Korinne Erikösens

**Korinne Mathilde Erikösens** (1 May 1966 – 17 January 2001) was a Lashardian singer, songwriter, musician, and model, popular in the 1990s. First achieving public recognition in the late 1980s as the lead singer of punk band Corasneft, Erikösens became a household name after the release of her debut solo single "Youth" in 1992. The song reached number-one in over six countries, and has since been declared "The 90s Song of the Summer".

She released her debut solo album *Erik's Songs* in 1993, to massive success, being hailed "The Princess of Lashpop" and "The New Bleta" by the media. The album was certified 5x platinum by the Lashardian Recording Industry (LRI), becoming the best-selling album in Lashardian history. Her second and final album, *Lost Girl*, released in 1996, achieved similar feats. *Lost Girl* contained the hit singles "Life Isn't Fair", "In My World", "Number One", and "Paparazzi".

Following the end of her arena tour of Asmatys in 1998, Erikösens announced a "short break from music" due to her recent engagement to boyfriend of three years, cardiologist Hans Becköfeldt. They were married in 1999. Following their marriage, she gave birth to their son Beck Hansöfeldt on 1 April 2000.

In May 2000, she announced her break from music would be "extended indefinitely" for undisclosed reasons. Rumors were that she and Becköfeldt had divorced or there was a problem with their child, but in July 2000, Erikösens revealed publicly that she had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer. After battling the disease for a year, she passed away in King's Royal Hospital in Ubenmoor on 17 January 2001. Her first posthumously released album *Korinne's Songs*, consisting of scrapped tracks from her first two albums was released two months after her death, and went on to be certified 4x platinum. She was inducted into the Lashardian Music Hall of Fame posthumously in 2006 as the second-ever inductee.

## Life and career

### Early life

Korinne Erikösens was born on 1 May 1966 in Beck, Skaarsland to Erik Hafnerösens and Jezebelle Skamörok. She has two older brothers, Henrik and Rads. Her parents ran a commercial fishery, and the family was middle class. Erikösens attended primary school in Beck, where she excelled academically, showing an interest in music and art since a young age.

After graduating from primary school in 1981, she moved to Ubenmoor to attend the prestigious performing arts boarding high school Queen Maria's School for the Performing Arts. In Queen Maria's, Erikösens developed a liking towards punk rock, and in 1982, formed Corasneft with classmates Isak Caravöpart, Leon Leonövich, and Sav Blessöhortz.

### 1984–1991: Corasneft

Following their graduation from high school in 1984, the group began performing gigs throughout Ubenmoor, eventually gaining a large following. In 1987, they were signed to the independent label Blanket Records Lashardia, known for promoting rock bands throughout Lashardia and Asmatys. The group released their debut single "Loch" ("Fake", in English), which was a parody of the Lashardian-language Lashpop style popular during the mid-late 1980s. Their debut album *Generation X* was released in 1988, but achieved little success.

Following the failure of their debut album, Erikösens, in a brief state of depression wrote the song "I Don't Want You" in ten minutes in her apartment. The song was later released in 1989 as the lead single of their second studio album. The song was a success and charted in the top ten of the Lashardian singles charts, and was certified gold. The next year, their second studio album *Not Dead*, was released and peaked at number-one on the Lashardian albums chart.

Following the group's breakout success, mainstream labels became interested in Erikösens' distinct clean voice and wanted to sign her as a solo artist. Despite initially declining their offers, in 1991 she accepted a $2 million solo recording contract with Cyclops Music, the biggest record label in Lashardia. After signing the contract, Corasneft disbanded in a much publicized breakup, with the media reporting that Erikösens didn't discuss signing the contract with her band before doing it.

### 1991–1994: Solo breakthrough and *Erik's Songs*

Immediately after signing the contract, Erikösens began work on her debut solo album. In a 1993 interview, she stated "not writing with [Corasneft] was really different, things were much more formulaic and processed. With Isak [Caravöpart], we'd just play a melody on guitar or piano, add some lyrics, and then be done. Now I'm writing melodies with professionals for a week before I can even start the lyrics".

