Marina Satti is gearing up to throw a big Greek party with her Eurovision 2024 release, “Zari,” which is now available for everyone to listen to.
Greek broadcaster ERT chose Marina Satti as this year’s Greek representative through an internal selection, announcing her last October. But, as usual with Greece, we’ve had a long wait until the start of March for the official song reveal, without too many spoilers beforehand, aiming to surprise and delight Eurovision fans.
The song premiered in a special show on TV channel ERT1 during Thursday evening.
Marina Satti – “Zari” (Greece Eurovision 2024)
“Zari” is the perfect Greek banger we could have hoped for, perfectly blending traditional Greek rhythms and leaving us in total amazement of Marina’s voice and dance moves. The title of the song, “Zari,” means “Dice,” and she is ready to roll with it all.
Marina shared some behind-the-scenes footage of the music video a few days prior to the release on Instagram, so fans were really anticipating something wild that would make them want to party. The Greek star didn’t disappoint — the music video feels like a postcard from Greece, where Marina impresses us with some insanely hot outfits.
One of the filming locations was the Holy Rock of the Acropolis. As GPStomusic.gr reports, the shoot also focused on other characteristic areas of Attica, including Omonia, Lykavittos, Rafina, and “Eleftherios Venizelos” Airport. The clip was directed by Australian Zac Wiesel, whilst the artistic director was Fokas Evangelinos.
Speaking to Wiwibloggs ahead of the release, she teased the song this way:
“I know that people know these stereotypes about Greece — the beautiful islands, the sea, the ancient monuments, the feta. But for me my dream would be to bring out the new Greece of today. The urban culture, obviously, because we all grew up in the city and being inspired by the pop culture and the rap culture. For me, this is what I ideally want to achieve. And to go hard and do it in a way that’s relevant and competitive.”
This year, more and more countries have been tempted to send songs in their own languages, and Greece makes no exception, as a big part of Marina’s song is in Greek. The predominant traditional vibes are given by the usage of zournas, traditional musical instruments found in Greek culture.
?? Marina Satti ends her “ZARI” video with this #Eurovision postcard.
— wiwibloggs (@wiwibloggs) March 7, 2024
Dear Europe,
I am sending you much love from Greece, the birthplace of democracy, philosophy, philoxenia and a bunch of other long words. See you soon in Malmö.
Filakia,
Marina Satti pic.twitter.com/p7A3nQS46T
“Zari” was chosen from numerous songs that were submitted to the Greek broadcaster after the announcement of Marina representing the country. The song was deemed the most suitable and perfect choice to create a captivating performance for the Eurovision stage. It blends various genres, showcasing the versatility of Marina’s style in the best way possible.
This newest song represents a brand-new level for her, where she truly gives her all. Get ready for the big Greek party!
What are your first impressions of “Zari”? Will Marina be taking Greece to the grand final at Eurovision 2024 in Malmö this May? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
I think this is one of the best and most special songs Greece has ever sent to Eurovision. It combines so many unique sounds and her voice is simply impressive. I believe she has a lot of chances to win or finish top 3 at least. Love from Cyprus!!!!
Watch Marina as a soprano
https://youtu.be/0xFWCaURaIQ?si=2TVMUp2zf_Y8kEUs
Greece is climbing in the odds!!
God, is so good we lost Greek universities, this year, Austria and Hungary celebrates!
Sing was cool. But explicitly marketing Greece in the video, like what? “Too 12 places” Does the EBU not have any limits? This video markets Greece. Silly
It’s called sarcasm 🙂
This song has generated a lot of discussion in Greece. I am sure that Marina will slay in Malmo. Her unique style is mesmerizing and I think that Greece will score high!! This is a winning material!
This is top 3 material, easy
This is top 3 material. Amazing song, modern vibes, different from the rest. Will certainly vote for it. Ta, ta, ta-ta
I have a feeling she will do well ! definitely TOP 3 !
EuroHall, which has correctly predicted all Greece’s qualifications and non-qualifications since 2014, characterized the song as a ‘painful experience.’
https://eurohall.wordpress.com/eurovision-2024-predictions/
Also, there are way too many negative comments about the Greek song by many readers of Proto Thema, one of the biggest Greek newspapers, while negative comments were also made by established Greek artists on Greek TV.
i have predict it too, so which is the point? and i predict that this year gonna finish top 5,
so we gonna see how is the rightest one me or that very important paig LOL
It has grown alot on me after a couple of listenings. But I didn’t like it at all after first listen and making a big impression from the first listen is very important in ESC. I still keep my fingers crossed for you, Greece, – well done!
Winner vibes all over. A Eurovision in Athens would be more than amazing and I think it’s about times
Love her song Mantissa, having trouble loving this song. Hoping for a killer live version.
Winner vibe
I have to be honest: I rarely like what Greece sends go Eurovision.
