Mohamed Ali is a Danish pop singer who rose to fame in 2009 on the television talent show X Factor and released his debut album shortly thereafter. Born on September 7, 1993, in Nørresundby, Denmark, he cites influences that include Justin Timberlake, Chris Brown, Ne-Yo, and Michael Jackson. The third-place runner-up on the 2009 season of X Factor in Denmark, Mohamed (as he was known on the show) finished behind winner Linda Andrews and second-place runner-up Alien Beat Club. Upon signing a major-label recording contract with Sony Music in the immediate aftermath of his third-place finish on X Factor, he made his commercial recording debut with the Top 20 single "Rocket." Shortly thereafter he made his solo album debut with Keep It Simple (2009), which nearly topped the Danish albums chart, peaking at number two. ~ Jason Birchmeier