2011

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

Read More »

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

Read More »

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

Read More »

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

Read More »

Musiqq

© Mysuka, Wikimedia Commons About Quick Facts MembersMarats OgļezņevsEmīls Balceris Born2009 Nationality🇱🇻 Latvian National SelectionEirodziesma 2011 In Eurovision2011 Düsseldorf SongAngel In Disguise (2011) Biography Musiqq, a Latvian pop music duo from Liepāja, was formed in 2009 by Marats Ogļezņevs and Emīls Balceris. The formation process began when Marats Ogļezņevs left his previous group “Device” and invited Emīls Balceris to collaborate. They had first met in 2008 while participating in the TV show “Koru kari” (“Choir Wars”), where they both sang in the Liepājas red choir, led by singer Chilli. Following this, after seeing Balceris perform on a youth broadcast, Ogļezņevs reached out with an invitation to meet and work together, leading to their first meeting where they wrote four demo versions of songs. The duo first gained exposure in June 2009 with the release of their single “Klimata kontrole”(“Climate control”). This was followed by their second single “Abrakadabra” on October 1, 2009, which became a radio hit in Latvia and won the “SEB Musical Bank 2009.” Their debut album “Šī ir tikai mūzika”(“This is just music”) was released in March 2010, featuring tracks such as “Abrakadabra”, “Dzimšanas diena” (“Birthday”), and “Klimata kontrole” (“Climate control”). The duo received significant recognition for their contributions to music and their city, being awarded the “Gada Liepājnieks” (“Liepajnieks of the Year”) in the music category and receiving three Copyright infinity prizes for their frequently played songs on radio, television, and concerts. In 2011, Musiqq represented Latvia in the Eurovision Song Contest in Düsseldorf with the song “Angel in Disguise.” Following their participation in Eurovision, they continued their music career and in 2011 also formed a Latvian rap duo named “Bermudu Divstūris,” a play on the Bermuda Triangle, translating to “The Bermuda Digon.” As “Bermudu Divstūris,” they released three studio albums and won The Golden Microphone award in 2014 for “Best hip-hop or dance album.” Musiqq’s second album “Vēl viena mūzika”(“Another music”) was released in November 2014, marking the group’s fifth anniversary. This album featured several popular singles including “Sekundes”(“Seconds”) and “Cтрана без называния”(“Country without name”). Their largest live performance to date was their fifth birthday concert in Palladium in Riga on November 16, 2014, where they showcased this album. In 2015, Musiqq released their first acoustic album “Silta sirds”(“Warm heart”) in collaboration with various artists, marking a new phase in their musical journey. The album led to their first acoustic concert tour “Silta sirds,” visiting five cities in Latvia. Their album “10,” celebrating their 10th anniversary, was released in 2019. This album included 10 tracks and was commemorated with a grandiose concert in “Arena Riga” on April 27, 2019, showcasing the duo’s continued success and popularity over a decade. Hitsingles of this album were “Miljonārs” and “Bozies”. A new single, “Garīgais arī”, was released in August 2020 and “Mēs viena koka zari” in November of the same year. A year later, they came up with the song “Varu bez tevis”. After COVID19, they were able to perform on festivals again in the summer of 2022. In October of that year, Musiqq started a tour, “Bijis, ir un būs”, followed by a series of concerts with the same name. In December, they released a new single, “Ar tevi kopā”. The mini album, “Bijis, ir un būs”, was released on all streaming platforms only in January 2023. In January 2024, Musiqq released their new single “Mākslas darbs”. Entries Angel In Disguise Country🇱🇻 Latvia Year2011 LanguageEnglish LyricsMarats Ogļezņevs MusicMarats Ogļezņevs BackingsRuta DudumaLība Ēce-KalniņaKristaps ŠēnbergsGatis Supe Results Semi Points: 25Position: 17Running order: 17 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/W083yQOluq4?si=9y_ekGDChNXiJrX_

Read More »

Dana International

About Quick Facts NameSharon Cohen Born02 February 1969 Nationality🇮🇱 Israeli National SelectionKdam Eurovision 2011Internal selection 1998Kdam Eurovision 1995 In Eurovision2011 Düsseldorf1998 Birmingham SongDing Dong (2011)Diva (1998) Biography Sharon Cohen, known professionally as Dana International, was born on February 2, 1969, in Tel Aviv, Israel. Emerging from a Yemenite-Jewish family, she is the youngest of three siblings. Dana International, who was assigned male at birth, identified as female from an early age, aspiring to be a singer after being inspired by Ofra Haza’s performance in the 1983 Eurovision Song Contest. Despite the family’s financial constraints, her mother supported her musical ambitions, and Dana came out as transgender at the age of 13. Before her transition, Cohen performed as a drag queen, imitating female singers. Her career took a significant turn when Israeli DJ Offer Nissim discovered her, producing her debut single “Saida Sultana,” a satirical take on Whitney Houston’s “My Name Is Not Susan.” This exposure was pivotal in launching her professional music career. In 1993, after undergoing male-to-female sex reassignment surgery and legally changing her name to Sharon Cohen, she released her debut album “Danna International,” which achieved gold record status in Israel. Dana’s career saw a swift rise with the release of her albums “Umpatampa” (1994) and “Maganuna” (1996), which solidified her commercial success. She participated in Kdam Eurovision 1995 with the song “Layla Tov Europa”. Her breakthrough came in 1998 when she represented Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest with “Diva,” securing first place and catapulting her to international fame. Despite facing opposition from conservative factions within Israel, her victory was celebrated across Europe, and she became a symbol of reconciliation and acceptance. Following her Eurovision win, Dana released several successful albums, including “Free” (1999), “Yoter VeYoter” (2001), “HaHalom HaEfshari” (2002), and “Hakol Ze Letova” (2007). In 2011, she returned to Eurovision with “Ding Dong,” although she did not advance to the final. That same year, she joined the judging panel of the Israeli television music talent contest “Kokhav Nolad.” Throughout her career, Dana International has been a trailblazer and a significant figure in the LGBTQ+ community. Her music and public presence have contributed to the broader conversation around gender identity and acceptance. Despite the challenges she faced, including a brief setback with Sony BMG and a period of reduced public visibility, she remained an influential voice in music and LGBTQ+ rights. In recent years, Dana continued to release new music, including singles “Ma La’asot” (2013), “Loca” (2013), and “Ir Shlema” (2013). She also ventured into television, searching for Israel’s next girl group on “Yeshnan Banot,” and participated in various pride events, reinforcing her message of love and tolerance. In 2018, she celebrated the 20th anniversary of her Eurovision win with a new version of “Diva” and performed at significant events, including the 2018 Israeli LGBT’s strike and the Jerusalem Pride and Tolerance Parade. Dana International’s legacy extends beyond her music; she is a cultural icon who embodies the spirit of perseverance and the fight for acceptance in the face of adversity. In October 2020, Dana participated in the “Call of the Hour” project, in which contemporary artists revived Hebrew songs, and she performed, alongside comedian Shahar Hasson and producer Omri Segal, a renewed version of the song “Makhelet Aliza” by Chava Alberstein. In October 2022, an evening in honor of Dana International was held, titled “A Tribute to Dana International,” where a large number of Israeli female artists performed her songs, including Ilanit, Gali Atari, Zehava Ben, and Dafna Dekel. The event was attended by the fourteenth Prime Minister of Israel, Yair Lapid, making it the first official LGBTQ+ event in the history of the State of Israel to be attended by a Prime Minister. Read more about Dana International in After the Eurovision Fame. Entries Ding Dong Country🇮🇱 Israel Year2011 LanguageEnglishHebrew LyricsDana International MusicDana International Backings5 backings, names unknown Results Semi Points: 38Position: 15Running order: 12 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/bWVuuvqEArE?si=eWSzhIeoYHMAwtqc Diva Country🇮🇱 Israel Year1998 LanguageHebrew LyricsYoav Ginai MusicTzvika Pik Conductor– BackingsShirley TzapriGalit DahanLilach KochTalia Adler Results Points: 172Position: 1Running order: 8 https://youtu.be/pJVnjTmt4eA?si=F4DNMTE6HqhgEuvD

