Encyclopedia

Nigar Jamal

About Quick Facts NameNigar Aydın qızı Camal Born07 September 1980 Nationality🇦🇿 Azerbaijani National SelectionMilli Seçim Turu 2011 In Eurovision2011 Düsseldorf SongRunning Scared (with Ell, 2011) Biography Nigar “Nikki” Aydin qizi Jamal, born Nigar Mutallibzadeh on September 7, 1980, in Baku, is a celebrated Azerbaijani singer. Before embarking on her singing career, Jamal spent five years as a housewife. She attended Khazar University from 1997, studying economics and management for three years. Her journey in the Azerbaijani music scene began in December 2010 with her participation in Milli Seçim Turu 2011, the national selection for Eurovision. Jamal’s initial performance in Heat 7 led to a joint first-place finish and advancement to the semi-finals. Ultimately, she and Eldar Gasimov triumphed in the final on February 11, 2011, earning the privilege to represent Azerbaijan at the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 in Düsseldorf, Germany. Performing as Ell & Nikki, their song “Running Scared,” penned by international songwriters, secured victory with 221 points. Following their Eurovision win, Jamal and Gasimov toured various countries to perform their winning song. Azerbaijan honored their achievement by issuing 15,000 commemorative postage stamps. In September 2011, Jamal made a guest appearance in the Turkish comedy series Yahşi Cazibe. In 2012, Jamal was selected as one of the five Azerbaijani jury members for Denmark’s Eurovision contestant selection. On December 1, 2011, she debuted her post-Eurovision solo track “Crush on You,” along with its music video. Subsequent releases included collaborations with Miri Yusif on “Qal” (“Stay”) and Eurovision 2008 winner Dima Bilan on “Come Into My World.” August 11, 2012, marked the release of her debut album “Play With Me,” featuring work with Danish songwriter Boe Larsen. In early 2014, Jamal served as a judge on the Turkish edition of X Factor, where she played a pivotal role in producing the show’s winner. In 2015, she reached the no. 1 spot in the Turkish charts with the song “Broken dreams”. She teamed up with Berksan for the song “Herhalde”. A year later, she released the single “Çağıran da ürəkdi” and in 2017 she came up with “Sus”. In 2023, she recorded several songs with Ell. Entries Running Scared (Ell & Nikki) Country🇦🇿 Azerbaijan Year2011 LanguageEnglish LyricsSandra BjurmanStefan Örn MusicSandra BjurmanStefan ÖrnIain James Farquharson BackingsLisa StadellVera PradaJessica MarbergerÅsa Engman Results Semi Points: 122Position: 2Running order: 18 Results Finals Points: 221Position: 1Running order: 19 https://youtu.be/_0tlQUW5X0U?si=zWTMOFFGj20ZpRnk

