Dr. Alban

{{short description|Nigerian-Swedish musician (born 1957)}} {{EngvarB|date=August 2023}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2025}} {{Infobox musical artist | background = person | name = Dr. Alban | image = 2018-08-12 ZDF Fernsehgarten Dr. Alban-1248.jpg | alt = Dr. Alban squinting into camera, wearing an open jacket, partially exposing chest; two people appear to have a hand on each of his shoulders | caption = Dr. Alban in 2018 | birth_name = Alban Uzoma Nwapa | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1957|8|26}} | birth_place = Oguta, Imo, Federation of Nigeria | origin = Stockholm, Sweden | genre = {{hlist|Eurodance|hip-hop|reggae|dancehall}} | occupation = {{hlist|Singer|rapper|producer}} | instrument = Vocals | years_active = 1980s–present | label = {{hlist|Dr. Alban Records|Ariola}} | website = {{url|dralban.net}} }}

Ogbuagu '''Alban Uzoma Nwapa''' {{Audio|LL-Q33578 (ibo)-Vivian Amalachukwu-Ogbuagu Alban Uzoma Nwapa.wav|Listen|help=no}} (born 26 August 1957), better known by his stage name '''Dr. Alban''', is a Nigerian-Swedish musician and producer with his own record label, Dr. Records.<ref name="Allmusic: Dr. Alban (Biography)">{{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/dr-alban-mn0000203600/biography|title=Allmusic: Dr. Alban (Biography)|publisher=Allmusic|access-date=19 March 2011}}</ref> His music can best be described as Eurodance/hip-hop reggae in a dancehall style.<ref name="Allmusic: Dr. Alban (Biography)"/> He has sold an estimated 16 million records worldwide<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dralban.net/index.php?option%3Dcom_content%26view%3Darticle%26id%3D55%26Itemid%3D118 |title=Dr Alban - the Story |access-date=6 September 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130824003939/http://dralban.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=55&Itemid=118 |archive-date=24 August 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.naijasmostincredible.com/dr-alban-50-greatest-nigerians-of-all-time/ |title=Dr Alban – 50 Greatest Nigerians of All Time? (Video) :: Naija's Most Incredible |access-date=6 September 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120913075835/http://www.naijasmostincredible.com/dr-alban-50-greatest-nigerians-of-all-time/ |archive-date=13 September 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.calista.com.tr/news/newsread.asp?ID%3D114 |title=Calista Luxury Resort Hotel &#124; Belek • Antalya • Türkiye |access-date=6 September 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130618094053/http://www.calista.com.tr/news/newsread.asp?ID=114 |archive-date=18 June 2013 }}</ref> and is most famous for his worldwide 1992 hit "It's My Life", from the album ''One Love''.<ref name="Allmusic: Dr. Alban (Biography)"/>

==Life and career== ===Early life=== Alban was born Alban Uzoma Nwapa into a middle-class family of ten children in Oguta, Imo state, Nigeria. He is Igbo.<ref name="Allmusic: Dr. Alban (Biography)" />

===Education=== He got his secondary education at Christ the King College and spent most of his youth in his hometown of Oguta. At age 23, he travelled to Sweden to study dentistry at Lund University.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dr. Alban – Biography and Music of the Iconic Eurodance Artist |url=https://pianity.com/dr-alban-974 |access-date=3 November 2023 |website=pianity.com}}</ref><ref name="Allmusic: Dr. Alban (Biography)" /> To finance his studies, Dr. Alban became a DJ at the Stockholm club Alphabet Street.<ref name="Allmusic: Dr. Alban (Biography)" />

===Denniz Pop and achieving success: 1990s=== In 1990, he met Denniz Pop from the SweMix label and, together with Denniz and rap artist Leila K, released his first record ''Hello Afrika''. At this point, he took the stage name Dr. Alban, a nod to his dental studies. His debut album included hits like "Hello Afrika" and "No Coke", both of which ended up being million-selling singles.<ref name="Allmusic: Dr. Alban (Biography)" /> The album itself was quite successful and earned him gold certification awards in numerous markets including Germany (for sales of over 250,000 units), Austria (25,000), and Switzerland (25,000).<ref name="Dr. Alban's German Certification(s) for Hello Afrika">{{cite certification|region=Germany|artist=Dr. Alban|title=Hello Afrika|access-date=19 March 2011}}</ref><ref name="Austria's Certification-database">{{cite web|url=http://www.ifpi.at/?section=goldplatin |title=Gold & Platin |publisher=IFPI (Austria) |access-date=19 March 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511092844/http://www.ifpi.at/?section=goldplatin |archive-date=11 May 2011 }}</ref><ref name="Swiss Certifications for 1991">{{cite web |url=http://www.swisscharts.com/awards.asp?year=1991|title=AWARDS 1991|work=IFPI (Switzerland)|publisher=Hung Medien|access-date=19 March 2011}}</ref>

