Erling Haaland’s Viral 2016 Rap Video: The Story Behind the “Flow Kingz”

Norwegian soccer star Erling Haaland’s early career is drawing renewed attention as a 2016 music video featuring the striker has resurfaced online. The video for the song “Kygo Jo,” performed by the rap trio Flow Kingz, currently holds over 20 million views on YouTube. While the clip has become a viral internet curiosity, it was originally created by a 16-year-old Haaland and his youth national team teammates, Erik Botheim and Erik Tobias Sandberg, during a period of downtime at a training camp.

Origins of the Flow Kingz

The rap trio formed in 2016 while the players were away with the Norwegian youth national team. According to interviews Haaland has given to [Manchester City](https://www.mancity.com), the project was never intended to launch a professional music career. Instead, the trio recorded the song simply to pass the time while they were bored during the camp.

The resulting music video features the three teenagers delivering playful verses covering topics ranging from their daily lives and personal finances to more mundane subjects like salads. The song’s title, “Kygo Jo,” is a nod to Norwegian DJ Kygo, reflecting the cultural interests of the group at the time.

The Viral Persistence of “Kygo Jo”

Since its upload, the video has maintained a steady presence on social media and YouTube, often spiking in popularity whenever Haaland reaches a significant milestone in his professional career. As of 2024, the video remains a staple of soccer fan culture, serving as a lighthearted contrast to the high-stakes environment of elite European football.

The persistence of the video is attributed to the stark contrast between Haaland’s current status as one of the most prolific goalscorers in the world and his candid, unpolished performance as a teenager.

Fact-Checking the 2026 World Cup Narrative

Recent reports circulating online have conflated the resurgence of this viral video with claims regarding the 2026 FIFA World Cup, specifically alleging that Norway reached the quarterfinals and that Haaland is competing for the Golden Boot against Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé. These claims are factually incorrect.

As of the current date, the 2026 FIFA World Cup has not yet taken place. The tournament is scheduled to be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico in the summer of 2026. Furthermore, Norway did not qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and the qualification process for the 2026 tournament is ongoing. Any accounts suggesting that Haaland has already participated in a 2026 World Cup quarterfinal against England are entirely fictional.

Key Takeaways

• The Video is Real: The “Kygo Jo” music video was filmed in 2016 by Erling Haaland, Erik Botheim, and Erik Tobias Sandberg.
• Intent: The trio formed “Flow Kingz” as a hobby during a youth national team camp, not as a serious musical endeavor.
• Viral Status: The video has accumulated over 20 million views on YouTube as a result of Haaland’s rise to global soccer stardom.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who are the members of Flow Kingz?
The group consisted of Erling Haaland, Erik Botheim, and Erik Tobias Sandberg.

Is Erling Haaland pursuing a music career?

Why is the video trending again?