Finland’s Erika Vikman can sing about coming (repeatedly). Australia’s Go-Jo can boast about spreading his milk and sharing his banana. But Malta’s Miriana Conte “serving kant”? Apparently that’s one step too far.
On Tuesday Miriana wrote on her personal Instagram that the EBU is forcing her to change her song’s lyrics. But she’s not letting their last-minute demand — just a week before the song is due for official submission — mess with her vibe.
“Currently filming the official ‘KANT’ music video, literally living my best life. We’ve just been notified that @ebu_hq has decided against using the Maltese word ‘Kant’ in our entry in the Eurovision Song Contest. While I’m shocked and disappointed, especially since we have less than a week to submit the song, I promise you this: the show will go on – Diva NOT down”
EBU orders Malta to change “Kant” lyrics
It’s not the first time that the EBU has asked a country to change its song lyrics. But it’s perhaps a first for a word that means something innocent in one language, but something offensive in another. As we all know by now, “kant” means singing in Maltese — though it sounds a lot like a deeply offensive word in the English language, which refers to the female anatomy. In the context of the song, it’s a play on being bold and extravagant — a reclamation that smacks of confidence and self-belief.
In 2017, Sweden’s Eurovision entry “I Can’t Go On” initially contained the line “because you look so f***ing beautiful”, which was changed to “freaking beautiful” before the contest. These lines were cleaned up before the final of the country’s national selection show Melodifestivalen.
Nevertheless, the fact that the word “kant” means singing in the Maltese language and the lyrics can therefore be translated as “serving singing” has left many scratching their heads.
Malta has until early next week to submit a new song.
“Kant” went viral even before the conclusion of the Malta Eurovision Song Contest on February 8. Assuming Miriana delivers a new lyric with a similar cheek and power to the original, this controversy could add more fuel to her fire. It’s certainly got Europe talking — again.
What do you think about this? Should Miriana Conte be allowed to serve kant at Eurovision 2025? Or do you think it’s fair for the EBU to decide this? Let us know in the comments down below!
To improve and leave same effect of this song, they just can change whole song in Maltese, and leave one word in ENG / Serving ?
In the context of the song with its current lyrics, I can understand there is reaction. Still I was under the impression they sang about Immanuel Kant rather than anything else. But the word itself cannot be banned. The word within this context can. Just use more native lyrics and it will make more sense. But keep the native word.
If you’re using only 1 word in Maltese, and you’re only using it because of what it sounds like, rather than what it means, then you really can’t claim it as singing in their own language. Serving singing makes no sense whatsoever.
Pretty sure this is the reaction the Maltese delegation wanted, and pretty sure they have a “Clean Radio Edit” ready to be submitted. I mean c’mon…. how dumb do you need to be to think Kant=singing is a strong enough argument to get away with it? It’s not very brat, innit? Grow up and own it! And start serving cvnt, FFS!
I remember Latvia 2022 in which Citi Zeni sung “i eat veggies and PUSSY” and nobody cared about it… such a shame they force Miriana to change the lyrics when even the title by its own is often confused with phylosopher Kant. I hope she and her team can make a full phrase in Maltese using “kant” to avoid the censorship… or maybe the song can be renamed to just “Serving…” and she let the audience say KANT
TBF Latvia 2022 made me feel uncomfortable but in the English lexicon – c*** is a step above that. Plus ‘kant’ or ‘cu*nt’ is repeated throughout the song. EBU made the right call
Well weren’t they not allowed to say pussy? They had to leave it blank but the crowd shouted it anyway
This i understand. While i thought that the disqualification of netherlands was a bit overkill this action makes sense. Its supposed to be a family show aswell and its the right thing to do in this specific case.
any possibility that they could change the majority of lyrics into maltese, because as y’all said, if erika can sing about having a wonderful time in finnish, the BBC and EBU don’t have a leg to stand on
Do you think for the Maltese people It would be ok if she sang “serving c*nt” in Maltese?
We’re ok if they stop trying to censor Miriana and let her serve kant.
EBU has just released their monthly round up, and featured Miriana singing serving kant from the start
Haha, you are indeed correct!
