Duos

Samir Javadzadeh

About Quick Facts NameSamir Cavadzadə Born16 April 1980 Nationality🇦🇿 Azerbaijani National SelectionLand Of Fire 2008 In Eurovision2008 Belgrade SongDay After Day (with Elnur Hüseynov 2008) Biography Samir Javadzadeh (born April 16, 1980, Baku) is an Azerbaijani singer. He started his musical education at a young age. In 1992, he began studying at Music School No. 9. He is considered a performer of Azerbaijani folk music. In 1997, he enrolled in the “Foreign Relations” faculty of the Business University. After graduating from the institute, he studied mugham (traditional Azerbaijani music) for 5 years. After one year of military service, he joined the group Sheron. In 2006, he left the group and started his solo career. In 2008, Samir Javadzadeh participated in the national selection to represent Azerbaijan for the first time in the Eurovision Song Contest. In the national final he performed the song “Day After Day” as a duet with Elnur Hüseynov. After the jury’s vote, they won. At the Eurovision Song Contest itself, Elnur and Samir reached the 8th place in the Grand Final. The single “Day After Day” gained popularity in many foreign countries, and the music video remained at the top of the charts in Azerbaijan for a long time. In July, Samir appeared in a commercial for the Neolit restaurant alongside Elnur and other singers. Later, he performed the legendary “Cheri Cheri Lady” song of Modern Talking together with Elnur Huseynov. However, due to rumors circulating about him, he took a long break from the spotlight and rested. His first songs as a solo singer were with the songs “Bəlkə” (mən bəlkə sən) and “Mənim üçün yox” .His performance of the song “Deyin ona” with Röya became a hit in Azerbaijan for a long time. After his participation in the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest, Samir Javadzadeh took a break from the spotlight. In 2010, Samir wrote and returned to the stage with the songs “Səninlə Birlikdə” (Quci, quci), “İnsafsızlar” (composed by Ramal Israfilov), “Təkcə Sənə Bağlanıb Qəlbim (Son görüş),” and “Bu da Son.” In January 2011, it was announced that his producer planned his first solo concert, but it was later announced that the concert would take place at the end of the year. In November 2017, he released a new single, with the title “Şəhər darıxır bizsiz.” After a long hiatus, on February 13, 2019, he released the music video for the song “Sev Məni,” which quickly surpassed 2 million views. The song reached the no.1 spot in the MTV Azerbaijan charts. On 19 February 2022, he released the song “Son görüş”, a song of Ranar Musayev. Entries Day After Day (Elnur & Samir) Country🇦🇿 Azerbaijani Year2008 LanguageEnglish LyricsZahra Bədəlbəyli MusicGovher Hasanzadə BackingsNames of the 2 dancers and 2 backing singers are unknown. Results Semi Points: 96Position: 6Running order: 7 Results Finals Points: 132Position: 8Running order: 20 https://youtu.be/6OGVL_9P5fw

