2021

TIX

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts NameAndreas Andresen Haukeland Born12 april 1993 Nationality🇳🇴 Norway National SelectionNorsk Melodi Grand Prix 2021 In Eurovision2021 Rotterdam SongFallen angel (2021) Biography TIX is a Norwegian singer, songwriter and producer. He was born in Bærum. TIX is known for its colorful and flamboyant style with fur coat, sunglasses and headband applied with the text «TIX». The artist’s name comes from Tourette’s syndrome, which Haukeland has had since childhood. The syndrome causes involuntary twitches, so-called “tics”. These made him being bullied at school, but he chose to take ownership of “tics” by taking the artist name “TIX”. TIX wears sunglasses to hide twitches with the eye. TIX rose to fame in Norway in 2015 with the controversial song Sjeiken 2015. The lyrics contained lines like “Everyone knows it’s the Sheikh who rules, chilling in the lounge with 400 wives, we have champagne waterfalls, gonna push you there. My name’s Sheikh Yer Bouti” In 2016, he released his first and foremost single album, Dømt og berømt, which was on the official Norwegian album list for 79 weeks. TIX has worked as a songwriter in Los Angeles, where he has written “Game Time” for Flo Rida and “Sweet But Psycho” for Avea Max. In the summer of 2017, TIX has opened for Justin Bieber at Forus Travbane in Stavanger. After several years of Russian songs and party music, Haukeland released his first solo single, «Shotgun», in 2018. In 2019 he topped the VG list for the first time with the deeply personal song “Jegg vil ikke leve”. He has since followed up with a number of personal songs. He topped the VG list again twice. In January 2021, he was a guest on the talk show Lindmo on NRK1, where he told about his loneliness, depression and suicide attempt. There he said that the song “Jegg vil ikke leve” was based on the findings from this difficult time.In 2021, TIX won Norsk Melodi Grand Prix and thus represented Norway in the Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Fallen angel”. He took the opportunity to ask for attention to Gilles de la Tourette. His alleged blossoming love with the Azerbaijani contestant Efendi also attracted a lot of attention. “Fallen angel” reached the top of the Norwegian charts, as the follow up “Engel, ikke dra” did. That song was a dedication to a fan who passed away. Many other hits followed in 2021 and 2022. Entries Fallen angel Country🇳🇴 Norway Year2021 LanguageEnglish LyricsAndreas HaukelandMathias HaukelandEmelie Hollow MusicAndreas Haukeland BackingsJohannes Winter FarstadEivind DundasJohn MasakiReno AndersenBjørnar Erlandsen Results Semi Points: 115Position: 10Running order: 9 Results Finals Points: 75Position: 18Running order: 22 https://youtu.be/F0r3vmGLzZU

Jendrik

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts NameJendrik Sigwart Born27 august 1994 Nationality🇩🇪 German National SelectionInternal Selection In Eurovision2021 Rotterdam SongI don’t feel hate (2021) Biography Jendrik Sigwart was born in Hamburg in 1994. He is a German singer and musicalstar. Born in Hamburg-Volksdorf, Jendrik started playing music at a young age. He studied piano and violin. He did a study in musical and vocals at the Institute for Music at the Osnabrück Highschool. Already during his study, he played roles in several musicals like “Peter Pan”, “My fair lady” and “Hairspray”. Sigwart writes his own songs, that he publishes on Youtube. His trademark is the ukulele, a small four-stringed guitar of Hawaiian origin. In december 2020 Jendrik played three of his songs in a benefit concert for the refugees, living in Camp Moria in Greece. After getting 18 washing machines via internet, he decided to make a video clip and caught attention of German TV. In february 2021 it became known that he was going to represent Germany in the Eurovision Song Contest with the song “I don’t feel hate”. It meant his breakthrough among a larger audience. However, he became 25th in the contest. Entries I don’t feel hate Country🇩🇪 Germany Year2021 LanguageEnglish Lyrics & MusicJendrik SigwartChristoph Oswald Backings/DancersMyriam KüppersSophia EuskirchenMadina FreyElvin Karakurt Results Semi Points: –Position: –Running order: – Results Finals Points: 3Position: 25Running order: 15 https://youtu.be/1m0VEAfLV4E