Read More »

Vlatko Ilievski

About Quick Facts NameVlatko Ilievski Born02 July 1985 Deceased06 July 2018 Nationality🇲🇰 Macedonian National SelectionSkopje Fest 2015Skopje Fest 2011Skopje Fest 2010Skopje Fest 2009Skopje Fest 2008 In Eurovision2011 Düsseldorf SongRusinka (2011) Biography Vlatko Ilievski was a Macedonian pop rock singer and actor. Born in the capital city of Skopje, then part of Yugoslavia and now in North Macedonia, Ilievski discovered his passion for music at the age of 12. He began his musical journey playing guitar and singing with local bands in his hometown. His talent was evident early on, leading to his performance at the Macedonian Rock-Fest in 2000 with “Made in Macedonia,” where he claimed two awards. In the year 2000, Ilievski was approached by the rock ensemble Moral to become a member. This collaboration led to the creation of their album “Koga Patuvam” by 2003, featuring tracks like “Panichno te sakam” (I Panic Love You), “Skopje,” “Ti si” (You Are), “Ova e Makedonija” (This is Macedonia), and “A ti me ubivash” (And You Kill Me). The band gained significant recognition, even opening for Deep Purple during their Skopje concert in 2005. Ilievski embarked on a solo career in 2007, producing hits such as “Nebo” (Sky), “Ushte si mi ti” (You Are Still Mine), and “So Drugi Zborovi” (In Other Words). Notable performances included his appearances at Ohrid Fest 2008, Skopje Fest 2008 (the national final for the Eurovision Song Contest) and Makfest 2008, amongst others. His songs like “Najbogat na svet” (Richest in the World) and “Gushni me” (Hug Me, with Tamara) further solidified his place in the Macedonian music scene. He also participated in Skopje Fest 2009 and 2010. His debut solo concert took place on June 5, 2010, at the Boris Trajkovski Hall, drawing a crowd of 10,000. This event highlighted his popularity, featuring duets with Tamara and support from local bands. In 2011, he won Skopje Fest with the song “Rusinka” and represented North Macedonia with his song. Unfortunately, he didn’t manage to reach the final. His continued participation in music festivals, including Skopje Fest 2015, demonstrated his enduring appeal in the industry. Ilievski released two albums, “So drugi zborovi” (In Other Words) and “Najbogat na svet” (Richest in the World), each containing ten tracks that range from love ballads to unplugged versions, illustrating his dynamic as an artist. Tragically, Ilievski passed away on July 6, 2018. He was found deceased in his car in Skopje, with the cause of death attributed to combined drug intoxication, marking a sorrowful end to the career of a promising Macedonian talent. Entries Rusinka Country🇲🇰 North Macedonia Year2011 LanguageMacedonianEnglish LyricsMarko Marinković-SlatkaristikaJovan Jovanov MusicGrigor KoprovVladimir Dojcinovski Backings– Results Semi Points:Position:Running order: Results Finals Points:Position:Running order: https://youtu.be/LBgSn2rsGAA?si=3l-5gay75hw0sh8z

Read More »

Christos Mylordos

About Quick Facts NameChristos Mylordos Born30 April 1991 Nationality🇨🇾 Cypriot National SelectionPerformance 2011 In Eurovision2011 Düsseldorf SongSan aggelos s’agapisa (2011) Biography Christos Mylordos (Greek: Χρίστος Μυλόρδος) (Nicosia, April 30, 1991) is a Cypriot singer. On September 10, 2010, he won the talent show Performance, the Cypriot version of X Factor, with the song ‘Love Supreme’ by Robbie Williams. With 11,004 votes, he comfortably beat Louis Panagiotou (5,924 points), who represented Cyprus at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in 2006. As a result, he was chosen to represent his country at the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 in Germany with the song ‘San aggelos s’agapisas’. However, he did not manage to qualify for the final. The song “Giates mafineis mono” was the follow up of this song in 2012.  Christos started working at the Asmation Live Stage in Nicosia in 2013, as one of the permanent performers there. With 5 other Cypriot artists, he formed a team and worked together until May 2014. A new collaboration started in February 2015, with the VSeven Live Club in Paphos. In May of that year, Christos’ new single “Na pou girises” was released. He later became member of the Venue Club team in Larnaka. That lasted until May 2016. He left the Venue Club for a short time to return in October. Since 2017, Mylordos performs in several clubs. He especially sang in the Baraki club in Nicosia. That stopped in March 2020, due to the COVID19 crisis, but in June he left Baraki. However, in June 2021 he started to perform again at Baraki. In February 2022 he started performing in the Classico All Day Bar in Nicosia until it closed in December of the same year.   Entries San Aggelos S’Agapisa Country🇨🇾 Cyprus Year2011 LanguageGreek LyricsMichalis Antoniou MusicAndreas Anastasiou BackingsChrissie Andreou MaroulliAgathaggelos AgathaggelouChristos NikolaouPavlos PolichrinisAntoniou Antonis Results Semi Points:Position:Running order: Results Finals Points:Position:Running order: https://youtu.be/RxkBW0ey5BU?si=kGQqH-mZLDVaMMPV

Read More »

TWiiNS

About Quick Facts MembersVeronika NízlováDaniela Nízlová Born15 May 1986 Nationality🇸🇰 Slovakia National SelectionInternal selection 2011 In Eurovision2011 Düsseldorf SongI’m still alive (2011) Biography Twiins, formerly known as Tweens, is a Slovak musical duo formed by twin sisters Veronika and Daniela Nízlová, born on May 15, 1986, in Hronský Beňadik. The sisters pursued their education at the University of Economics and Public Administration in Bratislava. They first garnered attention in 1996 when they won a children’s song contest, Hviezdička, marking the beginning of their musical journey. Originally named Tweens, a name conceived by Daniel Hevier, they embarked on their musical career with their debut album “Tweens” in 2000. This was followed by “Máme čas…” in 2001, “Škrtni zápalkou” in 2003, and “Láska chce viac” in 2005, all under their initial band name. These albums helped establish their presence in the Slovak music scene. In 2008, the duo underwent a significant transformation, changing their name to Twiins. This change coincided with the release of their music video for the song “I Don’t Know,” which was filmed in the USA. This marked a new phase in their career, expanding their audience and artistic direction. The Twiins’ journey took an international turn on May 14, 2011, when they represented Slovakia at the 56th Eurovision Song Contest in Düsseldorf, Germany. Their participation in this event was a direct nomination by RTVS, the Slovak public broadcaster, due to budgetary constraints that year. Under their new name, Twiins, they released the album “Compromise” in 2009, showcasing their evolution as artists. They continued to release music, including “Singles Collection” in 2017, a compilation that highlighted their journey and success over the years. In 2021, they released “Zlatá Brána Dokorán,” further solidifying their place in the music industry. Entries I’m Still Alive Country🇸🇰 Slovakia Year2011 LanguageEnglish LyricsBryan ToddSandra Nordstrom MusicBryan ToddSandra NordstromBranislav Jančich Backings– Results Semi Points: 48Position: 13Running order: 5 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/Lmn1mvWQIOY?si=gtPZRC_NAczt2IBZ