Debrah Scarlett

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts NameJoanna Deborah Bussinger Born20 July 1993 Nationality🇳🇴 Norwegian National SelectionNorsk Melodi Grand Prix 2015 In Eurovision2015 Vienna SongA Monster Like Me (2015, with Mørland) Biography Joanna Deborah Bussinger (born July 20, 1993, in Basel, Switzerland), known by her stage names Debrah Scarlett and Red Moon, is a Norwegian-Swiss singer and musician. Scarlett grew up in both Switzerland and Norway. From the age of six until she was ten years old, she lived with her family in Hakadal in the eastern part of Norway. After moving back to Switzerland, Scarlett traveled frequently between Switzerland and Norway. In the autumn of 2013, Scarlett participated in the Norwegian talent program The Voice – Norges beste stemme. Scarlett joined Sondre Lerche’s team and reached the semifinals. In the autumn of 2014, Scarlett moved back to Norway, where she received an invitation from artist Kjetil Mørland to collaborate on a song for the Melodi Grand Prix. Scarlett accepted the offer after reading the song lyrics. Mørland wanted her as a partner after seeing her on The Voice. The song was titled “A Monster Like Me” and won the Melodi Grand Prix in 2015 with 88,869 votes. Therefore, the song became Norway’s entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2015. The song is about confronting unresolved issues from the past and having to let go of the person one loves. The song reached the grand final on May 23. Debrah Scarlett and Mørland placed 8th. On August 5, 2015, Scarlett participated in the NRK program Sommeråpent, where she performed “Always On My Mind” with Mørland. She also appeared on the music program Beat for beat on December 4, 2015. Scarlett performed “A Monster Like Me” with Mørland in the Melodi Grand Prix 2016. Scarlett released her debut single as a solo artist, “To Figure,” on February 26, 2016. It was composed and written by Scarlett and released independently without a record contract. The song was a mix of various styles, and Scarlett did not want to be “genre-bound.” The Swiss website Blick.ch described the song as “a powerful ballad with depth and a lot of heart.” Her EP, “DYS(U)TOPIA,” was released on March 17, 2017, featuring the single “Cynical Youth.” The music video for the single was directed by Nico Schmied and Gregor Brändli. In 2019, Debrah Scarlett changed her stage name into Red Moon. She released her single “Dogma” in February, “Medusa” in May and “Dreamer” in September of the year 2020. All songs can be found on the EP “Phase I:IX”, which was released on 9 october 2020. In March 2021 a new single came out: “Emotional”. followed by “Thirsty” two months later and “Gut-feeling” in July. In September and October of the same year she went on tour and opened for Eivør in several European countries. By the same time, on 17 September, her new EP “Phase 2:22” was released. Entries A Monster Like Me (with Mørland) Country🇳🇴 Norway Year2015 LanguageEnglish LyricsKjetil Mørland MusicKjetil Mørland BackingsHåvard GrytingMay Kristin KaspersenJulie Lillehaug KaasaBjørnar Reime Erlandsen Results Semi Points: 123Position: 4Running order: 6 Results Finals Points: 102Position: 8Running order: 9 https://youtu.be/vY1FCXDojMU

Mørland

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts NameKjetil Mørland Born03 October 1980 Nationality🇳🇴 Norway National SelectionNorsk Melodi Grand Prix 2019Norsk Melodi Grand Prix 2015 In Eurovision2015 Vienna SongA Monster Like Me (2015, with Debrah Scarlett) Biography Kjetil Mørland (born October 3, 1980) is a Norwegian singer and songwriter, born in Grimstad in the southern part of Norway. He has lived in England for most of his adult life. With his British band Absent Elk, Mørland released the album “Caught in the Headlights” in 2009, produced by Toby Smith (Jamiroquai). In the fall of 2014, Mørland temporarily moved to Oslo to establish himself as a solo artist under the name Mørland. Mørland wrote the song “A Monster Like Me,” which won the Norwegian final of the Melodi Grand Prix 2015. “A Monster Like Me” was performed by Kjetil Mørland and Debrah Scarlett. Through their victory in the Melodi Grand Prix, Mørland and Debrah Scarlett represented Norway in the Eurovision Song Contest 2015 in Vienna, Austria. Mørland and Debrah Scarlett qualified for the final on Saturday, May 23. In the final, Norway placed eighth. Mørland won the Marcel Bezençon Award in the Composer category for “A Monster Like Me.” Mørland also participated as a songwriter in Melodi Grand Prix 2018 with the song “Who We Are.” The song was performed by Rebecca Thorsen and finished in second place. In 2019, he participated again as a songwriter and vocalist with the song “En livredd mann” and as one of the songwriters for “The Bubble,” performed by Adrian Jørgensen. “En livredd mann” was eliminated in the first round, while “The Bubble” finished in second place in the final. In 2020, Mørland won the Melodi Grand Prix for the second time, this time as a songwriter for “Attention,” performed by Ulrikke Brandstorp. The song was intended to be the Norwegian entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 in the Netherlands. However, the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During the Melodi Grand Prix 2021, he contributed as one of the songwriters for “Eyes Wide Open,” performed by Rein Alexander. Unfortunately, the song did not make it to the gold final. Moving on to the Melodi Grand Prix 2022, he collaborated with Sofie Fjellvang as a songwriter for “Made of Glass,” which was also performed by Sofie. This entry achieved a respectable third or fourth place. In the Melodi Grand Prix 2023, he teamed up with Kate Gulbrandsen as a songwriter for “Tårer i paradis,” performed by Kate herself. However, this song was eliminated during the first semi-final round. Entries A Monster Like Me (with Debrah Scarlett) Country🇳🇴 Norway Year2015 LanguageEnglish LyricsKjetil Mørland MusicKjetil Mørland BackingsHåvard GrytingMay Kristin KaspersenJulie Lillehaug KaasaBjørnar Reime Erlandsen Results Semi Points: 123Position: 4Running order: 6 Results Finals Points: 102Position: 8Running order: 9 https://youtu.be/vY1FCXDojMU

