Erling Haaland’s 2016 Rap Track “Kygo jo” Goes Viral Amid World Cup Success

Norwegian striker Erling Haaland, a leading scorer for Norway alongside Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé, has seen his teenage rap song “Kygo jo” explode online as his team reached its first World Cup quarter-final. The homemade video, originally posted in 2016, now boasts more than 21 million YouTube views and a surge in Spotify streams after Norwegian DJ Kygo released a house remix. Norway’s 2-1 victory over Brazil, in which Haaland scored both goals, has amplified the song’s visibility, prompting fans to suggest it be played in stadiums if Norway advances.

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The track was recorded when Haaland was 15, performing under the rap name Lyng with under-17 teammates Erik Botheim and Erik Tobias Sandberg as the collective “Flow Kingz.” The low-budget video shows Haaland rapping while pretending to tend a barbecue, jumping on a trampoline and posing on a tiny car. The lyrics, delivered in Norwegian, blend boastful lines about wealth with everyday references such as Caesar salads and trips to the Bahamas.

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Social-media users have embraced the novelty, posting comments that blend humor with admiration for Haaland’s dual talents. The song’s resurgence has become a cultural talking point alongside Norway’s historic quarter-final run, with some fans urging that “Kygo jo” become the official FIFA anthem for the tournament.

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• “Check it out below: For those of you whose Norwegian is either non-existent or rusty, here’s a translation of the opening bar: “Haven't seen you lately, have you gotten lost?” — Erling Haaland, rap name Lyng

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