2012

Roman Lob

About Quick Facts NameRoman Lob Born02 July 1990 Nationality🇩🇪 German National SelectionUnser Star Für Baku 2012 In Eurovision2012 Baku SongStanding Still (2012) Biography Roman Lob, born in Cologne on 2 July 1990, grew up with a sister in Rott, a district of Neustadt (Wied). After graduating from secondary school, he trained as an industrial mechanic at an auto supplier in Troisdorf until January 2011, where he was subsequently taken on as a permanent employee. Roman learned to play the piano from his grandfather, who played the organ in church. He tried his hand at the guitar and bass. In the music group of the Neustadt secondary school, he rediscovered singing for himself. At 13, he first performed with a school music group. In 2005, he founded the band Painful Poison with two friends, where he played the drums. He was the lead singer of the metalcore band Days of Despite, founded in 2007, and of the project Three of a Kind, which he founded in 2009 with two members of his first band. He first gained wider recognition as a contestant in the fourth season of the casting show “Deutschland sucht den Superstar” in 2007. There, he dropped out – having made it to the top 20 – due to laryngitis. However, Dieter Bohlen offered him a wildcard for the next season of the TV show in 2008. He declined in favor of his ongoing training as an industrial mechanic. With the alternative rock band Rooftop Kingdom, Lob had several appearances in the Rhineland as a singer. Lob had already unsuccessfully applied to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008, together with Axel Fischer, under the name G12 P – Germany 12 Points, with the song “When the Boys Come”. In the fall of 2011, Lob applied for the casting show “Unser Star für Baku”, the German pre-selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2012, organized by ARD and ProSieben. Even before the final, Lob was considered the favorite and ultimately prevailed. Lob won in February 2012 with the song “Standing Still”. This qualified him for the Eurovision Song Contest 2012, which took place on May 26, 2012, in Baku. He also received a record contract with Universal Music. In the online charts of iTunes and Amazon, the song “Standing Still” immediately rose to the top position the day after the final of “Unser Star für Baku”. “Standing Still” reached number 3 in the German charts and also placed in Switzerland and Austria. On April 13, Lob released his first studio album “Changes”. As a representative of one of the five largest EBU contributors, Lob was directly qualified for the final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2012. He achieved eighth place with 110 points. On March 21, 2013, Roman Lob was awarded the music prize Echo in the “Radio-Echo” category. Lob is the lead singer of the Kölschrock band StadtRand, which has existed since the beginning of 2014. From October 2016 to July 2018, he played one of the main characters of the revue as a singing soloist in the production “The One Grand Show” at the Friedrichstadt-Palast in Berlin. In November 2018, the band StadtRand released a new single, “Orjenal”. The song reached the final of TopJeck, a contest organized by Radio Köln. The song was followed by “Halver Aach” in February 2019. In October 2019, after a German tour, they released a new single and video, “Hin und widder”. In January 2020 Stadtrand released an EB, “Fründschaff”. After several live stream performances, not live due to COVID19, the band came up with a new single in October 2020: “Heimweh noh dir”, followed by “Wenn do laachs” in March 2021. On 11 March 2022 a new solo single of Roman was released: “Feels like home”. But also Stadtrand released new music, in October, “Ahle kess”. After a tour, they released a new song in October 2023: “En Kölsches Leed”. Entries Standing Still Country🇩🇪 German Year2012 LanguageEnglish LyricsJamie CullumSteve RobsonWayne Hector MusicJamie CullumSteve RobsonWayne Hector BackingsAlexander LinsterMarc AwounouTobias SchmitzThomas Fietz Results Semi Points: –Position: –Running order: – Results Finals Points: 110Position: 8Running order: 20 https://youtu.be/cScJPH20P3A?si=iCSmttWeqXBZk5Is

