Last year, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia finally took Eurovision seriously by dispatching Kaliopi. She wowed televoters and the professional jury to land her country in the top half of the final scoreboard. I adore Kaliopi not just for her musical ability, but because she’s always good fun to hang out with.

In 2013 FYR Macedonia will keep the party going with Esma Redzepova and Vlatko Lozanoski. As individuals they are some of the nation’s biggest names in folk and pop. Together it’s double trouble. Skopje isn’t taking any prisoners, y’all. They’re going for the kill Ell & Nikki style!

Esma is a renowned star who has created over 500 works of art spanning film and music. Although she made a cameo on the Borat soundtrack, she is considered a serious artist with street cred in art and politics. Think Montserrat Cabbale and you’re on the right track. Her participation in Eurovision mirrors what the rest of Europe thinks about the contest. It’s serious business!

Esma sings ‘Dzelem, Dzelem’:

Her co-star for the to-be-released Eurovision tune will be Vlatko Lozanoski. Although he’s not got quite as broad a repertoire as Esma, he is currently one of Macedonia’s best-selling pop artists. Many of his singles have been shortlisted as radio favourites, and he’s also bagged a number of accolades.  The question on everybody’s lips is, “Will this union work?” Does operatic gypsy folk blend well with dance-pop? Only time will tell. I’m personally hoping it won’t be a love ballad. There’s an age gap of over four decades between them. This could be tough act to market, but what’s Eurovision without a surprise act?

Vlatko’s video for ‘Koga mene ke me nemas’

Deban Aderemi is a London correspondent for wiwibloggs

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Goce
Goce
11 years ago

The best song from Vlatko 🙂

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1c_4TocDXK4

Nathan
Nathan
11 years ago

No death threats for Deban this year please. He was genuinely concerned. God save the Queen… I mean… Deban.

Zolan
Zolan
11 years ago

@kiki
Thanks for the link.
We will see if that is the style for “Vlatko i Esma.”

kiki.macedonia
kiki.macedonia
11 years ago
Zolan
Zolan
11 years ago

Wait? That’s crazy talk!
Of course I’m not predicting anything, just playing with possibilities before they become obsolete.
I’d love a compelling fusion, but it will take a clever composer to minimise compromises.

Deban
Deban
11 years ago

@ Zolan, your wit is second to none. And yes, you do have a point. Let’s wait and hear the song first before jumping to conclusions. It would be interesting to hear the scores and reviews from the wiwijury on this year’s selection. I survived the death threats from last year, so, hopefully, I’ll be on the panel again this year.

Zolan
Zolan
11 years ago

After listening to a few of her other songs I had a bizarre thought:
Macedonian gypsy music becomes the new fada in Portugal’s absence :p
(or maybe Vlatko will give it the Turkey treatment)

As a last resort; trance goes with anything ^.^