Barbara Pravi

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts NameBarbara Pravi Born10 april 1993 Nationality French National SelectionC’est vous qui décidez 2021 In Eurovision2021 Rotterdam SongVoilá Biography Barbara Pravi, is a French singer-songwriter, born in Paris. Her stage name is Barbara Pravi. She is French, but with Serbian ancesters.It was in 2015 that Barbara Pravi was discovered by Capitol Records where she signed her very first contract. Her lyrics are very anchored in reality, largely autobiographical. In January 2016, she performed “On m’appelle Heidi”, the French version of the film Heidi, a 2015 adaptation, released in France in 2016. She played the role of Solange Duhamel in the musical show “Un été 44” in November 2016. She sang lyrics written by Jean-Jacques Goldman, Charles Aznavour and Maxime Le Forestier. She released her first single Pas grandir in 2015; it was included in her first EP, eponymous, released in 2017.At the end of 2017 and beginning of 2018, she opened for Florent Pagny in his tour, culminating in a concert at the Accor Hotels Arena, in Paris, on March 5 in front of 19,000 people. At the end of 2018, she quit with her initial team and began working with her new manager Élodie Papillon Filleul. In February 2020, she released a new 5-track EP “Reviens pour hiver” 9 of which she is the author, composer and co-director. Along with writing and composing her own songs, she writes for many other artists such as Yannick Noah, Julie Zenatti, Chimène Badi, Jaden Smith, Angelina, etc. Barbara Pravi and Igit have together more than 135 million views on YouTube with their compositions for kids. In 2019 and 2020, she co-wrote the songs “Bim Bam Toi” and “J’imagine”, representing France at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest. “J’Imagine”, performed by Valentina, won the 2020 competition. In 2021, she represented France in the Eurovision Song Contest in Rotterdam and became 2nd. In march 2021, International Women’s Day, she released a new EP composed of six titles, “Les Prières”. In September 2021, she released a second prayer EP called Prayers – roots. In December 2021, she was the only French artist selected by Apple Music in the “Reprises de Noël 2021” playlist by arranging and singing Charles Aznavour’s “Ave Maria”. Entries Voilà Country🇫🇷 France Year2021 LanguageFrench LyricsBarbara PraviLilli PoeIgit MusicBarbara PraviLilli Poe Backings– Results Semi Points: –Position: –Running order: – Results Finals Points: 499Position: 2Running order: 20 https://youtu.be/Unj9WbeLzRU

Anxhela Peristeri

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts NameAnxela Peristeri Born24 march 1986 Nationality🇦🇱 Albanian National SelectionFestivali i Këngës 2021 In Eurovision2021 Rotterdam SongKarma (2021) Biography Anxhela Peristeri, (born in Korça, is a well-known singer and songwriter. She got her first lessons in her hometown, she finished art high school in Tirana, while she graduated from the Academic Faculty in Greece. Angela lived in Greece for some time where she also participated in the X Factor. In 2014, she returned to Albania as a singer Anxhela Peristeri with a new song and clip entitled “Femër mediatike”. Although she has lived in Greece for years, she chose to return to the Albanian audience. She now lives in Tirana and is regularly participating in festivals and show. She is the winner of the first edition of “Your Face Sounds Familiar”, the runner up in “C’est la Vie” and the winner of the “Kënga magjike” 2017. In October 2020, Albanian broadcaster Radio Television Shqiptar (RTSH), announced that Peristeri was one of twenty-six contestants selected to compete in the 59th Festival i Kënges with the song “Karma”. Peristeri won this selection and represented Albania at the European Song Festival 2021 in May. Peristeri’s first EP,”N’Tiranë”, was released in January 2022. The single, “N’Tiranë”, had reached number 25 on Albania’s Top 100 chart. Entries Karma Country🇦🇱 Albania Year2021 LanguageAlbanian LyricsOlti Curri MusicKledi Bahiti Backings– Results Semi Points: 112Position: 10Running order: 11 Results Finals Points: 57Position: 21Running order: 2 https://youtu.be/OxniMKVXjqM

Lesley Roy

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts NameLesley Roy Born17 september 1986 Nationality🇮🇪 Irish National SelectionInternal Selection In Eurovision2021 Rotterdam2020 Rotterdam (Cancelled) SongMaps (2021)Story of my life (2020) Biography Lesley Roy is an Irish singer, born in Balbriggan, Dublin. She first signed a record deal in 2006, which resulted in an album “Unbeautiful” in 2008. The first single “I’m gone, i’m going” became an international hit with chart successes in the UK, the USA, Germany and Norway. The follow up single “Unbeautiful” became an international success as well. Both songs were part of the American Reality TV Series The Hills. Another song on the album, “Slow goodbyes”, was co-written by Katy Perry. After her first album, Lesley started to write songs for others. She wrote songs for Adam Lambert, Ashlyne Huff, Jana Kramer, Marlee Scott, the Dutch singer Miss Montreal and the Danish singer Medina.In 2016, Lesley Roy released a couple of singles, but unfortunately they didn’t reach the charts. In 2020 she was chosen to represent Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Story of my life”. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen, due to the cancellation of the contest. She was invited again to represent Ireland in 2021, which she did with the song “Maps”. The follow up for “Maps” was the song “I’ll be fine”. Also in 2021, she also opened for Boyzlife on their tour. Entries Maps Country🇮🇪 Ireland Year2021 LanguageEnglish Lyrics & MusicLesley RoyLukas HällgrenPhilip StrandNormandieDeependEmelie Eriksson BackingsEmelie ErikssonPhilip Strand BackingsMalin VängeliinIngrid Vagle Results Semi Points: 20Position: 16Running order: 7 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/FY2rxbZNvZ0 Story of my life Country🇮🇪 Ireland Year2020 LanguageEnglish LyricsLesley RoyRobert MarvinCatt Gravitt ComposersLesley RoyRobert MarvinCatt GravittTom Shapiro Backings– Results Semi Points: –Position: –Running order: – Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLgE0Ayl5Hc

