Biography
Petter Wallenberg is a critically acclaimed Swedish artist, author, producer, director and activist. In the last few years he has been responsible for a plethora of forward thinking electronic music, visual and performing arts. He directs music videos and documentaries and produces and hosts seminars, workshops and events that take place at venues ranging from night clubs to Stockholm Museum of Modern Art and Stockholm Public Library.
Petter Wallenberg is a critically acclaimed Swedish artist, author, producer, director and activist. In the last few years he has been responsible for a plethora of forward thinking electronic music, visual and performing arts. He directs music videos and documentaries and produces and hosts seminars, workshops and events that take place at venues ranging from night clubs to Stockholm Museum of Modern Art and Stockholm Public Library.
In 2017 Wallenberg made some serious waves around the international media with the release of ‘Rainbow Riots’ - an album of music featuring queer voices from Uganda, Malawi, South Africa and Jamaica - some of the most dangerous countries in the world for LGBTQ people. The album, which was composed and produced by Wallenberg, features a fusion of afrobeat, electro, soul, pop, orchestral, rap, dancehall, gospel and spoken word.
The project was conceived while Wallenberg was working with the LGBTQ community in Uganda. During Uganda Pride in August 2016, Wallenberg and his collaborators were held hostage in the violent and shocking armed police raid of the festivities. The incident not only drove the project on, but bearing witness to the atrocities inspired him to create a charity of the same name: Rainbow Riots is a global charity working for LGBTQ equality and rights. All proceeds from the sales of the album go towards the charity’s work towards ending discrimination against LGBTQ people around the world.
Since the announcement of the album, media organisations from around the world have been reporting its release. This includes features by the BBC, Dazed, Australian news broadcaster CBS as well as a whole chapter named after Rainbow Riots in the book Breaking down the walls of heartache - how music came out, by British journalist Martin Aston. Remarkably Rainbow Riots also resulted in a news story from the Jamaican Observer and coverage in Indonesia. Jamaica and Indonesia are famously two of the most homophobic nations in the world. The reporting of Rainbow Riots via this medium is testament to the political message behind the music.
In 2016, under the guise of his stage name House of Wallenberg, he released the album ‘My House is Your House’. The record challenged today’s testosterone-fuled, white-washed stadium EDM, taking house music back to its original sound: queer, black and vocal-driven. The single ”I Believe” features legendary house pioneer Adeva and reached #22 at Music Week Club Chart.
Also appearing on the album is the hit single ‘Love Yourself’, which Wallenberg created as the signature theme of Stop HIV campaign Love Yourself Test Yourself which aimed to encourage testing for HIV. The single was championed by US superblogger Perez Hilton and the campaign went on to win of the world’s most recognizable international advertising awards, Clio Awards. Above all - the single and campaign actually resulted in a renewed increase in HIV-testing!
The same year he released his critically acclaimed debut album ‘Legends’ where he collaborated with his favourite female singers of all time, including Swedish rap legends Neneh Cherry and Leila K, new Swedish soul superstar Mapei, Ari Up of legendary punk band The Slits, Jwl B of Florida rappers Yo Majesty, Octavia St Laurent from legendary vogue documentary Paris is burning, Victoria Wilson James from Soul II Soul and Nicolette of Massive Attack fame.
‘Legends’ received rave reviews, with Swedish music magazine Sonic rating it 9 out of 10 and the country's biggest newspaper Aftonbladet calling it "the mightiest guestlist in Swedish pop history."
Wallenberg is also an acclaimed author with two published books under his belt; Historien om Leila K (2013) and Bögjävlar (2007).
He is editor in chief and art director of limited edition art magazine Mums which through leading the way in design, photography, text and above all, strong content, has, as Swedish Radio puts it: “achieved cult status in the world of magazines.” Mums was awarded Tupilak’s, Paradise Press Publishings and ILGCNs (The International Lesbian and Gay Cultural Network) "Sappho in Paradise”-award.
Awards
2020: Arco Nordica Award from The International Lesbian and Gay Cultural Network
2020: Pelle Svanslös Våga Vara Snäll-stipendiet
2017: Stockholm Stad Kulturstipendium
2014: Clio Awards
2012: Sappho in Paradise Award by Tupilak, Paradise Press Publishing’s and ILGCN’s (The International Lesbian and Gay Cultural Network).
2008: Nöjesguidens Stockholmspris
2020: Pelle Svanslös Våga Vara Snäll-stipendiet
2017: Stockholm Stad Kulturstipendium
2014: Clio Awards
2012: Sappho in Paradise Award by Tupilak, Paradise Press Publishing’s and ILGCN’s (The International Lesbian and Gay Cultural Network).
2008: Nöjesguidens Stockholmspris