Pastora Soler

About Quick Facts NameMaría del Pilar Sánchez Luque Born01 month 1900 Nationality🇪🇸 Spanish National SelectionEurovisión: Pastora Soler (2012) In Eurovision2012 Baku SongQuédate Conmigo (2012) Biography María del Pilar Sánchez Luque, born on 28 September 1978 in Coria del Río, Seville, is widely recognized under her stage alias, Pastora Soler. Not only a vocalist, she’s also a deft composer, blending traditional Spanish sounds like copla and flamenco with contemporary pop and electronic vibes. Showing a natural talent early on, Pastora serenaded audiences with traditional Spanish songs as a child. By 1994, she teamed up with the music label Polygram, releasing her debut album “Nuestras coplas”. However, it was in 1996, with her sophomore album “El mundo que soné”, that she bid adieu to her collaboration with Polygram. The year 1999 saw Pastora transition to Emi-Odeón, under whose banner she released “Fuente de luna”, an album that featured her breakthrough single “Dámelo ya”. A couple of years later, she unveiled “Corazón congelado”, followed closely by the electronic-influenced “Deseo” in 2002. 2005 marked a new partnership with Warner Music Spain. Her inaugural album under this label, named after herself, was a tapestry of evolved music. That same year, she also released a compilation of her greatest tracks, “Sus grandes éxitos”. Pastora’s seventh offering, “Toda mi verdad”, dropped in 2007, followed by “Bendita locura” in 2009. She celebrated a decade and a half in the industry with a live album in 2010, titled “15 años”. October 2011 saw the release of “Una mujer como yo”. In 2012, Pastora showcased her talents on the international stage, representing Spain at the Eurovision Song Contest in Baku, Azerbaijan. Performing the song “Quédate conmigo”, she secured a commendable 10th position. 2013 saw Pastora expand her horizons as a judge on Spain’s “El Número Uno” talent show. That same year, she released the album “Conóceme”. However, 2014 was marked by a temporary halt in her career due to health concerns. This hiatus aligned with the release of her commemorative album, “20”. She resurfaced in 2015 on the popular show “La Voz Kids”. Pastora heralded her return to music in 2017, announcing a new album and a Spanish tour. Her comeback single “La tormenta” dropped in July, paving the way for the album “La calma” later that year. Her latest studio work, “Sentir”, graced the shelves in October 2019. As of 2020, she has lent her expertise as a coach on “La Voz Senior” and appeared on “Mask Singer: Adivina quién canta”. Entries Quédate Conmigo Country🇪🇸 Spain Year2012 LanguageSpanish LyricsAntonio Sánchez-Ohlsson MusicThomas G:sonAntonio Sánchez-OhlssonErik Bernholm BackingsRebeca RodsMey GreenSheila BlancoAntonio Tomás SepúlvedaMiguel Antelo Results Semi Points: –Position: –Running order: – Results Finals Points: 97Position: 10Running order: 19 https://youtu.be/U8J1b62wOao?si=WjO9pitl3_zc1l5n

Can Bonomo

About Quick Facts NameCan Bonomo Born16 May 1987 Nationality🇹🇷 Turkish National SelectionInternal selection 2012 In Eurovision2012 Baku SongLove Me Back (2012) Biography Can Bonomo (b. 16 May 1987, İzmir) is a Turkish singer-songwriter and actor. Bonomo, a child of a Sephardic Jewish family, began his journey into music at the age of eight by playing the guitar. He continued his musical endeavors throughout middle and high school and pursued them further in İstanbul. He studied at the İstanbul Bilgi University in the Cinema and Television department. He applied for a position at Radyo Klas and Number 1 FM, where he had originally gone for a sound production internship, and was accepted. He began his program named “Can Bonomo Show”. He later moved to Radio N101 and continued his program there. He started hosting the program “Rock’n Dark Express” after receiving an offer from MTV Türkiye. A short film he made for a university assignment called “Hoppala” gained popularity after he uploaded it to Facebook. Seray Sever, who was working on a TV series project, invited Bonomo for a discussion after watching this film. Accepting the lead role offer presented to him, Bonomo started acting in the series titled “+18”. He sent a demo recording to album producer Can Saban. After two years of collaboration, his first album named “Meczup” was released in January 2011. It was announced on 9 January 2012 that he would represent Turkey at the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest, which took place in Baku, Azerbaijan on 22, 24, and 26 May 2012. On 22 February 2012, he introduced the song “Love Me Back”, for which he wrote both the lyrics and music, in the program “Türkiye’nin Şarkısı”. On 24 May 2012, he qualified for the finals by ranking in the top ten during the second semi-final. He finished the contest in seventh place on the final night, earning 112 points.In December 2012, Bonomo released his second album “Aşktan ve Gariplikten”. Except for the song “Ali Baba” which was released as a single, all songs in the album were his own compositions. In December 2014, he released his third album, “Bulunmam Gerek”, produced again by Can Saban. Can Bonomo’s fourth album, “Kainat Sustu”, was released in March 2017. Besides his musical career, he ventured into poetry. His first poetry book, edited by Küçük İskender, was released in 2013 and was titled “Delirmek Belirmektir”. This was followed by his second book “Şu Sevdalar Tevatürü” in 2016. He continued his writing career with the book “Parya Koma” released in 2018. In 2016, he began hosting a radio program called “O Tarz Mı?” with İsmail Türküsev and Can Temiz. Can Sungur and Bengi Apak later joined the team. Can Bonomo married actress Öykü Karayel in 2018. The couple welcomed their son, Roman, in 2021. Entries Love Me Back Country🇹🇷 Turkey Year2012 LanguageEnglish LyricsCan Bonomo MusicCan Bonomo Backings.DancersArif DurgeçBurak YalçıntaşKerem GüzelOzan KarabağSerdar Karaman Results Semi Points: 80Position: 5Running order: 13 Results Finals Points: 112Position: 7Running order: 18 https://youtu.be/3Qa7_y21oOY?si=tft0dm59x4J89Uuu