It’s the 7th highest entry, well done Malta team. It got a bit of play time there, so we know someone there wants to play it. 🙂
Change the song to Can’t and make it about EBU censoring the Maltese language
Why is It so difficult to understand that since that girl is singing in English an expression like “serving Kant” (we all know what she means) might be offensive for an English speaking audience? We all claim that we celebrate diversity, we all make speeches about accepting differences but accepting differences also mean to Accept other people’s sensitivities.
Eurovision is supposed to be an event where all countries get together and celebrate their differences but most of you seem to be waiting for the smallest thing to just show your hatred and dislike for any given country.
It should be just be ‘serving (moaning sound)’ instead and let the audience fill in the gaps
Exactly what I had in mind.
To try and defend the song by saying it is a Maltese word is pretty lame, unless there were more Maltese lyrics within the song. There is one Maltese word used a few times and used in a way to convey the other word.
Exactly. Like we all know what she means when she says it. The song was a guilty pleasure of mine but was by no means a song I wanted Malta to win ESC with or even top 10. A song clinging to one particular word that sounds like another word is just for memes, and comes across as quite cheap and tacky. But this is what happens in a 100% televote semi. We get more novelty acts. Many won’t agree but we really need the juries back in the semis to root these kind of songs out. It find a… Read more »
And the way it has been composed it actually means c*nt but written in Maltese orthography to try and bypass the censors.
But…they are singing live, not? What stops her from changing the lyrics now and singing the original on stage?
Disqualification?
Who cares? Not like she is going to win anyway…this way she would make a statement, show middle finger to ebu, and gain more publicity
Haha, Eurovision saga has had an effect on you, I see
Change it to Serving BBC, watch them come for that too. Cuz it means something else…
Serving beeb!
Call it “Untitled”.
EBU should force bad songs and not only lyrics to cahnge and there will be a lot of them this year.
I hope she will just change the “offensive” part and not the song itself!! <3
The UK 2025 Eurovision song has also the word with the pronunciation “can’t “, but the BBC and EBU are allowing UK to use the word can’t with the same pronunciation as the Maltese song with the word “Kant” which means songs. This is unfair on the Maltese language. Why the Maltese word is censored while the British word is not, when both words although with different meanings, sounds the same??????? This is discrimination against the Maltese language
I’m hoping she emerges on stage the way Geri Halliwell did at the Brits in 2000
Not that annoying Kant
just thought i would say i dont like the BBC for obvious reasons and i think they should play all esc songs
if it is down to the BBC making a complaint it is because of OFCOM who moderates the UK media. Take your hate out on them!
What are the obvious reasons?
It’s disgusting that they banned us
They just banned the use of one word. And this is not the first time such a thing happened. Latvia was censored for using the word “pussy” and Italy was censored for using the word “cazzo”.
So let’s stop playing the victim.
‘The Truth’ speaks the truth! Completely agree.
Made a petition to save this song. Please support it by signing it. https://www.change.org/SAVING_KANT
nah
no
A petition for this sh!t? Maybe I also start a petition because I KANT write the real Word for sh!t in here. Let’s fill the world with crazy petitions…
Let’s protest outside the BBC dressed as kants
Ahaha! Salford would love that. Don’t forget to bring giant bounce balls.
No. Bótate a la verga
It’s a bad song that purely relies on a gimmick. And now that gimmick has gone. Good.
But what a gimmick l!!!
Malta should now sent a request for UK to be removed from the contest as punishment for last years oversexual performance which was not appropriate for any viewers.
nah
In what way was it oversexual?
because it was more homo-erotic than lesbianism I guess.
Immanuel Kant was a real piss-ant who was very rarely stable. Heidegger, Heidegger was a boozy beggar who could think you under the table. .. David Hume could out-consume Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel. And Wittgenstein was a beery swine who was just as sloshed as Schlegel. There’s nothing Nietzsche couldn’t teach ‘ya ’bout the raising of the wrist. Socrates, himself, was permanently pissed. John Stuart Mill, of his own free will, after half a pint of shandy was particularly ill. Plato, they say, could stick it away, half a crate of whiskey every day! Aristotle, Aristotle was a bugger for the… Read more »
Is that a Ralph Siegel quote? Thomas G.:son? Serhat?