Eldar Gasimov

About Quick Facts NameEldar Pərviz oğlu Qasımov Born04 June 1989 Nationality🇦🇿 Azerbaijani National SelectionMilli Seçim Turu 2011 In Eurovision2011 Düsseldorf SongRunning Scared (2011, & Nikki) Biography Eldar “Ell” Parviz oglu Gasimov, born on June 4, 1989, is a renowned Azerbaijani singer. Eldar Gasimov hails from a distinguished artistic lineage, being the great-grandson of celebrated Azerbaijani actors Abbas Mirza Sharifzadeh and Marziyya Davudova, and grandson of actress Firangiz Sharifova. His musical journey began in early childhood, leading to numerous performances across Azerbaijan and Russia. Between 2001 and 2005, he honed his skills in music and piano. Gasimov is an alumnus of Baku Slavic University, where he double-majored in international relations and regional geography. He pursued postgraduate studies in international relations at the same institution since 2010. Fluent in Russian and German, he also possesses proficiency in English. Gasimov’s Eurovision journey commenced with the Azerbaijani national selection, Milli Seçim Turu 2011. His initial performance in Heat 6 earned him second place, leading to the semi-finals and eventually the final on February 11, 2011. Teaming up with Nigar Jamal as Ell & Nikki, they represented Azerbaijan at the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 in Düsseldorf, Germany. Their song “Running Scared,” composed by international artists, clinched victory with 221 points. Post-Eurovision, Gasimov, alongside Jamal, toured various countries to perform their winning song. Azerbaijan commemorated their victory with 15,000 postage stamps featuring the duo. In 2012, Gasimov was a jury member for Denmark’s selection of its Eurovision contestant. His first single post-Eurovision, “Birlikda nahayat” (“At last together”), was released in January 2012. Gasimov also co-hosted the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 in Baku. July 17, 2012, marked the release of his acoustic single “I’m Free,” with its official video following in September. The track, a collaboration with Azerbaijani DJ/producer ALIGEE, was produced by Farid Mammadov and Ali Abasbeili. In the academic sphere, Gasimov joined Baku Slavic University as a lecturer in international relations in October 2012. Eldar released a lot of singles, in English, Azerbaijani and Russian. He teamed up with Nikki again in 2013 for the single “Music’s Still Alive”. In 2014 he recorded “Ice On Fire”, a duet with Zlata Ognevich. In 2015 he teamed up with Rustam for the song “Gülümse”. In 2019, Eldar expressed support for the LGBT community through a post on his personal Instagram account. In 2020, he and VoColor released the song “Until The end”. From 2021 to 2022, Gasimov was a coach on The Voice of Azerbaijan‘s second season. His protégé, Nadir Rustamli, won and represented Azerbaijan in the Eurovision Song Contest 2022, achieving 16th place. In 2023, he released a new single and video, “Break Free”, and recorded several songs with Nikki. Entries Running Scared (Ell & Nikki) Country🇦🇿 Azerbaijan Year2011 LanguageEnglish LyricsSandra BjurmanStefan Örn MusicSandra BjurmanStefan ÖrnIain James Farquharson BackingsLisa StadellVera PradaJessica MarbergerÅsa Engman Results Semi Points: 122Position: 2Running order: 18 Results Finals Points: 221Position: 1Running order: 19 https://youtu.be/_0tlQUW5X0U?si=7_mUm-omYWujabhE

Besa

© EBU/Alma Bengtsson About Quick Facts NameBesa Kokëdhima Born29 May 1987 Nationality🇦🇱 Albanian National SelectionFestivali i Këngës 2024Festivali i Këngës 2011Selecţia Naţională 2009Festivali i Këngës 2009 In Eurovision2024 Malmö SongTitan (2024) Biography Besa Kokëdhima is an Albanian singer. She was born 29 May 1986 and known simply as Besa, is a renowned Albanian vocalist. Born into an Albanian family in Fier, Albania, Besa moved to the United Kingdom at 15 for her education. Her musical journey began in 2003 with her debut track “Më Beso,” a collaboration with Florian Mumajesi and Albanian group Produkt 28, earning her the Mikrofoni I Artë award. In 2006, she released her self-titled debut album, a result of collaborations with notable figures in the Albanian music industry. Besa’s musical career includes victories and notable participations in various contests. She won the R&B category at “Notafest” for her single “Lëshoje Hapin.” In december 2008, she participated in Festivali i Këngës. She reached the semi-finals of Romania’s Selecţia Naţională for the Eurovision Song Contest with “Nothin’ Gonna Change.” She was honored as the Best Female Singer at Top Fest 2010 with her single “Kalorësi i Natës.” In December 2010 she participated again in Festivali i Këngës. Besa has released several successful singles, including “Fishekzjarre,” “Burning,” and “Zemrën Dot Nuk ta Lexoj.” In addition to her music, Besa has served as a judge on The Voice of Albania and released two acclaimed albums, “Besa për Festat” and “Ti Je Festa Ime,” featuring collaborations with the National Orchestra. Her French ballad “En Equilibre” marked her entry into the French music scene in 2022. Her selection for Festivali i Këngës 62 with “Zemrën n’dorë” and her subsequent televoting victory to represent Albania in Eurovision 2024 are recent highlights of her career. For the Eurovision Song Contest, Besa changed the song into English language, now entitled “Titan”. Unfortunately, Besa did not manage to make it to the final. Entries Titan Country🇦🇱 Albania Year2024 LanguageEnglish LyricsGia Koka MusicBesa KokëdhimaKledi BahitiFabrice ‘Alias LJ.’ Grandjean BackingsKevonSofia Mountassir DancersRiina HarjuSofia RuijaYasmin Janatuinen Results Semi Points: 14Position: 15Running order: 2 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/aQG22XJIdWw?si=wxdieI4JethPQPMZ

