It’s the Eurovision selection that’s entering the third year of its revival run. And if recent reports are anything to go by, Serbia’s Beovizija 2020 is going from strength to strength.
Just before the Christmas break, broadcaster RTS revealed that it received 90 songs during the submission period which closed on 9 December. According to the network, that’s up significantly on previous years.
Local media reports that several well-known names are among the hopefuls, including Hurricane — the girl group which includes Eurovision 2016’s Sanja Vučić in its lineup.
Sanja Vučić’s Hurricane and Beovizija 2020
Kurir reports that one of Hurricane’s songs was among the almost 100 entries to land in RTS’s offices. This is not surprising, given that the band said in an October interview that they were working on getting to Eurovision.
Hurricane is a trio which also includes Ksenija Knežević and Ivana Nikolić. If Ksenija’s name looks familiar — there’s a reason. She’s the daughter of another Eurovision alumni, Montenegro’s 2015 singer Knez.
The story of the group’s formation is explained by their founder, Zoran Milinković. After Hurricanes Irma and Maria devastated the Carribean in 2017, Milinković participated in the cleanup efforts on the island of Sint Maarten.
After returning to Serbia, he then formed the group to send a message of support. Hurricane’s first single, fittingly, was named “Irma, Maria”. The music video showed cleanup efforts, whilst the song preached about the strength and will to rebuild after tragedy.
The ladies have released two singles since 1 September 2019, both of which are approximately three minutes in duration — “Favorito” and “Avantura”. The former has already amassed over 35 million views.
Other potential Beovizija 2020 acts
Hurricane isn’t the only name dropped in the Kurir report.
Neda Ukraden
Neda Ukraden is top of the website’s list. According to its sources, her composition “Bombe” has made a great impression and has the best chance of winning Beovizija.
Ukraden was a big name all across the former Yugoslavia in the 1970s and 1980s. And her career is still going strong today, mostly because her recent releases are extremely club-friendly.
Although she turns 70 next year, she has a unique style and attitude which would shame many of her younger rivals. Her music style is pop with folk and/or techno elements. She was born in Croatia, and currently resides in Serbia.
Bane Mojićević
The third name, and last for now, is Bane Mojićević. The 33-year-old is best known for winning reality shows like Zvezde Granda and Your Face Sounds Familiar. During his stint on the latter, he even tackled the Eurovision 2014 winning “Rise Like A Phoenix” by Conchita Wurst.
That Hurricane music video is absolutely horrible.
No offense: But why are alla balcan videos so sexual? is that common there? I mean in the most af them the girls are doing weird stuff and dancing sexual and the boys are pimps. In Sweden its not like that.
Some of pop and pop-folk music videos from the Balkans are highly sexual. Even the lyrics are more inviting in that way. It’s a local joke that when a young performer who isn’t showing a lot of skin gets famous, that everyone acts surprised. Of course, there are *a lot* of local stars who are not using sexual innuendos in their songs, but the large part of cheaper pop and turbo folk is exactly like that. Ps. Nothing wrong in using nudity and/or sex for your video if there is a reason behind it. Some imagery helps the message of… Read more »
I see. I have Seen a lot of videos from balcan with great songs but very over the top sexual videos so just wondered.
simply cause you don`t look as good as Serbian people. You would too.
irma maria is a bop
Can people just calm down a touch? People are already assuming hurricane are Serbia’s representative when we have heard none of the songs and know none of the competing artists. Lets just chill out and actually give everyone a fair shot before deciding on hurricane before hearing the song.
as if some 70 year old can have a good entry
#Hurricane4thewin #Belgrade2021
I would love to see Sanja Vucic again, she is amazing! I love her voice, energy and personality!
All potentially great!
Neda Ukraden what a joke
and again i was more like judgmental before listening to any of her recent work
Bomba sounds very modern, it makes me think of it being a song from Jelena karleusa or maya berovic, so a compliment for Neda for having such a long career and staying relevant in the now modernized balkan music scene
for me up there with any of the Hurricane bops
so yes she can also do upbeat songs, her live performing style very diva-ish but still looking very stylish, classy
Sorry but autotune doesn’t make songs modern. I’m fine with small amounts of it but some are too much. I don’t like bomba at all
Beovizija has been solid since it came back (with two excellent winners in my opinion) with a big jump from year one to year two in terms of quality throughout the field. Am really looking forward to seeing what’s on offer!
none of them please
“We cannot allow to have 2 homophobes in 2020” – who exactly is “we”? I don’t really know anything about the guy, but the remainder of your comment seems quite confusing.
I guess you live in Saudi Arabi or somewhere?
No, but women in countries like saudi are usually judged by others in their country when they are not fully covered
sexism alert
i dont judge people by their clothes.
Sanja was in my top 5 of 2016, so of course that I would like to see her back. Also, I was thinking about really low ratings I gave half of Beovizija last year. While I stand by how some of them were atrocious (to ME), I realize that turbo-folk is really popular across Ex-Yu and it wouldn’t be okay withholding a certain genre to the audience, especially since the televoting is so important. Present all options, let the people decide. Last year, they made a fine choice. While Kruna did fell from an initial 8 to a 7 later… Read more »
Hurricane would be the best choice of Serbia but If Beovizija has a jury we will have an Elvana case. Hope they choose them and favorito which was released after the first of September
favorito was released in september, beovizija rules allow october and later
I am literally obsessed with Hurricane, their songs are amazing and although they might seem provocative or even trashy, their vocals are great mostly thanks to Sanja who is incredibly talented and communicative (her interviews by Deban in 2016 are the best). Would love to see them in Rotterdam, they would have an impact on stage something that Serbia hasnt for a while
You have right. I really hope that Bane won’t represent my country.
No ballads please, it doesnt matter who will go actually, if the song will be good there is no problem ….
About Sanja i dont know …last time Serbia impressed me was back in 2015
But ballads can be very good songs…
Ballads can be nice but Séria and Albania often send ballads and its boring …
Sanja has an amazing vocals and Hurricane mostly has fast upbeat songs
It’s about time Serbia made themselves interesting again. They have sorely been lacking impact. Hoping for a good Beovizija competition.
wonder strings could’ve done better than nevena last year
Hurricane are Serbian Pussycat Dolls which is amazing
Who is the first one?
Apparently Austria’s singer Vincent. But its honestly overblown.
idk why you didnt link neda’s song bomba, its already out on youtube
btw, beovizija rules wouldnt allow favorito to compete, but avantura would be allowed, although they said they were working on another song for beovizija
omg why? its a bop and it was released on september 10
None of the songs can be published before October 1st per Beovizija rules…
This year Arcade was released early in 2018 and even performed publicly in summer 2018
beovizija rules say 1st of october and later
Ok but Neda turns 70??? She doesnt even look 50!
Hurricane is really big now in Ex Yu