Turkey’s state broadcaster TRT has announced its short list of candidates for Eurovision 2011. The public will cast their votes sometime between now and December. The finalists are listed below. Take a look at them in action, and then vote for your favorite!
Atiye Deniz. Born in Germany to a Turkish father and a Dutch mother, Atiye could exploit her pan-European background to bring in points from across the continent. The 21-year old likes to mix R&B with sounds from the Orient—conjures up sounds of Hadise from 2009, no?—and her fierce look would make her a strong contender in Wiwi’s annual search for Eurovision’s Next Top Model. Here she is singing her debut single “Don’t Think (Sanma)”:
Emre Aydin. The former lead of rock group 6. Cadde, Emre won “Europe’s Favorite Act” at the 2008 MTV Europe Music Awards. Even so, he’s Wiwi’s least favorite finalist. Given that Turkey just placed second with all-male rock band maNga, it’d be a big mistake to follow up with yet another rocker—no matter how good he is. Emre singing “Bu Yagmurlar”:
Sebnem Ferah. Wiwi was pretty surprised to see Sebnem make the cut. TRT included her on last year’s short list, but she withdrew because “Eurovision is no longer a song contest.” Ouch. Has Sebnem had a change of heart? Or is TRT just trying to provoke her? Here she is singing “Ben Sarkimi Soylerken”:
Hande Yener. This 37-year old pop singer lost to Emre Aydin for “Best Turkish Act” at the 2008 MTV Europe Music Awards. Will Eurovision mark her revenge? Here’s her edgy video for “Hayrola”:
Murat Boz. At 1.95 meters tall, Murat could be this year’s answer to 2010’s long-legged Armenian contestant Eva Rivas. Following Hadise’s fourth place finish at Eurovision 2009, rumors circulated that TRT wanted Boz to carry the Eurovision torch. Now rumors are spreading on Twitter that he’s the insider’s pick for 2011. Will the rumors finally prove true? Boz with “Aski Bulamam Ben”:
