got to lay down refrains in songs like Petter's "Kom kom kom" in 2004, substitute in Teddybears, and then joined Hoffmaestro just in time for the band's second album to be released. He quit in 2023, by which time he had already made a success as a solo artist with the song "Helt seriöst" from 2018.
I had always had a dream of trying to go solo. But we still keep in touch and are like a family, the bands aren't cut off just because I quit.
Quit His Job
Alongside music, he worked driving a truck at a warehouse, lastly at a tile company. When he didn't get vacation time to tour with Hoffmaestro, he quit his job.
I think I inspired my boss, because I heard a few months later that he had also quit. It's very comfortable with a full-time job, but you have to dare to let go of security and try new things.
One of those things is, for example, competing in Melodifestivalen.
As an answer to why he wanted to participate in Sweden's largest music competition for the first time, at 45 years old, Kaliffa responds:
Timing. And that my mom, my wife, and my kids can follow me on the journey so we can create memories together. Memories are the finest thing you can have.
You're not in it to win?
Yes, definitely! I'm a winner, so in my head, I've already made it to the final.
...upcoming film career:
"I'm actually going to audition for something now, but I can't say too much about it. Hopefully, I'll get a foot in the film industry. My dad was a co-owner of a video store when I grew up, so I was obsessed with film and watched a lot of 80s horror movies."
...the house in Gambia:
"Mom convinced me to buy a plot of land there. Then the pandemic came, and all construction projects came to a standstill. But now we hope the house will be finished this year, and I'll also have a studio, so I can live there during the winter months and work from there."
...today's hip-hop sound:
"I actually don't listen to much modern hip-hop, I prefer reggae, afrobeat, and some electronic stuff. When autotune came, I felt 'but I can sing, why should I use it?'. The music I make nowadays is very eclectic, it's different sounds every time."
Name: Kaliffa Olle Karlsson
Born: December 20, 1979.
Family: Wife, two children, 13 and 17 years old.
Background: As a solo artist, Kaliffa has released songs like "Helt seriöst", "Spontanitet", and "Strålar så om dig". "Helt seriöst" was Grammy-nominated in 2018 in the category Song of the Year and won the same award at P3 Guld.
Kaliffa was a member of Hoffmaestro until 2023. He has also collaborated with, among others, Syster Sol and Nääk & Nimo.
"Funniest thing" – Nomi Tales
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"Don Juan" – Schlagerz
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"Show me what love is" – Erik Segerstedt
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"On and on and on" – Klara Hammarström
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"The heart of a Swedish cowboy" – Fredrik Lundman
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"Salute" – Kaliffa
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