Her debut solo single "Youth", was released in July 1992, in the Lashpop style of music. This caused some critics to call Erikösens a "sellout", as she previously wrote songs mocking Lashpop while with Corasneft. However, the song went on to become one of the best-selling physical singles in Lashardian history. Reaching number-one in six countries, the song catapulted Erikösens into international stardom. Her debut album, *Erik's Songs* was released in 1993, and produced other hit songs such as "Die Tonight", "Head In the Clouds", and "Bachelorette".

She went on her first arena tour following the release of *Erik's Songs*, visiting seven nations in Asmatys and over 80 cities. The tour sold out at every stop, and further increased her popularity.

### 1995–1998: *Lost Girl*

Erikösens began work on her second studio album nearly immediately after the end of her first arena tour. In December 1995, the lead single of her second studio album was released, titled "Life Isn't Fair". The song saw Erikösens' return to her artistic roots, incorporating punk rock into the song heavily. The song was certified 5x platinum and topped the Lashardian singles charts for four months.

In July 1996, her second studio album *Lost Girl* was released. Despite achieving mixed reviews from critics, the album was a commercial success, breaking records set by her first album. The album included the hit singles "In My World", "Number One", and "Paparazzi".

Following the massive success of *Lost Girl*, Erikösens announced a pan-Asmatic tour, visiting all twelve nations. The tour, which lasted two full years, was widely acclaimed for its theatricality.

### 1999–2001: Break from music and death

After arriving back in Lashardia from her tour, Erikösens announced a "short break from music" due to her upcoming wedding to Hans Becköveldt and aspirations to begin a family. They were married in July 1999, and had a son in April 2000. In May 2000, Erikösens announced that her break from music would be "extended indefinitely" due to undisclosed reasons.

Rumors were that she and Becköfeldt had divorced or there was a problem with their child, but in July 2000, Erikösens revealed publicly that she had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer. After battling the disease for a year, she passed away in King's Royal Hospital in Ubenmoor on 17 January 2001. Erikösens' funeral was aired live on Lashardian television, and became one of the most-watched programs in Lashardian history. The ceremony was even attended by her past bandmates Isak Caravöpart, Leon Leonövich, and Sav Blessöhortz.

Her first posthumously released album *Korinne's Songs*, consisting of scrapped tracks from her first two albums was released two months after her death, and went on to be certified 4x platinum. She was inducted into the Lashardian Music Hall of Fame posthumously in 2006 as the second-ever inductee. A posthumous greatest hits album titled *Mathilde* was released in 2007.

## Personal life

Erikösens was in a relationship with Corasneft bandmate Isak Caravöpart from 1983 until the group's breakup in 1991. In a 1989 interview, Caravöpart said that they were "engaged to be engaged". On her eighteenth birthday, Erikösens adopted the middle name "Mathilde", in honor of one of her primary school music teachers who inspired her to sing.

Her father passed away in summer 1992 in a car accident, while her mother survived but was left in a coma for two weeks. She named her debut solo album *Erik's Songs* in honor of her father.

She began dating cardiologist Hans Becköfeldt in 1996, following the release of *Lost Girl*, after being introduced to him by her mother. In 1998, they became engaged, and were married in a large ceremony in July 1999. She was walked down the aisle by her two older brothers. Erikösens and Becköfeldt gave birth to a son, Beck Hansöfeldt on 1 April 2000.

On religion, Erikösens stated, "I was raised in a liberal Lashardian Orthodox household. My parents always said that I could decide whatever religion I wanted to be." While in high school, Erikösens became inerested in the Hindu faith, and began wearing frequently wearing bindis, which became part of her signature look.

## Tours

* Korinne: Live (1992–93)
* Lost Girl Tour (1996–98)