Belgium and Spain have already confirmed their singers for the Eurovision Song Contest 2020, but there are still 39 countries left to make the reveal. Chief among them for this French blogger is France. While the broadcaster remains relatively quiet about its plans for the upcoming selection process, some artists are already piping up to offer their services to France 2. Among the biggest names so far is soul, R&B and rap singer Dadju.
The suggestion came up on Thursday evening during the well-known French talk show TPMP (Touche Pas à Mon Poste). The host had Dadju — also known as Prince Dadju — respond to a series of questions under the lie detector. Among his questions was whether or not he’d like to represent France at Eurovision.
He answered positively — and that ain’t no lie. He said: “Why not? I would love to see us winning at the end.”
.@Dadju aimerait bien gagner l'Eurovision ? #TPMP pic.twitter.com/POuN0w77fn
— TPMP (@TPMP) November 14, 2019
Twenty-eight-year-old Dadju started his professional music career in 2012 in the duo The Shin Sekaï along with rapper Abou Tall. He successfully transitioned to star solo artist with the release of his 2017 album Gentleman 2.0. It ranked #1 on iTunes France and its video clips hit over 100 million views on Youtube. Last year he won an NMA award as French Revelation of the Year and he’s currently one of the most trendy singers in the country.
He benefits hugely from his musical family, who have taught him the ins and outs of music and the business at large. His brother Gims is among the most famous rappers in France. Gims has featured on our Wednesday Wishlist for Eurovision and even wrote the Destination Eurovision 2018 song “Mamma Mia” for Louka.”
Dadju plays within rap and RnB, and at times his lyrics have been called out for being inappropriate or unnecessarily violent. Could he temper his words to fit the Eurovision stage? Last year, Mahmood brought urban swagger and finished as runner-up. And as you’re well aware his Eurovision song “Soldi” has eclipsed 100 millions streams on Spotify and gone platinum in Italy Spain, Greece and Switzerland. Perhaps Dadju is eyeing similar success.
Would you like to see Dadju represent France in May 2020 in Rotterdam? Do you think a rap song could work on the Eurovision stage? Share you thoughts in the comment section below!
Nope.
I want it….. France on bottom 3.
Wait so is France going internal selection? Not much news about it
I love quality rap, so why not? This contest has too much candy pop.
Maitre gim’s avait déjà fait honneur au concours avec Mamma Mia avec LOUKA dans attention France Eurovision 2020 a PARIS
MAXIMILIEN PHILLIPPE OU DADJU LOL
I don’t see France winning anytime soon, and the reason is that their national music industry is one of the most mediocre I’ve seen in the world. This kind of singers might sell records in France, but once you face an international audience no one will vote for that. The French love 2 things. (1) Singers who can’t sing and who have no voice (Benabar, Zazie, Mylene Farmer, Vianney, Angele, etc.) and (2) bad songs. When I was an au pair in France in the 90s, #1 on the French charts was a song called “Kii a du kaka kaki… Read more »
Never thought about it that way hahaha! It’s true that looking at The Voice France videos on YouTube a lot of them sound really bad but still get 4 chairs turned. The Voice UK or Melodifestival can cr*p something better than that. Always thought there was something I was not getting?
Also what’s the deal with that Nakamura thing? It’s upbeat but the woman is not even singing, she’s just talking, and seems they’re all losing their sit for that.
People can downvote your comment, you’re completely right! French music industry is really poor. Not that the songs are that bad because there are really good ones. The problem is that it’s not diversified enough… (well, in Sweden too vut they make good music).
Until someone actually answers and proves me wrong, every downvote sounds like “I know you’re right but I’m angry you said it” to me. Music to my ears. 😉
What you must understand is that in France, there is a very old tradition of “text singers”. Vianney, Benabar or Zazie may not have stentor voices, but they are known for the high quality of their lyrics. Vianney is also appreciated for something else: like Ed Sheeran, it’s the guy who just lands with his guitar. France prefers artists who remain “simple” to showmans that’s how it is. By the way, we also have artists “in voice” that no one says badly, such as Vincent Niclo, Chimène Badi or Natasha St Pier, Patrick Fiori … Celine Dion annoys the French… Read more »
Thanks for providing context, this was interesting to read! I understand it’s cultural, however the result is the same: while it may work in France, it won’t appeal to an international audience. And I’m not just talking about Eurovision: songs by French artists hardly make it out of France and even when they do, it’s not typical French chanson but more electronic music like Polo & Pan (their work is in French so it’s not even the language). I also don’t think it’s fair to oppose vocal ability vs. likeability vs. lyrics vs. fun. It’s not like artists who can… Read more »
Angele can´t sing?
ooooooook that says enough
Check her “performance” of Tout Oublier at Victoires de la Musique (it’s on Facebook and YouTube): she can’t hit a single note and she’s off the entire time. And based on the comments, a lot of French people are calling her out for that so I must not be the only person with bleeding ears.
There are many French singers who can sing (Liane Foly, Nolwenn Leroy, Patrick Fiori, Christophe Willem, etc)
I wouldn’t mind him with “Ma Vie” at all.
Good modern R&B sound. I can see it appealing to both jury and televote.
It feels French and Global at the same time.
That said, I hope a Rap song is winning ESC very soon.
I say depends on the song, but if course his presence would rise the profile of the contest.
I would love ESC to be the battlefield of top singers of each country.
As a French person im not super convinced but who knows
he’d serve a song in line with the current market request n not sumthin tacky or dated so i support this
true!
I mean he is quality, rap is not something I enjoy a lot though… But I wouldn’t mind him
I also think they will pick internally since there hasn’t been any news about NF for a long time. And usually they were one of the first ones to start with NF.
look i HATE rap/trap but i’d tolerate it at eurovision for the sake of hearing sumthin different than usual !
exactly. We do need some diversity (but a quality one)
Nice, but I think based on his repertoire that he wouldn’t have much to offer but who knows maybe I’m wrong