Loreen

© EBU/Chloe Hashemi About Quick Facts NameLorine Zineb Noka Talhaoui Born16 October 1983 Nationality🇸🇪 Swedish National SelectionMelodifestivalen 2023Melodifestivalen 2017Melodifestivalen 2012Melodifestivalen 2011 In Eurovision2023 Liverpool2012 Baku SongTattoo (2023)Euphoria (2012) Biography Loreen, officially Lorine Talhaoui, is a Swedish singer. She was born in Åkersberga in 1983 as a daughter of Moroccon parents. Loreen rose to fame for her participation in Idol in 2004. With her sister reporting her without her knowledge, she quickly found herself in this unplanned context for her, but she accepted the challenge. She finished in fourth place in the competition and was thus the second last to be eliminated before the final. After Idol, she released the single “The Snake” together with the group Rob’n’Raz in 2005. In 2005, she started working in television, as a host for the program Lyssna på TV400. She later started working as feature producer, with editing, reality director etc. for several shows on TV3, TV4 and SVT. As a voice actor, she also did the voice of “Sleeping Beauty” in the Swedish dubbing of the film Shrek the Third from 2007 and the voice of “Smurf” in the film The Smurfs in 2011. In the same year, Loreen participated in Melodifestivalen, the national final for the Eurovision Song Contest, with the song “My Heart is Refusing Me”. She reached the semifinal Andra Chansen (2nd chance) with the song, but the adventure ended there for her. Although she did not make it all the way to the final, the song became a top-10 hit in the Swedish charts. After the success in Melodifestivalen, she released a new single on 12 September 2011 entitled “Sober”. At Gaygala on February 6, 2012, Loreen won the Swedish song of the year award for the single “My Heart is Refusing Me”. Loreen competed again in Melodifestivalen 2012 with the song “Euphoria”. She reached the final and managed to win it and thus represent Sweden in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012. An hour before the final, the Marcel Bezençon Award was handed out and Sweden won two of the three prizes. Loreen received The Artistic Award, as voted by the respective country’s commentators, and the authors of “Euphoria” received The Composer Award, as voted by all the submissions’ composers. Loreen won the Eurovision Song Contest itself with a total of 372 points. “Euphoria” reached the number 1 spot in 16 countries, number two in 8 countries and number three in 2, on charts around Europe. In Australia, the song reached number four on the ARIA Dance Chart. The song has also sold platinum in Denmark, Finland, Spain and Austria. In Switzerland it sold 2 times platinum, in Norway 8 times platinum, in Belgium and Italy gold and in Germany 3 times gold. On Itunes, the song also topped 21 countries around Europe in 2012. In Sweden, Euphoria sold 9 times platinum. It spent 43 weeks on the Swedish top list, of which 12 weeks in first place. Holding this record, “Euphoria” can be considered one of the biggest Eurovision hits ever. With her commitment to human rights, Loreen visited human rights groups in Baku on several occasions to talk about their situation and their views on the dictatorship in the country, something that was criticized by the government of Azerbaijan. After the internationally recognized victory in the Eurovision Song Contest, she has made numerous appearances in various festivals and television programs in Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia. Loreen’s debut album “Heal”, with Loreen also as a contributing songwriter, was released on October 24, 2012. Prior to that, the single “Crying out your name” was released exclusively on Spotify. She toured during the summer of 2012 and released a music video for “Euphoria” on July 5, 2012. On June 21, 2012, Loreen participated in the MTV World Stage at Avenyn in Gothenburg. This performance was later nominated as Concert of the Year (in Sweden) at Rockbjörnen. Loreen was nominated by as one of the five candidates in the categories Swedish Female Live Artist of the Year and for Swedish Song of the Year with “Euphoria”. She won two of the three categories she was nominated for: Swedish Song of the Year (Euphoria) and Swedish Female Live Artist of the Year. On July 15, 2012, she appeared for the first time in Allsång på Skansen, and on October 14 of the same year in the TV program Moraeus and more. Loreen was also nominated for the MTV EMA Worldwide Act as “Best Swedish Artist”. In March 2013, she released a music video for the song “Heal” and also the song “Requiem Solution” together with Kleerup. She has also been an interlude in Melodifestivalen 2013 in the final, where she performed a new version of “Euphoria” together with students from Manilla School and Adolf Fredrik’s Music Classes. The same version was performed in the Eurovision Song Contest 2013, although then with music classes from Lund and two other schools. In the same year, “We got the power” became a hit for the singer. Loreen also released several singles in 2015. The song “Paper light (higher)” reached the charts, the other two songs did not. In 2017, Loreen returned to Melodifestivalen. She competed with the song “Statements” and reached Andra Chancen again. However, the song did not reach the final. Music critics and cultural personalities however saw the contribution as among the best ever in Melodifestivalen. After “Statements”, Loreen chose a new style, shaved off her long hair and recorded the album “Ride”, which was released in November 2017. The album featured a completely different style of music from the debut album. The music was more analog and organic, recorded with musicians from the indie rock band Amason. After receiving her large portrait in 2012 among a collection of other prominent Swedes at the Arlanda Airport “Stockholm Hall of Fame”, Loreen and “Euphoria” were also inducted into the Melodifestivalen Hall of Fame at its inauguration in 2020. She performed at Melodifestivalen’s special tribute cavalcade on 29 February 2020. In the fall