Gjon’s Tears

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts NameGjon Muharremaj Born29 june 1998 Nationality🇨🇭 Swiss National SelectionInternal Selection In Eurovision2021 Rotterdam2020 Rotterdam (Cancelled) SongTout l’univers (2021)Répondez-moi (2020) Biography Gjon’s Tears, real name Gjon Muharremaj, is a Swiss singer of Kosovar origin. His stage name Gjon’s Tears is based on a childhood experience: When he was nine, he moved his grandfather to tears with a performance of Elvis Presley’s “Help Falling in Love”. It was his grandfather who registered him for Albania’s Got Talent in 2011, where he finished third. The following year, Gjon’s Tears participated in Die grössten Schweizer Talente. He also took part in the French version of The Voice. In 2020, he was supposed represent Switzerland in the Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Répondez-moi”. Unfortunately, due to the cancellation of the contest, that didn’t happen. Swiss TV has now invited him to be the 2021 contestant. His song, “Tout l’univers”, became the winner of the expert jury. Overall, Gjon became 3rd. Also in 2021, Gjon’s Tears featured in a song of Arilena Ara, with the title “Dance me”. He won an MTV Europe Music Award for best Swiss song. At the end of 2021 he participated in The Voice All Stars France. In 2022, his song “Silhouette” became a huge hit in Albania. Entries Tout l’univers Country🇨🇭 Switzerland Year2021 LanguageFrench Lyrics & MusixGjon MuharremajWouter HardyNina Sampermans MusicGjon MuharremajWouter HardyNina SampermansXavier Michel Backings– Results Semi Points: 291Position: 1 Running order: 16 Results Finals Points: 432Position: 3Running order: 14 https://youtu.be/jznH_fltcYA Répondez-moi Country Switzerland Year2021 LanguageFrench Lyrics & MusicGjon MuharremajXavier MichelAlizé OswaldJeroen Swinnen Backings– Results Semi Points: –Position: –Running order: – Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/O9GAfFHZE-E

Hurricane

© EBU/Thomas Hanses About Quick Facts Group membersSanja VučićIvana NikolićKsenija Knežević Founded2017 Nationality🇷🇸 Serbian National SelectionBeovizija 2020 In Eurovision2021 Rotterdam2020 Rotterdam (cancelled) SongLoco Loco (2021)Hasta la Vista (2020) Biography Hurricane, also known as Hurricane Girls, is a Serbian R&B-pop girl group founded by Zoran Milinković in November 2017. It consists of three members: Sanja Vučić , Ivana Nikolic and Ksenija Knežević. The girls sing mostly in English; so far they have only released two songs in their native language Serbian. Hurricane aims to become recognized globally; they have collaborated with Hollywood producer Stephen Belafonte. They released a total of 18 singles so far. In 2020 they were supposed to represent Serbia in the Eurovision Song Contest. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen due to the corona crisis. One year later, they were asked again by Serbian television to represent their country. For that cause, they had a song called “Loco loco”. In may 2022 it was announced that Hurricane with the Eurovision line up was going to stop. A search for new members was announced. The members are:Sanja Vučić – lead vocalVucic is from a musical family. She has contributed in ethno and jazz bands as well as in church choirs. She was a member of the ZAA band for five years; she represented Serbia at the in the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest.Ivana Nikolić – standard vocalNikolić is known to the world of modern dance and music. She first appeared on stage in the Belgrade arena with Yugoslav stars in the ’90s. She collaborated with Jala Brat on his single “Young and Crazy”.Ksenija Knežević – Standard VocalKnežević also comes from a musical family: her father is the popular Montenegrin singer Knez. She competed at children’s festivals as a youngster, and at Beovizija with her song “Magi” when she was a high school student. She was part of Sevdah Baby before joining Hurricane. Entries Loco Loco Country🇷🇸 Serbia Year2021 LanguageSerbian LyricsSanja Vučić MusicNemanja AntonićDarko Dimitrov BackingsJelena PajićOlga Popović-VulovićMladen Lukić Results Semi Points: 124Position: 8Running order: 9 Results Finals Points: 102Position: 15Running order: 8 https://youtu.be/Q1lkpIqf7a4 Hasta la vista Country🇷🇸 Serbia Year2020 LanguageSerbian LyricsKosana StojićSanja Vučić MusicNemanja Antonić Backings– Results Semi Points: –Position: –Running order: – Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/7fqZevYLUMs

