Kato (DJ)

Kato
Kato (left) and Jon Nørgaard in April 2010
Background information
Born
Thomas Kato Vittrup

(1981-09-13) 13 September 1981
Thisted, Denmark
Genres
Occupations
Years active2005–present

Thomas Kato Vittrup, better known as Kato (born 13 September 1981), is a Danish DJ and record producer mostly in the house genre.[1]

Musical career

Kato started DJing at nightclubs in 2005 remixing for other artists and independently since 2008, a time he also started writing and producing his own music. His breakthrough came with the commercial success of the single "Turn the Lights Off", released on 1 January 2010, receiving platinum status for selling 30,000 copies in early August 2010.[2] The track, is a cover version of an earlier hit by DJ Jose from 2007. The track contains the vocals of Jon (full name Jon Nørgaard), a Danish Popstars contestant.

Kato released his first album, Discolized, on 1 March 2010 on the Danish label Disco:Wax that includes collaborations with Jon (Jon Nørgaard), Outlandish, Dr. Alban, Terri B, U$O and Johnson (Marc Johnson).[3] The album reached number six on the official Danish Albums Chart.

The second single from the album, "Hey Shorty (Yeah Yeah Pt. II)", featuring rappers U$O and Johnson was released on 26 April. It was a big hit for Kato reaching number two on Tracklisten, the official Danish Singles Chart. It sold over 30,000 copies. The album's third single, "Desert Walk", a collaboration with rap group Outlandish sold 15,000 copies making it to number four in Denmark.[4]

On 15 July 2010 it was announced that Kato had signed a contract with Universal Music in Germany including possible release of singles and albums in Germany and promotional appearances on German TV.

On 27 December Kato released the single "Sjus" featuring Ida Corr, Camille Jones and Johnson. It is a precursor to Kato's second album Discolized 2.0 due to be released in Spring 2011.[5]

Kato won in 2007 and 2009 award for "Best Danish mainstream DJ" at the Danish DeeJay Awards.

In 2017, he released the song "Show You Love" with Sigala and Hailee Steinfeld.[6][7]

In 2025, "Turn the Lights Off" found viral success after being featured in a meme with actor Jon Hamm in a club dancing scene from the American TV show Your Friends and Neighbours,[8][9] with the song reaching number one on Spotify's Viral 50 - Global.[10]

Discography

Albums

Album Year Peak chart position Certifications
DAN
[11]
Discolized 2010 6
Discolized 2.0 2011 1
  • IFPI DEN: Platinum[13]
Behind Closed Doors 2013 4
Now 2015 5

Singles

As lead artist

Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
DEN
[11] 		NOR
[14] 		RUS
[15] 		SWE
[16] 		UK
[17][18] 		US
[19]
"Hang On Sloopy" 2001 — — — — — — Non-album singles
"My House" 2007 — — — — — —
"Are You Gonna Go My Way" 2008 — — — — — —
"Copa Cabana (Whine Your Body)"
(with Darwich featuring Mission) 		— — — — — —
"Yeah Yeah" 2009 — — — — — —
"Soundscape"
(featuring Michael Rune) 		— — — — — —
"Turn the Lights Off"
(featuring Jon) 		2010 4 19 7 6 33 82 Discolized
"Hey Shorty (Yeah Yeah Pt. II)"
(featuring U$O and Johnson) 		2 — — — — —
  • IFPI DEN: 2× Platinum[23]
"Desert Walk"
(featuring Outlandish) 		4 — — — — —
  • IFPI DEN: Platinum[24]
"Sjus"
(featuring Ida Corr, Camille Jones and Johnson) 		1 2 — — — —
  • IFPI DEN: Platinum[25]
 Discolized 2.0
"Speakers On"
(with Infernal) 		2011 2 5 — — — —
"Fuck hvor er det fedt (at være hip hop'er)"
(featuring Clemens) 		3 — — — — —
  • IFPI DEN: Platinum[27]
"Never Let U Go"
(featuring Snoop Dogg and Brandon Beal) 		2012 2 — — — — —
  • IFPI DEN: 2× Platinum[28]
 Behind Closed Doors
"Celebrate Life"
(featuring Jeremy Carr) 		— — — — — — Discolized 2.0
"Alive"
(Kato and Electric Lady Lab) 		4 — — — — —
  • IFPI DEN: Platinum[29]
 Behind Closed Doors
"Danmark"
(featuring Kidd) 		2013 — — — — — — Non-album singles
"I'm in Love"
(featuring Shontelle) 		— — — — — —
"Dimitto (Let Go)"
(Kato and Safri Duo featuring Bjørnskov) 		1 2 — — — —
  • IFPI DEN: Platinum[32]
"Ejer det"
(Kato featuring Specktors and Djämes Braun) 		4 — — — — —
  • IFPI DEN: Platinum[33]
"Dumt på dig"
(featuring TopGunn) 		2014 4 — — — — —
  • IFPI DEN: 2× Platinum[34]
"Show You Love"
(with Sigala featuring Hailee Steinfeld)[35] 		2017 — — — — 91 —
"Odyssey"
(with Spyker and Tobisk) 		2022 — — — — — —
Title Year Peak
position 		Certifications
DEN
[11]
"Klapper af den"
(U$O featuring Kato) 		2012 3
  • IFPI DEN: 2× Platinum[38]

