With September 1 having come and gone, the Eurovision calendar officially clicks over into the new year – meaning that any song officially released can be a contender for Eurovision 2019.
With a sultry blend of French Catalan sounds, a strong contender to spark interest is that of Kendji Girac.
Speaking to France’s 20 Minutes about the release of his new album “Amigo”, the French singer has said he’s definitely keen on representing his home nation – pending a ‘good song’:
“It is a danger. It must be stressful but – if I have a good song, I would like to represent France. It must be big, huge. We must feel a weight on the shoulders. I would really like to live it to know what it does.”
The handsome crooner is not wrong about the stresses and dangers of entering Eurovision — considering France’s record in recent years. After Twin Twin placed bottom of the leaderboard with “Moustache” and Lisa Angell not far in front in 2015, France saw a resurgence to the top ten, with Amir’s “J’ai cherché” getting France’s best result since 2002. Alma kept France’s results strong in 2017 with a 12th placing, while early frontrunners and fan favourites Madame Monsieur also achieving a respectable 13th placing in Lisbon this year.
With a strong voice and album to boot, Kendji would no doubt be a top-tier contender for the Big 5 country.
Who is Kendji Girac?
Previously appearing on our rumour list, the 22-year old Frenchman of Catalan Gitano descent is the most successful alum of any The Voice franchise worldwide, after taking out the competition in 2014.
His first self-titled album reached number 1 in France and Belgium in 2014, while his 2015 follow up Ensemble hit number one in France, Belgium and Switzerland. He appeared on the French version of Ariana Grande’s smash worldwide hit “One Last Time”, before taking out the 2015 OGAE Song Contest with “Andalouse” (which has amassed over 280 million views on YouTube).
After taking a year’s break, he recently released his latest album, Amigo. His latest album has a distinct feel, further showcasing a versatile, urban sound distinct from the flamenco Stromae-sounding hybrid of his first two album releases. His contemporary yet ground-breaking sound, fused with his Catalan, gypsy influences would make the man ripe for the transnational, multicultural song contest.
While Eurovision is on his mind, he’s also keen on some acting work; including an idea of a 50 Shades of Gray inspired role — calling himself the “Gray Gypsy”. Tie me up and take me there!
If Kendji is considering a Eurovision berth in 2019, he’d have to enter France’s national selection Destination Eurovision before the deadline of November 30. The French broadcaster France 2 announced a return of the event for 2019, including changes to the format such as adding live shows.
Would you like to see Kendji Girac represent France at Eurovision? Let us know in the comments below.
Yes yes yea he is my fv singer i him i want to see him in Eurovision 2019
Par pitié… Non. Il fonctionne peut-être très bien pour le marché français (même si je n’ai jamais compris ce qu’on lui trouvait de si fabuleux … d’autant qu’au nombre des chanteurs gitans il y a nettement mieux), mais au niveau de l’Europe, ce sera juste un demi Manel Navarro (qui n’était pas bien fameux lui non plus). Pourtant c’est pas ce qui manque comme talent à The Voice France, mais malheureusement, c’est rarement les meilleurs qui gagnent.
Tellement vrai.
Kendji Girac???
I´m happy
Look at the french singers who stop ignoring eurovision….. if it wasnt for amir they would never go…
I remember reading rumors that Kendji was in contention back in 2016, with Amir (who was in the same season of The Voice as he) eventually getting selected.
http://www.chartsinfrance.net/Kendji-Girac/news-98530.html
“I never asked myself the question. And with my return (in septembre, he said that in august 2015) that will already be very busy, I admit that I can not respond to this kind of solicitations.”
Before 2016, that kind of answer clearly means “no, I don’t want to ruin my career”. But he was at the beginning of his career and it was probably true for for him but he was probably the only one to say the truth.
Sounds like a very good name for the contest. I hope he gets a great song to compete in Destination Eurovision.
I wanted a news from wiwibloggs but didn’t expect it so I’m happy to see it. Kendji Girac is the most popular french singer here in France, everyone knows it. I’d like to see him on the Eurovision stage but only if he has a good song, I don’t want to see him just to say “Kendji at Eurovision” and then see him flop very hard 2 months later. If he participates one day, it’ll probably be with an internal selection. Maybe in 2020, if there isn’t a third season for Destination Eurovision because France 2 isn’t satisfied about the… Read more »
My spotify playlist with favoriet Eurovision songs: https://open.spotify.com/user/31gcrdzh5qjymegjfsy5eizbevdi/playlist/3m0npO4MlbEBLx0O9Y906v
Yes! That’s what i want for France entry, please lovely French folks pick him, he is stunning!
Omg I would LOVE to see him representing France. I think the song should be either similar to his hit song “Andalouse”, more romantic like “Elle m’a aimé” or more sweet and endearing like “Les yeux de la mama”. Either way I think he would be great choice and well… I’m a fan of him anyways so yeah.
OMG this is HUGE. He’s a number one star in France and his music is fantastic and universal, it would totally work for Eurovision
I say cancel the national selection, start meeting with Kendji and his management team and see if you can find 2-3 hot tracks and then either ask the public or have an internal voting,
This is huge for France but it would also boost Kendji’s career outside France, Switzerland and Belgium.
I am a huge fan of him, it would be awesome. But don’t Rybak it, being an awesome singer with a dumb song. They should really think about everything.
Kendji lives outside the ESC bubble, differently from Rybak, so he wouln’t compete with something dull. France would go for the win with him, just like Russia with Lazarev.
Sounds like a good musician. If he does Destination Eurovision he’ll probably do well (it’d be a shame if they bypassed it entirely just to pick him).
Better go with an internal selection in this case.
Yeah but that’d mean losing out on the best national final of the season. Didn’t Lisandro last year prove that winning a talent show isn’t a guarantee you’re the right choice?
He was fresh off of his recent tenure from La Voix so he doesn’t have a strong public fanbase yet beyond the young demographic who was following him on the show at the time.
Kendji’s been in the biz for a while so he already built up a career and a sizeable following in the three years after his win.
Maybe I am one of those people who say for years now that Kendji should try and represent France at Eurovision. I have been following since his appearance on the Voice and he’s been really successful indeed! If the song is wortth it, then why not? He should be a great choice!
Kenji would do great at Eurovision. But Amir would probably need to get off the selection jury as he’s too good of a friend of Kenji.
I don’t what is it, but I don’t think he’d be the right choice for France (something about the style of music). Anyway, I wish France the best of luck next year!
French broadcaster would be CRAZZZYYYY to pass him up.
Yes yes! This makes me smile (Sonrisa!).