About
Biography
Omar Naber is a Slovenian singer and songwriter. He was born on 7 July 1981 in Ljubljana, Slovenia, to a Jordanian father and a Slovenian mother. Omar is best known for representing Slovenia twice at the Eurovision Song Contest (in 2005 and 2017). He writes and composes his own songs, and he plays instruments like the guitar, bass, and piano.
Early Life and Musical Start
Omar showed interest in music from a young age. He sang in school and youth choirs in Ljubljana as a student. By the age of 16 he was writing his own songs and performing locally. He studied dental technology, but chose a music career instead. In 1999, he formed a rock band and performed in many concerts around Slovenia.
Eurovision Debut and Breakthrough
In late 2004, Omar won a national talent show called Bitka talentov (“Battle of the Talents”). This victory earned him a spot in EMA 2005, Slovenia’s selection for Eurovision. He won EMA 2005 and went on to represent Slovenia at Eurovision 2005 in Kyiv with his self-written song “Stop”. However, he did not qualify for the final. That same year, he released his debut album Omar in Slovenia. The album produced several hit singles and included the best-selling song of the year in Slovenia. In 2005, Omar became one of the most-played artists on Slovenian radio. His early success established him as a rising star in his country.
Further Career and Eurovision Return
Omar continued to build his music career after his first Eurovision appearance. He released a second album called Kareem in 2007. He remained a regular live performer and appeared on various TV and radio programs. He also performed in many other European countries during his career. Omar kept trying for Eurovision again. He entered Slovenia’s EMA competition three more times (in 2009, 2011, and 2014), each time reaching the top three. He even tried to represent Switzerland in 2016, but did not succeed. In 2014, he released his third studio album, Na glavo, along with an English-language version titled No Helmet.
In 2017, Omar’s persistence paid off. He won EMA 2017 with the song “On My Way” and earned another chance to go to Eurovision. He represented Slovenia again at the Eurovision Song Contest 2017 in Kyiv, but unfortunately he did not reach the final that year.
Recent Years
In the years after 2017, Omar Naber has continued to make new music and perform live. In 2018, he released a single titled “I Still Believe in You”. Two years later, his song “Fight for Victory” was featured on the soundtrack of an independent film. In 2022, Omar released another pop-rock single called “Ogenj!” (meaning “Fire!”). He remains an active figure in the Slovenian music scene, playing concerts and engaging with fans. With his distinctive voice and passion for music, Omar Naber continues to delight audiences in Slovenia and beyond.
