Tshawe Baqwa and Yosef Wolde-Mariam, otherwise known as Madcon, first burst on to the UK music scene in August 2008 when their single ‘Beggin’ became a Top 5 smash with sales of over 2 million worldwide. The single also earned the duo a World Music Award the following year.

Their pop appeal is also influenced largely by both retro and urban influences, mainly in part due to their international roots. Tshawe has South African parents, was born in Germany and grew up in a suburb in Oslo, Norway. Yosef, born two years earlier in Norway, has parents from Ethiopia and Eritrea.

With a sound that has elements of everything from soul, funk and reggae, comparisons have been drawn to bands like Outkast, Gnarls Barkley and the Black Eyed Peas. Coupled with support shows for the likes of Alicia Keys, 50 Cent and the Wu-Tang Clan, Madcon have been able to hone their sound and live shows into a thrilling spectacle.

‘Freaky Like Me,’ released by Columbia Records on Monday 4th October, is an infectious slice of hip hop/pop and one that looks set to tear up the dancefloors across the country. Their album is set to be released next year and will feature tracks produced by the likes of Stargate, Jonas Jeberg and Element.