Eleftheria Eleftheriou

About Quick Facts NameEleftheria Eleftheriou Born12 May 1989 Nationality Cypriot National SelectionEllinikós Telikós 2012A Song For Europe 2006 (Cyprus) In Eurovision2012 Baku SongAphrodisiac (2012) Biography Eleftheria Eleftheriou is a Cypriot singer. She was born on May 12, 1989, in Paralimni, Cyprus, and grew up in Frenaros in the Ammochostos Province. At the age of 9, she began lessons in music theory and piano. At 15, she took vocal lessons for a year. After some performances in music bands and as a soloist in the folk orchestra of RIK, she began her professional singing career at the age of 18. During her studies at the University of Surrey in southern England in Music and Performance, she worked for a year in a Greek venue as a singer. Career In 2009, she participated in the second season of the Greek TV music competition The X-Factor, where she managed to reach the fifth live show. Specifically, the songs she performed during her time there included: “Den milo gia mia nykhta ego” (live 1), “Kopse kai moirase sta dyo” (live 2), “Kathe fora pou me koitazeis” (live 3), “Girls just wanna have fun” and “Stin Diskotek” (live 4) and “No One” (live 5). After her departure, she received a collaboration offer from the singer and presenter of the contest, Sakis Rouvas. She then performed live in Thessaloniki with Nikos Vertis. In 2010, she released four songs: “Kendro tou Kosmou”, “Otan Chamilonoume to Fos”, “S.O.S. (Let the music play)”, and “Tubles Are Turning”. The last song, which was a candidate in the Greek final for representing Greece in Eurovision, was disqualified when it leaked online early, a fact that was deemed unfair to the other contestants before the official presentation of the candidate songs by ERT. In 2011, she collaborated with the band House Twins on the song “Never”, while also performing at Fantasia with Nikos Vertis. On March 12, 2012, after a vote, she was declared the winner and represented Greece in the Eurovision Song Contest held in Baku. She performed the song “Aphrodisiac” and ultimately placed 17th with a total of 64 points. After Eurovision, she embarked on the Aphrodisiac Tour in and outside of Greece. She also performed at the Fix Live club with Panos Kiamos, Giorgos Papadopoulos, and Rec. That same year, she won the “Best Cypriot Artist” award at the Cyprus Music Awards and released three more songs. The songs “Hearts Collide”, “Mystiko mou” (with Goin’ Through), and “Taxidi sti Vrochi”, which was the soundtrack for the Cypriot series “Vals me dodeka theous”. During the winter season of 2012-13, she performed at Club 22 with Panos Kiamos, Goin’ Through, and Vasiliki Dada. In 2013, she released three songs, made a brief appearance in the Cypriot series “Aspra Balonia”, and toured Greece, Cyprus, and Australia with Panos Kiamos. In 2014, she released her first studio album, “Teleiosame”, as well as three new songs. She also participated in the Greek TV show Your Face Sounds Familiar, performed with Panos Kalidis and Nancy Alexiadi at Lido Live Clubbing, and toured the US and Australia with Panos Kiamos. In 2015, she released the songs “Nyhtes Kaftes” and “Kane Mia Efchi”, performed live at Cabaret-Kolonaki with Lambis Livieratos and Christina Salti, and went on tour. In the 2015-16 season, she had a leading role in the series “Didyma Fengaria”. In 2016, she released the songs “Ston Kosmo Ton Diko Tis” and “Mamma Mia”, toured the US and Canada with Giorgos Tsalikis, and during the winter season of 2016-17 performed at Teatro Music Hall with Notis Sfakianakis and Vasilis Karras. In 2017, she released the song “Soma, vlemma kai psychi”. In 2018, she released the song “S’ Efxaristo” and during the 2018-19 season, she performed live with Stamatis Gonidis and Nikos Makropoulos. In 2019, she released the songs “Bonita” and “Den Ehoume Schesi” and performed at Frangelico with Christos Cholidis and Giorgos Giannias. During the 2019-20 season, she performed with Nikos Vertis, Nikiforos, Vangelis Kakouriotis, Morfoula Iakovidi, and Haris Savva. In 2020, she released the songs “Calm Down” with Koki and “Oi Istories mas” with Katerina Stikoudi. In 2021, she participated in the SKAI TV reality show, Survivor. Afterward, she released the song “Pame Ela”, a remake of Pamela’s song with the same title. During the winter season of 2021-2022, she performed at the Votanikos nightclub with Stamatis Gonidis and Nikos Makropoulos. In the summer of 2022, she toured with Nikos Oikonomopoulos. Entries Aphrodisiac Country🇬🇷 Greece Year2012 LanguageEnglish LyricsDimitri StassosMikaela StenströmDajana Lööf MusicDimitri StassosMikaela StenströmDajana Lööf BackingsVictoria Chalkitis DancersSissy BaxevanakiJenia Evgenios BuliGeorgios PapadopoulosSofia Michouli Results Semi Points: 116Position: 4Running order: 3 Results Finals Points: 64Position: 17Running order: 16 https://youtu.be/NreIi8ma_PY?si=79GlWy8KlsDU4zlV