Olly Alexander

©EBU/Corinne Cumming About Quick Facts NameOliver Alexander Thornton Born15 July 1990 Nationality🇬🇧 British National SelectionInternal selection 2024 In Eurovision2024 Malmö SongDizzy (2024) Biography Olly Alexander, born Oliver Alexander Thornton on July 15, 1990, in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, England, is a multifaceted artist known for his work as a musician, singer-songwriter, actor, and LGBTQ advocate. His journey in the entertainment industry is marked by notable achievements in both music and acting. Alexander is best known as the lead vocalist of the synth-pop band Years & Years, which he joined in 2010. His entry into the band was somewhat serendipitous; he was overheard singing in the shower by band member Mikey Goldsworthy, who was impressed by his voice. Years & Years achieved significant success with their music, which is a blend of electropop, R&B, and 1990s house elements. Their debut single “I Wish I Knew” was released in 2012, and they gained further attention with the release of their second single “Traps” in 2013. The band’s most successful single, “King,” topped the UK Single Chart in March 2015, and their debut album, “Communion,” released in July 2015, entered the UK Albums Chart at number one. Their second studio album, “Palo Santo,” was released in 2018. In March 2021, Years & Years became the solo project of Olly Alexander. Alexander’s acting career is equally impressive. He made his acting debut in the 2008 film “Summerhill” and appeared in the British-French-Australian biographical fiction romantic drama “Bright Star” in 2009. He has worked in various films, television series, and theatre plays, including notable roles in “The Dish & the Spoon” (2010), “Peter and Alice” (2013), and the musical drama “God Help the Girl” (2014). In 2021, Alexander starred in the critically acclaimed Channel 4 and HBO Max drama “It’s a Sin,” which depicts gay life in the 1980s and early 1990s during the onset of HIV/AIDS. His performance in the show was highly praised and sparked discussions about a potential BAFTA nomination. Alexander is an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ rights, safer sex, and HIV screening. He has been open about his struggles with mental health issues, including depression and anxiety, which he has experienced since the age of 13. Alexander came out to his mother at the age of 20 and has been vocal about his experiences as a gay man in the entertainment industry. He was involved in a high-profile relationship with Neil Amin-Smith, a violinist from Clean Bandit, though they separated in 2015. In November 2020, he won the LGBT Celebrity of the Year award at the British LGBT Awards. He has also been recognized by Queerty, being named among the 50 heroes “leading the nation toward equality, acceptance, and dignity for all people” in June 2020. In late 2023, it was announced that Olly Alexander was going to represent the United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest. On the 1st of March, 2024, his song “Dizzy” was presented. He reached an 18th place in the Grand Final of the contest. Entries Dizzy Country🇬🇧 Country Year2024 LanguageEnglish LyricsOlly AlexanderDaniel Harle MusicOlly AlexanderDaniel Harle BackingsAlex BrownEdd ArnoldHarrison ClaxtonRaymond Wade Results Semi Points: –Position: –Running order: – Results Finals Points: 46Position: 18Running order: 13 https://youtu.be/q0_FdJqyQW0?si=UVo-NEuDqGSpOZud