It’s Monty Python.
dunno why someone negged your response, i got it straight away. I plussed it!
not the first time I posted something and got downvoted. Sometimes deserved if I say something nasty in the heat of the moment and I regret it later. But it’s just random.
Thanks, I know Monty Python mostly from Spamalot!
Good thing Olly is not competing. His song has the word “CANTARE” in the lyrics lol
And Vivo CANTando won in 1969
but Salome wasn’t serving CANTando!!
Well not in that frock@
Well not in that frock
Serving JUNK?
Serving JUNK (food)?
I got it. How about serving funk?
So unfair towards Malta. I am sorry but if I was part of the Maltese Delegation I would fight for the full experience. If not I would frankly drop from the contest.
Malta is being censored while other countries are sending entries which are FAR FAR FAR more explicit, yet they are being accepted…
KANT is a word in Maltese .
“KANT is a word in Maltese”.
But the song is in English. And lyrics and performance on stage are vulgar.
What is vulgar about the performance?
Serving is an English word coupled with another word which sounds like an expletive phrase.
The term “serving *unt” would fall fowl of the UK television regulators, the Irish television regulators and the Australian television regulators. (after all it is a morning show down under)
From my experience, only KANTs don’t like the word KANT. 😛
I love you Jessica! 😀
You cheeky kant
That’s rude lucky you are not on the bbc
I checked the lyrics earlier today – the word “Kant” is mentioned only 6 times throughout the song, so I think the simplest thing that Malta can do is to rename the song to “Serving” (or “singing” I don’t care much), drop the word “Kant” and let the audience in the arena do the job – this will be one of the most iconic moments and send BBC into a complete spiral on the evening of 17th May.
Like with Citi Zeni or Luke Black
Ahem! BBC, RTE, SBS.. There is more than one national broadcaster which has english commentary
And yet it’s the BBC that clutched their pearls too hard.
A lot of people here saying “what would I do if I were Mariana”. Yawn. Her and her team surely have planned for the possibility since last summer and so will need no instruction on how to milk the situation dry between now and Basel. Citi Z?ni tried something similar in 2022 using a similar word. I expect a similar result.
Lots of speculation that this is a request by the BBC. We do not know for sure. It could quite easily be Ireland’s RTE that has highlighted the vulgar sounding term. OFGEM rules for UK broadcasts state that the word “*unt” cannot be broadcast before 9pm. Eurovision starts at 8pm (UK time) If a programme starts at 8 and finishes at a later time, the OFGEM rules still apply to the programme. Hence why the Brit awards shown this week had many bleeps thorughout the whole show for a tv programme which stated at 8:15 – 10:40pm I didn’t make… Read more »
Erika’s orgasm song approved but word play on the word kant was very obscene. They are completely biased for scandinavian countries for years.
the difference is Erika’s song is not in english, so unless you’ve deepdived into her lyrics or seen the music video (which most of Europe haven’t done), then you won’t understand what the song is about..
This has nothing to do with bias towards Scandinavian countries, which, just to be clear, Finland actually isn’t one of.
Neither Kant is word in english ?
yes, but it sounds like one… and a bad one at that…
No, the difference is that Miriana uses a taboo word for a reproductive organ while Erika does not. EBU didn’t allow Maneskin to do it either, it has nothing to do with English being understandable to most people.
So just to be clear, you have no problem with anyone watching a song about cumming, but you do have an issue with the word kant?
Correction: EBU has a problem with it.
I’m not a fan of the two songs about cumming either, the vulgar innuendo just spoils them for me (pity, as I really enjoyed my first 30 seconds of Australia before I got the joke…). I was just explaining why, under current rules, which are much the same for everyone, Miriana’s lyrics were banned and theirs weren’t. You can make innuendos to your heart’s delight, but you cannot mention taboo word for reproductive organs in English, Italian or any other language in a song in that language. It seems quite simple to me. Of course, the rules about what is… Read more »
Hmm. I really don’t know with what word they can replace it? It obviously comes from the drag queens expression “serving c**t”. The only other choice would be “serving fish”, but that just won’t sound right in the song. Does anyone know what word they will use?
She can just drop KANT altogether and point her mic to the audience.