Stig Rästa

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts NameRaul-Stig Rästa Born24 February 1980 Nationality🇪🇪 Estonian National SelectionEesti Laul 2020Eesti Laul 2015Eesti Laul 2014Eesti Laul 2012Eesti Laul 2011Eesti Laul 2009Eurolaul 2008Eurolaul 2004Eurolaul 2003 In Eurovision2015 Vienna SongGoodby To Yesterday (with Elina Born, 2015) Biography Raul-Stig Rästa, born on 24 February 1980 in Tallinn, is an Estonian singer and songwriter. Rästa’s musical journey includes being part of various bands and projects. From 2002 to 2006, he formed a band called Slobodan River with Ithaka Maria and Tomi Rahula. He played in the bands Traffic from 2006 and Outloudz from 2010. Additionally, in 2011, Rästa participated as a contestant in the fifth season of Let’s Dance, finishing in fourth place with his partner Karina Vesman. In 2012, he played the role of Moritz in the Estonian production of the musical Spring Awakening. He is also involved in the electronic music duo Kisma, alongside Vallo Kikas. Rästa made multiple attempts to represent Estonia in the Eurovision Song Contest. He competed with Slobodan River in Eurolaul 2003 and 2004, with Traffic in Eurolaul 2008 and Eesti Laul 2009, 2012, 2014, and 2020. He also finished as a runner-up with Outloudz in Eesti Laul 2011. In Eesti Laul 2015, Rästa entered with the duet “Goodbye to Yesterday” performed with Elina Born. The song won by a significant margin in the superfinal, receiving 79% of the popular vote. In the Eurovision Song Contest, the entry qualified for the grand final and achieved 7th place. Rästa co-wrote the song “Play” by Jüri Pootsmann, which represented Estonia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 but failed to qualify. In Eesti Laul 2017, Rästa returned as a composer for Elina Born’s entry “In or Out,” which finished 10th in the final. He also wrote her song “Enough” for her first Eesti Laul in 2013, which placed 8th in the final. He competed as a solo artist in Eesti Laul 2018 with the song “Home,” securing a second-place finish. Rästa co-wrote the song “Storm” by Victor Crone, which represented Estonia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2019, placing 20th in the final with 76 points. In Eesti Laul 2022, he participated with the song “Interstellar,” earning a 9th place in the final. Rästa took part in the 2023 Estonian parliamentary election as a candidate for Estonia 200 but did not get elected as a member of Parliament for electoral district no. 4 (Harju and Rapla counties, excluding Tallinn). Entries Goodbye To Yesterday (& Elina Born) Country🇪🇪 Estonian Year2015 LanguageEnglish LyricsStig Rästa MusicStig Rästa Backings– Results Semi Points: 105Position: 3Running order: 7 Results Finals Points: 106Position: 7Running order: 4 https://youtu.be/Xsx_dIJOtgI