One year later, this success was surpassed by his second album ''One Love''. The album included European hit singles such as "It's My Life" and "Sing Hallelujah". The single "It's My Life" reached No. 1 in Israel, Austria, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Germany, and No. 2 in Norway, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.<ref name="European positions for Dr. Alban's It's My Life">{{cite web |url=http://www.swedishcharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Dr%2E+Alban&titel=It%27s+My+Life&cat=s|title=DR. ALBAN: IT'S MY LIFE (SONG)|publisher=Hung Medien|access-date=20 March 2011}}</ref><ref name="German positions for Dr. Alban's Singles">{{cite web |url=http://www.officialcharts.de/search.asp?search=Dr.+Alban&x=13&y=1&cat=s&country=de|title=Charts.de: Dr. Alban (Singles)|publisher=Charts.de|access-date=19 March 2011}}{{dead link|date=December 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref name="UK positions for Dr. Alban">{{cite web |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artists/|title=The Official Charts Company: Dr. Alban |publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=19 March 2011}}</ref> The song "It's My Life" went platinum in Germany (for sales of over 500,000 units), in the Netherlands (75,000), and it sold over two million copies overall in Europe.<ref name="Allmusic: Dr. Alban (Biography)" /><ref name="Dr. Alban's German Certification(s) for It's My Life">{{cite certification|region=Germany|artist=Dr. Alban|title=It's My Life|access-date=19 March 2011}}</ref><ref name="Dutch Certification(s) for It's My Life">{{cite web|url=http://www.nvpi.nl/nvpi/pagina.asp?pagkey=61112&documentid=1236225&zoekform=60463&formposted=yes|title=Dr. Alban – It's my life|publisher=NVPI|access-date=19 March 2011}}{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The album in turn reached the top of the album chart in Austria and entered the top five in Switzerland, also reaching No. 6 in Germany.<ref name="European positions for Dr. Alban's One Love (Album)">{{cite web |url=http://www.swedishcharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Dr%2E+Alban&titel=One+Love+%2D+The+Album&cat=a|title=Dr. Alban: One Love (Album)|publisher=Hung Medien|access-date=20 March 2011}}</ref><ref name="German positions for Dr. Alban's Albums">{{cite web |url=http://www.officialcharts.de/search.asp?search=Dr.+Alban&x=12&y=10&cat=a&country=de|title=Charts.de: Dr. Alban (Albums)|publisher=Charts.de|access-date=19 March 2011}}{{dead link|date=December 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> It went gold in Germany (for sales of over 250,000 units) and platinum both in Austria and Switzerland (both 50,000).<ref name="Austria's Certification-database" /><ref name="Dr. Alban's German Certification(s) for One Love">{{cite certification|region=Germany|artist=Dr. Alban|title=One Love|access-date=19 March 2011}}</ref><ref name="Swiss Certifications for 1992">{{cite web |url=http://www.swisscharts.com/awards.asp?year=1992|title=AWARDS 1992|work=IFPI (Switzerland)|publisher=Hung Medien|access-date=19 March 2011}}</ref>

Alban's third album ''Look Who's Talking!'', released in 1994, hit the top 10 in numerous markets including Germany, Switzerland, and Austria.<ref name="German positions for Dr. Alban's Albums" /><ref name="European positions for Dr. Alban's Look Who's Talking Now (Album)">{{cite web |url=http://www.swedishcharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Dr%2E+Alban&titel=Look+Who%27s+Talking+%2D+The+Album&cat=a|title=Dr. Alban: Look Who's Talking Now (Album)|publisher=Hung Medien|access-date=20 March 2011}}</ref> The album was the first to earn Alban a gold certification award in his home country of Sweden for sales of over 50,000 units.<ref name="Swedish Certifications 1987-1998">{{cite web |url=http://www.ifpi.se/wp/wp-content/uploads/guld-platina-1987-1998.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120521214300/http://www.ifpi.se/wp/wp-content/uploads/guld-platina-1987-1998.pdf|archive-date=21 May 2012|title=Guld & Platina 1987–1988|language=sv|publisher=International Federation of the Phonographic Industry – Sweden|access-date=23 April 2013}}</ref>

Dr. Alban founded his own record label ''Dr. Records'', whereon he released his 1996 album ''Born in Africa''. The album was unable to match the success of his previous releases. It only reached No. 12 in Finland, while it peaked at No. 37 in Switzerland and Sweden, No. 52 in Germany, and No. 41 in Austria.<ref name="German positions for Dr. Alban's Albums" /><ref name="European positions for Dr. Alban's Born in Africa (Album)">{{cite web |url=http://www.swedishcharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Dr%2E+Alban&titel=Born+In+Africa&cat=a|title=Dr. Alban: Born in Africa (Album)|publisher=Hung Medien|access-date=20 March 2011}}</ref> The single "Born in Africa" went to number 1 in Finland.

