Maria Arredondo was born in 1985 and raised outside the city of Kristiansand in the south of Norway. Maria has been singing all her life. From the age of 10 she participated in local concerts and events and has as a multi talented singer done everything from classical to pop music.

 

  She spent almost two years in the studio developing her own style and sound, before signing a licensing deal with Universal Music for Scandinavia. Maria Arredondo: Her debut album, "Maria Arredondo", got the highest score possible in Norway’s largest nationwide newspaper - VG. The album debuted in the official sales chart at an impressive no. 6 and has so far sold beyond platinum in Norway. It was recorded in Sweden and Norway, and was produced by several well known Scandinavian producers such as Jonas von Der Burg, Espen Lind, Bluefish, Jonny Sjo, Harry Sommerdahl, and Bjørn Erik Pedersen. Several successful songwriters have also contributed:

 

  Christian Ingebrigtsen, Jonas von Der Burg, Silje Nergaard, Espen Lind and Harry Sommerdahl, to name a few. Her debut song "Can let go" was released on Norwegian radio in May 2002, and proved to be a strong hit all throughout the summer. The second hit, "Just a little heartache", stayed on the airplay charts for an incredible 88 weeks and peaked at no. 2. It also received a gold trophy for sales. The next single "In love with an angel", which is a duet with Christian Ingebrigtsen (former member of the group a1), debuted at no. 1 in the sales charts and went platinum. It also went to no. 1 on the official airplay chart. The duet received a Norwegian Grammy Award nomination for “Song Of The year”.

 

  The ceremony took place in Oslo on February 28th. Her fourth hit single; "Hardly hurts at all" stayed in the charts for several months and went gold. Her incredible success has made Maria the first artist in Norway which has reached top 3 on the airplay chart with four single releases from a debut album. By the end of 2003 the album has sold more than 70 000 units which are outstanding and very rare for a debut artist in Norway. Not going under: Maria released the first single “Mad Summer” from her second album. This single sold platinum in Norway and peaked at No 2 on VG lista (Norway’s official sales chart) The song also peaked at No 2.on Hit40 (Norway’s official radio chart). Second single “Burning” was released for radio late September 2005 in Norway. This single peaked at No 1.on Hit 40. The single is still top 100 most played song in Norway after 125 weeks. “Not going under” was released in November 2005, and has sold platinum in Norway. Several successful songwriters also contributed on this album: Diane Warren, Douglas Carr, Espen Lind (Star Gate), Amund Bjørklund (Star Gate), Winston Sela, Randy Goodrum, Majorie Maye, Marion Raven. This album is also recorded in Scandinavia by: Espionage Studio (Stargate), LaCarr Studio, Beat Studio, Oslo Recording Studio, Sun King Studio (Stargate). The album also contains one duet with Espen Lind.. Min Jul: November 2006 Maria released her Christmas album “Min Jul”. “Min Jul” sold platinum in Norway.