Soluna Samay

About Quick Facts NameSoluna Samay Kettel Born01 month 1900 Nationality🇨🇭 Swiss National SelectionDansk Melodi Grand Prix 2012 In Eurovision2012 Baku SongShould’ve Known Better (2012) Biography Born on August 27, 1990, in Guatemala, Soluna Samay Kettel-Ziegler, better known by her stage name, Soluna Samay, is a musical talent who beautifully blends her multicultural heritage into her artistry. The daughter of a German father, Gerd George Kettel, and a Swiss mother, Annelis, Soluna’s music is as diverse and intricate as her background. A polyglot, she speaks Danish, English, Spanish, and German fluently. The year 2000 marked a pivotal transition when her family moved to Bornholm, Denmark. Though based in Denmark, she holds Swiss citizenship, reflecting her intricate blend of cultures. From the age of two, she was a traveler, journeying with her parents across Europe, soaking in its varied cultures and sounds. By five, Soluna was making music, often in collaboration with her father, known in the musical world as Gee Gee Kettel. Their duo, ‘Gee Gee & Soluna’, was an initial showcase of her musical promise. She found her rhythm with the drums and often performed classics like “Jambalaya” by Hank Williams. Parallel to her blossoming music career, Soluna pursued academic excellence in the field of music, studying musicology at the University of Copenhagen. “I Wish I Was a Seagull” in 2003 marked her entry into the music industry as a solo singer. 2011 was an essential year with the release of her album “Sing Out Loud” under Baltic Records. Her participation in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2012 for Denmark with “Should’ve Known Better” brought her international acclaim. She reached the Grand Final with the song and gained a 23rd place overall. Riding on the Eurovision wave, she released a self-titled album, “Soluna Samay” in 2013. Pushing her creative boundaries, she introduced the album “Golden” to her audience in 2016. 2019 was a significant year. Not only did she release singles “One More Reason To Hate Me” and “This Time Around”, but she also graced her fans with the EP “Northern Winds”. On 18 june 2022 she released another single, “Melancholia”. Soluna Samay’s journey, punctuated with her albums and international experiences, stands as a testament to her versatility and dedication. As she continues to craft her narrative, the world eagerly anticipates her next musical chapter. Entries Should’ve Known Better Country🇩🇰 Country Year2012 LanguageEnglish LyricsRemeeIsam B.Ali Sulaiman MusicRemeeChief 1 BackingsIhan HaydarKewan PádreJesper Faaborg Results Semi Points: 63Position: 9Running order: 13 Results Finals Points: 21Position: 23Running order: 15 https://youtu.be/U5X2r_t-KBk?si=g98c2jw8nrjKIU7L

Mandinga

About Quick Facts MembersElena IonescuAlexandru BurceaMarius Cristian CiupituValentin ZacharOmar Secada DihigoAlexander Himely Benavides Not on stageAntonio Segui Rolando Founded2002 Nationality🇷🇴 Romanian🇨🇺 Cuban (Omar, Alexander and Antonio) National SelectionSelecția Națională 2012Selecția Națională 2005 In Eurovision2012 Baku SongZaleilah (2012) Biography Mandinga is a Romanian pop band. They play latin influenced music. Mandinga burst onto the scene in December 2002, captivating audiences throughout Romania and even earning invitations to showcase their talent in countries like Bulgaria, Germany, Serbia, Poland, and Cuba. With songs in Romanian, Spanish, and English, their music is a melting pot of cultures. Their unique sound draws from Latin and Balkan folklore, seamlessly weaving in influences from diverse styles including salsa, La Guajira, hip-hop, Guajira funk, bolero, cha-cha, reggaeton, R&B, Latin house, calypso, Latin hip-hop, and even acid jazz. The original members of Mandinga were Alex (trumpet and vocals), Bazooka (timbales and percussion), Florin (bass and vocals), Chup (drums, percussion, and vocals), Omar Secada (keyboard), Ella (vocals), Zach (saxophone), Tony (trombone), Alejandro (vocals), and El Nino (percussion). Enhancing their performances, Mandinga is accompanied by professional dancers Elena and Simona. In 2005, Mandinga did their first attempt to reach the Eurovision Song Contest. Their song “Soarele meu” reached a 4th place in the national finals. In 2006, Elena became the lead singer. In 2007, the group achieved an impressive milestone, performing in around 300 concerts. They’ve made a mark on Romanian media, being regular guests on major TV shows, including the highly popular Danutz Ltd. Mandinga’s distinct style has led them to launch Salsa Fest, their own event brand, and Salsaphoria, their signature dance style. The Mandinga brand resonates with the public, symbolizing good vibes, dance, and the Latin spirit. In 2012, Mandinga won the national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Zaleilah”. The song thus represented Romania in the contest. Reaching the final, Romania made it to a 12th place in the Grand Final of the contest. “Zaleilah” became an international hit. The follow up song of “Zaleilah” was called “Papichulo”. In 2013 they released “The Mac Mac Song”, “La Vita É Bella” and “Cinéma”. They teamed up with Ahmed Chawki and Pitbull for the single “Habibi I love you”. In March 2014 the band teamed up with Fly Project. Their single was called “Hello”. In the same year, the band took part in the show Te Cunosc De Undeva (Your Face Sounds Familiar). On 11 May 2015, a new single was released: “Adrenalina”. It was in 2016 that Elena left the band. The new lead vocalist of Mandinga was and is Bárbara Isasi. Mandinga gave it’s first concert with the new singer on March 26 of that year. The band teamed up with Erik Ikote to release a single “Aventura” in May 2016. In 2017 the band released a salsa version of the Charlie Puth song “We don’t talk anymore”. In May the song is followed by a brand new single, “Besame”. The group teamed up with Tito Nieves, Jay Lugo and Surbana for the song, “Una noche mas”. In 2018 the band released the singles “Mayores”, “Arquitectura” and “Soy de Cuba”. Barbara took part in Te Cunosc De Undeva, in some shows accompanied by the other members of the band. Barbara won the contest. In 2019 the band released the single “Provocador”. Meanwhile, “Soy de Cuba” had over a million views on YouTube. Both videos were recorded in Cuba. The band went to perform at the Sazon Festival in Switzerland. In September they released the single “Niña Sincera”. The band was awarded European Tropical Act Of The Year at the Lukas Awards in London. The band teamed up with Olivia Addams for the song “B.A.N.D.I.D.A.”. Entries Zaleilah Country🇷🇴 Romania Year2012 LanguageEnglishSpanish LyricsElena IonescuOmar Secada DihigoCosti Ioniţă MusicCosti Ioniţă Backings– Results Semi Points: 120Position: 3Running order: 6 Results Finals Points: 71Position: 12Running order: 14 https://youtu.be/K3ruy639kTQ?si=CVxurzJ5a-ECnXtx

