Crazy Frog Biography

Crazy Frog (originally named "The annoying thing" but renamed by Jamba mobile) is a character used in the marketing of a ring tone based on 'The Annoying Thing', a computer animation created by Erik Wernquist. Marketed by the ringtone provider Jamba! (known as Jamster! in some markets, such as the U.S.), the animation was originally created to accompany a sound effect produced by Daniel Malmedahl while attempting to imitate the sound of a two-stroke moped engine. The Crazy Frog spawned a worldwide hit single with a remix of "Axel F", which reached the number one spot in the UK, Australia and most of Europe, although relatively unknown (aside from a few internet pop-up ads, and several commericals) in the United States. The album Crazy Frog Presents Crazy Hits and second single "Popcorn" continue to enjoy worldwide chart success. The Crazy Frog has also spawned a range of merchandise and toys which were very popular for Christmas 2005. Negotiations are also underway for a TV series based on the character.

The success of this album along with the "Axel F" single has irritated and baffled many critics and musicians. This is mostly due to the Frog's constant chart domination despite the hatred of so many, and the frustration of legitimate musicians selling well below him. Crazy Hits continues to succeed regardless.

A recent dual-poll asked "Do you like the Crazy Frog?". 87% said no. However, the second half of the poll asked "Have you ever bought any Crazy Frog merchendise?" in which 74% answered yes.
Crazy Frog's History
In 1997, 16-year-old Swede Daniel Malmedahl recorded himself impersonating the sounds produced by internal combustion engines. He posted this on a website and caught the attention of a Swedish television researcher, who convinced Daniel to perform the sound live on air. After Daniel's television debut, recordings of his performance began appearing on peer to peer file sharing networks and various websites under the filename "2TAKTARE.MP3" ("Tvеtaktare" is Swedish for "Two stroker").

The sound effect was quickly included in other Flash animations that spread virally among Internet users becoming an Internet meme. The most notable example was the Insanity Test, which required test subjects to keep a straight face while staring at a still photograph of Rubens Barrichello in a Ferrari Formula 1 car as the sound effect was played.

In late-2000, Malmedahl's fellow Swede Erik Wernquist encountered the sound effect and was inspired to create the 3D animation "The Annoying Thing" to accompany it. Erik used the LightWave 3D modelling application to produce the animation and posted it on his website. The animation was a popular attraction at Erik's website, but the sound was credited to "Anonymous". Eventually, word reached Daniel that his impressions had been used in a now well-known animation. He contacted Erik, apparently giving an impromptu performance to confirm his claims. Erik was convinced, and gave due credit to Daniel for his creation. It was broadcast for the first time on two Belgian commercials for Ringtone Europe and Jamster Belgiл (now both merged into Jamba!) in mid-2001.