Read More »

Witloof Bay

About Quick Facts MembersSenjka Danhieux (RoxorLoops)Etienne DebaisieuxBenoît GiauxNicolas DorianFlorence HubyAlexia Saffery Active2005- Nationality🇧🇪 Belgium National SelectionEurovision 2011: Qui? A vous de choisir! In Eurovision2011 Düsseldorf SongWith Love Baby (2011) Biography Witloof Bay is a Belgian a cappella group. In 2005, a group of six friends united by their passion for jazz, pop, a cappella, and beatboxing formed a musical ensemble. Drawing inspiration from influential groups like The Real Group, Take 6, The Swingle Singers, and The Singers Unlimited, they began performing together. The band showcases versatility by singing in both English and French, appealing to a diverse audience. The members of the band hail from various regions across Belgium – Wallonia, Flanders, and Brussels – embodying a true representation of the country’s rich cultural tapestry. One of the members, RoxorLoops, was also a member of Beatoxic, who took part in the Belgian national final for the 2006 Eurovision Song Contest. Their debut, self-titled album was released in 2008, marking their official entry into the music scene. A significant milestone for the group came on February 12, 2011, when Witloof Bay was chosen to represent Belgium at the Eurovision Song Contest 2011. Despite their unique performance, the group narrowly missed a spot in the final, falling short by just one point. Their song, “With love baby” reached the Wallon Ultratop. The group was also able to perform in Germany, Finland, Argentina, Luxembourg, Estonia and France. In 2012, the band was nominated for an award for best live performance at D6Bels. Performances continued, of course in Belgium but also in The Netherlands, Italy, France and Germany.  In March 2013, the band was able to perform in Bogota, Bolivia. In June of that year, they released the video of a new song, “Elle s’en va”, written and composed by Nicolas Dorian. A month later, they performed in Canada and Taiwan. In October, they started a new show called “Show B”.  It was in January 2015 when Witloof Bay made its debut in Poland. In May, Nicolas Dorian was a backing vocal in the Eurovision Song Contest with Loïc Nottet. After a 6 months break, they started performing again in January 2016, although just occasionally. The members of Witloof Bay started their own projects. RoxorLoops took part in Dansk Melodi Grand Prix 2020, the Danish national final for Eurovision, in collaboration with Jasmine Rose. They performed the song “Human”.   Entries With Love Baby Country🇧🇪 Belgium Year2011 LanguageEnglish LyricsRoxorLoopsBenoît Giaux MusicRoxorLoopsBenoît Giaux Backings– Results Semi Points: 53Position: 11Running order: 4 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/22xexkRESXw?si=SeZEhVX3FihaQRBr

Read More »

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

Read More »

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

Read More »

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

Read More »

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

Read More »

Musiqq

© Mysuka, Wikimedia Commons About Quick Facts MembersMarats OgļezņevsEmīls Balceris Born2009 Nationality🇱🇻 Latvian National SelectionEirodziesma 2011 In Eurovision2011 Düsseldorf SongAngel In Disguise (2011) Biography Musiqq, a Latvian pop music duo from Liepāja, was formed in 2009 by Marats Ogļezņevs and Emīls Balceris. The formation process began when Marats Ogļezņevs left his previous group “Device” and invited Emīls Balceris to collaborate. They had first met in 2008 while participating in the TV show “Koru kari” (“Choir Wars”), where they both sang in the Liepājas red choir, led by singer Chilli. Following this, after seeing Balceris perform on a youth broadcast, Ogļezņevs reached out with an invitation to meet and work together, leading to their first meeting where they wrote four demo versions of songs. The duo first gained exposure in June 2009 with the release of their single “Klimata kontrole”(“Climate control”). This was followed by their second single “Abrakadabra” on October 1, 2009, which became a radio hit in Latvia and won the “SEB Musical Bank 2009.” Their debut album “Šī ir tikai mūzika”(“This is just music”) was released in March 2010, featuring tracks such as “Abrakadabra”, “Dzimšanas diena” (“Birthday”), and “Klimata kontrole” (“Climate control”). The duo received significant recognition for their contributions to music and their city, being awarded the “Gada Liepājnieks” (“Liepajnieks of the Year”) in the music category and receiving three Copyright infinity prizes for their frequently played songs on radio, television, and concerts. In 2011, Musiqq represented Latvia in the Eurovision Song Contest in Düsseldorf with the song “Angel in Disguise.” Following their participation in Eurovision, they continued their music career and in 2011 also formed a Latvian rap duo named “Bermudu Divstūris,” a play on the Bermuda Triangle, translating to “The Bermuda Digon.” As “Bermudu Divstūris,” they released three studio albums and won The Golden Microphone award in 2014 for “Best hip-hop or dance album.” Musiqq’s second album “Vēl viena mūzika”(“Another music”) was released in November 2014, marking the group’s fifth anniversary. This album featured several popular singles including “Sekundes”(“Seconds”) and “Cтрана без называния”(“Country without name”). Their largest live performance to date was their fifth birthday concert in Palladium in Riga on November 16, 2014, where they showcased this album. In 2015, Musiqq released their first acoustic album “Silta sirds”(“Warm heart”) in collaboration with various artists, marking a new phase in their musical journey. The album led to their first acoustic concert tour “Silta sirds,” visiting five cities in Latvia. Their album “10,” celebrating their 10th anniversary, was released in 2019. This album included 10 tracks and was commemorated with a grandiose concert in “Arena Riga” on April 27, 2019, showcasing the duo’s continued success and popularity over a decade. Hitsingles of this album were “Miljonārs” and “Bozies”. A new single, “Garīgais arī”, was released in August 2020 and “Mēs viena koka zari” in November of the same year. A year later, they came up with the song “Varu bez tevis”. After COVID19, they were able to perform on festivals again in the summer of 2022. In October of that year, Musiqq started a tour, “Bijis, ir un būs”, followed by a series of concerts with the same name. In December, they released a new single, “Ar tevi kopā”. The mini album, “Bijis, ir un būs”, was released on all streaming platforms only in January 2023. In January 2024, Musiqq released their new single “Mākslas darbs”. Entries Angel In Disguise Country🇱🇻 Latvia Year2011 LanguageEnglish LyricsMarats Ogļezņevs MusicMarats Ogļezņevs BackingsRuta DudumaLība Ēce-KalniņaKristaps ŠēnbergsGatis Supe Results Semi Points: 25Position: 17Running order: 17 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/W083yQOluq4?si=9y_ekGDChNXiJrX_

Read More »