In 1997, Alban released the compilation album ''The Very Best of 1990–1997'', which only charted in Austria, Sweden, and Germany. The same year, the artist also released the studio album ''Believe'', which peaked at No. 27 in Sweden, No. 30 in Finland, and No. 41 in Austria.<ref name="European positions for Dr. Alban's Believe (Album)">{{cite web |url=http://www.swedishcharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Dr%2E+Alban&titel=I+Believe&cat=a|title=Dr. Alban: Believe (Album)|publisher=Hung Medien|access-date=20 March 2011}}</ref> In late 1998, Dr. Alban released a single with German-based artist Sash!, entitled "Colour the World", which experienced moderate chart success in Europe.<ref name="European positions for Dr. Alban's Colour the World (Single)">{{cite web |url=http://www.swedishcharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Sash%21+with+Dr%2E+Alban&titel=Colour+The+World&cat=s|title=Dr. Alban: Colour the World (Single)|publisher=Hung Medien|access-date=20 March 2011}}</ref>

===Decline and return to music: 2000s=== [[File:Dr-Alban-1.jpg|left|thumb|Dr. Alban and Yamboo signing autographs in 2005, promoting the 1993 single "Sing Hallelujah!"]]

In 2000, Alban released the single "What Do I Do", which charted only in Sweden at No. 43; it spent only two weeks on the charts there.<ref name="European positions for Dr. Alban's What Do I Do (Single)">{{cite web |url=http://www.swedishcharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Dr%2E+Alban&titel=What+Do+I+Do&cat=s|title=Dr. Alban: What Do I Do (Single)|publisher=Hung Medien|access-date=20 March 2011}}</ref> The album ''Prescription'' was a flop, as it failed to chart anywhere.

In 2007, after years of absence from the music scene, Dr. Alban released the studio album ''Back to Basics''. It was sold on the internet only through Dr. Alban's official website. In Russia, however, physical CDs and cassettes were released.

===Later activities: 2010s–present=== In 2010, Alban collaborated once again with Sash! to produce a remake of "Hello Afrika", "Hello South Afrika", dedicated to the 2010 FIFA World Cup. It was followed by a single consisting of 16 remixes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Dr-Alban-Vs-Sash-Hello-South-Africa/release/4157195|title=Dr. Alban Vs. Sash! – Hello South Africa (2010, File)|access-date=22 June 2021|website=Discogs.com|date=4 June 2010 }}</ref>

On 15 February 2014 at the Scandinavium arena in Gothenburg, Dr. Alban teamed up with Jessica Folcker and arrived in fifth place in the third heat of Melodifestivalen 2014, with the song "Around the World", to win the right to represent Sweden at the Eurovision Song Contest 2014 in Copenhagen, Denmark.

[[File:2018-08-12 ZDF Fernsehgarten Dr. Alban-1228.jpg|thumb|Dr. Alban performing on ''ZDF-Fernsehgarten'' in 2018]]

In 2015, he released the single "Hurricane", which failed to enter the European charts.

In May 2020, Alban released the song "Hello Sverige" (in Swedish) to encourage the population of Sweden to respect social distancing measures put in place to counteract the COVID-19 pandemic. The next month, he released an English version titled "Hello Nations". The song is another remake of his classic hit "Hello Afrika".

In June 2020, Alban released the single "Drama", also in Swedish, in collaboration with singer Folkhemmet. The song talks about Alban's long-running acrimonious relationship with Swedish tabloid journalists.

