Knut Anders Sørum

Early Life and Eurovision (1976–2004)

Knut Anders Sørum (born 12 April 1976) is a Norwegian singer. He grew up in Østre Toten, Norway, and started making music at a young age. In the early 1990s, he formed a band called Expect a Miracle with his friend Lewi Bergrud, performing gospel and rock music. He also sang and played keyboards in a Christian metal band, Vardøger, during his early career.

Sørum gained national attention in 2004 when he won Melodi Grand Prix 2004, Norway’s Eurovision selection contest, with the pop ballad “High”. This victory earned him the chance to represent Norway at the Eurovision Song Contest 2004. At Eurovision, he performed “High” in the grand final but finished in last place with only 3 points (all from neighboring Sweden).

Building His Music Career (2005–2015)

After Eurovision, Knut Anders Sørum continued to develop his musical career. He took on various singing projects and honed his soulful style. In 2010, he became the lead male vocalist on the Norwegian dance competition TV show Skal vi danse (Norway’s Dancing with the Stars) for two seasons. He also appeared as a contestant on The Voice Norway in 2012. During this period, Sørum started releasing his own music. His first solo album, Prøysen (2010), paid tribute to Norwegian folk legend Alf Prøysen with ten interpreted songs and one original composition. This album showcased Sørum’s respect for Norwegian musical heritage and earned positive reviews.

In 2013, he released Ting flyt, an album of original songs in the soul genre sung in his local Toten dialect. This unique blend of American soul music with Norwegian-language lyrics – sometimes called “Toten-soul” – became his signature style. Notably, the album included a Toten dialect version of John Legend’s song “Stay With You,” titled “Bli ved deg,” which became one of his most streamed tracks. Critics described Sørum’s musical vibe as “if Prøysen meets John Legend,” underlining how he mixes Nordic folk influences with modern soul. These releases established him as a distinct voice in the Norwegian music scene.

Stjernekamp and Breakthrough (2016–2019)

The year 2016 became a breakthrough period for Knut Anders Sørum. In the spring of 2016, he remixed several tracks from Ting flyt and released the collection Ting flyt remix. He also collaborated with renowned producers Erik Hillestad and Kjetil Bjerkestrand on a new album called Audiens 1:1 (2016), further expanding his sound.

In the fall of 2016, Sørum entered the popular NRK television competition Stjernekamp, a live show where established artists perform songs in various genres.  Ultimately, Sørum won Stjernekamp 2016. This victory boosted his fame across Norway, as many viewers voted for him and celebrated his talent. After winning Stjernekamp, Sørum embarked on a nationwide tour. The tour’s success led to a live album, Knut Anders Sørum LIVE, released in late 2017. He continued writing and recording new music, releasing the studio album Dom vonde orda in 2019no.wikipedia.org. During these years, Sørum firmly established himself as a leading male vocalist in Norway’s soul and pop scene.

Recent Projects (2020–Present)

Knut Anders Sørum remains very active in music. In 2021, he released a Christmas album titled Jul, which featured six new Christmas songs he wrote, alongside traditional carols like “Deilig er jorden”. In 2024, Sørum expanded into musical theater. He took on a lead role in a stage musical called David og Jonatan, which premiered in February 2024 at Jakob Church in Oslo. The play presented a modern take on a biblical story of friendship and love. Sørum’s performance in the show was accompanied by original music, and the songs from the production were released as an album in 2024. Moving into 2025, Knut Anders Sørum continues to engage in special projects and live performances. In the autumn of 2025, he is scheduled to headline a concert event called “Prosjekt Prøysen,” a theater concert celebrating the beloved songs of Alf Prøysen.