Uku Suviste

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts NameUku Suviste Born06 June 1982 Nationality🇪🇪 Estonian National SelectionEesti Laul 2017Eesti Laul 2019Eesti Laul 2020Eesti Laul 2021 In Eurovision2021 Rotterdam2020 Rotterdam (cancelled) SongThe lucky one (2021)What love is (2020, cancelled) Biography Uku Suviste is an Estonian singer, pianist, songwriter and music producer. He was born in Võru. He has sung in the Tallinn Boys ‘Choir and the Lydia Rahula School Boys’ Choir. When Uku joined the Tallinn Music School, he followed solfeggio lessons and piano. He graduated from the music school in 1997. He studied pop-jazz singing at the Georg Ots Tallinn Music School in 2002. Uku participated in the Uno Naissoo Young Composers’ Contest more than once. In 2004, his song “Never Have To” was awarded the Uno Naissoo Special Prize. A year later, he took part in the same competition with the six-voice a cappella vocal ensemble Sõbrad, They became second. Also in 2005, Uku took part in the show Kaks takti ette, where he became 3rd. After this, he worked as a producer at the Elmar Liitmaa Rockhouse Music Studio. By the end of the year, his first single “It’s christmas time” was released. In 2006, he has completed a year and a half in singing and music production at Berklee College of Music in the United States. Uku was the second vocal soloist and keyboard player in the band Lament, which deals with R&B and disco music of the 1980s. In 2008, he returned to the Naissoo Young Composers’ Contest and won it with the song “Refreshing”. In November 2008, the album “Beautiful Tim”e was released in collaboration with Birgit Õigemeel. Uku’s main activity was arranging songs, and the album featured several duets between Birgit and Uku. In 2010, Uku Suviste participated in the international song contest “New Wave” in Jūrmala. Uku, who represented Estonia, reached the 3rd place. In 2011, he was supposed to participate in Eesti Laul, the national final for the Eurovision Song Contest. However, he was disqualified because the song “Jagatud öö” was already used for other purposes in 2004. In 2012, he co-wrote the music video “Invincible” with Estonian Defense Forces and UNICEF for Estonian and foreign soldiers participating in missions and their families. Uku has performed in musicals such as “Oliver Twist”, “Chicago” and “West Side Story”. In 2017, he took part in Eesti Laul but did not reach the final. He had more luck in 2019 with the song “Pretty little liar”, which was the runner up. In 2020, he was chosen to represent Estonia in the Eurovision Song Contest with the song “What love is”. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen due to the corona crisis. However, in 2021 he won Eesti Laul again, this time with the song “The lucky one”. He went on to represent Estonia in the Eurovision Song Contest in Rotterdam. Entries The lucky one Country🇪🇪 Estonia Year2021 LanguageEnglish LyricsSharon VaughnUku Suviste MusicUku Suviste BackingsKaarel Orumägi Results Semi Points: 58Position: 13Running order: 2 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/mhMZQyv_Fhw What love is Country🇪🇪 Estonia Year2020 LanguageEnglish LyricsSharon Vaughn MusicUku Suviste Backings– Results Semi Points: –Position: –Running order: – Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/3EIQ6U039ms