Fish is even worse
Why doesn’t she sing the song entirely in Maltese? , then the matter is resolved and she keeps her Kant.
This should have been flagged since day one. It has nothing to do with the BBC, so I really don’t know why people are complaining about them. The English language and its use do have boundaries and limitations to exposure, purely in many cases on moral and safeguarding grounds. It’s not a case of the BBC complaining—there are regulations and codes of ethics across Europe regarding broadcasting content within the EBU itself. The N-word and C-word are two examples of highly offensive terms, and broadcasters have an obligation to regulate and control their use. Because English is a secondary language… Read more »
Gentle reminder, that artists are not responsible for what your kid listens to, but YOU are. Artistic freedom should not be limited just because you can’t parent your child.
A gentle reminder to Madhat that grown-ups don’t want to hear those words either.
And who are you Fatima to speak for every grown up? I don’t mind listening to it as well as to the literal millions who have listened to the song on youtube and Spotify. If you feel too vulnerable to listen to a word and you think you are going to change because of it, switch off the song and go to a psychologist or something. Don’t be a snowflake.
Speak for yourself. Not everyone is an uptight, homophobic bigot.
I’m usually polite but this is idiotic. Parenting a child shouldn’t involve turning off the TV whenever any family show turns up, for fear that some “artist” may wish to “express their art” as Miriana Conte apparently intended.
I doubt hearing someone singing Kant will have much of an impact on kids. I don’t recall anyone turning up to school in a G string and matador jacket after watching Chanel
Wish I had gone to that school
That’s a very uneducated and careless comment to make, safeguarding a child is essential in any circumstance.The Eurovision is a family show remember that too.
Oh FFS kids are exposed to much much worse – YouTube, Instagram, News, playground bullying, TV shows. Do you have an issue with Erika’s song, or did you have an issue with Chanel’s outfit?
Oh these non native English speakers, so much to learn from one another, they do. Glad you agree that safeguarding is essential, bullying is indeed a problem but it usually starts with name calling. No issue with Erikas song, its not as subtle vocabulary wise as Malta and i have no idea where Chanels clothes come into all of this.
Because you made a ridiculous comment about safeguarding and Eurovision being a family show. Just wondering if Erika’s song about cumming and Chanel’s dental floss outfit passes your safeguarding test?
Chanel’s outfit covered what needed to be covered and Erika’s song is inferred, not explicit. Malta is using 1 word that is apparently in Maltese. But when you’re using that word simply because of what it sounds like and not for it’s actual meaning, then she’s not singing in Maltese. It’s just saying cun* numerous times on TV. If anyone was to go on TV and say the equivalent of that word in their own language, you think that would be acceptable?
Hallelujah!!
This is not nice. She has a week to submit her song and you let Finland repeating coming and Australia spreading milk and banana and looking only at Malta. Malta had a big chance and now all the time you ruin Malta. And closing the odds rating….thats like….. This is not nice. You should just told her when she just won. After she won she got hospitalized and now you don’t let her perform one word. BRING BACK EUROVISION FAMILY ENTARTAIMENT LIKE IT WAS FROM 2021
Repeating the word kunt is family entertainment? Yikes.
There’s nothing wrong with the phrase. You are speaking from a position of ignorance.
sorry late to the discussion, do we know this has come from the BBC? it could have just as easily have come from RTE??
We all know it’s BBC. When the song was selected one of their radio producers said on air that they can’t ever play the song on BBC Radio – apparently because of the word kant.
was actually Scott Mills, not a producer.
The EBU has a code of ethics, look it up. It therefore came from themselves. In any broadcasting event words which are offensive are not accepted. The biggest problem here is the fact they took so long to reject the lyrics of the song after accepting it.
It’s widely reported that this decision came after another broadcaster filed a report against the Maltese entry. EBU had initially formally accepted the lyrics of the Maltese entry. We all know that broadcaster was BBC.
The request is completely understandable… it’s just not nice to do this so late. But on the other hand, instead of waiting for approval or denial from others, Malta should’ve instantly worked on a Plan B, in case Kant gets denied… because they knew this could happen…
So for them to now complain about it is a bit childish, even though it isn’t exactly nice to request such changes this late… fault is on both sides…
there probably is a plan B – but a bit of drama on social media is always exciting
And a plan Z knowing Malta ??