Elina Born

© EBU/Thomas Hanses About Quick Facts NameElina Born Born29 June 1994 Nationality🇪🇪 Estonian National SelectionEesti Laul 2017Eesti Laul 2015Eesti Laul 2013 In Eurovision2015 Vienna SongGoodbye To Yesterday (with Stig Rästa, 2015) Biography Elina Born is an Estonian singer. She was born in Lehse in northern Estonia in 1994. She caught the attention of Stig Rästa through a YouTube video where she showcased her singing skills by performing “Cruz” by Christina Aguilera. It was during Elina’s school days that she received a Facebook message from Stig. In 2012, Elina Born participated in the Estonian reality competition show called Eesti otsib superstaari (Estonia is Searching for a Superstar). This program aimed to uncover the most talented singer in Estonia by conducting auditions across the country. Elina successfully navigated through the audition, theatre round, studio round, and ultimately reached the final stage. Although she advanced to the Super Final, she ended up as the runner-up, with Rasmus Rändvee emerging as the winner. Elina Born participated in the Eesti Laul 2015 competition, in collaboration with Stig Rästa. Eesti Laul is the national final for the Eurovision Song Contest. They competed with the song “Goodbye to Yesterday”. They were eventually selected to represent Estonia at the Eurovision Song Contest 2015. In the final of the Eurovision Song Contest, Elina and Stig secured 7th place. Right after the Eurovision Song Contest, Elina released a new solo single, called “Kilimanjaro”. The song became a huge hit again for the singer, reaching the no. 3 spot in the Estonian charts. In 2017, two years later, Elina returned to the Eesti Laul competition with the song “In or Out,” which was co-written by Stig Rästa, Vallo Kikas, and Fred Krieger. Elina successfully qualified for the final and finished in 10th place. Although “In or Out” did not reach the charts, the follow up “Jagatub saladus” did. It was a duet with Jüri Pootsmann. In the national Estonian charts, it even reached the no. 1 spot. In 2019, the songs “Tagasi me” and “Kordumatu” also reached the charts. In 2020, she released the song “Niinea” and in 2021 “Linnuteid”. Entries Goodbye To Yesterday (& Stig Rästa) Country🇪🇪 Estonian Year2015 LanguageEnglish LyricsStig Rästa MusicStig Rästa Backings– Results Semi Points: 105Position: 3Running order: 7 Results Finals Points: 106Position: 7 Running order: 4 https://youtu.be/Xsx_dIJOtgI

Jake Shakeshaft

© EBU/Thomas Hanses About Quick Facts NameJake Shakeshaft Born25 July 1995 Nationality🇬🇧 British National SelectionEurovision: You Decide 2016 In Eurovision2016 Stockholm SongYou’re not alone (2016, Joe & Jake) Biography Jake Shakeshaft was born in 1995 in Newcastle under Lyme. Since 2012, Jake Shakeshaft has been honing his guitar playing and singing skills, starting his solo performances the following year. In August 2014, he distinguished himself as a finalist at the NUA Entertainment Next Big Thing, held at The Cavern in Liverpool, making it to the final five. While studying Music Technology at Newcastle-under-Lyme College and juggling part-time work, he decided to focus on music full time and left his job. In 2015, Jake took part in The Voice UK, being coached by Will.i.am. Jake did not reach the live shows as he had to leave in the knockout round. While participating in The Voice UK, Joe Woolford and Jake Shakeshaft developed a strong friendship that led them to team up for Eurovision: You Decide, a competition organized by the BBC to select the UK’s representative for the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest. They emerged victorious among six contenders in the national final, a decision determined entirely by public voting that involved both televoting and online voting. Their performance of the song “You’re Not Alone” took place on May 14, 2016, at the Ericsson Globe in Stockholm, Sweden. On March 11, 2016, Sony Music UK announced that they had signed a record deal with Joe and Jake. Despite their efforts, the duo placed 24th in the Eurovision Song Contest 2016. The follow up, “Tongue tied”, was released in January 2017. After a break, Jake started performing again in September 2018. Entries You’re Not Alone (Joe & Jake) Country🇬🇧 British Year2016 LanguageEnglish LyricsMatt SchwartzJustin BensonSiva Kaneswaran MusicMatt SchwartzJustin BensonSiva Kaneswaran BackingsMikey BurkeRoss HarrisChris MoncrieffLai Shin-Aba Results Semi Points: –Position: –Running order: – Results Finals Points: 62Position: 24Running order: 25 https://youtu.be/XgGahKsBtts