Stereo Mike

About Quick Facts NameMihalis Exarchos Born04 July 1978 Nationality🇬🇷 Greek🇬🇧 British National SelectionEllinikós Telikós 2011 In Eurovision2011 Düsseldorf SongWatch My Dance (& Loucas Yiorkas, 2011) Biography Mihalis Exarchos, widely known by his stage name Stereo Mike, was born in 1978 in Piraeus, Greece. His heritage is a blend of Greek from his father’s side and Croatian from his mother, who hails from Rijeka. At 18, Exarchos ventured to the UK to pursue higher education in music, attending Leeds Metropolitan and the University of Westminster. There, he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Music Technology and a Master’s degree in Sound Production. During his academic years, Exarchos honed his skills as a sound producer at Vault Recording Studios in Hackney, London. His work there involved collaborations with notable British hip hop artists such as Klashnekoff, Bury Crew, Skinnyman, Taskforce, Iceberg Slimm, Mike GLC, and JMC. His career took a significant turn when he joined AMG Records, leading to his first recording contract under the name ‘Stereo Mike’ with Mo’ Money Recording$. His debut album, “Satirical Nomads,” released by Mo’ Money Recording$ and licensed to Universal Music Greece, featured impactful singles like the anti-racism anthem “O Allos Babis” and the remix “I Polis.” Apart from his recording career, he also took up a post-graduate lecturing position at the University of Westminster in London, sharing his expertise in music production. Stereo Mike’s impact in the music scene was further recognized when he was nominated for the Mad Video Music Awards in 2005 and 2008, in categories including “Best Hip-Hop Video Clip” and “Video Clip of the Year.” His second album, titled “XLI3H” (leet speak for the Greek word “Εξέλιξη,” meaning “evolution”), marked another milestone in his career and was signed with Minos EMI. Concurrently, he engaged in research work towards a PhD in music. A significant highlight in Stereo Mike’s career was becoming the first MTV EMA Award winner in the “Best Greek Act” category following MTV’s regional launch in Greece in 2008. His recognition expanded to a nomination for Europe’s Favourite Act in the same year. In 2011, Stereo Mike teamed up with Loucas Yiorkas to represent Greece in the Eurovision Song Contest in Germany. Their performance of “Watch My Dance” earned them a respectable seventh place, scoring 120 points and further cementing Stereo Mike’s status as a prominent figure in the Greek hip-hop scene. Right after the Eurovision Song Contest, the single “Apla zoi” was released, followed by “Boro”, a single chosen by fans via Facebook. As a part of the project Schizm he released the single “Akoma” with Constantine. In 2012 Stereo Mike released a new single, “Opou me pai mousiki”. He collaborated with Despina Olympiou in the song “To neo tragoudi tis”. In October 2012 he signed with Imiz Biz Entertainment. In March 2013 Stereo Mike got the opportunity to perform at the festival SXSW in Austin, Texas. There was a documentary made about this journey. In November of the same year he teamed up with Mindtrap and Irène for the track “Tonight and Forever”. In 2014 he featured in D-Light’s “Anthrope xypna”. He produced the song “Dream Big” for Hellena, which became an international hit. He was also member of her band. He also released a solo single, “Akoma edo”. In 2015 the contract Stereo Mike had with EMI ended. However, Mike kept on performing and recording. He did his producing work in his home studio. In 2016 he started the Hip Hop Time Machine; a doctorate research – passion music project of Stereo Mike. His aim? To apply vintage production techniques to contemporary Hip-Hop in pursuit of ‘sample-based’ impact and authenticity: producing multiple records within a record. In the same year, Mike also performed with the band LaKlikaria and their song “GoogleDatShit”. In 2019, Stereo Mike went on tour with Asympt Man, as a bass player now. They performed in the USA. In December of that year, he contributed to the Innovation in Music conference in London. In 2020 he made a Cambridge Scholar Publishing: Interpreting the Synthesizer – Meaning Through Sonics. Mike contributed to the (digital) book Analyzing Recorded Music – Collected Perspectives On Popular Music Tracks and released his own book Reimagining Sample-based Hip Hop in July 2023. It came along with the dual album “KATALH3H (Beats Deluxe)”. Entries Watch My Dance (& Loucas Yiorkas) Country🇬🇷 Greece Year2011 LanguageEnglishGreek LyricsEleana Vrachali MusicGiannis Christodoulopoulos DancersPavlos ManogiannakisManos DavariasGiannis SaikinMichalis Spiridis Results Semi Points: 133Position: 1Running order: 19 Results Finals Points: 120Position: 7Running order: 9 https://youtu.be/qVdMs2-dwGE?si=WsCasxfLtbBQ4cFj

