Alan Walker reflects on a decade since 'Faded' became a hit

Alan Walker, the Norwegian DJ and producer behind the global hit "Faded," recently shared his thoughts on his career in an exclusive interview with SCREEN. Reflecting on his 2014 breakthrough and his journey over the past decade, Walker discussed the impact of "Faded," his evolution as an artist, and his latest projects.

The Story Behind "Faded"

Walker began his career as a bedroom producer in Norway, releasing the instrumental track "Fade" online in 2014. The song quickly gained traction, amassing over 200 million views within a year. Taking listener feedback into account, he collaborated with Norwegian vocalist Iselin Solheim to create "Faded," a reworked version featuring lyrics.

The release of "Faded" in 2015 catapulted Walker to global fame. The track has since garnered over 3.9 billion views on YouTube, making it the 33rd most-watched video on the platform and the first-ever EDM track to surpass 1 billion views. Reflecting on its success, Walker said, "Faded is such a timeless song that even if I try to recreate it, I’d never surpass it. It came out at the right place at the right time, when the music industry needed it the most. If 'Faded' was released today, I don’t think it’d have nearly the same impact as it did back in 2015."

Navigating Success Without a Mentor

Walker was just 17 years old when "Faded" became a global phenomenon. Speaking about the challenges of handling such rapid success at a young age, he said, "Being 17-18 years old when I released 'Faded,' I had no experience on how to handle such a big success. Almost no one had experienced anything remotely like this." He also credited his long-standing team for helping him navigate the music industry, noting that he has worked with the same group since his breakout.

Despite lacking a mentor or "godfather" in the industry, Walker has carved out a successful career over the past decade. "I’ve happily been in the music industry for the past 10 years, and I’m looking forward to doing 10+ more. I’m only grateful that everything’s been great," he added.

Recent Projects and Collaborations

Walker’s latest project, "Get Set Sting," is a track inspired by Formula 1, created in collaboration with Sting Energy. The song debuted at the Barcelona Grand Prix and reflects Walker's efforts to blend his signature sound with the energy of motorsports. "I had to make something that captured the sound of Formula 1, the essence of Sting, and my own style, combining three completely different universes into one sound," he explained.

Walker has also built a strong connection with India, performing in the country multiple times. He opened for Justin Bieber’s Mumbai concert in 2017 and later embarked on two WalkerWorld tours in 2024 and 2025, performing in over a dozen Indian cities. "Visiting India is a part of my core memories. I had one of the biggest tours for any Western artiste in India, which was really, really cool," he said.

In addition to touring, Walker has collaborated with Indian artists, including King on the track "Sorry" and Pritam for the single "Children of the Sun" in 2024. He also composed "Team Side," the official anthem for the Indian Premier League team Royal Challengers Bengaluru. "India is an incredible country with a lot of amazing talent. I’m happy I get to share some projects alongside some of them," Walker remarked.

As Alan Walker celebrates a decade in the music industry, his journey from a bedroom producer to a global sensation serves as an inspiring testament to perseverance and innovation. With his eyes set on the future, Walker continues to push boundaries and connect with fans worldwide.