Afro-dite

Afro-Dite is a Swedish pop and disco trio best known for representing Sweden at the Eurovision Song Contest 2002. Afro-Dite gained national attention by winning Melodifestivalen 2002, Sweden’s annual song competition, which secured their Eurovision spot. The song also became a domestic hit, reaching number one on the Swedish singles chart. The group consists of singers Blossom Tainton, Gladys del Pilar, and Kayo Shekoni. Over the years, their upbeat songs and vibrant performances have made Afro-Dite a well-known name in Swedish pop culture.

Formation and Background

Afro-Dite formed in 2002 as a collaboration between three established performers. Their name is a wordplay blending “Aphrodite” (the Greek goddess of beauty) with “Afro,” highlighting that they are glamorous and proud of their African heritage. Each member brought significant experience to the group. Blossom Tainton had a long showbusiness career, singing in musical theater and hosting television shows. Gladys del Pilar had worked with well-known music producers like Dr. Alban and Denniz Pop and had a breakthrough role in an ABBA stage musical. She was also a Melodifestivalen veteran, having placed second in the 1994 Melodifestivalen. Kayo Shekoni was a multitalented singer and actress who had been part of the 1980s pop group Freestyle and fronted the 1990s Eurodance act Le Click.

Eurovision 2002

Afro-Dite’s big break came at Melodifestivalen 2002, where they performed the upbeat disco track “Never Let It Go.” The song won the Swedish national final, earning Afro-Dite the right to represent Sweden at Eurovision. Notably, “Never Let It Go” was originally offered to the pop group Alcazar, who turned it down. Afro-Dite went on to perform at the Eurovision Song Contest 2002 in Tallinn, Estonia. They finished in 8th place out of 24 participating countries. For Swedish media, the group’s Eurovision appearance also became known for a minor controversy dubbed a “nakenchock” (“naked shock”) when Afro-Dite unveiled bold new stage costumes during rehearsals. This exposure on the international stage made Afro-Dite household names in Sweden.

After Eurovision 2002

Following their Eurovision success, Afro-Dite continued to release music. They returned to Melodifestivalen in 2003 with a Latin-inspired pop song called “Aqua Playa,” which finished seventh in that year’s competition. The group released their debut album Never Let It Go in late 2002 and a handful of singles over the next few years. However, the post-Eurovision records did not match their initial success. “Aqua Playa” was a modest hit that only reached number 30 on Sweden’s singles chart. By 2007, the trio had slowed their activities, but they surprised fans that year by releasing a new album digitally on their website. After this release, the group went on hiatus, with no major public appearances for the next few years.

Reunion and Recent Years

In 2011, Afro-Dite re-emerged for a special project, teaming up with singer Jonas Hedqvist on a dance single called “I Am What I Am” to celebrate Stockholm Pride. The next year, the group attempted another Eurovision bid: they competed in Melodifestivalen 2012 with an upbeat song titled “The Boy Can Dance”. However, this comeback entry did not advance to the finals.Afro-Dite placed fifth in their semi-final and failed to move on in the competition.

By 2015, Afro-Dite underwent a lineup change. Original member Kayo Shekoni left the group, and Swedish pop singer Jessica Folcker, a successful solo artist in the late 1990s, took her place. This new formation continued to perform on occasion at music events.

In 2022, Kayo returned to Afro-Dite, reuniting the original trio. The group marked their 20th anniversary by appearing together at various shows. In February 2023, Afro-Dite performed as a guest act during a Melodifestivalen live show, paying tribute to the classic Swedish duo Svenna & Lotte by singing a cover of “Bang en Boomerang”. This performance demonstrated that Afro-Dite remains active and fondly remembered in Sweden’s music scene. As of 2025, Afro-Dite continues to reunite for special performances and remains a beloved part of Sweden’s Eurovision history.