Loucas Yiorkas

About Quick Facts NameLoucas Yiorkas Born18 October 1986 Nationality🇨🇾 Cypriot National SelectionEllinikós Telikós 2011 In Eurovision2011 Düsseldorf SongWatch My Dance (& Stereo Mike, 2011) Biography Born on October 18, 1986, in Aradippou, Cyprus, Loukas Yiorkas began his journey in a small town, fostering a passion for music that would soon define his career. Balancing his artistic pursuits, Yiorkas also delved into academic studies, choosing to study Biology at the University of Patras, demonstrating his multifaceted talents. Yiorkas’ ascent to fame began with his participation in the Greek version of “The X Factor”. It led him to victory in the first season of the show in 2009. This win was not just a milestone in his career but also a stepping stone towards greater musical endeavors. Following his success on “The X Factor,” Yiorkas quickly capitalized on his newfound fame. In September 2009, he released his first EP titled “Mazi,” which was warmly received and attained gold certification. Yiorkas’ discography showcases his evolving musical style, marked by a blend of contemporary and traditional Greek elements. His notable singles include “Tha Peso, Tha Sikotho” (2010), the Eurovision entry “Watch My Dance” featuring Stereo Mike (2011), and a series of hits like “Gia Proti Fora” (2011), “Ematha” (2012), and “Eklapsa” (2013). Each year brought new singles, expanding his musical repertoire and reinforcing his position in the Greek music scene. His recent works include “Mona Liza” and “Pame Ap’ Tin Arxi” (2020), “Mou Eleipses Poly” and “Gia Tin Ellada” (2021), and “An M’ Agapas” (2022). A highlight of Yiorkas’ career was representing Greece in the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 in Germany. Teaming up with Stereo Mike, they performed “Watch My Dance,” securing a commendable seventh place with 120 points. Entries Watch My Dance (featuring Stereo Mike) Country🇬🇷 Greece Year2011 LanguageEnglishGreek LyricsEleana Vrachali MusicGiannis Christodoulopoulos DancersPavlos ManogiannakisManos DavariasGiannis SaikinMichalis Spiridis Results Semi Points: 133Position: 1 Running order: 19 Results Finals Points: 120Position: 7Running order: 9 https://youtu.be/qVdMs2-dwGE?si=HWoglNlZBholMeao

Aiko

© EBU/Corinne Cumming About Quick Facts NameAlena Shirmanova-Kostebelova Born26 December 1999 Nationality🇨🇿 Czech National SelectionESCZ 2024 In Eurovision2024 Malmö SongPedestal (2024) Biography Alena Shirmanova, known by her stage name Aiko, is a Czech singer-songwriter born on December 26, 1999, in Karlovy Vary. Currently residing in Brighton, England, she is poised to represent the Czech Republic at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024. Alena gained initial fame in the fourth season of the reality talent show “Česko Slovenská SuperStar.” Adopting the stage name Aiko, she released her first album, also named “Aiko,” in 2018. This was followed by “Expiration Date” in 2020, marking her debut single “Hunt.” Aiko’s career includes several notable firsts: she was the first Czech artist to appear on the Times Square screen in New York and the first Czech woman to participate in the Spotify Equal Campaign. Her live performances include Rock for People, ESNS, Metronome Prague, The Great Escape, and Grape festivals. She has also toured as a supporting act for artists like Alice Merton and Tamino. Her music has been featured in popular TV shows like “Teen Mom” and “Love Island.” On October 13, 2023, Aiko released her album “Fortune’s Child.” She was later announced as a contestant in the Czech national final for the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 on November 28, 2023. Competing with the song “Pedestal,” co-written with Steven Ansell, she emerged as the winner of the selection on December 13. With this song, she performed in the 2nd Semifinal on May 11, but unfortunately she didn’t make it to the final. Entries Pedestal Country🇨🇿 Czechia Year2024 LanguageEnglish LyricsAlena Shirmanová MusicSteven Ansell BackingsNikol Držmíšková DancersDaša NemcováEva KučíkovaLucia GomolováLus Juklova Results Semi Points: 38Position: 11Running order: 5 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/RiItbHRF1BY?si=8WHVwTA4D4mnWkKY