Daði & Gagnamagnið

© EBU/Thomas Hanses About Quick Facts Group membersDaði Freyr PéturssonÁrný Fjóla ÁsmundsdóttirSigrún Birna PétursdóttirHulda Kristín KolbrúnardóttirStefán HannessonJóhann Sigurður Jóhannsson Established2017 Nationality🇮🇸 Icelandic National SelectionSöngvakeppnin 2017, 2020 In Eurovision2021 Rotterdam2020 Rotterdam (cancelled) Song10 years (2021)Think about things (2020) Biography Daði Freyr Pétursson (born in 1992) is an Icelandic musician living in Berlin, Germany. Daði was born in Reykjavík but grew up in Denmark until the age of nine, when his family moved to Iceland. He began his musical career with the Orchestra of Few. Later he joined a band called RetRoBot. They released one album, “Blackout”, a year later.In 2014, Daði Freyr moved to Berlin where he began recording. He started playing under the name Mixophrygian and a year later he released the album “Forever”.In 2017, Daði participated in Söngvakeppnin, the national final for the Eurovision Song Contest, with the song “Hvað með það?” (“Is This Love?”), which he performed with his wife Árnýja Fjóla Ásmundsdóttir and the band Gagnamagnið. They reached the secont place. Daði Freyr and his band Gagnamagnið were chosen to represent Iceland in the 2020 Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Think about things”. Unfortunately, due to the corona crisis, that didn’t happen. Daði was asked to do the job again in 2021 and wrote the song “10 years” for the occasion. Unfortunately, due to a corona infection of one of the band members, they couldn’t perform live on stage during the contest. However, a video of one of the rehearsals was shown, so they could participate anyway. Iceland became 4th. Entries 10 years Country Iceland Year2021 LanguageEnglish Lyrics and musicDaði Freyr Backings– Results Semi Points: 288Position: 2Running order: 8 Results Finals Points: 378Position: 4Running order: 12 https://youtu.be/YSMhu-PrLME Think about things Country🇮🇸 Iceland Year2020 LanguageEnglish Lyrics and musicDaði Freyr Backings– Results Semi Points: –Position: –Running order: – Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/1HU7ocv3S2o

Efendi

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts NameSamirə Əfəndiyeva Born17 april 1991 Nationality🇦🇿 Azerbaijani National SelectionBöyuk Sehne 2014Internal Selection 2020, 2021 In Eurovision2021 Rotterdam2020 Rotterdam (Cancelled) SongMata Hari (2021)Cleopatra (2020) Biography Samira Efendi is an Azerbaijani singer, born in Baku. Since 1994, she had been a soloist of the Children’s Philharmonic under the direction of Ogtay Zulfugarov. In 2001 he entered the children’s music school in Baku, and in 2006 she graduated. In 2006, she entered the Asaph Zeynalli College of Music within the National Conservatory. Three years later, she took part in the talent show Yeni Ulduz. In 2014, she was a finalist in talent show Böyuk Sehne. As a soloist she participated in the BakuProject. She also participated in the national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest. In 2015, she participated n a concert program dedicated to the European Games in Azerbaijan. She reached the final of The Voice of Azerbaijan in 2016. In the same year she participated in the Belarusian Youth Festival in Shamkir. She successfully represented Azerbaijan at the International Jazz Festival in Alanya, Turkey and gave a solo concert at the Yarat Contemporary Art Center. She performed at the opening ceremony of the 2016 Azerbaijan Volleyball Championship. In 2016, she sang a song called “Sürət”, compiled by Tunzale Agaeva for Formula 1. In 2017, she changed her performance name into Samira Efendi. In Baku she sang “Hello Baki” for the Islamic Solidarity Games. In 2017, a a song and video “Ya Tantsuyu / Dance” was released in Ukraine. She travelded to Bucharest, Romania, for another project. It became the song “Tocame”, a duet with Seeya. In the same year, she represented Azerbaijan in the SilkWayStar contest in Almaty, Kazakhstan. In 2018, she gave a concert in Moscow.In 2020, Samira Efendi was chosen to represent Azerbaijan in the Eurovision Song Contest. Unfortunately that didn’t happen, due to the cancellation of the contest. Azerbaijani tv announced her as the 2021 Eurovision representative. She sang the song “Mata Hari” in the contest. The song caught attention of the mayor of Leeuwarden and the commisioner of the King in Friesland, where Mata Hari originates from. They gave a voting advice in favour of Azerbaijan. Her alleged blossoming love with the Norwegian contestant TIX also attracted a lot of attention. In may 2022, Efendi released a new song called “Being a woman”. Entries Mata Hari Country🇦🇿 Azerbaijan Year2021 LanguageEnglish Lyrics and musicAmy van der WelLuuk van BeersTony CornelissenJosh Earl DancersVeronika VolosovaAlexandra GolosnichenkoAdeline DeliAlina Lee Results Semi Points: 138Position: 8Running order: 14 Results Finals Points: 65Position: 20Running order: 21 https://youtu.be/FTQ22S5YC7Q Cleopatra Country Azerbaijan Year2021 LanguageEnglish Lyrics and musicLuuk van BeersAlan Roy ScottSarah Lake ComposersLuuk van BeersAlan Roy ScottSarah Lake Backing Vocals– Results Semi Points: –Position: –Running order: – Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0VzBCvO1Wk