In 1992, he created a scandal when he received Spellemannprisen (the Norwegian equivalent of the Grammy awards) visibly drunk and/or under the influence of drugs.

All his lyrics, including the much-played and catchy Øl ("Beer"), have a deeper tone describing a harsh lifestyle with drugs, alcohol and general anxiety towards the society and the people close to him.

Nielsen's lyricism is closely related to the American writer Charles Bukowski, in describing societal underdogs, misfits and so-called anti-heroes.

Nielsen's lyrics show strong sympathy for people who are somewhat scarred by life, and in addition, are deeply working class-conscious.

The Norwegian poet Rudolf Nilsen and musician Alf Prøysen are two other influences, in both a literal and a musical sense.