Chief1

Chief 1 (real name Lars Pedersen, born February 17, 1970 in Tårnby on Amager) is a prominent and versatile figure in Danish music over the past four decades. He has celebrated triumphs as both a pioneer in Danish hip hop, a hit-making producer, songwriter, and solo artist.

In 1984 he, together with his brother Per Pedersen (MC Dee Pee), formed the group Rockers By Choice. The group helped define and introduce Danish-language rap to the general public. As Chief 1, he served as the group's DJ and producer. With the breakthrough album Opråb! to the Danish people (1989) and the hit 'Engel', the group truly broke through and cemented Chief 1 as a young teenage idol.

After his frontline years with Rockers By Choice, Chief 1 stepped back more into the studio in the 1990s after experiencing anxiety and stress on tours. Here began a successful career as a producer, talent scout, and songwriter under his own production company and label, Chiefment. He has steered the controls on several Danish pop and rock releases and has worked with names such as Kim Larsen, Sanne Salomonsen, Outlandish, Gnags, Nik & Jay, as well as Ace of Base, Humleridderne, Johnny Madsen, LIGA, and others.

In 1997, 2012, 2015 and 2022 he contributed to winning the Danish Melodi Grand Prix as a songwriter, producer, and talent scout. In 2016 he achieved international success when he was co-author of Ricky Martin's global hit 'Vente Pa' Ca', which topped charts in over 20 countries and has surpassed one billion views on YouTube.

After many years in the studio, Chief 1 chose in 2016 to emerge as a solo artist under his own name with the single 'Man skal dø lidt'. The solo project became an outlet for personal narratives about life, relationships, and the depression he battled to overcome. Since then he has released five solo albums and has achieved success on radio with tracks such as 'Alt er godt' and the duet 'Højt over skyerne' with Thomas Buttenschøn, with whom he participated in the Danish Melodi Grand Prix 2021.

In 2019 he appeared on the TV program Toppen af Poppen on TV 2, where, in particular, his rendition of Medina's 'Synd for dig' was the most watched that season. In 2025 he wrote the musical 'What Is Love' about his life in the early 1990s, for which he also produced the music. The piece was staged at Fredericia Musical Theatre.

Chief 1 and his band are touring the country these days with gripping, energetic, and deeply felt concerts and are working on more new music, plans and ideas, and in 2028 they celebrate 40 years in Danish music: from 'Engel' to 'Alt er godt'. The concert at Kulturcafé Ludvig in Sorø takes place on January 22, 2027 at 7:00 PM.