Joe Woolford

© EBU/Thomas Hanses About Quick Facts NameJoe Woolford Born11 December 1994 Nationality🇬🇧 British National SelectionEurovision: You Decide 2016 In Eurovision2016 Stockholm SongYou’re Not Alone (2016, Joe & Jake) Biography Born in Ruthin, Wales in 1994, Joe Woolford discovered his deep-seated love for music at the tender age of nine, nurtured by his musically inclined family. His talent truly began to shine when he made it to the Grand Final of the Open Mic UK competition during the period of 2013 to 2014. Equally adept at rapping and songwriting, Woolford’s music is inspired by various influences, not least of which is Tupac Amaru Shakur, better known as 2Pac. In 2015, Joe decided to participate in The Voice UK. With Rita Ora as a coach, he made it to the 2nd live show before he got eliminated. While participating in The Voice UK, Joe Woolford and Jake Shakeshaft developed a strong friendship that led them to team up for Eurovision: You Decide, a competition organized by the BBC to select the UK’s representative for the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest. They emerged victorious among six contenders in the national final, a decision determined entirely by public voting that involved both televoting and online voting. Their performance of the song “You’re Not Alone” took place on May 14, 2016, at the Ericsson Globe in Stockholm, Sweden. On March 11, 2016, Sony Music UK announced that they had signed a record deal with Joe and Jake. Despite their efforts, the duo placed 24th in the Eurovision Song Contest 2016. The follow up, “Tongue tied”, was released in January 2017. Beside performances as Joe & Jake after Eurovision, Joe teamed up with Hapoly & OutaMatic for the song “Turn back time”, which was released in November 2016. In early 2019, Joe performed in the Caribbean and in Brasil, but also in Hongkong. On 28 January 2021, Joe’s new single “Superpowers” was released. The follow up “Because of you” was released in August of the same year. Entries You’re Not Alone (Joe & Jake) Country🇬🇧 United Kingdom Year2016 LanguageEnglish LyricsMatt SchwartzJustin BensonSiva Kaneswaran MusicMatt SchwartzJustin BensonSiva Kaneswaran BackingsMikey BurkeRoss HarrisChris MoncrieffLai Shin-Aba Results Semi Points: –Position: –Running order: – Results Finals Points: 62Position: 24Running order: 25 https://youtu.be/XgGahKsBtts

