Born in Stockholm on the 9th of july 1975, to a Senegalese father and Swedish mother, Jessica now follows a lineage of great Swedish popstars that includes Abba and Ace of Bace. Not content to just listen to music, Jessica always wanted to perform it and to be centerstage, and soon joined a music school where she spent 6 years learning her craft. Leaving at 17, Jessica walked into a job as a backing singer for Swedish superstars, Ace of Base and Dr. Alban. Today, Jessica is well on her way to becoming big, really big. Discovered by the late Swedish producer Denniz Pop, Jessica was introduced to Jive Records, who signed her without a moment´s hesitation. Jessica´s self-titled debut album is a well-crafted piece of work with a poppy, soulful and sensual feel. Most of the songs on the album were written and produced by Denniz Pop and Max Martin at Cheiron Studios in Stockholm. Other tracks have been produced by Cutfather & Joe(Mark Morrison, Shola Ama), Timmy Allen & Larry Campbell(R. Kelly, Backstreet Boys) in New York. “Tell Me What You Like”, the debut single from the album is an up-tempo dance/pop song which perfectly demonstrates Jessica´s powerful voice and delivery. Scandinavia leads the way with “Tell Me What You Like” at the peak position of #10 in the Swedish Single Top 60 charts. The video was also in high rotation on ZTV and MTV Nordic music channels. Other key tracks are “I do”- an ode to marriage, inspired by the movie “Four Weddings and A Funeral”; “Just A Little Bit Longer”- a song wich conveys the feeling of helplessness when faced with the loss of a loved one; “Heaven In Your Eyes”- a beautiful balled by legendary songwriter Dianne Warren and “How Will I Know Who You Are?”- Jessica´s favourite song on the album. A highly successful 6-week long promotional trip to Japan, Thailand, South Korea, Taiwan and the Philippines resulted in very healthy sales in Asia, most notably in South Korea, where the album is certified Gold (50,000+ units) and Jessica´s remake of the David Foster classic “Goodbye” was featured as the theme ballad in a major Korean motion picture, “A Promise”. This spurred the song to be the most played song on radio from November 1998. In her domestic market, Sweden, Jessica has ruled the airwaves since the release of her album there in late 1998. Two singles - “Tell Me What You Like” and “How Will I Know Who You Are” have both been Top 10 chart toppers and have achieved Platinum sales status. At the NRJ(largest Swedish pop radio station) Awards, Jessica won the much covetted “New Artist of the Year” and “Swedish Female Artist of the Year”. No other artist has won more than one award in any given year! All in all nothing is missing from this brilliant debut album. It´s like Jessica says: “A beautiful record about real life”. Jessica has established herself solidly with her strong debut album.With her current success, enthusiasm, talent and beauty, Jessica has it all - and she´s definitely here to stay. Facts: Name: Jessica Elisabeth Angelique Folcker; born: 9th of july 1975; place: Taby, an area in Stockholm Sweden; colour hair/eyes: brown; height: 175 cm; weight: 60 kg; family: mother (Annette), father (Louis) and a brother (Isac); favourite school subjects: sports and music; favourite artist as a child: Abba and Ace of Base; hobbies: eating, movies,being with family and friends,shopping; persons who she admires: her mother, Madonna, Stevie Wonder, Prince; favourite song on her debut album: “How Will I Know Who You Are”; favourite food: Italian; favourite drink: redwine, water, whisky; if she would be a vegetable: she would be a celery; if she wasn´t a popstar: she would be a chef in a restaurant or maybe owner of the restaurant; dreams: open a little restaurant with Italian food and entertainment in the evenings, a house on the countryside with a nice husband and children, have her own animals and make her own food. |
