Every week we head to a new country via an artist who calls it home. I love to look through pictures of said country. Today I feel head over heels in love with Norway thanks to Henrik Høven. The 17-year-old R&B singer comes from a country as picturesque as a could be. Riddled with culture, Norway seems like a fairy tale land. For Henrik Høven it’s just home. A home where he loves hip-hop dancing more than any moves native to Norway. A home where he is starting to build his career. He’s doing that with his latest single, “Gotta Move On.” We talked about the music, how the song came to be and what’s next for this emerging artist from Norway.
Kendra: Not only a songwriter but a dancer as well, which talent started to emerge first for you?
Henrik: Both dancing and songwriting has always been a part of my life. I started singing as a little kid and I think writing songs and being in the studio is my biggest passion.
Kendra: Is it easier to use your words or your body to express emotion in terms of songwriting vs. dance?
Henrik: It has always been easier for me to express myself through words.
Kendra: What was the first song that made you fall in love with R&B?
Henrik: I still remember the first time I listened to “You Rock My World” by Michael Jackson. It is one of the best songs I ever heard in my whole life. When I make music I get a lot of inspiration from him.
Kendra: When you look back on creating “Gotta Move On,” what three words are always going to come to mind about the experience?
Henrik: Fun, wailing and fast. This is because we made the song really quick and there was a lot of wailing and ad-libs on the track
Kendra: How did you come to work with Andreyun on that track?
Henrik: The song was made at a songwriter camp in Sweden named Song Farm. While making the song we thought that we maybe should have a rapper to feature on the track. We asked one of the rappers at the camp – Andreyun – to make a rap, and in 10 minutes the rap was done! He’s amazing!
Kendra: With so little time left in the year, any big plans before 2017 is over and done with?
Henrik: The rest of the year I’m will continue working in the studio. I do have a lot of martial that I’m working on, so there’s just a matter of time before new music drops.