Sabina Babayeva

© Eurovisionary.com About Quick Facts NameSəbinə Babayeva Born02 December 1979 Nationality🇦🇿 Azerbaijani National SelectionMilli Seçim Turu 2012Milli Seçim Turu 2011 In Eurovision2012 Baku SongWhen The Music Dies (2012) Biography Sabin Babayeva is an Azerbaijani singer. Born on December 2, 1979, in the vibrant city of Baku, Azerbaijan, Sabina Babayeva exhibited a passion for music from an early age. After completing her schooling, she honed her vocal skills at the Asaf Zeynalli Music College, affiliated with the Azerbaijan National Conservatory, where she was fortunate to be tutored by the revered Azerbaijani folk artist, Natəvan Şeyxova. Sabina Babayeva was awarded UNICEF’s special diploma for her participation in charity concerts. She made her mark in the Azerbaijani music scene by representing her country in various musical competitions. She won awards at international competitions in Belarus, including the Slavyanski Bazar 99 and Qızıl şlyager 99. She emerged as the top laureate at the Dalğa-99 and Qızıl Açar 2001 competitions in Baku, Azerbaijan. She received an invitation to the vocal department of the Los Angeles Music Academy (LAMA) in 2002. In 2003, she gained widespread recognition for her performance of the song “Röya kimi” for the TV series “Bəyaz həyat.” Over the years, she explored the jazz genre, performing at the Baku Jazz Center. Sabina became the grand prize winner at the Amberstar 2009 International Music Telefestival during a sea voyage between Riga and Stockholm. She achieved the title of Grand Prix winner at the Slavyan ulduzu 2009 competition in Russia. She starred as a soloist in the musical Notre Dame de Paris between 2010 and 2011. Performed as a soloist at the Baku Jazz Center from 2011 and was a member of the group Aypara between 2007 and 2012. Babayeva’s journey with the Eurovision Song Contest began in 2011, where she vied for a chance to represent Azerbaijan but unfortunately did not reach the final selection. However, in 2012, she once again participated and emerged victorious. Babayeva represented Azerbaijan with her song “When the Music Dies,” presented on March 17. During the finals of the 57th Eurovision Song Contest, held on May 26, she sang alongside Azerbaijani folk artist and mugham performer, Alim Qasımov. She clinched the fourth position. After the Eurovision Song Contest she released the singles “”Gəl” and “Sevgi nəğməmiz”. 2013 saw the release of her songs “Eşq alovu” and “Oceans away,” the latter penned by Emin Ağalarova. The following year, she unveiled “Ey Azərbaycanım,” a song written by Günay Malikqızına. Sabina was a torchbearer at the First European Games held in Azerbaijan in 2015, where she performed the National Anthem of the Republic of Azerbaijan. She also was the honored guest at the closing concert of the 2017 Islamic Solidarity Games. She released the single “Can” in the same year. In recognition of her exceptional contributions to music, Babayeva was honored with the title of Emeritus Artist of Azerbaijan on May 27, 2018. In the same year, her single “Dəli hisslər” was released. The song “Bir insan dünyam oldu” came out in May 2019. A month later she performed at the United Nations Public Service Forum, which was held in Baku. In November a Leyla Aliyeva-written Russian song was released, “Ya Ne Khochu Tebya Teryat”. She published her performance of the Withney Houston song “I Have Nothing” on YouTube, as it was a great success. On the 1st of April, 2021, her new song “Atəş” was released on all platforms. In August of the same year, her first song, recorded outside Azerbaijan, came out: “Moy Rodnoy, Khoroshiy”. On 13 June, 2023, her new Azerbaijani single “Sən ve mən” was there. Entries When The Music Dies Country🇦🇿 Azerbaijan Year2012 LanguageEnglish LyricsAnders BaggeSandra BjurmanStefan ÖrnJohan Kronlund MusicAnders BaggeSandra BjurmanStefan ÖrnJohan Kronlund BackingsAlim QasımovAnna StrandbergJenny TarnebergAnna Nilsson Results Semi Points: –Position: –Running order: – Results Finals Points: 150Position: 4Running order: 13 https://youtu.be/yzT7O3Fnwpk?si=l4VdBRWlqloNhn7v

