Boras, Sweden

1991

Swedish soccer player turned DJ and electronic producer Aron Michael Ekberg, aka AronChupa, makes electro- and hip-hop-influenced dance music. Born in Boras, Sweden in 1991, Ekberg initially came to the public's attention as a member of the fourth division soccer team Byttorps IF. In 2012, Ekberg (now performing under the stage name AronChupa) formed the electronic outfit Albatroaz along with fellow Byttorps IF teammates Måns Harvidsson, Nicklas "Savvo" Savvolainen, Andreas "Andy" Reinholdsson, and Sahlberg "Salle" Rasmus. In August of 2013, they released their debut single, "I'm an Albatroaz," which featured vocals from AronChupa's sister, Nora Ekberg. The song hit number 36 on Sweden's singles charts and ultimately achieved gold status. In 2014, AronChupa and Albatroaz released their second single, "Arriba." ~ Matt Collar