BUT
This year Greece have a winner material. It is my second place behind Norway.
Love from Italyyy
Oh God, sounds so cheap…
Donate some money to make the production and song more expensive.
Mecnun the choreographer who is working side by side with the legendary Fokas evgelinos to create a one of a kind performance for Greece this year, posted a glimpse of the choreography that we will see Marina satti perform on stage in May and I have to say one thing…. WOW
Don’t sleep on this!
I love this! Great job, Greece! Straight to my top 5
Surprised by positive reaction but ok. I personally think it won’t qualify.
In my top 10. Hope, Greece will deliver live with good staging. Evkharisto Hellas! Greetz to Greece from Austria.
Eh-aw-eh-aw-eh parts are orgasmic.
I really like this, it’s a complex song with many layers, and won’t appeal to everyone, but I enjoyed it. How will it sound live I wonder. The video is fun too.
Im not sure how I feel about it. The autotune really bothers me. I’m curious to hear this live. Could go either way. The Greek language definitely is right choice though!
Autotune, like this, isn’t something artists use to sound pitch-perfect in 2024. It’s simply used as a vocal effect, just like a vocoder.
It shouldn’t be annoying, just think of it as a vocal instrument. It adds dimension and a fresh element that particularly appeals to Gen-Z (like Charli XCX).
Fresh? It’s literally been heavily used as a vocal effect since the late 90s
My winner
Some people may love it, some people may not like the song, I’m just glad we’re pissing off Azuro’s trolling a@@, lol.
Greece 9/12
Very interesting entry. efharisto poli !
Ethnopop is back at ESC !
if only Cyprus would also bring that ethno back the right way (rather than the wrong way with that static staging mess for Andromache) Hatzigiannis deserves to return for them i think (in 2025 i mean) he recently still delivers very neat songs
To all dear foreigners, Ignore the nonsensical hate spewage towards Marina’s song, everyone! I’m not even joking when I’m saying that about 95% of the hate (not even criticism, that’s how serious the situation is) against our song is coming from our Greek boomers and those who think they know better about music, while those exact individuals would simultaneously consider Hollywood artists to be masterminds. Almost ALL of the haters that exist are Greek, I’m not even joking. So far, I’ve not even seen much negativity coming from any foreigners towards our entry, surely some may not like the song… Read more »
Dear citizens of the world. Hate is a very strong word. To include people just not vibing with a song in that word makes it loose its powers. I know it’s started being used like this for the past decade. But saying that you don’t like something simply isn’t hate. This is a competition. Not everyone will like every song. That’s fine. No need to make it a fluffy section where only yes-men exists. Some people likes and some people dislikes the songs in the contest. Live with it. Going from disliking into hate is a huge leap. Has anyone… Read more »
To be honest, not my cup of tea!
excellent and smart choice Greece! will qualify. Different, interesting song compared to so many others. A relief from the joke entries for the average TV viewer.
I absolutely love this, but I’m worried the juries will dismiss it. Gen Z will particularly connect with this, but will the older generations?
If the staging is as polished, creative and unique as Rosalia’s staging during her tour and award show performances, I can see this landing a top 3 result.
Valid points. The younger generation might connect well with the song, it’s very contemporary.
Older generations may relate to the ethnic vibes of the song.
Juries might appreciate the ethnic vibes, music style, contemporary genre, good production, vocals (should she perform well live).
There’s a little bit for everyone I guess. We have to wait and see the staging and performance, how well it will be translated on stage and on screen.
I asked my girls 12 and 13, it’s a no for them. Personally I like it but I’m not in love, But
At first, I was a bit confused, but now I’m intrigued. Props to Greece for sending something in their own language and daring to send something out of the box. I’m curious to see how this entry will do. I’m wondering whether it will appeal to Northern / Western countries.
I feel it will score less with Nordic countries, a bit better with Western countries, more televotes from Eastern and Southern Europe. I am not that worried about televote at this point. Juries is a question mark but I feel it will resonate with them (mid rank).
On 2nd watch the video comes across with me.
Its a very nice production, funny but I could be wrong about that so I need to look up the lyrics.
Its wonderfull the song is in Greek and Zari is stunning.
First time hearing it, and I’m already in two halves about it. Overall I don’t think it’s for me, but there are certainly elements I like ie. the intro. I’ll give it a few more listens to make my mind up on it.
But at eurovision night most people hear and see it the first time. They only have one shot on that night.
I am a sucker for that type of song. It won’t be a winner (don’t think that Rosalia has major appeal in Europe) but I would vote for it in the final.
What Kind Of Name Is That ? Looser
Not my kind of tea, but, it is a song that definitely stands out, this year!
Use to say not my cup of tea not my kind of tea, ?????
…I like it !!!
