Male Artists

🇭🇷 Road to Malmö: Croatia

We can not wait for the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö. Therefore, we have a closer look at one of the contestants every day. Today: Croatia. Baby Lasagna Born in 1995, Marko Purišić, better known by his stage name Baby Lasagna, has carved a unique niche in the Croatian music scene as a vocalist, lyricist, and record producer. His musical journey includes a significant stint as a guitarist for the Croatian rock group Manntra between 2011-2016 and then from 2018-2022. During his time with Manntra, they achieved notable success, especially with their fourth-place finish at Dora 2019 with the song “In the Shadows”. After parting ways with Manntra in 2022, Purišić embarked on a solo career, showcasing his diverse talents. He played a pivotal role in co-writing tracks for “Ravenblack,” the twelfth studio album by the German rock band Mono Inc., which soared to the top of the German album sales chart. His contributions included hits like “Princess of the Night” and “Heartbeat of the Dead”. Transitioning to a solo artist, Purišić released singles under the moniker Baby Lasagna, with his breakthrough solo track “IG Boi” debuting in October 2023. His subsequent single, “Don’t Hate Yourself, But Don’t Love Yourself Too Much”, further cemented his place in the music industry. In a landmark achievement, Baby Lasagna won the national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest, Dora, with “Rim Tim Tagi Dim” on February 25, 2024, setting the stage for him to represent Croatia at Eurovision 2024 with this self-penned song, showcasing his evolution from a band member to a solo phenomenon. Yugoslavia in the Eurovision Song Contest Yugoslavia participated in the Eurovision Song Contest from 1961 until 1992. Several Croatian entries have taken part, some very succesful. The first time RTV Zagreb won the national selection in Yugoslavia was in 1963 with Vice Vukov‘s “Brodovi”. The Trubadurs of Dubrovnik won the contest with “Jedan dan” in 1968, an international hit song. A total of nine times, RTV Zagreb provided the entry, most succesful when Rajko Dujmić and Stevo Cvikić where responsible for the entries. In 1989, Riva won the contest with “Rock me baby”. Croatia in the Eurovision Song Contest As an independent country, Croatia first took part in the contest in 1993. With “Don’t ever cry”, the group Put were the first entrants for Croatia. The national selection in most occasions is called DORA, also this year. Most succesful so far were Maja Blagdan in 1996 with “Sveta ljubav” and Doris Dragović in 1999 with “Marija Magdalena”. The Bookmakers Currently, the betting odds predict Croatia as the winner of the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest. If that happens, it would be the first victory ever for the country. However, the top position for Croatia is not with a landslide, Italy is coming closer and closer. It’s gonna be exciting…. The song And this is the song:

🇬🇧 Road to Malmö: United Kingdom

We can not wait for the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö. Therefore, we have a closer look at one of the contestants every day. Today: the United Kingdom. Olly Alexander Olly Alexander, born on July 15, 1990, in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, England, has emerged as a leading voice in contemporary pop culture, celebrated for his musical talent, acting skills, and advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights. As the charismatic frontman of Years & Years, Olly has guided the band to international success with hits that blend infectious melodies with deeply personal and socially conscious lyrics. His commitment to exploring and expressing queer themes through music has earned him a dedicated following and critical acclaim. Apart from music, Olly has made significant strides in acting. His compelling portrayal of a young man navigating the AIDS crisis in the 1980s in the critically acclaimed series “It’s a Sin” has been lauded for its emotional depth and authenticity. This role underscored his versatility as an artist and an advocate, using his platform to highlight important issues. In a career-defining move, Olly Alexander will represent the United Kingdom at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 with the song “Dizzy.” It’s a Sin “It’s a Sin” is a powerful British television drama series that premiered in 2021, created by Russell T Davies. Set during the 1980s and early 1990s in London, the series explores the lives of a group of gay men and their friends as they navigate the joy, freedom, and heartbreak of their youth amidst the emerging AIDS crisis. Through a compelling narrative and rich character development, “It’s a Sin” captures the ignorance, stigma, and fear surrounding AIDS at the time, while also celebrating love, friendship, and the resilience of the LGBTQ+ community. The series has been critically acclaimed for its emotional depth, historical accuracy, and the performances of its cast, including a standout role by Olly Alexander. It’s a poignant reminder of a tragic period in history, offering both a tribute to those lost and a message of hope and solidarity. United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest It was in 1957 when the United Kingdom debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest. The song “All” by Patricia Bredin was, with 1:52, one of the shortest Eurovision songs ever. The United Kingdom won no less than 5 times: in 1967, Sandie Shaw brought the UK their first victory. Only two years later, it was Lulu who won. In 1976, “Save your kisses for me” by the Brotherhood of Man reached a first place, while Bucks Fizz did the job in 1981 with “Making Your Mind Up”. The last victory so far was for Katrina & The Waves back in 1997 with “Love Shine A Light”. The United Kingdom reached no less than 16 second places, the last time in 2022 with Sam Ryder‘s “Spaceman”. The Bookmakers The United Kingdom is one of the six countries, placed directly in the final. Currently, they predict a 10th place for the UK, which would be one of the better scores in the last few years. This is the song:

🇱🇹 Road to Malmö: Lithuania

We can not wait for the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö. Therefore, we have a closer look at one of the contestants every day. Today: Lithuania. Silvester Belt Silvestras Beltė, known as Silvester Belt, is a distinguished Lithuanian singer-songwriter born on 26 November 1997 in Kaunas. Educated at the University of Westminster, London, with a degree in Commercial Music Performance, Beltė swiftly returned to Lithuania post-graduation to delve into the electronic/pop music scene. His breakthrough came in 2017 as the victor of Lithuania’s reality show Aš – superhitas, leading to his move to Vilnius and the release of his debut single “Noise.” Beltė’s talents also extended behind the scenes in 2 Barai, a Lithuanian reality show. Despite an early exit in X Faktorius’ sixth season, his competitive spirit never waned. On 17 february 2024, Beltė was announced as Lithuania’s representative for the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 with his song “Luktelk,” showcasing his ascension in the music industry. Eurovizija.lt For the first time, the name of the Lithuanian national selection was Eurovizija.lt. However, the format did not really change. 5 semifinals with 8 songs each were held. Two songs in every semifinal went through to the final. We saw some familiar names in the national selection: Andrius Pojavis (ESC 2013), Vilija (ESC 2014) and The Roop (ESC 2020 and 2021). However, only The Roop reached the final. Lithuania in the Eurovision Song Contest The first time Lithuania participated in the Eurovision Song Contest was in 1994. After gaining no points at all, the country quit, to return in 1999. This year marks their 24th participation. So far, Lithuania never reached the top-5. In 2006, LT United reached a 6th place with the song “We are the winners”. In later years Donny Montel (9th in 2016) and The Roop (8th in 2021) reached the top-10. Will Silvester Belt break the record and reach the top-5? Bookmakers Currently, Lithuania is on the 12th spot to win the contest. Although the betting odds for semifinal one don’t seem to be ready yet, we can safely say that Lithuania will reach their top-10 and go on to the final. That means, according to the bookmakers. The song And this is the song:

Ilkin Dovlatov

@EBU/Sarah Louise Bennett About Quick Facts Nameİlkin Dövlətov Born16 June 1990 Nationality🇦🇿 Azerbaijani National SelectionInternal selection 2024 In Eurovision2024 Malmö SongÖzünlə apar (& Fahree, 2024) Biography Ilkin Dovlatov (Azerbaijani: İlkin Dövlətov), born on June 16, 1990, is renowned for his contributions to Azerbaijani music as a mugham vocalist. Born into a musically inclined family in Baku in 1990, Dovlatov was greatly influenced by his father, sparking his interest in music from a young age. At just four years old, he performed “Qəlbimdə qaldı,” marking the beginning of his musical journey. His exceptional singing talent was recognized by a school music teacher who encouraged him to showcase his musical talents. Dovlatov’s career saw a significant milestone in 2023 when he participated in The Voice of Azerbaijan, specializing in native songs, under the mentorship of Ilqar Khayal. He secured the runner-up position in the competition and has also been a contestant in the Azəri Star song contest. In the latter part of October 2023, İctimai Television announced a group comprising Ilkin Dovlatov, Mila Miles, and Etibar Asadli as contenders in the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest selection process for Azerbaijan. They progressed to the final six candidates the following week, performing the song “İnsanlar.” Although Fahree was initially chosen for the Eurovision representation on March 7, 2024, a subsequent announcement on March 13 revealed that Dovlatov would join Fahree on stage, presenting the song “Özünlə apar.” Unfortunately, the two didn’t reach the final. Entries Özünlə apar (& Fahree) Country🇦🇿 Azerbaijan Year2024 LanguageEnglishAzerbaijani LyricsFahreeMado Salikh MusicFahreeEdgar RavinHasan HaydarMila Miles Backings– Results Semi Points: 11Position: 14Running order: 12 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/QhN9r8TH2Hw?si=GOjsQd0BfXoI7M94