Dana International

About Quick Facts NameSharon Cohen Born02 February 1969 Nationality🇮🇱 Israeli National SelectionKdam Eurovision 2011Internal selection 1998Kdam Eurovision 1995 In Eurovision2011 Düsseldorf1998 Birmingham SongDing Dong (2011)Diva (1998) Biography Sharon Cohen, known professionally as Dana International, was born on February 2, 1969, in Tel Aviv, Israel. Emerging from a Yemenite-Jewish family, she is the youngest of three siblings. Dana International, who was assigned male at birth, identified as female from an early age, aspiring to be a singer after being inspired by Ofra Haza’s performance in the 1983 Eurovision Song Contest. Despite the family’s financial constraints, her mother supported her musical ambitions, and Dana came out as transgender at the age of 13. Before her transition, Cohen performed as a drag queen, imitating female singers. Her career took a significant turn when Israeli DJ Offer Nissim discovered her, producing her debut single “Saida Sultana,” a satirical take on Whitney Houston’s “My Name Is Not Susan.” This exposure was pivotal in launching her professional music career. In 1993, after undergoing male-to-female sex reassignment surgery and legally changing her name to Sharon Cohen, she released her debut album “Danna International,” which achieved gold record status in Israel. Dana’s career saw a swift rise with the release of her albums “Umpatampa” (1994) and “Maganuna” (1996), which solidified her commercial success. She participated in Kdam Eurovision 1995 with the song “Layla Tov Europa”. Her breakthrough came in 1998 when she represented Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest with “Diva,” securing first place and catapulting her to international fame. Despite facing opposition from conservative factions within Israel, her victory was celebrated across Europe, and she became a symbol of reconciliation and acceptance. Following her Eurovision win, Dana released several successful albums, including “Free” (1999), “Yoter VeYoter” (2001), “HaHalom HaEfshari” (2002), and “Hakol Ze Letova” (2007). In 2011, she returned to Eurovision with “Ding Dong,” although she did not advance to the final. That same year, she joined the judging panel of the Israeli television music talent contest “Kokhav Nolad.” Throughout her career, Dana International has been a trailblazer and a significant figure in the LGBTQ+ community. Her music and public presence have contributed to the broader conversation around gender identity and acceptance. Despite the challenges she faced, including a brief setback with Sony BMG and a period of reduced public visibility, she remained an influential voice in music and LGBTQ+ rights. In recent years, Dana continued to release new music, including singles “Ma La’asot” (2013), “Loca” (2013), and “Ir Shlema” (2013). She also ventured into television, searching for Israel’s next girl group on “Yeshnan Banot,” and participated in various pride events, reinforcing her message of love and tolerance. In 2018, she celebrated the 20th anniversary of her Eurovision win with a new version of “Diva” and performed at significant events, including the 2018 Israeli LGBT’s strike and the Jerusalem Pride and Tolerance Parade. Dana International’s legacy extends beyond her music; she is a cultural icon who embodies the spirit of perseverance and the fight for acceptance in the face of adversity. In October 2020, Dana participated in the “Call of the Hour” project, in which contemporary artists revived Hebrew songs, and she performed, alongside comedian Shahar Hasson and producer Omri Segal, a renewed version of the song “Makhelet Aliza” by Chava Alberstein. In October 2022, an evening in honor of Dana International was held, titled “A Tribute to Dana International,” where a large number of Israeli female artists performed her songs, including Ilanit, Gali Atari, Zehava Ben, and Dafna Dekel. The event was attended by the fourteenth Prime Minister of Israel, Yair Lapid, making it the first official LGBTQ+ event in the history of the State of Israel to be attended by a Prime Minister. Read more about Dana International in After the Eurovision Fame. Entries Ding Dong Country🇮🇱 Israel Year2011 LanguageEnglishHebrew LyricsDana International MusicDana International Backings5 backings, names unknown Results Semi Points: 38Position: 15Running order: 12 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/bWVuuvqEArE?si=eWSzhIeoYHMAwtqc Diva Country🇮🇱 Israel Year1998 LanguageHebrew LyricsYoav Ginai MusicTzvika Pik Conductor– BackingsShirley TzapriGalit DahanLilach KochTalia Adler Results Points: 172Position: 1Running order: 8 https://youtu.be/pJVnjTmt4eA?si=F4DNMTE6HqhgEuvD

Read More »

Vlatko Ilievski

About Quick Facts NameVlatko Ilievski Born02 July 1985 Deceased06 July 2018 Nationality🇲🇰 Macedonian National SelectionSkopje Fest 2015Skopje Fest 2011Skopje Fest 2010Skopje Fest 2009Skopje Fest 2008 In Eurovision2011 Düsseldorf SongRusinka (2011) Biography Vlatko Ilievski was a Macedonian pop rock singer and actor. Born in the capital city of Skopje, then part of Yugoslavia and now in North Macedonia, Ilievski discovered his passion for music at the age of 12. He began his musical journey playing guitar and singing with local bands in his hometown. His talent was evident early on, leading to his performance at the Macedonian Rock-Fest in 2000 with “Made in Macedonia,” where he claimed two awards. In the year 2000, Ilievski was approached by the rock ensemble Moral to become a member. This collaboration led to the creation of their album “Koga Patuvam” by 2003, featuring tracks like “Panichno te sakam” (I Panic Love You), “Skopje,” “Ti si” (You Are), “Ova e Makedonija” (This is Macedonia), and “A ti me ubivash” (And You Kill Me). The band gained significant recognition, even opening for Deep Purple during their Skopje concert in 2005. Ilievski embarked on a solo career in 2007, producing hits such as “Nebo” (Sky), “Ushte si mi ti” (You Are Still Mine), and “So Drugi Zborovi” (In Other Words). Notable performances included his appearances at Ohrid Fest 2008, Skopje Fest 2008 (the national final for the Eurovision Song Contest) and Makfest 2008, amongst others. His songs like “Najbogat na svet” (Richest in the World) and “Gushni me” (Hug Me, with Tamara) further solidified his place in the Macedonian music scene. He also participated in Skopje Fest 2009 and 2010. His debut solo concert took place on June 5, 2010, at the Boris Trajkovski Hall, drawing a crowd of 10,000. This event highlighted his popularity, featuring duets with Tamara and support from local bands. In 2011, he won Skopje Fest with the song “Rusinka” and represented North Macedonia with his song. Unfortunately, he didn’t manage to reach the final. His continued participation in music festivals, including Skopje Fest 2015, demonstrated his enduring appeal in the industry. Ilievski released two albums, “So drugi zborovi” (In Other Words) and “Najbogat na svet” (Richest in the World), each containing ten tracks that range from love ballads to unplugged versions, illustrating his dynamic as an artist. Tragically, Ilievski passed away on July 6, 2018. He was found deceased in his car in Skopje, with the cause of death attributed to combined drug intoxication, marking a sorrowful end to the career of a promising Macedonian talent. Entries Rusinka Country🇲🇰 North Macedonia Year2011 LanguageMacedonianEnglish LyricsMarko Marinković-SlatkaristikaJovan Jovanov MusicGrigor KoprovVladimir Dojcinovski Backings– Results Semi Points:Position:Running order: Results Finals Points:Position:Running order: https://youtu.be/LBgSn2rsGAA?si=3l-5gay75hw0sh8z

Read More »