===Personal life=== Alban met his future wife, Swedish teacher Katrine "Kin" Hermansson, in 2004, through footballer Tomas Brolin. The couple had two daughters together. They divorced in 2021, and Alban has since continued to live in Stockholm.<ref name="Relation">[https://www.aftonbladet.se/nojesbladet/a/dl692B/slut-mellan-dr-alban-och-kin-hermansson-efter-18-ar-tillsammans Over between Dr. Alban and Kin Hermansson after 18 years together – ''Slut mellan Dr Alban och Kin Hermansson efter 18 år tillsammans''], ''aftonbladet.se'', 17 June 2021, read 26 August 2022.</ref><ref name="Occupation">[https://www.aftonbladet.se/nojesbladet/a/66Jv5z/dr-alban-nya-livet-som-singel Dr. Alban about his new life as single – ''Dr Alban om nya livet som singel''], ''aftonbladet.se'', 18 May 2022, read 26 August 2022.</ref>

A member of the Nigerian chieftaincy system, Alban is entitled to use the pre-nominal honorific ''Ogbuagu'', due to his membership of the Igbuu title society of Oguta.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Nigerians who yearn for the title 'Leopard Slayer' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgrq5wg9j4o |website=bbc.com |date=1 January 2025 |access-date=17 June 2025 |quote=Some prominent Ogbuagu include the late Chukwudifu Oputa, one of Nigeria's most respected Supreme Court judges. Alban Uzoma Nwapa, a Swedish-Nigerian musician better known by his stage name Dr Alban, and the late Gogo Nwakuche, a successful entrepreneur and husband of the late renowned novelist Flora Nwapa.}}</ref>

==Discography== ===Studio albums=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |+ {{Sronly|List of studio albums, with selected chart positions}} ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:12em;"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:16em;"| Album details ! scope="col" colspan="8"| Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:12em;"| Certifications |- ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| SWE<br /><ref name="Swedish albums/singles positions for Dr. Alban">{{cite web|url=http://www.swedishcharts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Dr%2E+Alban|title=Dr. Alban: Album / Song Chart-History for Sweden|work=Hung Medien|access-date=20 March 2011}}</ref>

! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| AUS<br /><ref name=aus/>

! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| AUT<br /><ref name="Austrian albums/singles positions for Dr. Alban">{{cite web|url=http://www.austriancharts.at/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Dr%2E+Alban|title=Dr. Alban: Album / Song Chart History for Austria|work=Hung Medien|access-date=20 March 2011}}</ref>

! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| FIN<br /><ref name = "FIN"/>

! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| GER<br /><ref name="German albums positions for Dr. Alban">{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.de/ersuche.asp?kategorie=chart&interpret_suche=Dr.+Alban&titel_suche=&jahr=&cat=a|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402123616/http://www.officialcharts.de/ersuche.asp?kategorie=chart&interpret_suche=Dr.+Alban&titel_suche=&jahr=&cat=a|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 April 2015|title=Charts.de: Dr. Alban (Albums)|work=Charts.de|access-date=23 April 2013}}</ref>

! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| NLD<br /><ref name="Dutch albums/singles positions for Dr. Alban">{{cite web|url=http://www.dutchcharts.nl/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Dr%2E+Alban|title=Dr. Alban: Album / Song Chart History for Holland|work=Hung Medien|access-date=20 March 2011}}</ref>

! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| NOR<br /><ref name="Norwegian albums/singles positions for Dr. Alban">{{cite web|url=http://www.norwegiancharts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Dr%2E+Alban|title=Dr. Alban: Album / Song Chart History for Norway|work=Hung Medien|access-date=20 March 2011}}</ref>

! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| SWI<br /><ref name="Swiss album positions for Dr. Alban">{{cite web|url=http://www.swisscharts.com/search.asp?cat=a&artist=Dr.+Alban&artist_search=starts&title=&title_search=starts|title=Dr. Alban: Album Chart History for Switzerland|work=Hung Medien|access-date=20 March 2011}}</ref> |- ! scope="row"| ''Hello Afrika'' | * Released: 18 February 1991 * Label: Ariola * Formats: LP, CD, cassette | 6 || — || 2 || 29 || 11 || 43 || — || 8 | * BVMI: Gold<ref name="Dr. Alban's German Certification(s)">{{cite certification|region=Germany|artist=Dr. Alban|access-date=20 March 2011}}</ref> * IFPI AUT: Gold<ref name="Austria's Certification-database"/> * IFPI SWI: Gold<ref name="Swiss Certifications for 1991"/> |- ! scope="row"| ''One Love'' | * Released: 4 May 1992 * Label: Ariola * Formats: LP, CD, cassette | 15 || 149 || 1 || 4 || 6 || 20 || 15 || 3 | * BVMI: Gold<ref name="Dr. Alban's German Certification(s)"/> * IFPI AUT: Platinum<ref name="Austria's Certification-database"/> * IFPI SWI: Platinum<ref name="Swiss Certifications for 1992"/> |- ! scope="row"| ''Look Who's Talking!'' | * Released: 25 March 1994 * Label: Ariola * Formats: LP, CD, cassette | 11 || 98 || 7 || 4 || 7 || 28 || 13 || 8 | * GLF: Gold<ref name="Swedish Certifications 1987-1998"/> |- ! scope="row"| ''Born in Africa'' | * Released: 9 April 1996 * Label: Ariola * Formats: LP, CD, cassette | 37 || — || 41 || 12 || 52 || — || — || 37 | |- ! scope="row"| ''I Believe'' | * Released: 1 October 1997 * Label: Metrovynil (EAMS Lesser) * Formats: LP, CD, cassette | 27 || — || 41 || 30 || — || — || — || — | |- ! scope="row"| ''Prescription'' | * Released: 26 November 2001 * Label: Rough Trade/Dr. Records * Formats: CD, cassette | — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — | |- ! scope="row"| ''Back to Basics'' | * Released: 13 November 2008 * Label: Haring Records/Dr. Records * Formats: Digital download, CD | — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — | |- | align="center" colspan="14" style="font-size:90%"| "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released. |}

