Stig André van Eijk[1] (Norwegian:[ˈstiːvɑnˈæɪk]; born 21 March 1981) is a Colombian-born Norwegian singer and songwriter.[2][3]
Career
Van Eijk in 2010
Van Eijk is known for his Eurovision participation. In 1999 he won Melodi Grand Prix with the song "Living My Life Without You" thus gaining right to represent Norway at Eurovision that year. On stage he had dancer and singer Belinda Braza. At the Eurovision itself, which was held in Israel, he ended in 14th place, gaining 35 points. He is the first ever black man to represent Norway.[4][5]
The album, Where I Belong, which was released the same year, went platinum (over 30,000 copies) and reached number 6 on the VG-list Top 40 in Norway. In 2000, he was named this year's male artist (Hit awards). In 2001, Stig also made a peace song for his mother country, Colombia. The song, "Constructors of Peace",[4] was recorded with the symphony orchestra of Bogota, and he went there, performing the song on different concerts and television shows.
In 2001 Van Eijk opened «B: Underground Club» in Bergen. This club was a live concept with a house band playing reggae, soul and funk. In 2003, he made the song "Once In a Lifetime" that won "Idol" in South Africa, performed by Heinz Winckler. The song was a hit in South Africa and became double platinum (100,000 copies).[6]
Stig van Eijk was a long time known as front figure in the reggae band "The Soul Express Orchestra".[2] They released their debut album Time For A Change produced by Isak Strand at Knott Records in 2010.[3] For the last couple of years he has also been working with music in a kindergarten, schools and other culturestages in Norway.[7]
In 2013, Stig released his album "Presentation". The album's content reflects all of his influences from different genres experienced through his career, but with the main foundation of reggae and soul.
In 2015, Stig and his girlfriend, Beate Helen Thunes, released a new childrenproject called Trollala. Trollala has released music and had various performances around in Norway. Christmas performance "Trollala and Christmas that disappeared" have been played two years in Bergen.
He participated again in the Melodi Grand Prix 2023 with the song "Someday", but failed to qualify for the final.[8]
