Blending 1990s eurodance with hip-hop, Basic Element formed in 1992 and released four albums during the 1990s. Having first assembled in Malmö, Sweden, the original group was conceived by rapper/singer Peter Thelenius (Petrus) and keyboardist Cesar Zamini, with vocalist Zetma Prembo and accordionist Branko J. Nus joining for the release of their first single, "Move Me", in 1994. Also featured on their debut 1994 album Basic Injection, the group's second single, "The Promise Man", became a hit in Scandinavia, peaking at Number 3 in Sweden. Prembo was replaced by vocalist Saunet Sparell in 1995 and the band released their second album, The Ultimate Ride, that year. 1996's disco-dusted Star Tracks followed, but Basic Element became impaired by interpersonal conflicts and Zamini and Sparell left the group. Now helmed by the duo of Thelenius and new singer Marie Fredriksson, Basic Element released The Earthquake in 1998, reviving their original Eurodance sound. They went on hiatus the following year but resurfaced in 2006 with a remake of 1995 hit "This Must Be a Dream", and with Mathias Olofson as a new band member. In February 2006, Basic Element unveiled an uncompromising new single called "Raise the Gain", and made a high-octane comeback in 2007 with The Empire Strikes Back. Following the release of that album, Fredriksson left the group Andrea Myrander stepped in as his singing replacement, while rapper Jonas Wesslander also joined. The Truth was released in 2008, followed by a string of singles throughout the 2010s, including "Got U Screaming" (2010) and 2016's "Good To You" featuring Dr. Alban.