The thing is: I know the EBU has no choice here but to ask for a lyric change, as I explained in comments on previous posts. That directly offensive word simply will not be broadcast by the BBC. However, innuendo and risky content will be broadcast (and sometimes even encouraged), which I agree is a bit of a double-standard. But this is the reality. So what would I do if I were Mariana and my whole concept was ruined by a lyric change? There’s the easy way: Produce an alternative version for ESC, and perform the real version everywhere else.… Read more »
They wouldn’t have made one of the big 5 or Sweden change it . The reason is we are a small country and Ebu feel they can just shut us up , Ebu would have been aware of the song in maltas final so why not reject the word then . Rules for some and rules for others comes to mind.
Yes they would have, Sweden couldnt say “look this f**king beautiful” in 2017 so…… yeah. Made Latvia remove the cat word etc. Malta having to remove the word Kant is hardly surprising and not without precedent. But people gotta be angry at the EBU at all times over something, and/or throw Sweden + country of the week under the bus.
it is the responsibility of the participating country to conform to EBU regulations, not the EBU to flag it before submission. EBU does not have any concern, whatever format you have in your country’s selection, as long as the submitted song by mid March conforms to regulations. So you could have selected a song with inappropriate words and then you change it before submission, whether internal or external. Malta should have known better. However, understandably, what is frustrating is the EBU’s change in mind. Looks like someone there also sees English as a secondary language.
Let’s face it the song only got through the Televote because of that word. It was a cheap trick to get votes on the night rather than sending a quality song. Without that word, the song wouldn’t stand out in the contest. Unfortunately I think we have moved to the era where cheap tricks and more talked about songs (eg risky words, innuendos etc) are going to be used to get televotes.
Are you serious? Most of the songs that do well and win the contest have cheap tricks. Yet Malta is doing it, and therefore it is not acceptable .
No, it’s not because it’s Malta. It’s because this “cheap trick” is about cussing under a disguise of something else.
‘Cussing’?!! ? ? ? ? ?????
I didn’t state that it wasn’t acceptable for Malta, I stated it was a cheap trick to get televotes. I do believe that there are other recent and current songs with the same tactic but the heading and story is specific to Malta hence my opinion on this song in the larger narrative.
I kinda figured this would probably happen ever since it won ESC. I’ve already seen people over on Twitter say that Eurovision should be given to another broadcaster such as ITV, as if Ofcom rules don’t apply to them – they do with every channel. Also, they’ve said that the song could be put at the end of the running order as it would be after the watershed (9pm), which would also not work as that would also violate Ofcom rules. It’s unfortunate but if the BBC censored the word ‘Kant’, it would be against the rules of the EBU.… Read more »
MESC* whoopsie
(wiwibloggs PLEASE add an edit button!!!)
The BBC is not a censoring body, they abide by laws and in countries forbid offensive language being used. The EBU themselves would be fined for transmitting this. Think the matter is over.
Using the word kant (regardless of whether it means something in Maltese) was a cheap trick. The song and performance is still cheap though. I am sorry Malta.
To be fair, the song is not bad but I feel it would do much better with another singer and a different mood (than the “kant” vibe).
why another singer? she is literally serving
But Erika’s orgasm song so ”empowering” right?
Why another singer?
Change Kant to Chant (it’s in French)
Great ! Hope they withdraw!
Adding absurd elements (using explicit words, adding sexy dance breaks like it has been a tradition for the last years, having a stage show with exaggerated components etc.) to mediocre songs has turned Eurovision into anything but a song competition. ESC has become a tv show for adults. So sad…
Let’s create a poll of options:
Serving song,
Serving notes,
Serving bounce,
Serving (blank and mimed),
Serving (klaxon or loud noise),
Serving Conte (but this might not be allowed either if it sounds bad),
Serving Kant (deliberate defiance and disqualification),
Change the song entirely,
Bring on Kristy,
Malta’s Withdrawal
Serving chant
Serving fun
Serving C (middle C, of course)
Serving La
Serving Ti
As a Dutch I would love her to sing CUT (as in cutting the scene) instead. Kut is Dutch for C.U.N.T?