===Compilations=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |+ {{Sronly|List of compilation albums, with selected chart positions}} ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:12em;"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:16em;"| Album details ! scope="col" colspan="3"| Peak chart positions |- ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| SWE<br /><ref name="Swedish albums/singles positions for Dr. Alban"/>

! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| AUT<br /><ref name="Austrian albums/singles positions for Dr. Alban"/>

! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| GER<br /><ref name="German albums positions for Dr. Alban"/> |- ! scope="row"| ''The Very Best of 1990–1997'' | * Released: 30 June 1997 * Label: Ariola * Formats: LP, CD, cassette | 38 || 38 || 66 |}

===Singles=== ====As lead artist==== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |+ {{Sronly|List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions}} ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:16em;"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Year ! scope="col" colspan="10"| Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:12em;"| Certifications ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Album |- ! style="width:3em;font-size:90%"| SWE<br /><ref>Peak positions for Swedish Singles: * For all titles except those indicated below: {{cite web|url=http://www.swedishcharts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Dr%2E+Alban|title=Dr. Alban: Album / Song Chart-History for Sweden|work=Hung Medien|access-date=20 March 2011}} * For "Sweet Dreams": {{cite web|url=http://www.swedishcharts.com/search.asp?cat=s&artist=Swing&artist_search=starts&title=Sweet+Dreams&title_search=starts|title=Swing Feat. Dr. Alban: Sweet Dreams (Sweden)|work=Hung Medien|access-date=20 March 2011}} * For "Colour the World":{{cite web|url=http://www.swedishcharts.com/search.asp?cat=s&artist=Sash%21&artist_search=starts&title=Colour+the+World&title_search=starts|title=Sash! Feat. Dr. Alban: Colour the World (Sweden)|work=Hung Medien|access-date=20 March 2011}}</ref>

! style="width:3em;font-size:90%"| AUS<br /><ref name=aus>Australian (ARIA) peaks: * Top 50 peaks: {{cite web|url=https://australian-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Dr.+Alban|title=australian-charts.com > Discography Dr. Alban|publisher=Hung Medien|access-date=25 October 2015}} * Top 100 peaks: {{cite book|last=Ryan|first=Gavin|title=Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010|year=2011|publisher=Moonlight Publishing|location=Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia|edition=PDF|page=86}} * "Away from Home" {{cite web|url=https://i.imgur.com/bDBBnOV.jpg|title=The ARIA Australian Top 100 Singles Chart – Week Ending 28 Aug 1994|publisher=ARIA|via=Imgur.com|access-date=14 March 2016}} N.B. The number in the HP column indicate the peak position. * "Hello Afrika" and "Let the Beat Go On": {{cite web|url=https://i.imgur.com/pd4F2Ze.gif|title=Response from ARIA re: chart inquiry, received 12 July 2016|publisher=Imgur.com|access-date=28 July 2016}} * All ARIA chart peaks: {{cite web|url=https://i.imgur.com/Y6i4Ww9.jpg|title=Dr. Alban ARIA chart history, received from ARIA on 20 July 2021|publisher=ARIA|via=Imgur.com|accessdate=20 July 2021}} N.B. The High Point number in the NAT column indicates the release's peak on the national chart.</ref>

! style="width:3em;font-size:90%"| AUT<br /><ref name="Austrian albums/singles positions for Dr. Alban"/>