Raiven

©EBU/Sarah Louise Bennett About Quick Facts NameSara Briški Cirman Born26 April 1996 Nationality🇸🇮 Slovenian National SelectionInternal selection 2024EMA 2019EMA 2017EMA 2016 In Eurovision2024 Malmö SongVeronika (2024) Biography Sara Briški Cirman, widely recognized by her stage name Raiven, is a renowned Slovenian mezzo-soprano, pop singer, songwriter, and harpist. Born on April 26, 1996, in Brežice, Slovenia, she has made significant strides in her musical career, distinguishing herself in both the classical and pop music arenas. Raiven first gained widespread recognition in Slovenia’s music scene during the national final Evrovizijska Melodija (EMA) in 2016, where she competed to represent Slovenia in the Eurovision Song Contest with her song “Črno bel.” She achieved second place in this highly competitive event. Following this success, Raiven continued to participate in EMA, securing third place in 2017 with “Zažarim” and returning in 2019 with “Kaos,” again placing second. Her talent and persistence paid off in 2024 when she was chosen to represent Slovenia at the Eurovision Song Contest with her song “Veronika.” In 2017, Raiven released “Magenta,” her debut album, to critical acclaim. This release earned her an award from Zlata piščal, a Slovenian cultural and artistic association, in the record of the year category. Later, Raiven expanded her horizons by collaborating with songwriters and producers at London’s Metropolis Studios. This partnership culminated in the release of the EP album “REM,” which garnered both critical and public acclaim. Raiven’s stage presence and performance skills were further highlighted at the Exit Festival in Novi Sad in 2019, where she performed on the Fusion Stage to an audience of over 56,000 people. She also showcased her versatility by performing with several esteemed orchestras, including the RTV Slovenia Symphony Orchestra and the Slovenian Police Orchestra. In 2020, she delivered a memorable performance with the RTV Slovenia Symphony Orchestra at the Ljubljana Slovene National Theatre Opera and Ballet. Her achievements in 2021 were notable, winning the Grand Audience Award at the Popevka 21 festival with her song “Vokovi,” earning the title Popevka 2021. That same year, Raiven completed her master’s degree in opera solo singing at Ljubljana’s Academy of Music. Raiven’s innovative approach to music was evident in her electro-opera concert project in 2022, where she skillfully blended classical opera arias with electronic pop. This project, titled “Doloroso,” was showcased in a sold-out concert at Cankar Centre. In 2023, Raiven hosted the Popevka festival and introduced her new song “Ikona,” signaling the upcoming release of her EP “Sirene,” which includes her Eurovision song “Veronika.” Raiven’s education in music began early, enrolling at the Ljubljana Music Matica at the age of four. She pursued harp lessons at the Music School in Ljubljana and later attended the Maribor Conservatory of Music and Ballet, where she majored in harp, jazz singing, and solo singing. Her talents were recognized early on, winning several awards in classical music competitions. She graduated in solo singing from the Ljubljana Academy of Music in 2015 and completed her master’s degree in 2021. In opera, Raiven dedicated herself to artistic development, performing in various roles, including in the world’s first tamburitza opera “Ambrož and Katarina” and as a scholarship holder of the Berlin Opera Academy. Her performances in significant roles, such as Rosina in Rossini’s “The Barber of Seville” and the title role in Händel’s “Agrippina,” demonstrate her versatility and commitment to the opera genre. Raiven has also made her mark in theater, performing in plays like “Trojanke” and musicals such as “Povodni mož,” showcasing her multifaceted talents. Her dedication to her craft and continuous development as an artist have established her as a significant figure in both the Slovenian and international music scenes. On December 12, 2023, it was announced that she was going to represent Slovenia in the Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Veronika”. The song managed to reach the Grand Final on May 11. Entries Veronika Country🇸🇮 Slovenia Year2024 LanguageSlovenian LyricsSara Briški CirmanBojan CvjetićaninKlavdija Kopina MusicSara Briški CirmanBojan CvjetićaninDanilo KapelKlavdija KopinaMartin BezjakPeter Khoo DancersFilippo Jorio Lukas Bareman Marin Ino Mateja Železnik Matteo Moretto Results Semi Points: 51Position: 9Running order: 9 Results Finals Points: 27Position: 23Running order: 22 https://youtu.be/l86DxpRnz5M?si=fLlVc841n08YIFLg

