He’s spent the past few days at Dutch radio stations including Radio538 and NPO Radio 5 giving final interviews before flying off to Tel Aviv on May 6.

And in the interviews in the Netherlands, Duncan Laurence has revealed his personal favourite in this year’s Eurovision: He’s a Mahmood fan, ya’ll!

In the interview with Radio 538 Duncan Laurence reveals that his personal favourite in Eurovision is Italy and explains:

“This year there are many artists that inspire me. Mahmood from Italy is a great artist and “Soldi” is a good song. If you look at Mahmood, the picture is just complete”.

Duncan also reveals he was close to trying to represent San Marino in Eurovision.

He heard Cornald Maas (Dutch Eurovision specialist and Dutch ESC commentator) talking about San Marino. Cornald explained San Marino often considers artists from abroad to compete for them, due to the small amount of inhabitants of the country. Duncan considered then competing for San Marino for a short moment. But he wanted to stay true to the Netherlands. It would have been an interesting clash between Italy’s Mahmood and Duncan for San Marino, if you ask us!

In the other interview this week, at radiostation NPO 5, he discusses with the presenters the other competitors in Eurovision. Duncan Laurence explains why exactly he is so impressed by Mahmood and the song “Soldi”:

“I’m afraid of Italy as competitor. Mahmood is so relevant. Such a great artist. Also he has such a big fanbase. It also looks great, what I saw of him. Also his social media, it all radiates that he is an artist. I have a weakness for it, if the picture of an artist is fully complete. If I look at the other competitors and if I would need to vote, I would definitely vote for Italy”.

Both Italy and The Netherlands are in the high rankings of the current odds, together with Switzerland, Russia, Iceland and Sweden.

You can listen to the full Radio538 interview here and the full NPO Radio 5 interview here.

Follow all of our Netherlands Eurovision 2019 news.

101 Comments
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Bob
Bob
4 years ago

Love this, these guys are my favourites this year! If either Mahmood or Duncan wins I will be happy 🙂 I personally prefer Duncans song as a listening track, however I think Mahmood’s song is stronger in the context of a music competition, and the handclap parts are giving me the winner vibes! Arcade makes me embrace my emotional side, Soldi makes me feel cool and confident – it’s so much fun! Best of luck to both of them! <3

ESC 2019
4 years ago

Duncan, you sink in my eyes. He cant sing at al. And the song is awfal.

Clara
Clara
4 years ago
Reply to  ESC 2019

Yes, yes mahmood can’t sing…. watch the videos below please, then say it again if you think it’s true
https://youtu.be/4E8_ZsqRSVA
Mahmood-cover Django freedom
https://youtu.be/5GJsp-iV-WI
Mahmood cover The sound of silence
https://youtu.be/-w5pbp3d-yQ
Mahmood live “asia occidente”

Clara
Clara
4 years ago
Reply to  ESC 2019

Yes yes you’re true he can’t sing…
Listen to the videos below and then tell us again if mahmood can’t sing please
https://youtu.be/4E8_ZsqRSVA
Mahmood-cover Django freedom
https://youtu.be/-w5pbp3d-yQ
Mahmood live “asia occidente”

Lol
Lol
4 years ago
Reply to  ESC 2019

You forgot to take your medicine…

TamtaQueen
TamtaQueen
4 years ago

Get off Mahmood’s D Duncan 😉

Joe
Joe
4 years ago

I’d be happy with either of them winning. And hey, if Duncan ever wants to come back, San Marino’s door is always open! (Figuratively and literally, since I think their border is just a Starbucks).

Eurovisionary
Eurovisionary
4 years ago

Lovin u is losing game. …broken heart 4 mahmood. How many penny in the slot for Duncan! ! Ask mahmood for soldi (money) …

Is it right for a singer to call another singer great artist when they haven’t heard of eachother before esc 2019. While representing ur country duncan in favour of one singer out of more than 40 countries. …sad.

Clara
Clara
4 years ago
Reply to  Eurovisionary

The album “Gioventu bruciata” of Mahmood is amazing, and I think Duncan listened to the songs of this album (that was released at the end of february, even thought some songs were still released before). Mahmood IS a great artist and Duncan is very honest and fair to support one of his stronger contenders, so I don’t see the problem

Tonton Fée
Tonton Fée
4 years ago

Go Duncan ! Your song is so strong and yur voice so pure ;))
Love from France

Motzkie
Motzkie
4 years ago

He is so afraid to be honest and say: I like Mahmood because of his looks.

LazaREV
LazaREV
4 years ago

He’s rumoured to represent Russia next year, what you think?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aw0M5CBqT8

(^3^)
(^3^)
4 years ago

Both will be defeated by Lazarev.

Charles
Charles
4 years ago
Reply to  (^3^)

How much is Kirkorov paying you to promote Lazarev?

(^3^)
(^3^)
4 years ago
Reply to  Charles

Be brave to face the truth, fanboys.

bastian
bastian
4 years ago
Reply to  (^3^)

loool

brawiber
brawiber
4 years ago

Interesting interviews. Definitely he is a great artist, and a very kind, talented person. Good luck Duncan! Anyway Mahmood has just released a new song and it’s a BOMB. Mega cool! This is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoqKkw4azn8..

Nguyet Huynh
Nguyet Huynh
4 years ago
Reply to  brawiber

I have been listening to it on repeat today XD At first I was kinda annoyed because his voice was autotuned too much but then I couldn’t stop listening.

brawiber
brawiber
4 years ago
Reply to  Nguyet Huynh

Haha me too. On the first listen I was like “mmhm, I expected more”, on the second one “well, it’s not that bad, I kinda like it”, on the third one “Calipsooh oh laalalalala, Calipsooh oh…” XD They did a great job. Awesome production!

startaglia7254
startaglia7254
4 years ago
Reply to  brawiber

I am living for this song.

Talentina Monetta
Talentina Monetta
4 years ago

Talent stanning talent

bop-whop-a-lu bop
4 years ago

Oh I always like him more and more. Go for win!

La Signora
La Signora
4 years ago

I feel proud when other contestants love Mahmood’s song lol

Freckled Guy
Freckled Guy
4 years ago

Personally I think it will be between Italy & The Netherlands.
I do love Soldi, but I know this sounds strange, the 2 claps in the chorus, makes it a bit cheap. too much of a forced hook . But the rest of the song is amazing. And Arcade blew me away.
I think Eurovision can be proud if any of these 2 would win.

Elsa
Elsa
4 years ago
Reply to  Freckled Guy

The song does not look cheap. The song IS cheap.

Edu
Edu
4 years ago
Reply to  Elsa

Poor you Elsa! 🙂

Whisker
Whisker
4 years ago
Reply to  Elsa

Le it go.

Charles
Charles
4 years ago
Reply to  Elsa

And yet you feel fine with cheap party fuego-heard-too-many-time-before winning the whole thing. I guess Italian bubblegum is a tad too expensive for your taste …

Whisker
Whisker
4 years ago
Reply to  Freckled Guy

I love the two claps.

Nikki
Nikki
4 years ago

Can you imagine Arcade going for effing San Marino? Better had tried with Markus Riva, he’s more desperate ?. Having listening to Mahmood lately, I agree with him he’s a great artist, but if I had to choose an ‘out of Eurovision’ selection, I would surprisingly (I mean I’m a big Italy stan) go for Chingiz before Mahmood. Out of topic: I need ideas for the name of one of my crocheted animals. The designer says it’s a cello player on its little intro. So I’m looking for string-related Eurovision related names. Alex is out because I already used it.… Read more »

Roy Moreno
Roy Moreno
4 years ago
Reply to  Nikki

You mean Madara? With Esamiba?

Sabrina
Sabrina
4 years ago
Reply to  Roy Moreno

Madara would be the perfect fit then. Plus, I agree it’s a cool name.

Matt
Matt
4 years ago

Very classy. I have respect for Duncan and think he has tremendous charisma (it really showed in London). Mahmood though has my vote , and it is related to Duncan’s point. Soldi comes from a deep , damaged place inside. (IMO)

Charles
Charles
4 years ago
Reply to  Matt

That is what fans are running away from … deep damaged honest emotional songs offend the fans envangelic fundamentalist pro-uptempo-party-meaningless-songs love and desperate obsession . Their uptempo God will punish those who attempt to be musically creative and transparent in the contest.

I say
I say
4 years ago

It’s not an artist contest it’s a song contest, the votes goes to the song and performance of YOU ere FARE n HONEST. duncan can love mahmood or he is not worried about the song if he predicts the irritating voice of mahmood and the song as not winning type over duncan miserable song he would dare to say he can vote for mahmood. Neither mahmood nor duncan are the winners, we will see, lets kick out this favouritism and attraction for artist

Elsa
Elsa
4 years ago
Reply to  I say

Don’t take too seriously what he said. Mahmood’song is being hyped since his win at Sanremo and he had to name someone. Likely it was the only one he has listened to so far

Charles
Charles
4 years ago
Reply to  I say

You don’t need to be that drunk and cause a tantrum just because you hate certain songs … Ignoring it would be wise but if you are that desesperate for the whole galaxy to know how much you want either Cyprus or CH to win the contest, there are classier and more mature ways to do it. It’s just a song contest … and not a pro-Democrat primary election. Plus you are not Meghan McCain.

Effe
Effe
4 years ago

Also can we all agree that countries who are submitting songs in their own language should always be awarded some sort of advantage since they are brave in supporting their culture and heritage without having to compromise using the english language? Difference is beautiful I mean imagine a eurovision where all songs had english lyrics…
Italy, Hungary, Spain, France, Albania, Serbia, Croatia, Georgia, Iceland, Portugal, Slovenia, Poland (sorry if I forget some) these countries are sending authentic entries and therefore they deserve respect and high placements.

stommie
stommie
4 years ago
Reply to  Effe

Being prequalified for the grand final isn’t advantage enough?

Nvm
Nvm
4 years ago
Reply to  stommie

No.

Whisker
Whisker
4 years ago
Reply to  stommie

Of course not.

Clara
Clara
4 years ago
Reply to  stommie

I think that for Mahmood it would be better to sing during two different nights and not just in the final… soldi is a particular song that grows , there is people who don’t like it the first time but then yes, and there would be the possibility to explain the meaning of the song twice.

Kitty
Kitty
4 years ago
Reply to  Clara

He will perform in semi final 2

Clara
Clara
4 years ago
Reply to  Kitty

Italy will perform only in the final… maybe another night there will be the presentation of the postcard, I don’t know

Bernard
Bernard
4 years ago
Reply to  Effe

Totally agree on this!

citylights
citylights
4 years ago

I for one can’t stand the Italian guy’s nasal singing, and his hipster vibe. Just less annoying than Portugal. Slovenia with their beautiful unpretentious song is my winner.

Elsa
Elsa
4 years ago
Reply to  citylights

Her whispering voice is also annoying but less than Mahmood’s

citylights
citylights
4 years ago
Reply to  Elsa

I love her ethereal voice. Also the lyrics are beautiful. Actually Italy’s and Portugal’s lyrics are great too but that’s the only thing I enjoy about these entries.

Héctor
Héctor
4 years ago

Oh, San Marino would have probably rejected Duncan because “Arcade” wasn’t trashy enough for them.

Clara
Clara
4 years ago

Mahmood is a great artist, I’m sure duncan listened also some others of his songs… then, mahmood has a particular charisma, duncan knows it and he’s very fair saying it. Not everybody like the sound and voice of mahmood, so we’ll see who will win eurovision but it is not the point imo… even gabbani, he arrived 6th but everybody still today perfectly remembers him, more than others, even winners, we can’t remember the song and the face. Mahmood has wonderful songs and an international sound and way of singing, hope his success will continue in Italy and abroad. It… Read more »

Julie
Julie
4 years ago

I would love a proper rundown on that Jan Uriot thing, but I just find info in dutch sigh

stommie
stommie
4 years ago
Reply to  Julie

To be honest, I didn’t know who that Uriot guy is either. Don’t read that rag of a magazine of his. Funny thing is that Duncan had an IG post October 22, 2018 in which he explicitly says he is bisexual.

Effe
Effe
4 years ago

ITALY WILL WIN. Mark these words.

Nvm
Nvm
4 years ago
Reply to  Effe

You know you’ll get downvoted like there’s no tomorrow for saying this, right? Nicky-level numbers I daresay.

Effe
Effe
4 years ago
Reply to  Nvm

Whatever.

