The music of Norway is a unique mix of old traditions and modern styles. From the haunting melodies of traditional Nordic folk music to the intense energy of black metal, a genre Norway famously pioneered, the country’s musical landscape is incredibly diverse. Today, many Norwegian artists experiment with pop, electronic, and jazz, often weaving in elements of their folk roots. This blend of past and present has made Norwegian music stand out around the world.
In our ongoing series 5 Artists You Should Know, we introduce local artists from regions all over the world. We’re very excited to share these five rising artists in Norway that showcase the country’s diversity and global growth: Oscar Blesson, Delara, Markella, TØFL, & ARY.
Oscar Blesson
Oscar Blesson, a rising hip-hop artist from Oslo, is making waves in Norway’s music scene with his talent and dedication. Inspired by his father, Tony Blesson, an artist from the Ivory Coast, Oscar began his musical journey playing the cello before discovering his passion for hip-hop and rap. His career highlights include earning a Gold single for Er du dum?, featuring Jonas Benyoub, and performing at iconic events like the Opera House for Tungtvann’s 25 Years of Norwegian Hip-Hop Celebration, and the 2024 Øyafestivalen in Oslo. Oscar has also collaborated with the popular Swedish rapper, Silvana Imam, on her single Dansar med Demoner. Now, with two solo albums under his belt, he’s gearing up for the release of his third album this year, solidifying his place as a key figure in Norwegian hip-hop.
City: Oslo
Follow on Instagram: @oscarblesson
Delara
Delara, an award-winning Norwegian artist, has captivated audiences since her 2017 debut with Paper Paper. She broke through with a remix of Karpe’s Gunerius, earning millions of streams, and her EPs Rebel and Running Deep brought critical acclaim, including nominations at the P3 Gull and Spellemann award shows. Her first Norwegian EP, Et lite stykke Norge, explored cultural identity and became part of Norway’s national high school curriculum. Hits like Checka with Loredana and her viral TikTok cover of Josefin cemented her success across charts and social media. In 2023, Delara released her debut album Shahrazad, celebrating bicultural identity, which won ‘Record of the Year’ at the Spellemann Awards in 2024. With over 20 festival performances and a sold-out Oslo show last summer, Delara continues to inspire with her bold storytelling and global appeal.
City: Oslo
Follow on Instagram: @amandadelara
Markella
Markella, a Greek-Norwegian artist, seamlessly blends Nordic synth-pop with Greek cultural elements such as language and traditional folk melodies, crafting a distinctive and captivating sound. Since her debut in 2022, she has released four singles—Burn Again, Hide Away, No One Hurts Me Like I Hurt Myself, and Chaos. These tracks have collectively surpassed two million Spotify streams and earned widespread praise from Norwegian radio for their irresistible refrains.
Markella’s music has also gained international traction, with one of her singles featured on Spotify’s New Music Friday Japan. Her innovative fusion of cultural tradition with modern pop continues to enchant listeners worldwide, marking her as a fresh and rising force in the music scene.
City: Bergen
Follow on Instagram: @markellamusic
TØFL
TØFL is a dynamic four-piece band known for their high-energy performances and raw, relatable lyrics about life’s ups and downs. Their electrifying shows, full of booming sing-alongs and wild antics, blur the line between the band and the audience, creating a unique concert experience. After debuting with the EP Eg ska in 2018, they quickly gained recognition, and their 2022 album Eg fins, WTF!? earned rave reviews and sold-out tours at venues like Rockefeller and Fiskepiren. The band has made appearances on Norway’s biggest talk show, Lindmo, and had multiple songs featured on major radio playlists. Their latest single, Faen då, du må gå, has already become a crowd favorite at the concerts, long before its official release.
City: Stavanger
Follow on Instagram: @toflband
ARY
ARY, a Norwegian electronic pop artist, first gained attention in 2015 with her captivating voice and beats, earning millions of streams and performing at major festivals like Glastonbury, Roskilde, and Pitchfork. Raised in Trondheim in a non-conformist family, with a father who was an actor and songwriter, and a mother who sang Tibetan mantras and alternative jazz, ARY’s musical roots are clearly diverse. After taking a break to develop her own sound and learn music production, she is now back with her self-produced debut album, For Evig, released on her own label. With a fresh live show and a new “techno pop” sound, ARY is ready to reconnect with her fans worldwide.
City: Trondheim
Follow on Instagram: @ary.forevig