! style="width:3em;font-size:90%"| FIN<br /><ref name = "FIN">{{cite book |url=https://musiikkiarkisto.fi/oa/_tiedostot/julkaisut/sisaltaa-hitin.pdf#page=14|first=Timo |last=Pennanen |year=2021 |title=Sisältää hitin - 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021 |section=Dr. Alban|pages=66–67|publisher=Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava |location=Helsinki|access-date=20 June 2022}}</ref>

! style="width:3em;font-size:90%"| GER<br /><ref name="Charts.de: Dr. Alban Singles">{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.de/ersuche.asp?kategorie=chart&interpret_suche=dr.+alban&titel_suche=&jahr=&cat=s|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402092059/http://www.officialcharts.de/ersuche.asp?kategorie=chart&interpret_suche=dr.+alban&titel_suche=&jahr=&cat=s|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 April 2015|title=Charts.de: Dr. Alban (Singles)|work=Charts.de|access-date=23 April 2013}}</ref>

! style="width:3em;font-size:90%"| NLD<br /><ref>Peak positions for Dutch Singles: * For all titles except those indicated below: {{cite web|url=http://www.dutchcharts.nl/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Dr%2E+Alban|title=Dr. Alban: Album / Song Chart History for Holland|work=Hung Medien|access-date=20 March 2011}} * For "Sweet Dreams": {{cite web|url=http://www.dutchcharts.nl/search.asp?cat=s&artist=Swing+&artist_search=starts&title=Sweet+Dreams&title_search=starts|title=Swing Feat. Dr. Alban: Sweet Dreams (Holland)|work=Hung Medien|access-date=20 March 2011}} * For "Colour the World":{{cite web|url=http://www.dutchcharts.nl/search.asp?cat=s&artist=Sash%21&artist_search=starts&title=Colour+the+World&title_search=starts|title=Sash! Feat. Dr. Alban: Colour the World (Holland)|work=Hung Medien|access-date=20 March 2011}}</ref>

! style="width:3em;font-size:85%"| SPA<br /><ref>{{cite book |last=Salaverri|first=Fernando|title=Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002|edition=1st |date=September 2005|publisher=Fundación Autor-SGAE|location=Spain|isbn=84-8048-639-2}}</ref>

! style="width:3em;font-size:85%"| SWI<br /><ref>Peak positions for Swiss Singles: * For all titles except those indicated below: {{cite web|url=http://www.swisscharts.com/search.asp?cat=s&artist=Dr.+Alban&artist_search=starts&title=&title_search=starts|title=Dr. Alban: Singles Chart History for Switzerland|work=Hung Medien|access-date=20 March 2011}} * For "Colour the World":{{cite web|url=http://www.swisscharts.com/search.asp?cat=s&artist=Sash%21&artist_search=starts&title=Colour+the+World&title_search=starts|title=Sash! Feat. Dr. Alban|work=Hung Medien|access-date=20 March 2011}}</ref>

! style="width:3em;font-size:90%"| UK<br /><ref>Peak positions for UK Singles: * For all titles except those indicated below: {{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/28037/dr-alban/|title=Official Charts Company: Dr. Alban|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=21 April 2021}} * For "Sweet Dreams": {{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/_/swing%20featuring%20dr%20alban/|title=Official Charts Company: Swing feat. Dr. Alban|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=23 April 2013}} * For "Colour the World": {{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/_/sash!/|title=Official Charts Company: Sash! feat. Dr. Alban|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=23 April 2013}}</ref>