Effe
Effe
4 years ago
Reply to  Nvm

I respect everyone’s opinions but I know for a fact that Mahmood is an artist who has been writing his own songs for years and he has developed his own specific sound which makes him new and unique, simply because it comes from within and it is completely authentic. Unlike the other songs, including Mr. Duncan’s, his song was not written or created for Eurovision. The song is part of his first album which is thoroughly focused on Mahmood’s life story and the fact that he comes from Milan and is the son of an Egyptian father and Sardininan mother.… Read more »

Nvm
Nvm
4 years ago
Reply to  Effe

You don’t need to tell this to me, I already know. Except that on this site people are usually not allowed to root for nobody else than King Lord Duncan or you get eaten alive. Freedom of speech (and opinion) has died on this site. I’m seriously giving up on his contest this year.
And by the way, this is what I think of him for saying the stuff he said, if I still have the freedom to do so
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.urbandictionary.com/define.php%3fterm=Paraculo&amp=true

Effe
Effe
4 years ago
Reply to  Nvm

I know what paraculo means my friend. It doesn’t matter to me if other people don’t appreciate my opinion, it is still my opinion and I stand by it with all the dislikes. I didn’t say that I dislike Duncan however. It’s just that Mahmood is competing so Duncan’s song becomes less relevant to me.

Skepticist
Skepticist
4 years ago
Reply to  Effe

Arcade was in not made for Eurovision.

stommie
stommie
4 years ago
Reply to  Effe

But Duncan’s fans are the arrogant ones.

dutchie
dutchie
4 years ago
Reply to  stommie

Fact: Arcade wasn’t written for Eurovision. Ilse DeLange heard it and suggested he’d submit it to the committee. Literally the only thing they’ve added to the record since then was the strings.

You could even argue that Mahmood competed in Sanremo, so he knew he’d at least have a chance of competing at Eurovision. Duncan, on the other hand, really had no idea.

Alex
Alex
4 years ago
Reply to  dutchie

Arcade was not written for Eurovision.
They even had to cut the second verse due to awful 3 minutes rule

Otto
Otto
4 years ago
Reply to  dutchie

So what? Isn’t it a good thing that ‘real’ songs are competing in Eurovision and bringing up the level of quality? Otherwise there would only be songs like Sergey’s ;-P

John
John
4 years ago

Fair enough – if any justice, the fight will be between these two lads and noone else.
Each one deserves to be a winner.

Amsterdam or…or….well, where in Italy would they probably arrange the show next year?

Ludo95
Ludo95
4 years ago
Reply to  John

Turin

Raven
Raven
4 years ago
Reply to  John

Milan, Rome is a mess.

Effe
Effe
4 years ago
Reply to  John

Milan Italy’s most international city where Mahmood is from.

Alessandro Leonardo Gauci
Reply to  John

I think Milan would be the most ideal candidate to host, considering Mahmood was born and raised there.

Hazel
Hazel
4 years ago

You can tell he’s stalking his social media and thirsting over him like we all lol

Nicky91
Nicky91
4 years ago

Daddy Duncan feeling some type of way about that Arabic guy 😀

Nadors
Nadors
4 years ago

Duncan is the favourite not just because he is a great artist and has a great song, but also because he’s a gentleman and good sports.

Heh
Heh
4 years ago
Reply to  Nadors

Had no idea all the other artists were pieces of s*it. So it is true after all huh, we only have 1 king, only 1 holy god.

Nadors
Nadors
4 years ago
Reply to  Heh

I am Italian, his song is not my favourite, but country and personal taste do not prevent me from recognising talent and fairness

Nvm
Nvm
4 years ago

No need to worry, Mahmood’s fanbase is made up for the vast majority by Italians. You can rest easy.

Tidge
Tidge
4 years ago
Reply to  Nvm

I’m British and pretty much everyone I know says Italy or Greece is their favourite…

dutchie
dutchie
4 years ago
Reply to  Tidge

Greece? It doesn’t show in the British polls though. There it’s mostly between Arcade and Soldi, with an advantage for Arcade. But maybe it isn’t cool to say you like the bookies favourite.

