Alan Walker

Walker was born in England but raised in Fana, Bergen, Norway, where his passion for music blossomed. A self-taught bedroom producer, he began making music in 2012 using FL Studio on his laptop, taking inspiration from artists like K-391 and Ahrix and film composers Hans Zimmer and Steve Jablonsky. He connected with online communities on YouTube and SoundCloud, where he initially released tracks under the name DJ Walkzz.

His breakthrough came in 2014 with the release of “Fade,” a melodic, instrumental track uploaded to NoCopyrightSounds (NCS). The song rapidly gained viral attention and amassed hundreds of millions of views on YouTube. Its success paved the way for “Faded,” a remastered version with vocals by Iselin Solheim, released in December 2015 under MER Musikk/Sony Music Sweden. “Faded” became a global phenomenon—topping charts across Europe, being certified 3× Platinum in the U.S., and accumulating over 3.6 billion views on YouTube (as of June 2024), making it one of the most-watched videos ever and the first EDM track to surpass 3 billion views.

These tracks were featured on his second studio album, World of Walker (2021), which debuted at #4 in Norway and was accompanied by the Walker Racing League EP released in the same year.

Known for his anonymous appearance, Walker is rarely seen without his signature hoodie and face mask, which symbolize unity and identity beyond appearance. His brand and aesthetic have contributed to his mystique and strong fan base, known as “Walkers.”

In 2023, Walker was ranked #11 on DJ Mag’s Top 100 DJs, and by May 2025, he had become Norway’s most subscribed YouTube channel with 46.8 million subscribers. As of February 2023, the BBC estimated his net worth at $20 million, a testament to his commercial success and influence in the digital music era.

Alan Walker’s story is one of digital-era self-made success—rising from a teen producer in his bedroom to a world-renowned DJ with billions of streams, sold-out shows, and a legacy that continues to evolve.