Christos Mylordos

About Quick Facts NameChristos Mylordos Born30 April 1991 Nationality🇨🇾 Cypriot National SelectionPerformance 2011 In Eurovision2011 Düsseldorf SongSan aggelos s’agapisa (2011) Biography Christos Mylordos (Greek: Χρίστος Μυλόρδος) (Nicosia, April 30, 1991) is a Cypriot singer. On September 10, 2010, he won the talent show Performance, the Cypriot version of X Factor, with the song ‘Love Supreme’ by Robbie Williams. With 11,004 votes, he comfortably beat Louis Panagiotou (5,924 points), who represented Cyprus at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in 2006. As a result, he was chosen to represent his country at the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 in Germany with the song ‘San aggelos s’agapisas’. However, he did not manage to qualify for the final. The song “Giates mafineis mono” was the follow up of this song in 2012.  Christos started working at the Asmation Live Stage in Nicosia in 2013, as one of the permanent performers there. With 5 other Cypriot artists, he formed a team and worked together until May 2014. A new collaboration started in February 2015, with the VSeven Live Club in Paphos. In May of that year, Christos’ new single “Na pou girises” was released. He later became member of the Venue Club team in Larnaka. That lasted until May 2016. He left the Venue Club for a short time to return in October. Since 2017, Mylordos performs in several clubs. He especially sang in the Baraki club in Nicosia. That stopped in March 2020, due to the COVID19 crisis, but in June he left Baraki. However, in June 2021 he started to perform again at Baraki. In February 2022 he started performing in the Classico All Day Bar in Nicosia until it closed in December of the same year.   Entries San Aggelos S’Agapisa Country🇨🇾 Cyprus Year2011 LanguageGreek LyricsMichalis Antoniou MusicAndreas Anastasiou BackingsChrissie Andreou MaroulliAgathaggelos AgathaggelouChristos NikolaouPavlos PolichrinisAntoniou Antonis Results Semi Points:Position:Running order: Results Finals Points:Position:Running order: https://youtu.be/RxkBW0ey5BU?si=kGQqH-mZLDVaMMPV

Read More »

TWiiNS

About Quick Facts MembersVeronika NízlováDaniela Nízlová Born15 May 1986 Nationality🇸🇰 Slovakia National SelectionInternal selection 2011 In Eurovision2011 Düsseldorf SongI’m still alive (2011) Biography Twiins, formerly known as Tweens, is a Slovak musical duo formed by twin sisters Veronika and Daniela Nízlová, born on May 15, 1986, in Hronský Beňadik. The sisters pursued their education at the University of Economics and Public Administration in Bratislava. They first garnered attention in 1996 when they won a children’s song contest, Hviezdička, marking the beginning of their musical journey. Originally named Tweens, a name conceived by Daniel Hevier, they embarked on their musical career with their debut album “Tweens” in 2000. This was followed by “Máme čas…” in 2001, “Škrtni zápalkou” in 2003, and “Láska chce viac” in 2005, all under their initial band name. These albums helped establish their presence in the Slovak music scene. In 2008, the duo underwent a significant transformation, changing their name to Twiins. This change coincided with the release of their music video for the song “I Don’t Know,” which was filmed in the USA. This marked a new phase in their career, expanding their audience and artistic direction. The Twiins’ journey took an international turn on May 14, 2011, when they represented Slovakia at the 56th Eurovision Song Contest in Düsseldorf, Germany. Their participation in this event was a direct nomination by RTVS, the Slovak public broadcaster, due to budgetary constraints that year. Under their new name, Twiins, they released the album “Compromise” in 2009, showcasing their evolution as artists. They continued to release music, including “Singles Collection” in 2017, a compilation that highlighted their journey and success over the years. In 2021, they released “Zlatá Brána Dokorán,” further solidifying their place in the music industry. Entries I’m Still Alive Country🇸🇰 Slovakia Year2011 LanguageEnglish LyricsBryan ToddSandra Nordstrom MusicBryan ToddSandra NordstromBranislav Jančich Backings– Results Semi Points: 48Position: 13Running order: 5 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/Lmn1mvWQIOY?si=gtPZRC_NAczt2IBZ

Read More »

Witloof Bay

About Quick Facts MembersSenjka Danhieux (RoxorLoops)Etienne DebaisieuxBenoît GiauxNicolas DorianFlorence HubyAlexia Saffery Active2005- Nationality🇧🇪 Belgium National SelectionEurovision 2011: Qui? A vous de choisir! In Eurovision2011 Düsseldorf SongWith Love Baby (2011) Biography Witloof Bay is a Belgian a cappella group. In 2005, a group of six friends united by their passion for jazz, pop, a cappella, and beatboxing formed a musical ensemble. Drawing inspiration from influential groups like The Real Group, Take 6, The Swingle Singers, and The Singers Unlimited, they began performing together. The band showcases versatility by singing in both English and French, appealing to a diverse audience. The members of the band hail from various regions across Belgium – Wallonia, Flanders, and Brussels – embodying a true representation of the country’s rich cultural tapestry. One of the members, RoxorLoops, was also a member of Beatoxic, who took part in the Belgian national final for the 2006 Eurovision Song Contest. Their debut, self-titled album was released in 2008, marking their official entry into the music scene. A significant milestone for the group came on February 12, 2011, when Witloof Bay was chosen to represent Belgium at the Eurovision Song Contest 2011. Despite their unique performance, the group narrowly missed a spot in the final, falling short by just one point. Their song, “With love baby” reached the Wallon Ultratop. The group was also able to perform in Germany, Finland, Argentina, Luxembourg, Estonia and France. In 2012, the band was nominated for an award for best live performance at D6Bels. Performances continued, of course in Belgium but also in The Netherlands, Italy, France and Germany.  In March 2013, the band was able to perform in Bogota, Bolivia. In June of that year, they released the video of a new song, “Elle s’en va”, written and composed by Nicolas Dorian. A month later, they performed in Canada and Taiwan. In October, they started a new show called “Show B”.  It was in January 2015 when Witloof Bay made its debut in Poland. In May, Nicolas Dorian was a backing vocal in the Eurovision Song Contest with Loïc Nottet. After a 6 months break, they started performing again in January 2016, although just occasionally. The members of Witloof Bay started their own projects. RoxorLoops took part in Dansk Melodi Grand Prix 2020, the Danish national final for Eurovision, in collaboration with Jasmine Rose. They performed the song “Human”.   Entries With Love Baby Country🇧🇪 Belgium Year2011 LanguageEnglish LyricsRoxorLoopsBenoît Giaux MusicRoxorLoopsBenoît Giaux Backings– Results Semi Points: 53Position: 11Running order: 4 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/22xexkRESXw?si=SeZEhVX3FihaQRBr

Read More »

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

Read More »

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

Read More »

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

Read More »

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

Read More »