Tidge
Tidge
4 years ago
Reply to  dutchie

This is people I know in real life who are into Eurovision enough to actually listen to the songs but not engage online ? But Italy and Greece (and also Iceland, Malta and Czechia) always come on top with my friends

dutchie
dutchie
4 years ago
Reply to  Tidge

Okay, so none of your friends like Arcade… it seems they’re more into bops. We’ll see in a few weeks if that’s the taste of the general British public.

Tidge
Tidge
4 years ago
Reply to  dutchie

Nobody said that they disliked it, just out of the 41 songs it wasn’t their favourite…

Elfi
Elfi
4 years ago

Salvador Sobral said high things about italy’s entry back in 2017 and then we all know what happened! Duncan is messing with the cosmos… xD

Clara
Clara
4 years ago
Reply to  Elfi

Gabbani arrived just 6th but everybody remember him and his song, so I think it was a success even thought he didn’t win. I remember sobral and his beautiful song but not the songs and singers that arrived 2nd, 3rd ecc… We can’t deny everybody is interested in Mahmood, he’s like an icon and that is what duncan feels I think, all are looking at mahmood so he already received a huge success independently from the victory. Also Andy of Eurovoxx talking about him some nights ago in the direct for 6000 subscrivers of channel Eurovoxx, said he was very… Read more »

Nicolas
Nicolas
4 years ago

I don’t know if it’s a compliment, last year he would have said : “My vote would go to Sweden, Benjamin is a great artist”

Funkycoffin
Funkycoffin
4 years ago
Reply to  Nicolas

Its better then netta imo

Nicky91
Nicky91
4 years ago
Reply to  Funkycoffin

well any of our 42 other artists last year were better than Netta’s weak live vocals 🙂

mamma mia
mamma mia
4 years ago
Reply to  Nicolas

lmao

dutchie
dutchie
4 years ago
Reply to  Nicolas

Hey Nicolas, it’s pretty clear by now you can’t stand Duncan, his song, or anything he says. So why bother to read articles about him?

Cass
Cass
4 years ago

He tryna fucc 😛

Funkycoffin
Funkycoffin
4 years ago
Reply to  Cass

Wth are you talkin about hé has a boyfriend

R
R
4 years ago
Reply to  Funkycoffin

Threesomes and orgies are a thing :p

Barry
Barry
4 years ago

Hi guys…anyone know where I could get a download of the 2019 rehearsal schedule?

Alessandro Leonardo Gauci

This means that Mahmood is already the real winner.

Jonas J
Jonas J
4 years ago

This makes me laugh! Duncan’s like a politician trying to say all the right things to win the campaign! Great effort from his PR-team – but won’t convince me, I’m afraid. Cynical? A tad – but there we are! Let the truth be told!

Frisian esc
Frisian esc
4 years ago
Reply to  Jonas J

Weren’t you the person who wanted israel 2019 to be canceled? Why u still here?

Jonas J
Jonas J
4 years ago
Reply to  Frisian esc

Oh, I AM! I’m cancelling BIG TIME when it kicks off! My sincere HOPE is that Iceland will pull a stunt on Ola Sand, EBU and the whole disgraceful event! Eurovision fan I am, though – tuning in for next year – hoping EBU will have a serious chat with themselves after this year’s disgust! One can always hope! Greetings from the UK!

dutchie
dutchie
4 years ago
Reply to  Jonas J

You’re not cynical, you’re just ignorant about the kind of guy Duncan is. If it was about mentioning his main opponent, he’d be singing the praises of Sergey… as a matter of fact, he has said he thinks Sergey is a great singer but when someone asked him about the song his answer was ‘uhhh… no comment’. That’s honesty, no political tricks. He genuinely likes Soldi.

Elsa
Elsa
4 years ago
Reply to  Jonas J

Agree 100%. His answer was pre-studied.

dutchie
dutchie
4 years ago
Reply to  Elsa

Dear Elsa, do you speak Dutch? Have you heard the interview? If not, how are you to judge…

PeterPan
PeterPan
4 years ago

It takes a great artist to root for a great artist.

Elsa
Elsa
4 years ago
Reply to  PeterPan

😀

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
4 years ago

He’s just like most of the rest of us, then. 😉

Christopher
Christopher
4 years ago

I’d be happy if both of these entries were fighting it out for the win in the final but I have to give the edge to Italy. Its contemporary and unique.