On 25 February, German broadcaster NDR revealed Jendrik Sigwart’s Eurovision 2021 music video for “I Don’t Feel Hate”. And since then the ukulele-playing, face-twisting, toe-tapping star has only turned the volume up and boosted his energy to match.
During his first solo television performance, Jendrik unleashed fancy footwork and plenty of charisma on Schlagerchampions 2021. Dressed in a sparkly rainbow jacket and armed with a just as sparkly ukulele, the 26-year-old Hamburger delivered a quirky performance that had us smiling from ear-to-ear.
Earlier, the German delegation revealed that Jendrik will work with Marijanas Staniulėnas, The Roop‘s dancer and choreographer, on his Eurovision act to create a performance that is just as energetic as the one seen on Schlagerchampions.
Jendrik’s “unbelievable road to Eurovision”
Alongside the music video for his song, the German broadcaster debuted a 30-minute documentary called Jendrik – The Unbelievable Road to Eurovision. The documentary deals with the singer’s unexpected win in the German internal selection.
In the documentary, Thomas Schreiber — NDR’s Head of Entertainment — reveals that Jendrik secured the Eurovision gig in a way he’s never seen before. When a friend advised Jendrik to document his crazy music video idea on TikTok, he quickly went viral. In his TikTok and Instagram posts, the 26-year-old documented his idea of shooting a no budget music video for Eurovision. This included the help of his family and friends — and eighteen broken washing machines.
The humorous videos caught the attention of a casting agent at NDR, who then requested that Jendrik send the song and the video to the Eurovision selection. Round after round, Jendrik progressed with ease — shocking himself more than anyone.
In November 2020, the singer-songwriter was called to Cologne as one of the final seven entrants. With his background in musical education, Jendrik was a clear stand-out on stage during a live test.
In the documentary, Thomas praises his new charge.
“He can move, he can dance, he can step dance. He can do something craftsmanly, and that craftsmanship is the foundation for all the other things.”
On his way to the song reveal on 25 February, Jendrik spoke of the moment when he got inspiration for the song. He recounted it in rather emotional terms.
“It was a moment, in which I again… I am a funny guy, I was again treated stupidly [by someone]. Not taken seriously, degraded. And I thought: ‘I find this person who wants to degrade me sh*t’. But I said to myself: ‘Jendrik, a moment… It just makes you have a bad mood’. And therefore, I said: ‘You know what? I am not feeling any hate or resentment now’. Instead, I tried to stand above it. I found it a cool message, and I had a great melody and from that, I made this song.”
What do you think of Jendrik’s performance at Schlagerchampions? What are you expecting to see for the staging of “I Don’t Feel Hate”? Let us know in the comments below!
Germany, you still have time to select a different artist and song!
Alf Poier vibes tbh. It might get points from the televote. Austria placed 6th back then…
Have to say, after seeing his live performance it’s grown on me. Such charisma and a great bit of fun which is much needed. I think he will stand out on the night. I would say cut out the tap dancing and add another verse or chorus
This is such an underrated Dark horse. Love it! Sending some neighboury love to our German neighbours <3
Whatever about the song – this is so fun and Jendrik just oozes charisma, smiles and energy. He kind of reminds me of the singer from Lake Malawi. You could film this guy just eating a sandwich for 3 minutes and it would be fun.
Love that Germany is doing something bold, original and fun. When you’re sitting watching with your family or friends, what are you really going to be talking about during the ad break – some worthy power ballad (random example) or the crazy German ukulele song?
he just does too much and comes across as desperate and tacky. dadi and the roop offer the same vibes without being cringy… jendrik is just as uncool as it gets with his antics.
Doesn’t change anything the song is still a dumpster fire.
German “humor” at its finest.
Well, Germany can finish far better than we all expect if they make this kind of crazy show in Rotterdam. Because of it I suddenly forgot how bad the song actually is.
But, there needs to be an audience. This wouldn’t be as fun in a nearly empty arena.
I know there’s still more songs to come but I already set my mind this is my ESC 2021 song, this is my winner.
There’s one every year that ruins it for everyone.
Is it you?
With 2 songs Amen, it seems that pandemic made people more religious, than fun. I wish Jendrik a lot of luck, but give up the fingers. Not the hand please. He could be dead last just because those fingers, just the way Timebelle was ruined by that yellow dress (not because it was yellow, but because it was ugly).
More camera focus on Jendrik, please. He oozes charisma.
I see potential for this to do well in the televote, but gosh, the juries are going to slaughter it
this is so much fun to watch and listen to. Jendrik is so cute and sweet.
If it was a Moldovan entry, everyone would be praising it but it’s Germany so it’s normal to bash the DE entry for a big part of eurofans.
I do hope that the middle finger/2 fingers looking like penises will not be part of the Rotterdam performance PLEASE. It makes no sense and people will not get it.
Curious to see the final show.
The lyrics literally say, “So you can wiggle with that middle finger, it’ll never wiggle back to you.” They could probably refine the costume a bit for the Contest, but the way it’s designed her head is part of the middle finger and when she raises her arm it makes a peace sign (which could also be the British “two fingers” sign, but that’s only when the the back of the hand is facing the recipient of the gesture; when the palm is facing, it’s a peace sign). I think this song has potential, and Jendrik has a lot of… Read more »
It’s a lot of fun. But the juries are going to murder it.
It is so bad.
Yeah, if this performace made something sufficiently clear, it’s that Germany will certainly exceed many eurofans’ expectation come May the 22nd:)
I Don’t Feel Hate is more fun than a lot of people are giving it credit for here—I think it might surprise and do really well in the televote.
Camerawork needs drastic improvement. Jendrik should be the centrepiece—he’s charming and could woo the audience in 3 minutes if the cameras gave him more attention.
This performance made me so freaking happy :’)
He is so energetic. I prefer this presentation over the music video and its starting to grow on me a bit.
why is this even worse than the music video. 🙁 this is literal torture to my ears and eyes, I was just overwhelmed with cringe. good luck to Jendrik, but this is one of the worst things I’ve ever seen, his main target audience will probably be 5-8 year-olds 🙂
I agree
Slaying on stage ! Very good performer and dancer!! This can grows on me I think. But is it playback ? :/
Yes these Schlager-shows only allow playback, he had no say in this. But you could tell he used that to go in even harder. Most of those acts just stood there and did nothing. He gave a show!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7f9NvYYFEk
Here is a link where he sings live, but in a very slow version and half in German.
This is so “wacky”
Reminds me of Timmy Mallett.
It would be good if it were ironic, but I am not sure it is.