Robin Packalen (born 24 August 1998), previously known by his mononym Robin, is a Finnish singer who started as a teen pop artist. During his career, Packalen's certified albums and singles sales have amounted to over 370,000 copies, making him one of the 70 best-selling artists of all-time in Finland.[1]

Robin Packalen
Packalen in 2017
Packalen in 2017
Background information
Also known asRobin
Born (1998-08-24) 24 August 1998 (age 26)
Turku, Finland
GenresPop
OccupationSinger
Years active2008–2017, 2019–present
LabelsUniversal Music Finland
Websitewww.robinpackalen.com

Music career

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2008–2009: Staraskaba and New Wave Junior Contest

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In 2008, Packalen won the Finnish nationwide singing contest for youth, Staraskaba, when he was just 10.[2] In 2009, he represented Finland at the New Wave Junior Contest in Moscow, which was followed by about 100 million viewers.[3]

2012–2013: Koodi and Chillaa

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On 16 January 2012, Packalen, described as the "Justin Bieber of Finland" by his label,[4] released his debut single "Frontside Ollie". It received instant success, huge following online, and based on digital downloads debuted at number five on the Finnish Singles Chart before reaching the top position.[5][6] On 22 February 2012, his first album Koodi was released. It sold over 100,000 records in Finland, earning quintuple platinum.

On 5 October 2012, Packalen released his second studio album Chillaa. The album topped the Finnish Albums Chart in its first week of release.

2013–2014: Boom Kah

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On 30 August 2013, Packalen released "Boom Kah", featuring Mikael Gabriel and Uniikki, as the lead single from his third studio album Boom Kah. The song peaked at number four on the Finnish Singles Chart. On 2 October 2013, he released the album Boom Kah, which also topped the Finnish Albums Chart. The chart topping second single, "Erilaiset", was released on 16 October 2013.

Packalen released his fourth studio album 16 on 22 September 2014.

2015–2018: Yhdessä, acting, and military hiatus

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An all-duet album, Yhdessä, was released on 9 October 2015. In 2017, he had a small role as a soldier in the Finnish war film The Unknown Soldier.[7] Packalen later went on a hiatus in 2018 to serve in the military, which is mandatory for every Finnish male citizen.

2019–present: Comeback

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On 2 February 2019, during the Emma Gaala awards ceremony, Packalen announced his comeback with a live performance of "I'll Be with You".

On 11 January 2023, it was announced that Packalen would participate in Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu 2023 with the song "Girls Like You".[8] In the final, he finished in fourth place with 109 points (81 points from the televote and 28 points from the juries).[9]

Discography

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ The first is the list of Robin's certified recordings, the four others are lists of best-selling albums and singles of all time in Finland:
    • "Robin" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
    • "Kaikkien aikojen myydyimmät kotimaiset albumit" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
    • "Kaikkien aikojen myydyimmät ulkomaiset albumit" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
    • "Kaikkien aikojen myydyimmät kotimaiset singlet" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
    • "Kaikkien aikojen myydyimmät ulkomaiset singlet" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
  2. ^ "Stara: Kymmenvuotias Robin Packalen Staraskaban voittajaksi". Archived from the original on 27 September 2013. Retrieved 27 January 2012.
  3. ^ Stara.fi (17 January 2012). "Kuka ihmeen Robin? Hän on teini-idoli suomalaisen nettihitin taustalla". Stara (in Finnish). Retrieved 11 January 2023.
  4. ^ Turkulaispojan sinkusta nettihitti (in Finnish)
  5. ^ "Robin: Frontside Ollie" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved 29 January 2012.
  6. ^ Hung, Steffen. "Discography Robin Packalen". Finnish Charts Portal. Hung Medien (Steffen Hung).
  7. ^ "Robin Packalen". IMDb.
  8. ^ Grace, Emily (11 January 2023). "Finland: Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu 2023 Participants Revealed". Eurovoix. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
  9. ^ Farren, Neil (25 February 2023). "Finland: Käärijä to Eurovision 2023". Eurovoix. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
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