He’s not due in rehearsals until Tuesday. But Croatia’s Roko is already getting in on the Eurovision 2019 action. Before heading to Tel Aviv, the “The Dream” singer hit the recording studio and tackled three of the favourites from semi-final two.
And you can hear the final product here first!
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Some have already compared Roko’s entry with Sergey Lazarev’s “Scream” — they’re both dramatic theatrical ballads. So, it’s appropriate that the medley begins with a take on Russia’s 2019 song.
From that, he segues into another male ballad — Duncan Laurence’s “Arcade”. The Dutch track is currently the oddsmakers’ favourite to win Eurovision 2019.
The Croatian rounds out the session with “She Got Me” from Switzerland’s Luca Hänni. But Roko puts a completely different spin on Luca’s sweaty pop bop, turning it into a slowed down piano ballad.
Roko “Scream”, “Arcade” and “She Got Me” medley
And the stars of 2019 aren’t the only ones getting the Roko treatment. Last week, the young crooner sat down by his piano to knock out another medley, this time of Eurovision winners.
He included Loreen’s “Euphoria” (Sweden 2012), Conchita Wurst’s “Rise Like a Phoenix” (Austria 2014) and Marija Serifovic’s “Molitva” (Serbia 2007). Roko is well acquainted with Serifovic since he performed at the Zagreb leg of her latest tour. And there’s a chance he could rub shoulders with Conchita and Loreen in Tel Aviv, with both scheduled to make appearances in the city.
Roko “Euphoria”, “Rise Like A Phoenix” and “Molitva” medley
Roko will be the first act to hit the Tel Aviv stage on Tuesday morning. There he’ll be joined by two backing dancers.
The first is Endi Schrotter. Endi lives in Zagreb and started his career on Croatia’s Got Talent back in 2011 where he finished fourth. He worked with Eurovision 2017 star Jacques Houdek on his music video for the “My Friend” remix. Considering Endi’s vocal abilities, it is possible we’ll even hear him sing on stage in Israel.
The second is Brazilian-born Diego Siqueira. He has lived in Croatia for nine years and is a dance teacher at four different schools in Zagreb. This man is passionate, that’s for sure. Diego is no stranger to Eurovision artists, having already performed together with our crazy girl Franka at the Dora final this year.
Roko “The Dream” (Croatia 2019) Interview
What do you think of Roko’s Eurovision medleys? And what about his own song? Let us know in the comments below.
“Scream” fits really well with his way of singing!
Just today i discovered a Croatian singer on Spotify Emina Jahovic. All her songs are brilliant and no doubt she could bring Croatia a victory. I don’t get it why doesn’t she participate for Croatia???
Because she is from Serbia. :’D
If only he had a better song than “The Dream”. Nonetheless, everybody now that if Croatia sent “Scream”, it would not be 3rd in the bookies and wouldn’t be that praised. Or the other way round, if Russia sent “The Dream”, it would be high in the odds. That’s how Eurovision works unfortunately.
So true! But hey, hope Sergey will hear how his song should sound and how to sing it.
Roko is so sweet , I wish him all the best
Fantastic Roko as always! Hope his Dream will be in the Final! He deserved! Gooooo Roko!!
Roko better than Sergey/Duncan/Luka combined.
You wish …
There is still a significant difference between a true emotional believable vocal and a dramatic impressive but not so believable one …
This guy can join Westend anytime and perform in any musical he is fit to be … but I rather go for the singer that is capable of truly and honestly speaking from the heart to the heart … and that is not what overdramatic Roko does!
Totaly untrue!
as if YOU are the one who can determine who is honest and who is speaking from the heart… ridiculous argument
I want to see Nina Kraljic again at eurovision in something like this, I mean..this is so epic…….https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nfkjBUfo7I
Roko is very good. Thank you Roko/wiwi for this video. I hope that Roko gets the recognition he deserves one day.
I didn’t think much of Roko (his song, that is) until I saw the Moscow Pre-Party clip. He swallowed the entire auditorium in just one take! This guy really can sing, and I am prone to think that Europe will find a way to look past the song’s mediocrity and reward his vocal artistry. Well done, Roko!
what a waste of an artist Croatia – you should’ve at least given him the choice to sing any song from NF as his own
I am astonished that he did not compose his own song, it seems he has enough musical skills…
It’s really cute! It’s such he pity he encountered Jacques Houdek and his cringeworthy song! 🙁
Roko should return another year, but with a better song.
Aah the boy can sing, love it. Wish he himself got a better song, he deserves it.
Last minute fan attention drawing moves, but I’m sorry dear you’re up for elimination.
can’t we just appreciate his talent? so sick of you bitter queens that have nothing to offer than some “shade” on the internet lol
Ahaha. He reminded me of Lady Gaga in the end, when she was singing Poker Face this way, as if her song was kinda serious one. However, he is a pretty good vocalist.