Erling Haaland’s Old Rap Song Becomes Spotify No. 1 Hit After World Cup Heroics
Erling Haaland is dominating far beyond the football pitch.
The Norway superstar has added another unexpected achievement to his growing list of accomplishments after a decade-old rap song he recorded as a teenager climbed to No. 1 on Spotify’s Norway chart.
Long before becoming one of the most feared strikers in world football, Haaland was experimenting with music alongside two of his Norway under-17 teammates.
The trio, known as Flow Kingz, released a track called “Kygo Jo” on YouTube nearly 10 years ago, giving fans a rare look at a different side of the future football icon.
Now, years later, the song has become an unlikely part of Norway’s World Cup celebration.
A World Cup Goal Brings the Track Back
The song’s unexpected comeback began after Norwegian DJ and producer Kygo made a promise ahead of Norway’s FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match against Brazil.
Kygo said he would remix “Kygo Jo” if Haaland scored during the match.
Haaland delivered.
The Manchester City striker scored twice as Norway defeated Brazil 2-1, helping his country reach the FIFA World Cup quarterfinals for the first time in its history.
Following the performance, Kygo followed through on his promise and released the remix.
The timing turned a forgotten teenage project into one of Norway’s biggest musical talking points.
.@Erling being a no. 1 artist in Norway was not on my bingo card for 2026 https://t.co/SYrJ6oWAtH pic.twitter.com/71lOWEce1C
— Kygo (@KygoMusic) July 9, 2026
From Football Field to Streaming Charts
The response was immediate.
“Kygo Jo” surged to the top of Spotify’s Norway chart as listeners revisited Haaland’s early music experiment.
Kygo shared the milestone on social media as the remix gained momentum, adding another layer to a moment that combined football, nostalgia and Norwegian pop culture.
The success also introduced a new audience to Flow Kingz and the track that many fans had never heard before.
What started as a fun teenage collaboration suddenly became a national conversation.
Haaland’s Growing Cultural Influence
Haaland’s impact has already extended beyond football.
The striker has become one of the biggest names in global sports through his performances for Manchester City and Norway’s national team.
His goalscoring ability has made him a sporting superstar, but moments like the “Kygo Jo” revival show another side of his public image.
The unexpected chart success demonstrates how athletes today can influence entertainment, fashion and music alongside their main profession.
Why the Moment Matters
The crossover between sports and music has always been part of popular culture.
From athletes releasing songs to musicians becoming involved in sports, fans often enjoy seeing unexpected talents from their favorite stars.
Haaland’s situation stands out because the music was not a recent release designed around his fame.
Instead, an old track resurfaced naturally because of a major sporting moment.
The combination of a World Cup performance, a producer’s promise and fan nostalgia created the perfect conditions for the song’s revival.
A New Chapter for “Kygo Jo”
Attention now turns toward Norway’s next World Cup challenge against England.
Another memorable performance from Haaland could keep his country’s historic run alive while bringing even more attention to his surprise hit.
For now, Haaland is winning in two different arenas.
He is leading Norway’s football journey while proving that even a forgotten song from his teenage years can become a chart-topping anthem when timing, talent and culture collide.
