One is the Latvian queen of ballads who re-cast herself as a master of warehouse-dubstep-dance for Supernova 2020. The other is a Latvian heartthrob known for his many turns at Supernova and an occasionally provocative Instagram account. Together they are Riga royalty — and now Samanta Tina and Markus Riva have collaborated on the Latvian-language duet “Man nesanāk” (I’m Failing).

The song sets raw emotion against modern production, creating a nostalgic and sentimental vibe. Lovers in love aren’t always people who can stay together — and Markus and Samanta are feeling the pain: “I’m learning to be with myself, again without you, but I’m failing…”

Stylistically the song connects strongly with Markus’s recent releases “Last Time” and “In Your Words”. Together they hint strongly at the themes and sounds that will colour Mr Riva’s next album, which is out in November.

“Man nesanāk” lyric video — Samanta Tina & Markus Riva

Just as a careful mix of cinnamon, cumin, coriander, paprika and nutmeg come together to season a chicken shawarma, “Man nesanāk” is not about the singers’ individual spice, but about how their flavours come together. This is at once juicy and chemical.

“I really like musical collaborations, and I enjoy working in the studio with other artists,” Markus told Latvia’s TV Net. “It’s really interesting to experience how a song changes when someone gives it their own personality. There was no new duet this year, and I thought — why not create one with my darling, she agreed, and together this has been not only a productive, but a very fun adventure.”

Samanta is in on the fun, as you can see in this Instagram Reel. They vibe in the comfort of the other, a friendship that stretches back all the way to Dzeisma 2014 — the national final that pre-dates Supernova.

For her part, Samanta told the outlet: “There hasn’t been a duet in Latvian in my work for a long time — and the last one my listeners would definitely remember is the song ‘Esi man klat’ with Rassell, which we released in 2012.”

“I liked Markus’s duet with Dinārs Rudāns so much that when Markus approached me, I agreed to this cooperation without hesitation and I am very happy with the result.”

Are you as happy with the result as Samanta and Markus? Are you excited to hear Markus’s new album in November? Shout it out down below!

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laura
laura
3 years ago

Thanks for this!

Somebody
Somebody
3 years ago

cringe

Azaad
Azaad
3 years ago

I hope Samanta sings in Latvian in 2021.

Pressed Yolk
Pressed Yolk
3 years ago
Reply to  Azaad

she won’t