In 2001 Aqua was one of the best known bands in the world. Their infectious bubble gum pop helped send their debut album, Aquarium, to the Number One spot in 35 countries, selling over 14 million copies along the way. From their first smash hit, 'Barbie Girl', through the equally hyperactive follow up singles 'Dr Jones' and 'Cartoon Heroes' (the latter is from their second album, Aquarius, released in 2000), Aqua have proved that they have staying power. Lene, René, Claus and Søren are currently working on a third album in their new, purpose-built studio in London.

But, believe it or not, Danish pop did exist before Aqua. Danish singer Whigfield had a Europe-wide dance floor hit with 'Saturday Night' in 1994. Prior to that, Laid Back had international hits with 'White Horse', 'Baker Man' and 'Sunshine Reggae' (a hit again in 2000 thanks to a remix by Funkstar De Luxe - see below), and over the years this all-male duo have proved particularly popular in the Far East. Laid Back released a greatest hits album in 1999.

Bringing things up to date, sisters Heidi and Line Sorensen, who together are S.O.A.P, released their debut album 'Not Like Other Girls', in 1998, and had a hit with the single 'This Is How We Party'. The pop duo work together with rapper Remee and producer Holger Lagerfeldt, and recently toured major venues in Europe supporting Savage Garden. They have now released their second album, 'Miracle'.

Launched at around the same time as S.O.A.P were turbo-pop/dance trio Daze, who went on to score a hit across Scandinavia with their debut album 'Super Heroes', which was released in the US in 1998.

Larger than life 'technobillies', Cartoons, have enjoyed a great deal of attention from the European music press since their launch two years ago. Their debut album 'Toonage' was well received in Europe, and a follow up is now on sale.

Female duo, Me & My, had their break through with the album 'Dub I Dub' in 1997, followed that with the massive hit 'Let The Love Go On', and have a new single, 'Sleeping My Day Away', from their third album, out now. A career highlight for the poptastic sisters Susanne and Pernille came when they sold 1.5 million albums in Japan in 1997, making them the best selling foreign act there that year. Their new album 'Fly High' continues on their club-friendly, catchy dance and trance vibe.

Almost impossible to categorise are Uffe Savery and Morten Friis, otherwise known as Safri Duo. Though this percussion pair, who met in the Tivoli Gardens Boy's Guard, were classically trained at Copenhagen's Royal Conservatory of Music, they haven't been afraid to incorporate dance and trance beats in their work. The result has seen them tackle everything from Bach and Chopin, to house music. Their hit house track 'Played-A-Live' has been a massive success across Europe, making number 6 in the UK after being championed by DJs Pete Tong and Judge Jules. The single was voted Club Hit of the Year last year, and the duo have toured non-stop in Europe, Asia and the States, playing the Royal Albert Hall and Carnegie Hall along the way.

Another Danish band with a global presence are Michael Learns To Rock. Initially formed as a bar band by vocalist Jascha Richter, Michael Learns To Rock released their debut album in 1991 and went on to earn a release in America through Impact Records. The trio's distinctive, catchy pop has proved highly commercial with Asian audiences, where they remain one of the biggest musical acts. Among numerous awards, the band received the Carlsberg Asia's Biggest Band Award at the 1999 MTV-CCTV Awards in Beijing. They have just released a new album, Blue Night.

Currently the subject of rave reviews in the international music press, and generating interest among influential DJs like Paul Oakenfold and Pete Tong, is Marie Frank. Her new album Ancient Pleasures received a coveted four stars out of five from Britain's Q music magazine (who likened her to Sheryl Crow) last year, while two of her songs were featured in the movie Sex & Love, which recently premiered in London.

Vocalist Sanne Salomonsen is Denmark's number one 'rock mamma', though she is equally comfortable with jazz, soul or blues, or working in the musical theatre. Having worked in New York and achieved great success in Scandinavia, Sanne recently starred in the musical Evita, in Copenhagen. Sanne has also collaborated with the Doky Brothers (see below).

Another prominent Danish female vocalist is Hanne Boel, who has sold well in Italy and Germany, and played everywhere from Kenya to Finland during her long and prolific career.

Danes love their rock music, and so does the rest of Europe. Probably the most famous Danish rock export is Lars Ulrich, drummer in Metallica, one of the world's biggest rock acts.

Masters of the rock festival scene D:A:D were formed in 1982. The band's original name was Disneyland After Dark - until the Disney corporation got to hear about it. The hastily abbreviated D:A:D signed a world-wide deal with Warner Brothers in 1989 and, over the last decade, have built up a strong live following in Scandinavia, Germany, Portugal and Spain. A new drummer has added to their newer, more sophisticated sound, showcased on their latest album 'Everything Glows' (2000).

The reputation of Denmark's jazz scene dates back to the days of the legendary Monmatre Jazz House, famous for attracting the biggest names in American jazz in the 1950s. The Copenhagen Jazz Festival, held every July, remains one of the highlights of the international jazz calendar, and the country continues to produce a wealth of young jazz talent.

Huge stars on the international jazz scene are the platinum-selling brothers Niels and Chris Doky. The half Danish/half Vietnamese brothers were musical prodigies who studied at the Royal Danish Conservatory for Classical Music and can now boast a large following in Europe, North America and Japan. Niels Lahn Doky is a much sought after jazz pianist, while Chris Minh Doky is one of the world's most respected jazz bassists. After moving to New York in 1989 the brothers launched their international careers with the Blue Note label (for whom they recorded three albums).

Both have gone on to work individually with major names like Branford Marsalis, David Sanborn, Kenny Garrett, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Bill Evans and David Sylvian. And both have recorded numerous solo albums. Chris has also worked as a bandleader, composer, producer (of Danish acts, including Sanne Salomonsen), and even performed at the White House for President Bill Clinton. The brothers do not limit themselves to jazz, and have also worked in the funk, pop and rock fields.

Denmark has in the past been a little slow to catch on to trends in the dance scene, but in the last few years it has more than made up for this. One of the biggest DJ/producers in the world right now is Funkstar De Luxe, better known as Martin Ottesen from the Danish island of Funen. His remix of Bob Marley's 'Sun is Shining' sold over 1 million copies world wide last year, was voted Track of the Season in Ibiza, and stayed at number one on the Billboard Dance Chart for three weeks. Since then he has worked his magic on Grace Jones' 'Pull Up To The Bumper' and Laid Back's 'Sunshine Reggae', both of which appear on his debut album 'Keep On Moving (It's Too Funky In Here)'. Funkstar De Luxe has recently worked with Mary J. Blige and toured North America, where he reached number 4 in the Billboard Dance Chart. New material is imminent.

The Barcode Brothers are another Danish dance act who have scored an international club and chart hit. That single 'Dooh Dooh' went top ten in Germany, and sold well throughout Europe.

These days Denmark is a Mecca for foreign dance acts, thanks to its high tech studio facilities and expert mixers and producers. Danish techno is exported world-wide through leading Danish labels including Hypnotic, Multiplex, April and Flex. Though Denmark is not quite the capital of the European dance scene yet, it is getting there.

Soulshock and Carlin are Denmark's most successful producing team, having worked with Whitney Houtson, Lauryn Hill and Toni Braxton in the States. Cutfather and Joe, meanwhile, are hot on their heels having worked with Christina Aguilera, All Saints, Mark Morrisson, 5ive, Ace of Bass and Westlife. Their new act, Sweet Female Attitude has shifted over half a million records in Europe, while another artist signed to their Milkk Records label, Danish pop diva Kristine Blond, has had a recent MTV hit with 'Love Shy'