Musiqq

© Mysuka, Wikimedia Commons About Quick Facts MembersMarats OgļezņevsEmīls Balceris Born2009 Nationality🇱🇻 Latvian National SelectionEirodziesma 2011 In Eurovision2011 Düsseldorf SongAngel In Disguise (2011) Biography Musiqq, a Latvian pop music duo from Liepāja, was formed in 2009 by Marats Ogļezņevs and Emīls Balceris. The formation process began when Marats Ogļezņevs left his previous group “Device” and invited Emīls Balceris to collaborate. They had first met in 2008 while participating in the TV show “Koru kari” (“Choir Wars”), where they both sang in the Liepājas red choir, led by singer Chilli. Following this, after seeing Balceris perform on a youth broadcast, Ogļezņevs reached out with an invitation to meet and work together, leading to their first meeting where they wrote four demo versions of songs. The duo first gained exposure in June 2009 with the release of their single “Klimata kontrole”(“Climate control”). This was followed by their second single “Abrakadabra” on October 1, 2009, which became a radio hit in Latvia and won the “SEB Musical Bank 2009.” Their debut album “Šī ir tikai mūzika”(“This is just music”) was released in March 2010, featuring tracks such as “Abrakadabra”, “Dzimšanas diena” (“Birthday”), and “Klimata kontrole” (“Climate control”). The duo received significant recognition for their contributions to music and their city, being awarded the “Gada Liepājnieks” (“Liepajnieks of the Year”) in the music category and receiving three Copyright infinity prizes for their frequently played songs on radio, television, and concerts. In 2011, Musiqq represented Latvia in the Eurovision Song Contest in Düsseldorf with the song “Angel in Disguise.” Following their participation in Eurovision, they continued their music career and in 2011 also formed a Latvian rap duo named “Bermudu Divstūris,” a play on the Bermuda Triangle, translating to “The Bermuda Digon.” As “Bermudu Divstūris,” they released three studio albums and won The Golden Microphone award in 2014 for “Best hip-hop or dance album.” Musiqq’s second album “Vēl viena mūzika”(“Another music”) was released in November 2014, marking the group’s fifth anniversary. This album featured several popular singles including “Sekundes”(“Seconds”) and “Cтрана без называния”(“Country without name”). Their largest live performance to date was their fifth birthday concert in Palladium in Riga on November 16, 2014, where they showcased this album. In 2015, Musiqq released their first acoustic album “Silta sirds”(“Warm heart”) in collaboration with various artists, marking a new phase in their musical journey. The album led to their first acoustic concert tour “Silta sirds,” visiting five cities in Latvia. Their album “10,” celebrating their 10th anniversary, was released in 2019. This album included 10 tracks and was commemorated with a grandiose concert in “Arena Riga” on April 27, 2019, showcasing the duo’s continued success and popularity over a decade. Hitsingles of this album were “Miljonārs” and “Bozies”. A new single, “Garīgais arī”, was released in August 2020 and “Mēs viena koka zari” in November of the same year. A year later, they came up with the song “Varu bez tevis”. After COVID19, they were able to perform on festivals again in the summer of 2022. In October of that year, Musiqq started a tour, “Bijis, ir un būs”, followed by a series of concerts with the same name. In December, they released a new single, “Ar tevi kopā”. The mini album, “Bijis, ir un būs”, was released on all streaming platforms only in January 2023. In January 2024, Musiqq released their new single “Mākslas darbs”. Entries Angel In Disguise Country🇱🇻 Latvia Year2011 LanguageEnglish LyricsMarats Ogļezņevs MusicMarats Ogļezņevs BackingsRuta DudumaLība Ēce-KalniņaKristaps ŠēnbergsGatis Supe Results Semi Points: 25Position: 17Running order: 17 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/W083yQOluq4?si=9y_ekGDChNXiJrX_

Read More »

Dana International

About Quick Facts NameSharon Cohen Born02 February 1969 Nationality🇮🇱 Israeli National SelectionKdam Eurovision 2011Internal selection 1998Kdam Eurovision 1995 In Eurovision2011 Düsseldorf1998 Birmingham SongDing Dong (2011)Diva (1998) Biography Sharon Cohen, known professionally as Dana International, was born on February 2, 1969, in Tel Aviv, Israel. Emerging from a Yemenite-Jewish family, she is the youngest of three siblings. Dana International, who was assigned male at birth, identified as female from an early age, aspiring to be a singer after being inspired by Ofra Haza’s performance in the 1983 Eurovision Song Contest. Despite the family’s financial constraints, her mother supported her musical ambitions, and Dana came out as transgender at the age of 13. Before her transition, Cohen performed as a drag queen, imitating female singers. Her career took a significant turn when Israeli DJ Offer Nissim discovered her, producing her debut single “Saida Sultana,” a satirical take on Whitney Houston’s “My Name Is Not Susan.” This exposure was pivotal in launching her professional music career. In 1993, after undergoing male-to-female sex reassignment surgery and legally changing her name to Sharon Cohen, she released her debut album “Danna International,” which achieved gold record status in Israel. Dana’s career saw a swift rise with the release of her albums “Umpatampa” (1994) and “Maganuna” (1996), which solidified her commercial success. She participated in Kdam Eurovision 1995 with the song “Layla Tov Europa”. Her breakthrough came in 1998 when she represented Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest with “Diva,” securing first place and catapulting her to international fame. Despite facing opposition from conservative factions within Israel, her victory was celebrated across Europe, and she became a symbol of reconciliation and acceptance. Following her Eurovision win, Dana released several successful albums, including “Free” (1999), “Yoter VeYoter” (2001), “HaHalom HaEfshari” (2002), and “Hakol Ze Letova” (2007). In 2011, she returned to Eurovision with “Ding Dong,” although she did not advance to the final. That same year, she joined the judging panel of the Israeli television music talent contest “Kokhav Nolad.” Throughout her career, Dana International has been a trailblazer and a significant figure in the LGBTQ+ community. Her music and public presence have contributed to the broader conversation around gender identity and acceptance. Despite the challenges she faced, including a brief setback with Sony BMG and a period of reduced public visibility, she remained an influential voice in music and LGBTQ+ rights. In recent years, Dana continued to release new music, including singles “Ma La’asot” (2013), “Loca” (2013), and “Ir Shlema” (2013). She also ventured into television, searching for Israel’s next girl group on “Yeshnan Banot,” and participated in various pride events, reinforcing her message of love and tolerance. In 2018, she celebrated the 20th anniversary of her Eurovision win with a new version of “Diva” and performed at significant events, including the 2018 Israeli LGBT’s strike and the Jerusalem Pride and Tolerance Parade. Dana International’s legacy extends beyond her music; she is a cultural icon who embodies the spirit of perseverance and the fight for acceptance in the face of adversity. In October 2020, Dana participated in the “Call of the Hour” project, in which contemporary artists revived Hebrew songs, and she performed, alongside comedian Shahar Hasson and producer Omri Segal, a renewed version of the song “Makhelet Aliza” by Chava Alberstein. In October 2022, an evening in honor of Dana International was held, titled “A Tribute to Dana International,” where a large number of Israeli female artists performed her songs, including Ilanit, Gali Atari, Zehava Ben, and Dafna Dekel. The event was attended by the fourteenth Prime Minister of Israel, Yair Lapid, making it the first official LGBTQ+ event in the history of the State of Israel to be attended by a Prime Minister. Read more about Dana International in After the Eurovision Fame. Entries Ding Dong Country🇮🇱 Israel Year2011 LanguageEnglishHebrew LyricsDana International MusicDana International Backings5 backings, names unknown Results Semi Points: 38Position: 15Running order: 12 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/bWVuuvqEArE?si=eWSzhIeoYHMAwtqc Diva Country🇮🇱 Israel Year1998 LanguageHebrew LyricsYoav Ginai MusicTzvika Pik Conductor– BackingsShirley TzapriGalit DahanLilach KochTalia Adler Results Points: 172Position: 1Running order: 8 https://youtu.be/pJVnjTmt4eA?si=F4DNMTE6HqhgEuvD