As Vittrup

Title Year Peak
position
DEN
[11]
"Live Forever"
(Vittrup and Jeremy Carr) 		2012 —
"Without You"
(Vittrup) 		2014 12

Cultural influence

Kato was the main inspiration for the POPDRENGENE hit "Bawler Ligesom Kato", and has been reported as being the inventor of the dab.[39]

References

  1. ^ Annemarie, Cutruzzola (14 April 2017). "Interview with Kato". CelebMix. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
    - "New Years Eve Party on the Water". Broadsheet. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  2. ^ Copsey, Rob (23 February 2017). "Premiere: Kato, Sigala & Hailee Steinfeld's new single Show You Love". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  3. ^ "Kato and Sigala Unveil Official Video For 'Show You Love' ft. Hailee Steinfeld". Broadway World. 7 April 2017. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  4. ^ "Desert Walk chart". Chartsurfer. May 9, 2023.
  5. ^ "Kato and Sigala present the music video for 'Show You Love'". Radio and Music. 8 April 2017. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  6. ^ Murray, Gordon (20 April 2017). "Billboard Dance Chart Upstarts: Kato & Sigala, Scotty Boy & Lizzie Curious and Arca". Billboard. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  7. ^ ""Show You Love": Kato und Sigala begeistern mit ihrer gemeinsamen Single". Songtexte.com (in German). Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  8. ^ Gray, Melina (8 December 2025). "Why TikTok Can't Stop Using This Jon Hamm Club Clip". Parade. Retrieved 12 December 2025.
  9. ^ Luxford, Victoria (9 December 2025). "This Jon Hamm dancing clip has taken over TikTok". NME. Retrieved 12 December 2025.
  10. ^ Kirkebæk-Johansson, Laura (12 December 2025). "Kato er snotforvirret: 'Alt det, jeg har drømt om hele mit liv, sker lige nu'" [Kato is completely confused: 'Everything I've dreamed of my whole life is happening right now']. DR (in Danish). Retrieved 12 December 2025.
  11. ^ a b c d "danishcharts.dk - Discography Kato". danishcharts.dk. Retrieved 3 July 2010.
  12. ^ "Danish album certifications – Kato – Discolized". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved 15 March 2026.
  13. ^ "Danish album certifications – Kato – Discolized 2.0". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved 15 March 2026.
  14. ^ "norwegiancharts.com". norwegiancharts.com. Retrieved 30 March 2012.
  15. ^ "Basic parameters of track's rotation on radio stations, working in TOPHIT.RU system". Tophit.ru. Archived from the original on July 24, 2011. Retrieved 30 March 2012.
  16. ^ "swedishcharts.com - Discography Kato". swedishcharts.com. Retrieved 30 March 2012.
  17. ^ "Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". officialcharts.com. Retrieved 8 March 2017.
  18. ^ "Kato songs and albums | full Official Chart history". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 20 December 2025.
  19. ^ "Billboard Hot 100: Week of December 27, 2025". Billboard. Retrieved 23 December 2025.
  20. ^ "Track 2010 Top-50". Hitlisten. IFPI Danmark & Nielsen Music. Archived from the original on 23 November 2010. Retrieved 28 December 2011.
  21. ^ "Sverigetopplistan – Kato" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 15 March 2026.
  22. ^ "Norwegian certifications – Kato" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway. Retrieved 15 March 2026.
  23. ^ "Danish single certifications – Kato feat. USO & Johnson – Hey Shorty (Yeah Yeah Part II)". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved 15 March 2026.
  24. ^ "Danish single certifications – Kato feat. Outlandish – Desert Walk". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved 15 March 2026.
  25. ^ "Track Top-40". Hitlisten. IFPI Danmark & Nielsen Music. Retrieved 28 December 2011.
  26. ^ "Danish single certifications – Kato & Infernal – Speakers On". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved 15 March 2026.
  27. ^ "Danish single certifications – Kato – Fuck hvor er det fedt (at vaere hip hop'er)". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved 15 March 2026.
  28. ^ "Danish single certifications – Kato feat. Snoop Dogg & Brandon Beal – Never Let U Go". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved 15 March 2026.
  29. ^ "Danish single certifications – Kato & Electric Lady Lab – Alive". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved 15 March 2026.
  30. ^ "Danish single certifications – Kato feat. Kidd – Danmark". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved 15 March 2026.
  31. ^ "Danish single certifications – Kato feat. Shontelle – I'm in Love". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved 15 March 2026.
  32. ^ "Danish single certifications – Kato & Safri Duo feat. Bjørnskov – Dimitto (Let Go)". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved 15 March 2026.
  33. ^ "Danish single certifications – Kato feat. Specktors & Djämes Braun – Ejer det". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved 15 March 2026.
  34. ^ "Danish single certifications – Kato feat. Topgunn – Dumt på dig". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved 15 March 2026.
  35. ^ "Show You Love (Feat. Hailee Steinfeld) - Single by KATO & Sigala". iTunes. 24 February 2017.
  36. ^ "Danish single certifications – Kato, Sigala feat. Hailee Steinfeld – Show You Love". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved 15 March 2026.
  37. ^ "British certifications – Kato". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 15 March 2026. Type Kato in the "Search:" field.
  38. ^ "Danish single certifications – USO ft. Kato – Klapper af den". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved 15 March 2026.
  39. ^ Bawler Ligesom Kato, 23 September 2019, retrieved 2020-11-13
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