On the day after Christmas, Markus Riva confirmed that he had submitted a song to Supernova 2020 — Latvia’s Eurovision selection.
At the time, we wondered whether it could be a collaboration with Aminata — Latvia’s Eurovision 2015 representative and 2016 songwriter. Such speculation was fuelled by various social media posts featuring both artists together.
On Tuesday 7 January, at the stroke of midnight local time, Markus dropped “Impossible”. And, surprise, surprise, it’s written by Aminata and is exactly three minutes long.
Could this be Riva’s song for Supernova 2020?
Markus Riva “Impossible”
The official press release reads:
[“Impossible”] is a very personal story about self-belief and an unbreakable spirit, which unites both [Markus and Aminata], and invites everyone to listen to themselves more.
“Impossible” is an autobiographical story about my feelings and experience, but anyone who has ever faced obstacles in their way will connect to this song,” says Markus Riva. “We live in a very vulnerable era – crushing someone’s hopes and dreams, mocking and ridiculing somebody is very easy, but our way unfolds before our own eyes only. We must continue believing in ourselves and in our abilities – it is the only way to become unbreakable.”
The song’s co-author is Aminata Savadogo – both musicians are close friends with similar beliefs and life experience and have always supported each other professionally. Markus is extremely proud of Aminata’s Eurovision success, and he supported her in the national competition while being a competitor himself. The song “Impossible” is their second collaboration; previously, they worked together on the song “Last Dance”.
Work on “Impossible” began in the summer, and the song was recorded in October in a studio in Los Angeles. G’harah “PK” Degeddingseze with whom Markus has collaborated previously is the producer of the single, and some of the artists he works with include Chris Brown, Nicole Scherzinger, Paloma Faith and “2 Chainz”.
Markus Riva and Supernova
Markus has entered Latvia’s Eurovision selection every year since 2014. And, all going to plan, Markus Riva will make yet another appearance at Supernova 2020.
When asked about Supernova 2020, the X Factor Latvia host told his Instagram followers that:
“I get asked a lot about this. So, thank you. Yes, I have submitted a song. So, fingers crossed and I hope it’s going to be all good”.
Riva didn’t offer any further hints regarding the song title or the team behind it.
In all his attempts, Markus has reached the national final almost every time. However, his best results came in 2015 and 2019 when he came second with “Take Me Down” and “You Make Me So Crazy” respectively.
Supernova 2020 rumours
Samanta Tīna
Another regular in the mix is Samanta Tīna. She too recently released a song written by Aminata.
In an interview with Sejas, Samanta was asked about the last dream she could remember. She glibly responded that she had a nightmare where someone else performed her new single “Still Breathing” at Eurovision. Reading between the lines, many have concluded that she plans to sing it herself.
Furthermore, the track is within Eurovision’s three-minute time limit.
Between 2012 and 2014, Samanta never finished outside the top three in Latvia’s national final. She also took part in the 2016 edition of Supernova.
Edgars Kreilis
While Samanta and Markus are almost certainly in the mix, another regular might be out. Edgars Kreilis is participating in the current season of Lithuania’s The Voice.
His blind audition aired on 5 January and he convinced all four coaches to turn, including Eurovizijos atranka 2020 singer Moniqué and two-time Eurovision star Donny Montell. Kreilis opted to join Montell’s team.
Depending on how much further he progresses in the competition, Edgars’ The Voice commitments may rule him out of a Supernova 2020 appearance.
He previously took part in Latvia’s selection in 2018 and 2019, finishing sixth on both occasions.
What do you think of “Impossible”? Would you like to see it in Supernova? let us know in the comments.
You guys are pretty biased against him 2016 take me down wasn’t his best entry but it was a solid track he would probably finish with a similar result to Justs-heartbeat(15th place) p.s. He doesn’t hit the notes in this performance due to sickness 2017 Dynamite (amazing track potential Eurovision winner) didn’t qualify at supernova???? – while triana park receiving worst result in Latvia’s Eurovision history ( last place in semi) 2018 “This Time” was again better than – “Funny girl” failed to qualify 2019 “you make me so crazy” not even on the same league as the elevator music… Read more »
Markus Riva’s song is just as horrible as his previous attempts… This man can’t sing, he should accept that with dignity. Samantha Tina’s song is no better, either… Waiting for Edgars Kreilis’ submission, hope he’ll at least have a decent entry…
I really enjoyed Edgart in the voice of Lithuania, it was funny, he hit the judges as well 😀 its a pity he wont be a part of latvian national selection this year:(
It sounds awful but I love aminata and her older songs I’m just not really vibin’with her newer stuff. I would however love if she was in supernova. Anyway Markus riva, let’s just be honest isn’t the best.
I think Tina’s song is more dynamic. Markus sounds the same in EVERY. SINGLE. SONG. And the pronunciation. Nah.
Gives me “quand je rêve je suis un roi” vibes. Au revoir
Markus Rivas Song ist quite ‘okay’ but his voice is just … it doesnt fit at all.
More interesting is Samanta Tinas song. With a good staging (and a little revamp on the instrumentals in the refrain) .. why not.
In all honestly, I admire Riva and Tina for attempting so many times. Interestingly, both of them have songs about still being strong and persistent. But while Samanta Tina has improved over her last participation, Riva has not. Why doesn’t he sing in Latvian or Russian when he obviously struggles with English so much? The song itself is pretty boring too. Electronic instrumental is supposed to give it an oomph, but it doesn’t really blend well with the overall tone and structure. Overall a very bland result. On the other hand, Samanta’s song is quite interesting. I’m still not sure… Read more »
I think singing in Russian in Supernova itself may not be the smartest path to winning the national final, even if it might be a good strategy regarding the televote at ESC itself. But Latvian would work better for Markus than English certainly.
From a political standpoint, I guess you are right. Latvian is a lot safer. Plus, it’s a lovely language we barely hear on ESC. We had some great / solid songs in Latvian in the last two years, but none of them won. I would be very open to that idea. Same goes for Lithuania (who already have two good songs in their native language in their NF).
I thought it had some lines in Latvian, until I realised it was just terrible English lyrics ?
Overall, it’s pretty boring imo. Take Me Down is still my favourite of his attempts.
This dude must be the most covered artist on wiwibloggs that never went to Eurovision
Just recently
Samanta’s song is actually really good cause it has a lot of variation but Markus’ just…repeats everything that he has been trying since 2015. So…Samanta’s year to shine maybe?
It’s not a bad song, but his voice irritates me.
Why is Edgars Kreilis doing the voice of Lithuania?
Why Victor Crone represented Estonia ? Lol….he wanted, simple answer
because he have participated in almost every TV show in Latvia, including some relationship consulting show. he just want to be on TV really bad
Exposure.
Success isn’t only about trying as many times as you can, but also about learning from your past mistakes.
Good luck anyway.
If Impossible is his song, it should be impossible for him to win Supernova. It’s not good.
Edgart 🙁
He clearly has a lot of interest in representing Latvia at Eurovision and he’s very good looking (always an added bonus at Eurovision). Why won’t the Latvian broadcaster select him internally, team him up with talented song writers and a production team and see what happens?
Because Supernova is mostly for unestablished artists to get some recognition.
He’s famous enough to justify an internal selection, but the honest truth is that Supernova is a good national final and I think all five of its winners that he competed against had better songs than he did (not to mention they all sang better).
He should really sing in Latvian. Unfortunately his English pronunciation makes the song less enjoyable. He should learn how to pronounce ‘Rising’. The song itself is nothing outstanding if u ask me.
I wouldn’t have a clue what he was singing if it weren’t for the lyrics on-screen. Other than Impossible ofc.
Is Markus Riva the male Version of Ally Ryan? YES. Let’s get on with our lives
Noo, he is Sanna Nielsen from Sweden
He sticks to the same country and has never pretended he’s too good for a national final, and that alone makes him a lot more likeable as an artist. They have similar artistic sensibilities though.
Aly Ryan goes from country to country, hoping a broadcaster would consider her. Meanwhile, Markus sticks to just Latvia.
Just internally select him and get it out of the way!!