Read More »

Vlatko Ilievski

About Quick Facts NameVlatko Ilievski Born02 July 1985 Deceased06 July 2018 Nationality🇲🇰 Macedonian National SelectionSkopje Fest 2015Skopje Fest 2011Skopje Fest 2010Skopje Fest 2009Skopje Fest 2008 In Eurovision2011 Düsseldorf SongRusinka (2011) Biography Vlatko Ilievski was a Macedonian pop rock singer and actor. Born in the capital city of Skopje, then part of Yugoslavia and now in North Macedonia, Ilievski discovered his passion for music at the age of 12. He began his musical journey playing guitar and singing with local bands in his hometown. His talent was evident early on, leading to his performance at the Macedonian Rock-Fest in 2000 with “Made in Macedonia,” where he claimed two awards. In the year 2000, Ilievski was approached by the rock ensemble Moral to become a member. This collaboration led to the creation of their album “Koga Patuvam” by 2003, featuring tracks like “Panichno te sakam” (I Panic Love You), “Skopje,” “Ti si” (You Are), “Ova e Makedonija” (This is Macedonia), and “A ti me ubivash” (And You Kill Me). The band gained significant recognition, even opening for Deep Purple during their Skopje concert in 2005. Ilievski embarked on a solo career in 2007, producing hits such as “Nebo” (Sky), “Ushte si mi ti” (You Are Still Mine), and “So Drugi Zborovi” (In Other Words). Notable performances included his appearances at Ohrid Fest 2008, Skopje Fest 2008 (the national final for the Eurovision Song Contest) and Makfest 2008, amongst others. His songs like “Najbogat na svet” (Richest in the World) and “Gushni me” (Hug Me, with Tamara) further solidified his place in the Macedonian music scene. He also participated in Skopje Fest 2009 and 2010. His debut solo concert took place on June 5, 2010, at the Boris Trajkovski Hall, drawing a crowd of 10,000. This event highlighted his popularity, featuring duets with Tamara and support from local bands. In 2011, he won Skopje Fest with the song “Rusinka” and represented North Macedonia with his song. Unfortunately, he didn’t manage to reach the final. His continued participation in music festivals, including Skopje Fest 2015, demonstrated his enduring appeal in the industry. Ilievski released two albums, “So drugi zborovi” (In Other Words) and “Najbogat na svet” (Richest in the World), each containing ten tracks that range from love ballads to unplugged versions, illustrating his dynamic as an artist. Tragically, Ilievski passed away on July 6, 2018. He was found deceased in his car in Skopje, with the cause of death attributed to combined drug intoxication, marking a sorrowful end to the career of a promising Macedonian talent. Entries Rusinka Country🇲🇰 North Macedonia Year2011 LanguageMacedonianEnglish LyricsMarko Marinković-SlatkaristikaJovan Jovanov MusicGrigor KoprovVladimir Dojcinovski Backings– Results Semi Points:Position:Running order: Results Finals Points:Position:Running order: https://youtu.be/LBgSn2rsGAA?si=3l-5gay75hw0sh8z

Read More »

Christos Mylordos

About Quick Facts NameChristos Mylordos Born30 April 1991 Nationality🇨🇾 Cypriot National SelectionPerformance 2011 In Eurovision2011 Düsseldorf SongSan aggelos s’agapisa (2011) Biography Christos Mylordos (Greek: Χρίστος Μυλόρδος) (Nicosia, April 30, 1991) is a Cypriot singer. On September 10, 2010, he won the talent show Performance, the Cypriot version of X Factor, with the song ‘Love Supreme’ by Robbie Williams. With 11,004 votes, he comfortably beat Louis Panagiotou (5,924 points), who represented Cyprus at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in 2006. As a result, he was chosen to represent his country at the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 in Germany with the song ‘San aggelos s’agapisas’. However, he did not manage to qualify for the final. The song “Giates mafineis mono” was the follow up of this song in 2012.  Christos started working at the Asmation Live Stage in Nicosia in 2013, as one of the permanent performers there. With 5 other Cypriot artists, he formed a team and worked together until May 2014. A new collaboration started in February 2015, with the VSeven Live Club in Paphos. In May of that year, Christos’ new single “Na pou girises” was released. He later became member of the Venue Club team in Larnaka. That lasted until May 2016. He left the Venue Club for a short time to return in October. Since 2017, Mylordos performs in several clubs. He especially sang in the Baraki club in Nicosia. That stopped in March 2020, due to the COVID19 crisis, but in June he left Baraki. However, in June 2021 he started to perform again at Baraki. In February 2022 he started performing in the Classico All Day Bar in Nicosia until it closed in December of the same year.   Entries San Aggelos S’Agapisa Country🇨🇾 Cyprus Year2011 LanguageGreek LyricsMichalis Antoniou MusicAndreas Anastasiou BackingsChrissie Andreou MaroulliAgathaggelos AgathaggelouChristos NikolaouPavlos PolichrinisAntoniou Antonis Results Semi Points:Position:Running order: Results Finals Points:Position:Running order: https://youtu.be/RxkBW0ey5BU?si=kGQqH-mZLDVaMMPV

Read More »

TWiiNS

About Quick Facts MembersVeronika NízlováDaniela Nízlová Born15 May 1986 Nationality🇸🇰 Slovakia National SelectionInternal selection 2011 In Eurovision2011 Düsseldorf SongI’m still alive (2011) Biography Twiins, formerly known as Tweens, is a Slovak musical duo formed by twin sisters Veronika and Daniela Nízlová, born on May 15, 1986, in Hronský Beňadik. The sisters pursued their education at the University of Economics and Public Administration in Bratislava. They first garnered attention in 1996 when they won a children’s song contest, Hviezdička, marking the beginning of their musical journey. Originally named Tweens, a name conceived by Daniel Hevier, they embarked on their musical career with their debut album “Tweens” in 2000. This was followed by “Máme čas…” in 2001, “Škrtni zápalkou” in 2003, and “Láska chce viac” in 2005, all under their initial band name. These albums helped establish their presence in the Slovak music scene. In 2008, the duo underwent a significant transformation, changing their name to Twiins. This change coincided with the release of their music video for the song “I Don’t Know,” which was filmed in the USA. This marked a new phase in their career, expanding their audience and artistic direction. The Twiins’ journey took an international turn on May 14, 2011, when they represented Slovakia at the 56th Eurovision Song Contest in Düsseldorf, Germany. Their participation in this event was a direct nomination by RTVS, the Slovak public broadcaster, due to budgetary constraints that year. Under their new name, Twiins, they released the album “Compromise” in 2009, showcasing their evolution as artists. They continued to release music, including “Singles Collection” in 2017, a compilation that highlighted their journey and success over the years. In 2021, they released “Zlatá Brána Dokorán,” further solidifying their place in the music industry. Entries I’m Still Alive Country🇸🇰 Slovakia Year2011 LanguageEnglish LyricsBryan ToddSandra Nordstrom MusicBryan ToddSandra NordstromBranislav Jančich Backings– Results Semi Points: 48Position: 13Running order: 5 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/Lmn1mvWQIOY?si=gtPZRC_NAczt2IBZ