Robert Wells

About Quick Facts NameRobert Henry Arthur Wells Born07 April 1962 Nationality🇸🇪 Swedish National SelectionInternal selection 2010Eirodziesma 2007Melodifestivalen 2003Melodifestivalen 1987 In Eurovision2010 Oslo SongButterflies (with 3+2, 2010) Biography Robert Wells, born in Stockholm on April 7 1962, is a Swedish composer, arranger and musician. Wells was educated at Adolf Fredrik’s Music Classes and the Royal College of Music in Stockholm. Throughout the 1980s, he played alongside numerous Swedish artists, such as Lill-Babs, Gösta Linderholm, Eva Bysing, and Jerry Williams. He later embarked on a solo career, achieving success with the hit “Upp på berget,” which reached Svensktoppen in 1986. In the Melodifestivalen of 1987, he participated with the song “Sommarnatt,” and he returned to the Melodifestivalen stage in 2003, performing in a duet with Sofia Källgren the song “My Love.” Wells gained significant popularity as a pianist on the TV game show “Så ska det låta,” where he showcased his extensive musical talent. His “Rhapsody in Rock” annual concert tours have been audience favorites in Sweden and internationally, drawing over 1.9 million spectators in Sweden since 1998. In addition to his Melodifestivalen appearances, Wells also competed in the Latvian national final for the Eurovision Song Contest, Eirodziesma, in 2007 with the song “The Legends of Rock and Roll.” as a member of the group Johnny & Meldra featuring The Rockettes. In 2007, Wells contributed his piano skills to “A Song For You,” featuring vocals by Céline Dion, and also co-wrote the song. His music was selected as the official TV music for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. During the winter of 2008/2009, he was part of TV4’s “Körslaget,” leading his own choir. He wrote “7 Days & 7 Nights” for the Swedish hard rock band The Poodles for their 2009 album “Clash of the Elements,” and also played piano on the album. Additionally, he performed on the piano for Belarus’ entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 2010. In 2021, Wells appeared on TV4’s “Masked Singer” disguised as a raven. Entries Butterflies (& 3+2) Country🇧🇾 Country Year2010 LanguageEnglish LyricsMalka Chaplin MusicMaxim Fadeev Backings– Results Semi Points: 59Position: 9Running order: 16 Results Finals Points: 18Position: 24Running order: 9 https://youtu.be/MvK2KU2zfzA?si=KFhGTi9aHc9hlIw4

Jon Lilygreen

About Quick Facts NameJon Lilygreen Born04 August 1987 Nationality🇬🇧 British National SelectionEurovision 2010: Epilogi tis kypriakis symmetochis In Eurovision2010 Oslo SongLife Looks Better In Spring (& The Islanders) Biography Jon Lilygreen is a Welsh singer and songwriter. Jon Lilygreen originates from Bettws, in the port city of Newport, where he still lives today and completed his education at Coleg Gwent in singing, guitar, and composition. During his training, he wrote his own songs, which were published in 2009 on the school’s own Coleg Gwent Green Album. Subsequently, Lilygreen performed numerous gigs in his hometown, including the Summer Sessions (2009) hosted by the Riverfront Theatre. He is signed to the independent label Long Life Records. In early February 2010, Lilygreen, together with the band The Islanders, won the Cypriot national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest in Oslo. Their song “Life Looks Better in Spring” was written and composed by Cypriots Nasos Lambrianides and Melis Konstantinou. They reached the final with the song. In 2011, Jon teamed up with Jon Maguire and formed the duo Lilygreen & Maguire. Maguire was involved in music production and had been part of the pop punk band The Story So Far. Additionally, they played together in the band Editions. Their partnership was formed after they met at an open mic night at Kama Lounge in Newport, where Lilygreen was performing cover songs. During the 2012-2014 period, the duo supported Olly Murs and Westlife on their UK tours and embarked on an open-air busking tour across Wales, covering cities like Bangor, Wrexham, and Cardiff. In October 2012, they supported Scouting For Girls on tour. They announced a new single, “Dear Photograph,” for 2013, inspired by the blog of the same name, with plans to collaborate with Taylor Jones of DearPhotograph.com for the music video. Their debut studio album, “Have a Good Time All the Time,” was scheduled for release in November 2013, featuring a mix of new songs, previous singles, and B-Sides. The duo revealed their decision to part ways in January 2014, citing the challenges of the previous year. However, by June 2014, they announced a reunion and soon after released a new single, “Counting Cars.” Meanwhile, Lilygreen frequently teamed up with Scruffman (Pete Morgan, aka Bongo Peet) and Sian King for performances. In 2017, Lilygreen took part in the X-Factor UK, where he sang, among others, “Life looks better in spring”. After the X-Factor he released an album and single, both titled “Pictures of you”. In July 2019, a new EP called “Bottlekids” was released.In September 2019 Lilygreen started performing with a new band, The Brotherhood Wedding & Party Band. In October 2020, Jon teamed up with Bmotion to feature in the song “Alive”. Entries Life Looks Better In Spring (& The Islanders) Country🇨🇾 Cyprus Year2010 LanguageEnglish LyricsNasos Lambrianides MusicNasos LambrianidesMelis Konstantinou Backings– Results Semi Points: 67Position: 10Running order: 14 Results Finals Points: 27Position: 21Running order: 5 https://youtu.be/ZGNtoR2hom4?si=5VylwyPTL_AGqBKL