Joost Klein

© EBU/Corinne Cumming About Quick Facts NameJoost Klein Born10 November 1997 Nationality🇳🇱 Dutch National SelectionInternal selection 2024 In Eurovision2024 Malmö SongEuropapa (2024) Biography Joost Klein, widely known as Joost, was born on November 10, 1997, in Leeuwarden, Netherlands. He’s a renowned Dutch musician, writer, and former YouTuber. His notable works include tracks like “Scandinavian Boy,” “Wachtmuziek,” “Ome Robert,” and “Friesenjung,” and albums such as “M van Marketing,” “Albino,” and “1983.” In 2024, he’s set to represent the Netherlands at the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö. Growing up in Britsum with his parents, Joost attended Stedelijk Gymnasium Leeuwarden. He experienced significant losses early in life, losing his father in his first year of secondary school and his mother shortly thereafter. In 2008, at the age of 10, Joost started a YouTube channel named EenhoornJoost. Joost’s career took off with his single “Bitches,” achieving a million views on YouTube. He briefly joined the label Top Notch in 2017-2018 before deciding to establish his own label. The first album released under his label was “Albino” on January 18, 2019. Before that, on October 20, 2017, he released the mixtape “Scandinavian Boy.” His single “Meeuw” was released on March 21, 2018, with a music video shot in Los Angeles. This was followed by “Ome Robert” on April 26. On August 3, 2018, Joost and Donnie released the album “M van Marketing,” featuring songs like “Stockholm,” “Domme Patta,” “Leipe Dennis,” and “Vogel op de Hek.” Later, on November 2, he released “Chubby,” a track discussing his birthweight, produced by Tantu. In 2018, Joost also penned the poetry collection “Albino,” inspired by his father, who was also a writer. He expressed the significance of holding a tangible creation, contrasting it with the virtual nature of his YouTube and music work. Promoting “Albino,” Joost embarked on the “Het gaat niet zo goed” tour on January 25, 2019, visiting nine theaters including Het Paard, De Oosterpoort, Doornroosje, and Paradiso. He concluded the tour on March 3 at Paradiso. During the following summer, he performed at several festivals like Pukkelpop, Pinkpop, Lowlands, and Zwarte Cross. “1983,” an album named after his brother’s birth year, was released on November 15, 2019. On April 24, 2020, Joost released “Joost Klein 7,” featuring collaborations including Canadian rapper bbno$. In this album, members of Lekker Spelen featured on one of the tracks. “Ik Wil Je,” a remix of De Kreuners’ song, was released on August 7, 2020. In “Florida 2009,” Joost reflects on his parents’ passing. First performed at Pinkpop 2022, he described it as his most personal and honest track. He released his eighth studio album, “Fryslân,” on September 30, 2022, featuring singles like “Wachtmuziek,” “Florida 2009,” and “Papa en Mama,” entirely produced by Teun de Kruif (Tantu Beats). The album includes collaborations with South African rapper Jack Parow, Pestcore Collectief member Gladde Paling, videographer Appie Mussa (Apson), and YouTuber Nathan Vandergunst (Acid), incorporating samples from Doe Maar and Crazy Frog. In 2023, Joost’s first German hit “Friesenjung,” made in collaboration with Berlin rapper Ski Aggu and an adaptation of a song by East Frisian comedian Otto Waalkes (itself an adaptation of Sting’s “Englishman in New York”), topped the German charts. He released more songs in the gabberpop genre and participated in the Flemish TV show “De Slimste Mens ter Wereld,” where he was eliminated after two episodes. On social media, Joost’s presence evolved from making YouTube videos under the name EenhoornJoost, featuring sketches and mini-documentaries, to focusing solely on music videos under the name joost klein. Joost Klein has amassed over 225,000 subscribers on YouTube, with his videos garnering more than 23 million views. However, he doesn’t consider himself a YouTuber anymore, having shifted his focus from creating general content to exclusively music videos. He identifies more as an artist. On Instagram, he has gained a substantial following, with over 385,000 followers, reflecting his growing popularity and influence in the digital realm. Joost was one of 600 candidates aspiring to represent the Netherlands at the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest. Supported by 3FM DJs, he gathered 25,000 signatures displayed on a banner at the entrance of the Media Park in Hilversum, in front of Beeld & Geluid. On December 11, 2023, he was officially chosen as the Dutch singer. On February 29, 2024, he presented his Eurovision song “Europapa”. After reaching the final on the 9th of May, an incident occured between Joost Klein and a lady of the camera crew. Although Joost was not found guilty, EBU thought it was necessary to disqualify him. After Eurovision, Joost’s “Europapa” reached the first place in three countries and became a hit in many European countries. “Europapa” even reached the British charts, as the first Dutch language song ever. Entries Europapa Country🇳🇱 The Netherlands Year2024 LanguageDutch LyricsJoost KleinMaradonnieTim Haars MusicTantu BeatsThijmen MelissantPaul ElstakDylan van Dael BackingsMartijn van Eijzeren (Stuntkabouter)Abdulahi Mussa Ali (Appie Mussa) BackingsIndy van CauwenbergSophia Mason Results Semi Points: 182Position: 2Running order: 16 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: 5 https://youtu.be/IiHFnmI8pxg?si=gm4vd4A6FtPM5Dz-