Tooji

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts NameTouraj Keshtkar Born26 May 1987 Nationality🇳🇴 Norwegian National SelectionNorsk Melodi Grand Prix 2012 In Eurovision2012 Baku SongStay (2012) Biography Touraj Keshtkar, known professionally as Tooji, is a Norwegian singer, painter, model and television host.Tooji was born in Shiraz, Iran, and moved to Norway at the age of one. His mother, Lily Bandehy, is a renowned author and political commentator. By 16, Tooji embarked on a modelling career. He soon found his way to MTV Norway, hosting shows like Super Saturday and Tooji’s Top 10. Apart from his media pursuits, he trained as a social worker and served in asylum reception centres. Tooji’s musical accolades include winning the Melodi Grand Prix 2012, which led him to represent Norway in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 with his song “Stay”. Though he qualified from the semi-finals, he placed 26th in the final round. Moreover, he presented international jury votes for various Eurovision events and has co-hosted Melodi Grand Prix Junior in Norway since 2012 alongside Margrethe Røed. Musically, Tooji has been a versatile artist. His 2013 single “Rebels” is described as a fusion of pop-dance with hints of organic elements and robust electronica. Later, in pursuit of refining his musical style, he moved to Stockholm and released “Packin’ Guns”, a track blending electronic components with a gritty, organic sound. Tooji’s approach often incorporates irony against intense beats. His background in social work and education deeply influences his music, often echoing political and social sentiments. For instance, “Cocktail” addresses contemporary gender norms, referencing a quote by Gloria Steinem. After openly discussing his sexuality, he unveiled “The Father” project, confronting the church’s stance on sexual relationships and perceived hypocrisy. His subsequent single “Say Yeah” takes a stand against homophobic violence. His single and EP “Father” played a pivotal role in his coming out journey, addressing the complex intersection of sexuality and the church. Meanwhile, Tooji also released his first children’s book, Taki og Bestemor. In 2016 Tooji played a role in the musical “Rent”, where he played the role of Angel, a HIV infected gay person in the nineties. In the same year he co-wrote “Start anew”, a song by Swedish/Norwegian singer Elouiz. He joined the ‘Dracula Song Camp’ in Bucharest in September. Together with Lori Witt and Lauren Gallagher, Tooji produced a short film, “Just hear me” based on the Father Project. The short film was released in December 2016. In March 2017, the second book of Taki og Bestemor was released. On 26 November 2017, producer Anderson released the song and video “Cool kids”. The song was written by Tooji, who also provided the vocals. In 2018, he composed the music for the film KuToppen. He made his first steps in the field of K-Pop in 2019, when he wrote the song “Want” for Taemin. In April of that year, Chris Viviano released a song “Black horse” with Tooji’s vocals. Since July 2019 Tooji is known as Samaj Ai Bandéh. He leads Pink Lotus soundhealing and meditation sessions. Meanwhile he kept writing songs for others, like for Sofie Rose (“Keep loving me”). His film De Reisende (The Travelers) was released in 2020. Entries Stay Country🇳🇴 Norway Year2012 LanguageEnglish LyricsToojiPeter BoströmFigge Boström MusicToojiPeter BoströmFigge Boström BackingsHans Esben Gihle DancersSérgio Benvindo jr.Daniel GillAnne Marit TynesMaria Ima Karlsen Results Semi Points: 45Position: 10Running order: 16 Results Finals Points: 7Position: 26Running order: 12 https://youtu.be/-ZaxIY1VAbM?si=eKhxqCe-AbvXzw9t