! style="width:3em;font-size:90%"| US<br /><ref>{{cite web|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=dr. alban|chart=all}}|title=Billboard: Dr Alban (Hot 100)|publisher=Billboard|access-date=23 April 2013}}</ref> |- ! scope="row"| "Hello Afrika"<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(featuring Leila K.)</span> | rowspan="2"| 1990 | 7 || 180 || 1 || — || 2 || 25 || 7 || 3 || 146 || — | * GLF: Gold<ref name="Swedish Certifications 1987-1998"/> | rowspan="4"| ''Hello Afrika'' |- ! scope="row"| "No Coke" | 1 || — || 2 || 12 || 3 || 7 || 6 || 3 || 84 || — | * GLF: Platinum<ref name="Swedish Certifications 1987-1998"/> |- ! scope="row"| "U & Mi" | rowspan="2"| 1991 | 20 || — || 11 || 6 || 14 || — || 15 || 9 || — || — | |- ! scope="row"| "(Sing Shi-Wo-Wo) Stop the Pollution" | 36 || — || 16 || 3 || — || — || — || 13 || — || — | |- ! scope="row"| "It's My Life" | rowspan="2"| 1992 | 1 || 43 || 1 || 5 || 1 || 1 || 11 || 2 || 2 || 88 | * BPI: Silver<ref name="BPI">{{cite certification|region=United Kingdom|artist=Dr Alban|access-date=12 March 2023}}</ref> * BVMI: Platinum<ref name="Dr. Alban's German Certification(s)"/> * IFPI AUT: Gold<ref name="Austria's Certification-database"/> * NVPI: Platinum<ref name="Dutch Certification(s) for It's My Life"/> | rowspan="3"| ''One Love'' |- ! scope="row"| "One Love" | 19 || 193 || 9 || 7 || 7 || 14 || — || 11 || 45 || — | |- ! scope="row"| "Sing Hallelujah" | 1993 | 6 || 5 || 7 || 2 || 4 || 6 || 8 || 4 || 16 || — | * ARIA: Platinum<ref name=ryan>{{cite book|last=Ryan|first=Gavin|title=Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010|year=2011|publisher=Moonlight Publishing|location=Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia|edition=PDF|page=86}}</ref> * BVMI: Platinum<ref name="Dr. Alban's German Certification(s)"/> |- ! scope="row"| "Look Who's Talking" | rowspan="3"| 1994 | 2 || 215 || 3 || 1 || 3 || 4 || 2 || 6 || 55 || — | | rowspan="3"| ''Look Who's Talking!'' |- ! scope="row"| "Away from Home" | 24 || 92 || 12 || 2 || 25 || 45 || 5 || 26 || 42 || — | |- ! scope="row"| "Let the Beat Go On" | 17 || 186 || 23 || 3 || 18 || 19 || — || — || <!--Please don't post the position No. 1 for UK without providing a source for it. The main source for UK's singles doesn't support that position.-->— || — | |- ! scope="row"| "Sweet Dreams"<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(featuring Swing)</span> | rowspan="2"| 1995 | 12 || — || — || 4 || — || 44 || — || — || 59 || — | | {{N/A|Non-album single}} |- ! scope="row"| "This Time I'm Free" | 3 || — || 23 || 1 || 27 || 35 || — || 32 || — || — | | rowspan="3"| ''Born in Africa'' |- ! scope="row"|"Born in Africa" | rowspan="2"| 1996 | 11 || — || 31 || 1 || — || — || — || 47 || — || — | |- ! scope="row"| "Hallelujah Day" | 30 || — || 35 || 12 || — || — || — || — || — || — | |- ! scope="row"| "It's My Life '97"<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(featuring Sash!)</span> | rowspan="4"| 1997 | — || — || — || 18 || — || — || — || — || — || — | | ''The Very Best of 1990–1997'' |- ! scope="row"| "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (Carolina)" | 6 || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — | | rowspan="4"| ''I Believe'' |- ! scope="row"| "Mr. DJ" | — || — || 21 || 8 || 70 || — || 3 || — || — || — | |- ! scope="row"| "Long Time Ago" | 55 || — || — || 15 || — || — || 15 || — || — || — | |- ! scope="row"| "Feel the Rhythm" | 1998 | 56 || — || — || — || — || — || 13 || — || — || — | |- ! scope="row"| "What Do I Do" | 2000 | 43 || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — | | rowspan="2"| ''Prescription'' |- ! scope="row"| "Because of You" | 2002 | — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — | |- ! scope="row"| "Work, Work" | 2003 | 13 || — || — || 19 || — || — || — || — || — || — | | {{N/A|Non-album single}} |- ! scope="row"| "Habibi"<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(featuring Melissa)</span> | rowspan="2"| 2008 | — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — | | ''Back to Basics'' |- ! scope="row"| "We Love the 90's"<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(featuring Haddaway)</span> | — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — | | rowspan="8" {{N/A|Non-album singles}} |- ! scope="row"| "Freedom" | rowspan="2"| 2012 | — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — | |- ! scope="row"| "Loverboy" | — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — | |- ! scope="row"| "It's My Life 2014" | rowspan="2"| 2014 | — || — || 39 || — || 29 || — || — || — || — || — | |- ! scope="row"| "Around the World"<br /><small>(featuring Jessica Folcker)</small> | 52 || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — | |- ! scope="row"| "Hurricane" | 2015 | — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — | |- ! scope="row"| "Drama"<br /><small>(Dr. Alban & Folkhemmet, in Swedish)</small> | 2020 | — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — | |- ! scope="row"| "Change (I Have a Dream)"<br /><small>(featuring Whitney Peyton)</small> | 2022 | — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — | |- | align="center" colspan="14" style="font-size:90%"| "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released. |}