I love the ethnical parts of this song, Eurovision 2024 needed this so desperately! The crowd will go crazy!
Greece are a sure qualifier in semi 2 then, pushing Netherlands to a hopefully well deserved NQ its what corrupt avrotros deserve for their insincere choice of Joost (sucking up to the public)
Is there a reason why both songs can’t qualify? I have them both in my Top-5
We saw last year what happens when they don’t listen to the public
Sounds almost exactly like Rosalía from Spain. Very bold and unexpected move from Greece. I love it!
Bold and risky, I welcome such moves from any country. Sometimes it pays off. Good luck, Hellas!
Utopian Land vibes!!!!! yasss
I am Greek and there is nothing that could offend me more than that comment (I’m kidding haha) . But seriously Argo is something we want to forget.
in the place of rising sun
dance with us and have some fun
join with us in a utopian land
Argo is Greece’s all time best in the contest for me
last years Victor also among my fave greek entries (stream his new song Fading btw)
Ok thank god you’re trolling. You are probably Greek yourself too. I’m not feeding you anymore…go eat some souvlaki or something.
i’m not greek, i’m dutch i once went to greece though, to Corfu i myself am glad Marina stays true to her own musical roots (and no she ain’t similar to Rosalia, she’s been making music for much longer than Rosalia either) i wish you guys the very very best of luck (and i wasn’t trolling, i do like Argo, and i felt bad for Victor how horribly he was disliked within the fandom just because they thought how rigged it was him being selected due to his family name, i am glad he doesn’t give up on making music,… Read more »
Ok sorry my friend, my bad! Lot’s of love to Netherlands. I’ve been to your country many times and I hope you liked Corfu too! Good luck to your song which is in my top 5!
This is the kind of songs that are staging and performance – based. The video is so kitsch that it becomes cute, hilarious, authentic, organic.Many people can relate to the beautiful chaos on the streets of Athens, haha. If they pull off a good staging that keeps the balance (not messy and chaotic), it will do well. It is definitely one of the songs that you want to keep watching wondering what comes next. And when you catch an element, bang, there’s another one hitting you. That’s how you write a Eurovision song. Similar to that (but of a completely… Read more »
I’m afraid they all saw Finland 2023 and tried to replicate it with different sounds. From everyone doing it this year (and there are many), only the Netherlands seem to have the person who can sell this crazy sound, and to a lesser extent Croatia. But as Croatia has more chances of doing well across both constituencies (juries and televote), the rest will be trailing behind it.
Marina has been serving this type of traditional/urban fusion for years now. She’s not copying anyone and you can check her previous songs to get a taste. I’m happy that she stayed true to her style for Eurovision. I think that Joost is a similar case, while Marko (Baby Lasagna) might not have a long previous discography but he has a clear inspiration for his song. All of them have nothing to do with Käärijä. If there’s something that Finland’s success last year has allowed is for broadcasters to take some more risks but as long as the artists are… Read more »
We will see. I agree overall. Not sure if Greece wins or not. Not sure that Finland or the Netherlands qualify or not, or win. We have to wait for the rehearsals. No prediction can be any close to being accurate before that day.
Not sure what I was expecting – but deffinitely not this. What a song – now I get why some comments compare it to Bollywood.
There were moments I liked a lot, but overall instrumentation isn’t my favourite.
It’s on the same fence as Italy to me. I like the exotic sounds at the beginning, but later on they go nowhere. This debut is in 9th place, while Italy is dropping to 5th place now.
This is different. While it doesn’t fit my taste, I respect it!
Straight to my top 3! Amazing!
I’m already a big fan of Zari. That video is hilarious.
i don’t pay attention at music videos, they are irrelevant, only the song is important for me
Greece was robbed of a decent placing on their debut in 1974. Their two nq’s in récent editions undeserved. Greek entries count for so many of my favourites. So having set the context I’m somewhat underwhelmed by this. My no 1 was a brilliant example of dance fused with ethnic or folk elements. Zari seems to me to be all over the place. It starts wonderfully then moves into a rather repetetive dance track segueing into other genres along the way. It’s possible a few more listens might change my mind but at the moment, for me, it hooks instantly… Read more »
Im totally confused and I love it. Goes straight into my top 5. Crossing fingers she can deliver live.
Not a bad song from marina. The mid 2000s regaetton dembo is used fairly well alongside the Indian Bollywood style vocals in parts. It definitely stands out in this years contest. I want her to do so well because I adore Greece and the Greek people. Hopefully she can pull this energy off live on the night and it not go down the route of Ronela 2021.
Such diverse and dynamic songs need balance on stage so they don’t come off messy and chaotic. Televote needs a balanced staging so that first time viewers / listeners can understand and relate. I feel it’s a Top-10 place for Greece with a good enough staging.
The song is great, I think Greece can qualify from their semi final