Norwegian singer/songwriter
Ina Wroldsen began her career as a solo artist, but is probably best known as a writer for other high-profile artists. Her first real success as a songwriter came with her work on the British/Irish pop group
the Saturdays' debut album,
Chasing Lights, in 2008. The following years saw her build a large body of work that included songs for
the Pussycat Dolls,
Pixie Lott,
Leona Lewis, and
Britney Spears. By 2013 she had decided to dip her toes back into performance. She and Icelandic singer/songwriter
Arnthor Birgisson formed the electro-pop duo
Ask Embla, and the pair released their debut record,
Northern Light, in 2013. The album went on to become one of the most downloaded/streamed records of that year in her native Norway. Her foray into her own work didn't stunt her songwriting career and she further expanded her list of collaborators, going on to write songs for
Shakira,
Jess Glynne,
Demi Lovato, and
Olly Murs. In 2015, DJ
Calvin Harris released "How Deep Is Your Love" featuring
Wroldsen's vocal, and the single became a hit as one of the year's most streamed/downloaded songs. In addition to her music-making and writing career, she also became a judge on the Norwegian version of Idol. By 2017,
Wroldsen was continuing to write for others, contributing to
Tinie Tempah's "Text from Your Ex" and the Brit Award-winning
Rag 'n' Bone Man's "Ego" from his debut album
Human. Inspired by a documentary about Latin American women, "Favela," a collaborative single with Brazilian DJ
Alok, arrived in 2018. ~ Bekki Bemrose