How a Danish hippie crafted one of the year’s surprising hit singles.
Lukas Graham Forchhammer has a backstory thats practically made for a music biopic.
I knew we were different, says Forchhammer, now 27.
Credit: Chapman Baehler
[But] when I first heard rap, I understood that someone else was angry and afraid.
The track, which is No.
Like, eight people ended up drinking wine and writing together for hours.
That communal vibe is all over his groups self-titled debut (out now).
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: 7 Years is a massive success.
How did you pick which memories to share?
Theres one from seven years old, 11, and then future dreams from 30 and 60.
LUKAS GRAHAM FORCHHAMMER: Everyone was pitching in.
People would be like, What if you did this when you turned that?
After three hours we had a 10-minute song [laughs].
But my father died at 61.
Thats why I sing, Daddy got 61/ Remember life and then your life becomes a better one.
I just cant see myself being oldits really fking strange.
The furthest I can see is me being 60.
Writing is very cathartic for me.
I write about what happens in my lifeand my dads passing was a huge blow to me.
He was my biggest fan and biggest motivational force.
He never pushed me into doing music, he just supported my choices.
He was the supportive, cool dad and its really tough to be a half-orphan.
Rap was a big influence for you early on, what attracted you to the genre?
I grew up in a neighborhood that didnt have any police and was kind of rough.
When I first heard rap, I understood that someone else was angry and afraid.
Thats what happened in Christiania.
So you have this fear that turns into anger that turns into frustration and you cant really express it.
Rap music was such a beautiful outlet.
What do you think is the biggest lesson your upbringing afforded you?
Christiania has a lot of strong, nuclear families.
It gave us a sense of empowerment and belonging and richness.
We had so much love; we were never in doubt that we were wanted in this world.
It can come off as arrogance, but its given me the ability to not give a st.
This feels weird to say, but I dont give a st about you or my lovely publicist.
I grew up with nothing and I know that I dont need anything to be happy.
We were wearing second-hand clothing and eating leftovers and I was so happy.
Five-star hotels and private pick-ups hasnt changed that.
Something that isnt on the new album is a traditional pop-love song.
Havent you heard What Happened to Perfect?
[Laughs] I dont know why but I dont fancy writing love songs; I never have.
And you dont need another album full of them!
Adele has three albums, there are plenty!