Read More »

Witloof Bay

About Quick Facts MembersSenjka Danhieux (RoxorLoops)Etienne DebaisieuxBenoît GiauxNicolas DorianFlorence HubyAlexia Saffery Active2005- Nationality🇧🇪 Belgium National SelectionEurovision 2011: Qui? A vous de choisir! In Eurovision2011 Düsseldorf SongWith Love Baby (2011) Biography Witloof Bay is a Belgian a cappella group. In 2005, a group of six friends united by their passion for jazz, pop, a cappella, and beatboxing formed a musical ensemble. Drawing inspiration from influential groups like The Real Group, Take 6, The Swingle Singers, and The Singers Unlimited, they began performing together. The band showcases versatility by singing in both English and French, appealing to a diverse audience. The members of the band hail from various regions across Belgium – Wallonia, Flanders, and Brussels – embodying a true representation of the country’s rich cultural tapestry. One of the members, RoxorLoops, was also a member of Beatoxic, who took part in the Belgian national final for the 2006 Eurovision Song Contest. Their debut, self-titled album was released in 2008, marking their official entry into the music scene. A significant milestone for the group came on February 12, 2011, when Witloof Bay was chosen to represent Belgium at the Eurovision Song Contest 2011. Despite their unique performance, the group narrowly missed a spot in the final, falling short by just one point. Their song, “With love baby” reached the Wallon Ultratop. The group was also able to perform in Germany, Finland, Argentina, Luxembourg, Estonia and France. In 2012, the band was nominated for an award for best live performance at D6Bels. Performances continued, of course in Belgium but also in The Netherlands, Italy, France and Germany.  In March 2013, the band was able to perform in Bogota, Bolivia. In June of that year, they released the video of a new song, “Elle s’en va”, written and composed by Nicolas Dorian. A month later, they performed in Canada and Taiwan. In October, they started a new show called “Show B”.  It was in January 2015 when Witloof Bay made its debut in Poland. In May, Nicolas Dorian was a backing vocal in the Eurovision Song Contest with Loïc Nottet. After a 6 months break, they started performing again in January 2016, although just occasionally. The members of Witloof Bay started their own projects. RoxorLoops took part in Dansk Melodi Grand Prix 2020, the Danish national final for Eurovision, in collaboration with Jasmine Rose. They performed the song “Human”.   Entries With Love Baby Country🇧🇪 Belgium Year2011 LanguageEnglish LyricsRoxorLoopsBenoît Giaux MusicRoxorLoopsBenoît Giaux Backings– Results Semi Points: 53Position: 11Running order: 4 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/22xexkRESXw?si=SeZEhVX3FihaQRBr

Read More »

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

Read More »

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

Read More »

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

Read More »

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

Read More »

Musiqq

© Mysuka, Wikimedia Commons About Quick Facts MembersMarats OgļezņevsEmīls Balceris Born2009 Nationality🇱🇻 Latvian National SelectionEirodziesma 2011 In Eurovision2011 Düsseldorf SongAngel In Disguise (2011) Biography Musiqq, a Latvian pop music duo from Liepāja, was formed in 2009 by Marats Ogļezņevs and Emīls Balceris. The formation process began when Marats Ogļezņevs left his previous group “Device” and invited Emīls Balceris to collaborate. They had first met in 2008 while participating in the TV show “Koru kari” (“Choir Wars”), where they both sang in the Liepājas red choir, led by singer Chilli. Following this, after seeing Balceris perform on a youth broadcast, Ogļezņevs reached

Read More »

Dana International

About Quick Facts NameSharon Cohen Born02 February 1969 Nationality🇮🇱 Israeli National SelectionKdam Eurovision 2011Internal selection 1998Kdam Eurovision 1995 In Eurovision2011 Düsseldorf1998 Birmingham SongDing Dong (2011)Diva (1998) Biography Sharon Cohen, known professionally as Dana International, was born on February 2, 1969, in Tel Aviv, Israel. Emerging from a Yemenite-Jewish family, she is the youngest of three siblings. Dana International, who was assigned male at birth, identified as female from an early age, aspiring to be a singer after being inspired by Ofra Haza’s performance in the 1983 Eurovision Song Contest. Despite the family’s financial constraints, her mother supported her musical ambitions, and

Read More »

Vlatko Ilievski

About Quick Facts NameVlatko Ilievski Born02 July 1985 Deceased06 July 2018 Nationality🇲🇰 Macedonian National SelectionSkopje Fest 2015Skopje Fest 2011Skopje Fest 2010Skopje Fest 2009Skopje Fest 2008 In Eurovision2011 Düsseldorf SongRusinka (2011) Biography Vlatko Ilievski was a Macedonian pop rock singer and actor. Born in the capital city of Skopje, then part of Yugoslavia and now in North Macedonia, Ilievski discovered his passion for music at the age of 12. He began his musical journey playing guitar and singing with local bands in his hometown. His talent was evident early on, leading to his performance at the Macedonian Rock-Fest in 2000 with “Made

Read More »

Christos Mylordos

About Quick Facts NameChristos Mylordos Born30 April 1991 Nationality🇨🇾 Cypriot National SelectionPerformance 2011 In Eurovision2011 Düsseldorf SongSan aggelos s’agapisa (2011) Biography Christos Mylordos (Greek: Χρίστος Μυλόρδος) (Nicosia, April 30, 1991) is a Cypriot singer. On September 10, 2010, he won the talent show Performance, the Cypriot version of X Factor, with the song ‘Love Supreme’ by Robbie Williams. With 11,004 votes, he comfortably beat Louis Panagiotou (5,924 points), who represented Cyprus at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in 2006. As a result, he was chosen to represent his country at the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 in Germany with the song ‘San

Read More »

TWiiNS

About Quick Facts MembersVeronika NízlováDaniela Nízlová Born15 May 1986 Nationality🇸🇰 Slovakia National SelectionInternal selection 2011 In Eurovision2011 Düsseldorf SongI’m still alive (2011) Biography Twiins, formerly known as Tweens, is a Slovak musical duo formed by twin sisters Veronika and Daniela Nízlová, born on May 15, 1986, in Hronský Beňadik. The sisters pursued their education at the University of Economics and Public Administration in Bratislava. They first garnered attention in 1996 when they won a children’s song contest, Hviezdička, marking the beginning of their musical journey. Originally named Tweens, a name conceived by Daniel Hevier, they embarked on their musical career with

Read More »

Witloof Bay

About Quick Facts MembersSenjka Danhieux (RoxorLoops)Etienne DebaisieuxBenoît GiauxNicolas DorianFlorence HubyAlexia Saffery Active2005- Nationality🇧🇪 Belgium National SelectionEurovision 2011: Qui? A vous de choisir! In Eurovision2011 Düsseldorf SongWith Love Baby (2011) Biography Witloof Bay is a Belgian a cappella group. In 2005, a group of six friends united by their passion for jazz, pop, a cappella, and beatboxing formed a musical ensemble. Drawing inspiration from influential groups like The Real Group, Take 6, The Swingle Singers, and The Singers Unlimited, they began performing together. The band showcases versatility by singing in both English and French, appealing to a diverse audience. The members of

Read More »