Ott Lepland

About Quick Facts NameOtt Lepland Born17 May 1987 Nationality🇪🇪 Estonian National SelectionEesti Laul 2022Eesti Laul 2012 In Eurovision2012 Baku SongKuula (2012) Biography Ott Lepland (born May 17, 1987 in Tallinn) is an Estonian singer and songwriter. He has been singing since he was a child. As a young boy, he released four cassettes: “Oti suvelaulud” (Ott’s Summer Songs), “Oti jõululaulud” (Ott’s Christmas Songs), “Ott ja valged jänesed” (Ott and the White Rabbits) and “Ott ja sõbrad” (Ott and Friends). The last two were also released on CD. Together with the band Beergrass, Lepland participated in the show “7 vaprat” with the song “Lambarock”. Ott Lepland has been involved in Old Town Studio productions like “Kommipoodi ära eksinud …” (Lost in the Candy Store…),[2] “12 tooli” (12 Chairs) and “Tuhat klouni” (A Thousand Clowns). Lepland studied pop-jazz singing at the Georg Ots Music School in Tallinn and attended the WAF singing school. In addition to singing, Lepland studied piano for ten years. With the WAF singing choir, he participated in the TV show “Laululahing” (Sing Battle), where Lepland was the soloist for several songs: “Sa haara kinni mu käest” (Take Hold of My Hand), “Vana vaksal” (Old Railway Station), and “On läinud aastad” (The Years Have Gone). In 2008, Lepland played the role of Richard the Lionheart in the joint production of Kaari Sillamaa’s Youth Music Theatre and Otsa School called “Saladin and Lionheart”. In addition, he was a background singer in the musical “Fame”. In April 2010, Ott Lepland released his eponymous debut album “Ott Lepland”. The album consists of 12 tracks, all in Estonian, written by Ott Lepland, Tanel Padar, Hendrik Sal-Saller, Laur Joamets, Kaspar Kalluste, and Taavi Paomets. The album was a big commercial success. In the spring of 2010 he also played the main male role in the Walt Disney musical High School Musical. In 2011, Ott Lepland participated in Eesti Otsib Superstaari (Idols). Almost 100,000 people participated in the superfinal vote of Eesti Otsib Superstaari 2011, 63% of whom favored Ott Lepland, while 37% voted for Birgit Varjun. The audience’s favorite, Ott Lepland, also won the prediction competition by the radio station Star FM – almost 90% of the respondents voted for him. Lepland won 100,000 kroons and a record deal with Crunch Industry. On August 30, 2011, the TV channel TV3 announced that Ott Lepland would participate in the series “Laulupealinn”, representing Kärdla. In each episode, he had to choose a new partner from Kärdla or Hiiumaa for singing. Since November 20, Kärdla carries the title of Estonia’s Song Capital. At the end of 2011, Ott Lepland released his second studio album “Laulan ma sind”. Ott Lepland played Leemet, one of the main characters in the movie “Vasaku jala reede” (Friday of the Left Foot) In December 2012, the film was also released on DVD. Ott submitted two songs to Eesti Laul 2012. The song “Kuula” advanced to the semi-finals. The song progressed to the Eesti Laul 2012 final on March 3, where “Kuula” emerged as the winner. The song represented Estonia in the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest held in Baku in May. Thanks to the votes from the jury and the television audience in the Eurovision Song Contest, Estonia advanced to the final held on May 26, performing eleventh. There, Ott secured the 6th place with 120 points. “Öö mu kannul käib” is Lepland’s third studio album, released in December 2012, produced by Crunch Industry. In 2013 he took part in the second season of the show “Su nägu kõlab tuttavalt” (Your Face Sounds Familiar) and ended up in 2nd place. In the second season of the show “Laula mu laulu” (Sing My Song) in 2014, he also participated. “Siinpoolne” is Lepland’s fourth studio album, released in May 2015, produced by Crunch Industry. “Maailm mu ees” is Lepland’s fifth studio album, released on November 17, 2016. It is an artistic concert album that contains Ott Lepland’s best songs over the years as well as newer ones. “Tagasirändur” is Lepland’s sixth studio album, released on October 15, 2018. The album is a collaboration with Rein Rannap, which brings together Rein Rannap’s creations and Ott Lepland’s vocals. In the autumn of 2018, TV3 aired the seventh or “golden” season of “Su nägu kõlab tuttavalt” (Your Face Sounds Familiar), in which artists from previous seasons participated. Ott Lepland finished the season in second place. In May 2019 Ott’s new single “Uued ootused” was released. In the summer of 2019 he performed at the Positivus festival in collaboration with Jaagup Kreem. The single “Kõik mis hea” was released in October. On May 12 2020, the single “Lootuses” was released. He teamed up with Púr Múdd for another single, “Vaikida võib”, which was released on 4 December. In May 2021 the single “Mailm me käes” was released. In July and August of that year Ott went ont tour with Tõnis Mägi. In October of that year the song “Mina veel Sind ei tea” came out. It was followed in December by a christmas song “Jõulud rõõmsaks”. Ott Lepland returned to Eesti Laul after 10 years. In 2022 he participated with the song “Aovalguses”, which he co-wrote with Maian Kärmas and Karl-Ander Reismann. The song reached a 6th place in the final of Eesti Laul. In the same year Ott was the unicorn in Maskislaulja (The Masked Singer). In June he released a new single, “Hommikud”. In August, he performed for the Eurovision Live Concert in Setúbal. Another thing he did that year was playing a main role in the tv-series “Naised vormis”. In March 2023 Ott released a brand new single, “Lõpmatuses”. Entries Kuula Country🇪🇪 Estonia Year2012 LanguageEstonian LyricsAapo Ilves MusicOtt Lepland BackingsMarvi Vallaste Results Semi Points: 100Position: 4Running order: 14 Results Finals Points: 120Position: 6Running order: 11 https://youtu.be/T7BaTBe0UD8?si=cMauBB_QI-AdP3IZ