====As featured artist==== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |+ {{Sronly|List of singles as featured artist, with selected chart positions}} ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:16em;"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Year ! scope="col" colspan="7"| Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Album |- ! style="width:3em;font-size:90%"| SWE<br /><ref>Peak positions for Swedish Singles: * For all titles except those indicated below: {{cite web|url=http://www.swedishcharts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Dr%2E+Alban|title=Dr. Alban: Album / Song Chart-History for Sweden|work=Hung Medien|access-date=20 March 2011}} * For "Colour the World":{{cite web|url=http://www.swedishcharts.com/search.asp?cat=s&artist=Sash%21&artist_search=starts&title=Colour+the+World&title_search=starts|title=Sash! Feat. Dr. Alban: Colour the World (Sweden)|work=Hung Medien|access-date=20 March 2011}}</ref>

! style="width:3em;font-size:90%"| FIN<br /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.finnishcharts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Dr%2E+Alban|title=Dr. Alban: Album / Song Chart History for Finland|work=Hung Medien|access-date=31 January 2012}}</ref>

! style="width:3em;font-size:90%"| FRA<br /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lescharts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Dr%2E+Alban|title=Dr. Alban: Album / Song Chart History for France|work=Hung Medien|access-date=23 January 2015}}</ref>

! style="width:3em;font-size:90%"| GER<br /><ref name="Charts.de: Dr. Alban Singles"/>

! style="width:3em;font-size:90%"| NL<br /><ref>Peak positions for Dutch Singles: * For "Colour the World":{{cite web|url=http://www.dutchcharts.nl/search.asp?cat=s&artist=Sash%21&artist_search=starts&title=Colour+the+World&title_search=starts|title=Sash! Feat. Dr. Alban: Colour the World (Holland)|work=Hung Medien|access-date=20 March 2011}}</ref>

! style="width:3em;font-size:90%"| SWI<br /><ref>Peak positions for Swiss Singles: * For "Colour the World":{{cite web|url=http://www.swisscharts.com/search.asp?cat=s&artist=Sash%21&artist_search=starts&title=Colour+the+World&title_search=starts|title=Sash! Feat. Dr. Alban|work=Hung Medien|access-date=20 March 2011}}</ref>

! style="width:3em;font-size:90%"| UK<br /><ref>Peak positions for UK Singles: * For "Colour the World": {{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/2432/sash!/|title=Official Charts Company: Sash! feat. Dr. Alban|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=21 April 2021}}</ref> |- ! scope="row"| "Papaya Coconut" <br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(Kikki Danielsson featuring Dr. Alban)</span> | 1998 | 22 || — || — || — || — || — || — | rowspan="2" {{N/A|Non-album singles}} |- ! scope="row"| "Colour the World"<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(Sash! featuring Dr. Alban)</span> | 1999 | 54 || — || — || 39 || 69 || 39 || 15 |- ! scope="row"| "Sing Hallelujah (New Version)"<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(Yamboo featuring Dr. Alban)</span> | 2005 | — || 12 || — || — || — || — || — | ''Okama de Mapouka'' |- ! scope="row"| "Chiki Chiki"<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(Starclub featuring Dr. Alban)</span> | 2006 | — || — || — || — || — || — || — | rowspan="5" {{N/A|Non-album singles}} |- ! scope="row"| "It's My Life (Don't Worry)"<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(Chawki featuring Dr. Alban)</span> | 2014 | — || — || 187 || — || — || — || — |- ! scope="row"| "Good to You"<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(Basic Element featuring Dr. Alban)</span> | 2016 | — || — || — || — || — || — || — |- ! scope="row"| "It's My Life"<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(Popek featuring Dr. Alban)</span> | 2020 | — || — || — || — || — || — || — |- ! scope="row"| "Life Is Now"<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(Basic Element, Dr. Alban, Waldo's People featuring Elize Ryd)</span> | 2022 | — || — || — || — || — || — || — |- | align="center" colspan="14" style="font-size:90%"| "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released. |}

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{Commons}} * {{official|dralban.net}} * [http://www.drrecords.com/ Dr. Alban Records]

{{Dr. Alban}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Alban, Dr.}} Category:1957 births Category:Living people Category:English-language Swedish singers Category:Eurodance musicians Category:Igbo pop musicians Category:Musicians from Imo State Category:Naturalized citizens of Sweden Category:Nigerian emigrants to Sweden Category:Nigerian hip-hop singers Category:Nigerian male musicians Category:Nigerian reggae musicians Category:Swedish dance musicians Category:Swedish dentists Category:Swedish electronic musicians Category:Swedish hip-hop musicians Category:Swedish pop musicians