Road to Liverpool: Ukraine

We can not wait for the Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool. Therefore, we have a closer look at one of the contestants every day. Today: Ukraine. Tvorchi This year, Ukraine was the first country to select this song. Tvorchi was chosen with the song “Heart of steel”. The song was inspired by the events in May in the Azovstal factory in Mariupol. By that time, the factory was the last place in Mariupol which was defended against the Russians. The duo singing the song is Tvorchi. Tvorchi excists of Andrii Hutsuliak and Nigerian born Jimoh Augustus Kihende. Both were students at the Faculty of Pharmacy in Ternopil, in the west of Ukraine. released their debut single “Slow” in 2017. Their debut album followed in 2018. In 2020, Tvorchi became 4th in Vidbir, the national final for the Eurovision Song Contest, with the song “Bonfire“. So far, Tvorchi released four albums. Vidbir The national final for the Eurovision Song Contest is called Vidbir. On 17 December last year the final was held in a shelter, the Maidan Nezhalesto Metro Station. After a shortlist with 36 names was published, 10 acts and songs were selected for Vidbir. While the jury chose for Krutь, the televoting audience had Tvorchi as there favourite. Tvorchi became the overall winner. It is not the first time that Vidbir is the national selection. It is the name of the national final since 2016. Often, with this year as an exception, the final is held after two semifinals. Ukraine in the Eurovision Song Contest Ukraine participates in the Eurovision Song Contest since 2003. Already after one year, Ruslana brought the trophy home with her song “Wild dances”. The second Ukrainian victory came in 2016 with Jamala. She sang “1944”. With a landslide victory, Kalush Orchestra managed to win the contest last year with “Stefania”. But Ukraine also holds another record. No other country reached the final in ALL occasions. The contest is not held in Ukraine this year. Due to the war, safety guarantees could not be made. The bookmakers Ukraine is currently 3rd at the bookmakers. It would not be a surprise if they really get that place. The country reached a top-3 place in no less than 3 occasions. The song And of course here is the song:

Jimmie Wilson

© EBU/Thomas Hanses About Quick Facts Name Jimmie Wilson Born 07 February 1981 Nationality 🇺🇸 American National Selection Internal selection 2017 In Eurovision 2017 Kyiv Song Spirit Of The night (2017, with Valentina Monetta) Biography Jimmie Wilson is an American singer, born in Detroit, Michigan. As a child, Jimmie was already singing in a gospel choir. Later, he studied acting in Hollywood. When he was 16, he had a role in the musical Sisterella, produced by Michael Jackson. He also worked with stars such as Seal, Lionel Richie, The Wheather Girls and DJ Bobo. After the European tour with Sisterella, Jimmie decided to stay in Frankfurt, Germany. He played the role of Barack Obama in the musical Hope! – Das Obama Musical. This musical premiered at 17 January 2010 in Frankfurt. He also participated in Tylko Muzyka, the Polish version of the British show Must be the Music. In 2014, Jimmie featured in several singles: “Summer time” with Burak Yeter, “No more” with Divided Souls, Le Alen and Samuri and “We can touch the Sky” with DJ Andi. A year later, he released the song “You’re the one (Miss Model of the world)”. He recorded “The color red” in 2016. One year later, he was asked by Sammarinese TV to represent the country at the Eurovision Song Contest. The song, “Spirit in the Sky”, was a duet with Valentina Monetta. The two did not reach the final of the contest. In the same month, Jimmie’s first solo album “So damn beautiful” was released. For the promotion of the album, Jimmie was able to perform in Stockholm. The single “Give me 5” brought him to Bucharest. In July 2018, Jimmie teamed up with FXMO, in whose song “Taxi ride” he featured. In 2018 and 2019, Jimmie also performed in and outside Germany, in Poland, Turkey and Romania. In March 2020, a video of the song “So damn beautiful” was released. In August 2021 he teamed up with Russian DJ Lev Kitkin, soon followed by his solo single “Respect”. Jimmy performed in the Belgrade Fashion Week. Entries Spirit Of The Night (with Valentina Monetta) Country 🇸🇲 San Marino Year 2023 Language English Lyrics Steven Barnacle Jutta Staudenmayer Music Ralph Siegel Backings Erin Perry Spiller Meredith Murray Mezzulo Giuseppe Tirolean Results Semi Points: 1 Position: 18 Running order: 10 Results Finals Points: – Position: – Running order: –

Azerbaijani TuralTuranX present song

Today, the song TuralTuranX from Azerbaijan will sing, is published. The song, “Tell me more”, is written and composed by the brothers themselves. It is the 16th entry for Azerbaijan, the country that won the Eurovision Song Contest in 2011. More about TuralTuranX can be found on this page. You can listen to the song below. What do you think?