Ace of Base

Sweden's reign as a global pop powerhouse is due in large part to Ace of Base. Originally founded by Jonas Berggren in Gothenburg in 1987 with other members before he enlisted his sisters Linn and Jenny, and their friend Ulf Ekberg, the group drew from the European dance-music styles of the late '80s and early '90s to create their own perky blend of house, reggae and Europop. An early demo caught the attention of Denniz Pop, the producer who helped turn "All That She Wants" into Ace of Base's breakthrough hit in 1993. Working again with Pop—who'd later produce Backstreet Boys and Britney Spears and become Max Martin's mentor—the group scored another worldwide hit with 1993's "The Sign", which owed its buoyancy to the Berggren sisters' close harmonies and the sort of big, bright melody that’s fundamental to Swedish pop. Though Ace of Base's international popularity waned by the end of the ‘90s, later lineups led by Jonas Berggren and Ekberg continued to perform into the 2010s, as stylistic descendants like Katy Perry, Lady Gaga and Robyn all cited the group's influence.