Gud

Carl-Mikael Göran "Micke" Berlander, born on August 29, 1995, in Stockholm, Sweden, is a DJ, music producer, and rapper known professionally as Gud, formerly Yung Gud. He gained prominence as a member of rapper Yung Lean's Stockholm-based group, Sad Boys. Berlander began producing music at the age of twelve, initially focusing on psychedelic trance, which significantly influenced his sonic palette.

Berlander grew up in Stockholm. After his parents divorced when he was ten, his father and older sister moved to a different suburb, while he remained in the city. He and other Sad Boys members have described living in Stockholm as boring and miserable. He also lived in Gnesta, a small urban area he likened to the Swedish equivalent of Kentucky, citing issues like social problems and alcohol abuse. His mother enjoyed spoiling him. Berlander comes from a mixed-race family; his Nigerian grandfather met his Swedish grandmother in London, leading him to feel somewhat isolated. He struggled academically and eventually dropped out to pursue music, a decision his father had mixed feelings about. In a 2014 interview, Berlander stated he was sober but expressed interest in trying promethazine because he saw it as medicine while avoiding substances like marijuana and amphetamines.

Berlander met Yung Lean through mutual friends. They bonded over shared musical interests and created their first track, "Oreomilkshake," in October 2012. The name "Sad Boys" originated when Berlander and Yung Sherman went to buy clothes, found the store closed, and felt sad. He initially chose the stage name Gud, later adding Yung to make it sound funnier, a decision he later described as stupid. His production for Yung Lean has been praised for its lush and melodic beats, which significantly contributed to Lean's appeal. Berlander believes Yung Lean evokes strong reactions, making people feel some type of way. During the "Unknown Memory" tour, Berlander struggled with substance abuse, including stimulants like cocaine and the anxiety medication Xanax, leading him to return to Sweden to spend time with family.

Outside Sad Boys, Berlander released his debut EP, "Beautiful, Wonderful," in November 2014. He described the EP as a project he had always wanted to make, offering a specific sound and look to his supporters. The EP received positive reviews, with critics noting its dreamy, grandiose sound. In June 2016, after a two-year hiatus, he released "Body Horror," his first original track since rebranding from Yung Gud to Gud, symbolizing his artistic growth.

Berlander collaborated with S-Type of the LuckyMe record label on the track "Fire," released in February 2015 as part of S-Type's EP. He also produced "World On My Shoulders 3.0" for rapper Deniro Farrar, which premiered in April 2015, and contributed additional production to "Strange Love" by singer Halsey on the deluxe edition of her debut album "Badlands." His remixes for artists like Jacques Greene, Kacy Hill, and Tinashe have received positive critical responses from various music publications.

Berlander's musical influences are generally unconventional. He and his sister initially listened to nu-metal bands like Slipknot and Korn when he was eight or nine. He then transitioned to electronic music, producing psychedelic trance from the age of twelve, with ambient music also influencing his work. He started listening to hip hop only a couple of years before 2014. He began making music using a Sony Ericsson application, then moved to GarageBand, Fruity Loops, and now uses Ableton Live. His favorite rappers include Lil Wayne, Young Thug, André 3000, Nas, and Lil Ugly Mane. He hopes to collaborate with artists like Drake, PartyNextDoor, or FKA twigs in the future. While his work is often compared to Clams Casino, Berlander believes this comparison arises from limited references, as listeners may not recognize the broader influences in his music.

His discography includes the album "Foreign Exchange" with Rx Papi, released in 2021. His EPs include "Beautiful, Wonderful" in 2014, "Frutta e Verdura" with Whitearmor in 2020, and "Rooster Debut" as Rooster in 2022. He has also released singles such as "Body Horror" in 2016, "Vive La France / AAA" under the name Aamu Kuu in 2021, and "Ssstupid / The End of the World" as Rooster in 2023.