Ever since a Dutch radio DJ claimed that the local act for Rotterdam would be an artist whose name begins with the letter J, speculation has flown. Now two reputable Dutch newspapers are reporting that the modern soul singer Jeangu Macrooy will represent the Netherlands at Eurovision 2020.
The Dutch newspaper AD say their “very reliable sources” confirm that Jeangu Macrooy has been internally selected, while the newspaper Het Parool also reports the same news.
Neither of the papers have given further details about the internal selection, but the reputation of both newspapers give this report more gravitas than the previous speculation from showbiz media.
Dutch broadcaster NOS reports that broadcaster AVROTROS has not confirmed the news but will soon make a statement on the Dutch act for 2020.
A NOS reporter has also noticed that Jeangu has a two-week gap in his upcoming tour, making him available during the two weeks of Eurovision rehearsals and performances. He also has a free day on 4 April — the night of Eurovision In Concert.
Hij heeft in zijn theatertour wel een opvallende pauze, precies de ruime twee weken van het songfestival…. pic.twitter.com/GwKYwhj680
— Martijn van der Zande (@vanderzande) January 9, 2020
Who is Jeangu Macrooy?
Jeangu Macrooy is a Surinamese singer-songwriter. He was born in the former Dutch colony of Suriname in South America. He moved to the Netherlands in 2014 to study songwriting at the ArtEZ Popacademy.
Since then, he’s built up a career in the Netherlands. Jeangu has released two studio albums, one live album, an EP and many singles. He regularly tours in the Netherlands, as well as Belgium, Germany and France.
Jeangu is a regular guest performer on the popular Dutch TV show De Wereld Draait Door (“The world keeps on turning”). He performs his own music on the show, as well as tributes to artists such as Stevie Wonder, George Michael and Bob Dylan.
In 2018, he played Judas in the annual Dutch performance of The Passion. The show was directed by Eric van Tijn, who is also the musical director of Eurovision 2020. While Jeangu mostly sings in English, his The Passion performance was all in Dutch.
The singer has a twin brother, Xillan. His brother is also a singer and performs in Jeangu’s band. The two have also duetted together.
Jeangu has spoken about the importance of being an openly gay role model for young Surinamese people — a country where gay culture is often considered a taboo subject. Jeangu explained, “I’ve got a stage to trigger change. I hope I can be meaningful for all those young people in Suriname who discover their sexuality and discover that they’re different.”
If Jeangu is indeed selected for Rotterdam, he won’t be the first Dutch Eurovision act with Surinamese origins. Singers Humphrey Campbell (Eurovision 1992) and Ruth Jacott (Eurovision 1993) were both born in Suriname before moving to the Netherlands.
What do you think? Would you like to see Jeangu Macrooy represent the host country in Rotterdam? What sort of song should he perform? Tell us your thoughts below!
Confirmed by NOS/NPO..
Yeaaaaajj. As a dutchie I am really excited about this.
It’s official now!!
Plot twist: it will be Jamala sksksks
If it’s all true then it’s a very good choice. Jeangu has a beautiful voice. Several years ago, when he was fairly unknown, I was with a very intimate concert and he impressed me. It now only depends on the song he’s going to do. Just look at this video and you’ll hear what he can do with his voice: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vApkaNxy9N0
Why can’t people just wait for the announcement?
If the news is true, it would be very promissing…….
Wow! He looks absolutely gorgeous and I can definitely #OpenUp to some Carribean-style soul at Eurovision <3
I knew him before this, and he is absolutely great. The Netherlands will be a force to reckon with. They are going for Gold again!
It will be him and I think he’s great! Perfect!
Jadonna, Justin Timberlake again, Jady Gaga, Jizzo
I would LOVE to see Jizzo on stage. 😛 😛 😛
J. Cole, J. Balvin, Jay-Z…
What about a national final with all the speculated Js? Joking apart (I hope there isn’t a Dutch singer called Joking Apart), Jeangu seems like a cool choice.
The J is me, I’m singing for the dutchies this year.
You sure about that?
Hmm…
congrats, thats great! 😉
That J scandal is becoming ridiculous.
I’m just waiting for an official announcement. How many other “J” artists are the gonna come up with? Next up will probably be a return of the 3JS to the Eurovision stage? 🙂 I’ve got only one word for the Dutch speakers among us… “J-eetje” 😀
How many of these ‘media report’ articles about the Netherlands are we gonna get?! When Dutch media say “based on reliable sources” you could also read “we actually made this up without a real source”. Just wait for a report of Avrotros. It could still be anyone.
Of course not. AD is a proper newspaper. It’s Jeangu Macrooy, end of. The Jordan Roy story was ridiculous, but Macrooy is just the kind of artist they would go for.
I really love his style. He can both provide summer dance songs with some Caribbean type of touch, and on the other hand a moving touching emotional song.
This one could be included in the article. It shows his capabilities better than the ones above:
https://youtube.com/watch?v=vApkaNxy9N0
And this one, a more danceable summer vibe:
https://youtube.com/watch?v=jDDTPybBPJE
He seems interesting but in regards to his schedule it’d be a very tight fit considering he has a lot around then so I highly doubt it’s him – but if it is then I’m intrigued!
Well cornald maas said that we are going for the full 100% to win again so saying we aren’t after a second win is not really true
True, Cornald Maas said that, but I don’t think Europe is gonna let us win twice ?
I was thinking more along the psychological lines too, even if they aren’t going for a win and he’s already pre-qualified, the amount of stress of having a tour on top of ESC and etc. But only time will tell. He’s an interesting act though from what it seems!
I’m starting to doubt about the veracity of these Dutch media, first they say that it’s going to be Jordan Roy and now this man wtf, but I like this choice even more though haha
There are a lot more media backing this rumour than in the case of jordan roy though.
Jordan Roy was mentioned in ‘de Telegraaf’ trashy right winged newspaper, so they publish first and then check if checking at all. AD is slightly better, Parool in general quite good. So there you are>
He fits the ‘Open Up’ slogan, is a skilled singer and the ‘rumour’ is even mentioned on the NOS broadcasters news site..
Yes, him being mentioned on the NOS website makes it seem rather credible.