Fahree

© EBU/Sarah Louise Bennett About Quick Facts NameFahree Maisan Born10 April 1995 Nationality🇦🇿 Azerbaijani National SelectionInternal selection 2024 In Eurovision2024 Malmö SongÖzünlə apar (ft. Ilkin Dovlatov, 2024) Biography Born in Baku in 1995, Fahree grew up surrounded by the arts, with a father who was an avid jazz drummer and a grandfather renowned as an actor. Throughout his university years, Fahree diligently pursued a career in law, earning both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree over six years. Yet, during the 2020 global pandemic, Fahree experienced a revival of his early passion for music, deciding to fully embrace it. Emboldened to leave behind his potential career in law, Fahree pursued his true passion. In June 2022, he released the track “Dance”, which was his first breakthrough. A collaboration with Mila Miles, “Apardı uzağlara”, followed in October of the same year. In February 2023, he released the song “Yollar”. On March 7th, 2024, it was announced that Fahree will represent Azerbaijan in the Eurovision Song Contest. Unfortunately, he and his duo partner Ilkin Dovlatov didn’t manage to reach the final. Entries Özünlə apar (feat. Ilkin Dovlatov) Country🇦🇿 Azerbaijan Year2024 LanguageEnglishAzerbaijani LyricsFahreeMado Salikh MusicFahreeEdgar RavinHasan HaydarMila Miles Backings– Results Semi Points: 11Position: 14Running order: 12 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/QhN9r8TH2Hw?si=nuqKU-3xDYlpkHrJ

🇦🇿 Fahree represents Azerbaijan

photo: EBU/İctimai Today, the announcement came that Fahree will be the representative of Azerbaijan in the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest. Born in Baku in 1995, Fahree grew up surrounded by the arts, with a father who was an avid jazz drummer and a grandfather renowned as an actor. Throughout his university years, Fahree diligently pursued a career in law, earning both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree over six years. Yet, during the 2020 global pandemic, Fahree experienced a revival of his early passion for music, deciding to fully embrace it. Emboldened to leave behind his potential career in law, Fahree pursued his true passion. Participating in the Eurovision Song Contest represents the fulfillment of his dream. The song he will perform in Malmö will be announced shortly. Fahree will perform in the 2nd half of the first semifinal. This Fahree song is NOT the Eurovision entry!

🇬🇧 United Kingdom: This is Olly’s “Dizzy”

After a lot of teasers, the moment was finally there: Olly Alexander presented his Eurovision entry “Dizzy”. Olly will represent the United Kingdom in the contest and thus will be placed directly into the final. “Dizzy” was written and composed by Olly himself together with Daniel Harle. And this is the song:

🇨🇭 Nemo will represent Switzerland

Rapper Nemo is chosen to represent Switzerland in the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö. That is what Swiss TV SRG/SSR announced today. will sing the song “The Code”. Nemo will perform in the first half of the 2nd semifinal. Nemo Mettler, born August 3, 1999, widely known as Nemo, is a multi-talented Swiss artist renowned for their skills in rapping, singing, and musical prowess on the violin, piano, and drums. Nemo’s EP “Clownfisch” in 2015 made waves by reaching number 95 on the Swiss charts, while their 2017 single “Du” soared to number 4 in Switzerland. Additionally, Nemo showcased their versatility on the second season of The Masked Singer Switzerland (2021/2022), where they delighted audiences as a panda and secured fifth place. The exciting announcement of Nemo as Switzerland’s representative for Eurovision 2024 with “The Code” came on February 29, 2024. In a significant personal revelation, Mettler publicly identified as non-binary in November 2023 through an article in the SonntagsZeitung. They expressed a preference for the use of their given name instead of traditional pronouns in German and embraced the gender-neutral “they/them” in English. This is the song: