They’re the Latvian group who proclaim themselves to be “rap princes and 21st century pop music divas”. And it would seem that Latvians are into said princes and divas, as they’ve just crowed Citi Zēni the winners of Latvia’s Supernova 2022.
The band won with “Eat Your Salad”, an upbeat track about the attractiveness of meat-free diets and eco-friendly living. Their music is described as “a jar of fresh tonic, first shaken and then opened”. Once opened, all manner of colours and vulgarities spill out, including an opening line about cunninlingus.
Curiously, the band did not actually sing the word “pussy” during the grand final. Although it is present in the studio version of their song, they remained silent during that moment in the broadcast.
The band consists of Jānis Pētersons (vocals), Dagnis Roziņš (vocals and saxophone), Reinis Višķeris (keyboard), Krišjānis Ozols (guitar), Roberts Memmēns (bass) and Toms Kagainis (drums). They’ll see you at Eurovision 2022 in Torino.
The band had to overcome a strong challenge from Eurovision 2015 singer Aminata.
In the chorus of her song “I’m Letting You Go”, she says “I’ll be dreaming of you.” And after serving a near-perfect vocal there’s no doubt her fans will be dreaming about her.
Due to a positive Covid-19 test result, Aminata was unable to perform in the studio for the semi-final, instead singing via a remote link from home. But the wait was definitely worth it as our girl was flawless tonight.
What do you think of the winner? Do you consider it a “joke entry”? Or do you think that it cleverly taps into the zeitgeist and will win plaudits from the public and professional juries alike? Let us know down below!
The Supernova 2022 finalists were:
Raum “Plans”
Linda Rušeniece “Pay My Own Bills”
Bermudu Divstūris “Bad”
Miks Galvanovskis “I’m Just a Sinner”
Bujāns “He, She, You & Me”
Elīna Gluzunova “Es pabiju tur”
Citi Zēni “Eat Your Salad”
Inspo “A Happy Place”
Mēs Jūs Mīlam “Rich Itch”
Aminata “I’m Letting You Go”
Miks Dukurs “First Love”
AMINATA only serves. There's just no other way for her. #ltvsupernova #supernova2022 pic.twitter.com/FtkoG0PMIn
— wiwibloggs (@wiwibloggs) February 12, 2022
Even in Eurovision people gonna make the women body sexulazied or treat women’s body parts like stuff.
Please, stop doing that horny men.
These are the sort of acts I look forward to at Eurovision alongside the serious ones that will make my annual playlist. Hope they qualify as we all need some fun like this in our lives! Good luck Latvia!
Dreadful, and tuneless
Citi z?ni won televote and jury. Just in case. Which I found surprising.
it’s good to have songs like this at eurovision, but in this case I think 3 minutes are faaaar too long 😀
This will surely qualify, no question. It’s not bad, but ughmm… I don’t know.
This is obviously a joke entry, which I generally don’t like… but omg I’m loving this.
We need entries like this! Some fun and lightness is always welcome at ESC
Erm…no?
Is there any country taking the contest seriously this year??
We keep saying “NQ this, NQ that” but if countries don’t start stepping it up some of the sure non-qualifiers are going to be making it to the final
Looks like Bulgaria announcing intention wasn’t a good omen for the season after all :/
Garbage, foul lyrics , I’m no Mary Whitehouse but this is utter nonsense , even its play on words is an insult to the English language, stick to Tick Tock and the million viewers who support you . How can my 6 year old child sing along to these words ? I wonder if the response would be the same if this was played on the radio entirely in Latvian ? Next!
We (my cousin and I) actually didn’t understand the “other meaning” of the song when we watched its performance in the final. We just thought it was to get kids to eat vegetables! We even called it “too childish even for Junior Eurovision.” So to find out here about the other meanings is genuinely a “huh” moment. It also shows how gullible we are, and how the wider audience may also be “fooled” by this at ESC.
I don’t think there is another meaning. That one word at the start is just part of the humour.
OK. So Latvia wants children in front of the tv sets in Europe to learn a song about vegetarianism and cunnilingus. Right forum? Hm… Guess the ESC rules say they have to change the lyrics? I personally enjoy the jazz fusion funk groove, but it didn’t work so well for Lake Malawi in the public vote the other year. Well, good luck anyway.
You act as if this Latvia song is the worst thing for kids to hear, which let’s be honest no kid will understand. Some adults probably don’t know what’s going on.
Well, it’s okay and nice but not that great. Nothing else I can say for now.
Better than Ukraine thats for sure.
This is legit in my Top 3 of ALL Eurovision entries ever. I love this so much and I have it repeat every day cause it brings me so much life to sing and dance along to.
Excellent choice, Latvia! I can already hear the audience screaming ‘PUSSY’ at the opening. A televote leader (at least one of).
This is what Europe needs right here, right now. A bit of fun, a bit of healthier choices and great messaging.
I’m not sure the lyrics will be kept for Eurovision tbh. I’m not seeing EBU allowing the word ‘Pussy’, and the song really seems to have a lot of sexual subtones. It’ll be interesting to see how EBU will react to it.
It’s already censored on their final performance.
They are already censored, so no.
They’re definitely gonna have to alter some of the lyrics for Eurovision, but they can get creative about it if they want. The “sexy AF” line (the full F-bomb) can just be changed to “sexy as you”, but I’d personally like to see them substitute a sassy cat’s meow for “pussy”. It’s already a novelty song, might as well go all out. If you’re familiar with “I’ve No More F***s to Give” by Thomas Benjamin Wild Esq., he has both an explicit version of the song and a clean version of the song. The clean version substitutes the F-bombs in… Read more »
I’m off to fry some bacon for my brunch.
I think we’ve found the act that will come last in semi final one.
Not qualifying
Latvia is on a diet!
From baking cakes to now eating salad.
However, like eating salad, this doesn’t satisfy me.
Sorry Latvia but best of luck anyway 🙂
Nice voice. But the high parts was too high for her and that made the key change painful to listen to. She sings with her neck in those parts. They should have given her a song to use her nice lower voice
I assume this is about Aminata?
If so, who are “THEY” who would give her songs? Aminata writes all of her music herself (and for others too). This is not Sweden where most artists sing songs written by 100 different songwriters, or Azerbaijan, who just buys something off the market. Most of the artists in Latvia write their own music.
I admit this is the first time I listened to the whole song – before I only judged it by its opening (now censored) line. Which I think they should censor in different way then just not saying the word. Anyway – did my opinion changed? Kinda – I can see why people like it, it’s fun and stands out. With a right staging it might surprise everyone and even get into top 10. Maybe I might start to like it in time, but now there isn’t really any part of the song that would get stuck in my mind,… Read more »
Same here. I make assumptions about people who listen something like this, but then… saw the full performance on youtube. To be frank, that’s what Europe needs this very moment.
It might not be good, but it has the best chances of qualifying out of all the Supernova contestants. Because it’s memorable while the others where meh.
“I eat vegies and pussy.. both a juicy?!?” That’s not cool, it’s sexist!!!
The whole text is so stupid, superficial and downplays the problems we have with our modern agriculture more than it emphasizes them. Eating vegtables that has grown on huge monoculture fields and is full of pesticides and fertilizers is neither sustainable or green! In addition, the boys can’t sing either. I’m also bothered by the fact that they’re trying to jump on a wave and think they’ll make it big with a bad song! Sorry, no thanks -> next!
They eat cats?! :S
(I know, I know… a joke too far, probably.)
Wow. Someone can’t just enjoy/not enjoy the song. Just relax! No need to go so deep into this song!!!
You must be fun at parties. Also, what’s sexist about it?
I think you all are underestimating the impact of the green vote at Eurovision. I mean, we all know that Greta is now voting for Latvia this year.
Well, I’m not sure. I’m a vegetarian but I would never vote for this song because I simply don’t like it.
Vegan here. Would never vote for this lmao
i’m vegan too and citi zeni is iconic
Moldova called. They want their Epic Sax Guy back. In fact, I owe the country an apology for ranking Trenule?ul low early on.
As a person who literally just turned vegan this year, this song is a huge validation for me. I love it!!
I think this isn’t the post for that comment, but I have to agree. If the song’s already finished, why wait?
At least kids in Latvia will now have a song that will constantly remind them to eat their veggies =.
Not just their veggies..
Well this was quite educational Final. Learnt some English – HE SHE YOU ME AND FAMILY. And some nutrition advice about SALAD haha
I want to hate it, but also just can’t… I can’t tell if it’s mindnumbingly stupid or absolute genius
tiktok has won.
🙁
This song is so catchy.. but the lyrics.. so many hidden meanings ?
Nah, pretty sure nothings hidden there lol
Latvia 3/12
And how about those who don’t like salad?…
Then just stick to pussy.
And how about those who don’t like salad and pussy?…
Carrot.
I prefer something else than pussy 😛
they are gay for eating meat, i guess? honestly the lyrics are hideous or they have hidden messages which makes the song sexist.
Lol but it was just a little joke, but whatever I can say on wiwibloggs I will be downvoted by some specific users here, I have my personal haters, a real honor lol, but they are so predictable that they make it laughable, keep up the good work guys.
Hay no que simpático, it’s Dumb
I am not the audience for this. Aminata would have been a much better choice. Are we quite sure Bulgaria still is the worst song selected this year?
Yes we are
Lol
Bulgaria is the BEST!!!
No, it’s Moldova
Another great song! 😉
Well done to Supernova for a terrific national final.
I am admittedly baffled by the winner Latvia has chosen, but as long as Latvians like the song then that is what matters. I think I likened it to a ‘Sesame Street’ number at one point. 😀
terrific? it was a horrible national final, felt very old-fashioned (like i was watching early 00s) and the quality of the songs were very low (excluding Aminata).
They need to do internal selections and avoid this mess.
Why are you so bothered by what other countries are doing with their selections? Chill. This gives platform to new artists (like Inspo, for example), and a chance to improve different technical skills. You can’t compare the quality of Supernova 2022 to Eirodziesma 2010, can you? I think the stage design was great this year, especially knowing that the budget for this is not that high. Compared to many other not so rich country selections, Latvia did a great job. It is not just all about you and your “expert” wishes and opinions. You need to deal with your own… Read more »
“as long as Latvians like the song then that is what matters”
Still, would be quite nice if picking a song that could get Latvia back into the Grand Final also mattered too.
Perhaps, although a National Final is usually done so that the broadcaster’s viewing audience is happy with the finalist. (There are some exceptions, but Latvia is not one of them.)
Well, broadcasters host national finals for a variety of reasons—it would be nice to think those reasons include the public’s happiness. I just think the Latvian public’s happiness would be greater if they could see a Latvian back in the Grand Final 😉
Well, watch out if you’re right, Jimmy. Be ready to be not right as well.
Oh dear, this has the same level of cringeness as Israel…no final once again Latvia!
Cringing is often a sign of your own insecurities 🙂 Saying that from experience, deal with your insecurities. Good luck!
The novelty entry of the year
A song that any other year would be last place in the semi, has potential to be top 15 in 2022.
Latvia was close to qualification in 2013 and 2014 ( i think?0 with similar songs but it is difficult to tell now with this voting system. If they get a strong televoting result, then they don’t need juries.
I think that if Norway chooses the wolves (they will), they will overshadow Latvia.
Downvote me as much as you want. I like this and I think it’s the best out of all the selected songs last night.
Every year the competition requires filler songs…..the disposable ones that don’t qualify, making way for the good stuff to make it to the final.
This year Latvia sends a filler song, which is pretty sad when you think that they’ve sent some pretty decent songs in the past.
Not for me at all….
This is everything but filler song lol
It will bomb in the Semi’s. Mark my words.
Latvia is back into top 10
I kinda like them. They’re fun acts on stage
I feel very conflicted. I was really rooting for Aminata, but Citi Zeni’s song is by no means terrible and will surely have a much greater televote appeal than Aminata ever would. That said, I’m really scared that the possible televote success of Latvia, Moldova and Norway this year might lead us back to the dark ages of the contest, like during the 2000’s. I wouldn’t call any of these joke entries, since there’s clear effort being put behind them, but at the same time I don’t feel the same level of commitment and uniqueness that The Roop and Dadi… Read more »
Man, relax. I agree with you, but at this point Moldova is a sure NQ, maybe Latvia too and I doubt Subwoolfer will win in Norway.
Moldova yes Latvia no
I have too much PTSD from Romania 2017 and Norway 2018 to fully believe on that, even if I really want to lmao
Why do you think the wolves won’t win? The result is based on televoting only and there are no other strong entries.
Moldova is far from NQ.
I think the presence of the jury will prevent a full return to the 2000s so I wouldn’t worry.
This might be the worst year in ESC in a long time. Guess a quality ballad will win in the end among these geberic pop and joke entries
Maybe u never listen to 2008 and 2011 then
You guys say this every year.
Poland will win, betting odds are not lying. Poland has managed to stay in the top3 which shows a lot.
As you said, in 2011 we saw Azerbaijan winning so it can happen with Poland too.
Let’s wait and see.
rn I don’t think it’s crazy to say Lithuania will win, it’s a quality entry performed by a quality artist that stands out
Bulgaria announcing Intention as their entry wasn’t a good omen :/
OH this is so bad, directly on my bottom top….
Yet another average and rather weak national final winner. This national final season isn’t doing it for me so far. Italy and Spain brought it, the rest not so much. At this point 2022 feels like a weaker year compared to the years before.
I disagree.Lot’s of fun and interesting acts this year!
I disagree as well. More diverse and unique songs. Also, this shows the influence of COVID, which can’t be ignored. We need more ‘Eat your salad’ to just know that the life is about. A bit of fun and green will save the world.
i love this, even without the opening line it’s a strong song. i think it’ll be a televote favorite.
That’s something I missed: What was the opening line?
“instead of meat i eat veggies and pussy”
They just need to let the audience shout pussy while they don’t sing that line lol
now THIS is an idea !
I bet this is what’s going to happen… Awesome