HRT’s decision to send Klapa s mora to Eurovision was a total fail. All it did was help us promote Dalmatian culture for the following summer season. It’s time to move on and to show off some of the hot celebrities that are my favourites to represent Croatia at Eurovision 2014!
Last fall fans throughout the region voted for Croatian singers they wanted to see compete at Eurovision. HRT didn’t listen to them, but perhaps their results can guide HRT in the year ahead.
The winner of the biggest poll was Franka Batelic. This young girl from Rijeka has been on the scene for seven years and she began her career on a talent show called ‘Showtime’. She has competed at Dora, the Croatian national selection, on several occasions but she has never won. Even so, in 2008 her song Ruza u kamenu (Rose in the stone) won the OGAE contest .This might have been her closest shot of getting to Eurovision.
But that’s not her biggest accomplishment. She was the interval act at Beyonce’s concert in Zagreb this April, y’all!
In an interview with Eurosong.hr, she stated that she’d like to perform in Eurovision but her invitation from HRT hasn’t come. How rude!
Next is Danijela Martinovic, a young-of-heart girl from Split. She represented Croatia in 1998 and came 5th (losing out to Israel’s Dana International). As you can see below, the style of songs she sings has certainly changed over time!
On January 2012 she published a song ‘Raspasoj’ (Party). This funny song talks about madness, nightlife and love, and its music video has been viewed more than one million times. Her boyfriend Petar Graso authored this oh-so-addictive song. That’s teamwork….
Another option is Jelena Rozga who, in my mind, is one of the best Croatian singers. She has been a favourite of ESC fans for several years but this year reached only third place in the polls, due largely to her statement that she has no intention to perform in Eurovision. She began her career in group Magazin. Her new song Nirvana faced criticism but in a very short time has become a big hit. It has been viewed over 7.5 million times on YouTube. Would this ‘Romanian’ tone be a better choice?
Colonia is one of the oldest Croatian groups. They’ve been active on the scene for years but have only competed at Dora once. Boris Durdevic (stage name Eric Destler) writes most of their songs and is also member of a group. He was responsible for the lyrics of the 2011 Croatian disaster ‘Celebrate’, performed by Daria Kinzer.
http://youtu.be/_6fu4T-Wb1Y
29 year old Lana Jurcevic has been on stage since 2003 when she gained popularity with her song Odlazis (You’re leaving). In 2006 she got 8th place at Dora with her song Najbolja glumica (The best actor). Two years after that she appeared at Dora again–but this time as the host.
Her new song will remind y’all of Ivi Adamou’s La La Love (but with better vocals) and Katy Perry’s California Gurls. Oh and there is Nicki Minaj too.
Severina, the queen of Estrade, is already known in Eurovision circles. She represented Croatia with her high heel in 2006 and managed to get high as well, finishing in 13th place. With her heart-breaking ballads and club numbers she’s totally fierce! U gotta love her!
And then there is our favourite fatso Jacques Houdek. His real name is Zeljko but he wanted to become more French than Croatian so he changed it to Jacques. He was a runner up in Dora 2010. He was defeated by Daria Kinzer, our party girl from Germany. Except for singing pop and soul he’s also famous for singing lullabies and collaborating with a kids group. There is one thing going through my mind: Take me to the candy shop! With his album ‘idemo u zoo’ (We’re going to the zoo) he won Porin – the prize for the best kids album and the best male vocal performance in 2012. In 2007, he was the winner of the first season of the ‘Singing with the Stars ‘, along with journalist Lamija Aleckovic.
His latest music video for the song ‘Zid’ (Wall) was recorded with an iPhone 4s during Jacques’ stay in the Maldives, where he was invited to sing for the owners of the islands—a billionaire couple.
So who is your favourite? Can anyone above represent Croatia with a bit of dignity? If not should Croatia choose someone from outside of the country? Let me know below!
Mario Saucedo contributed this report from Croatia. Follow the team from WiwiBloggs.com on Twitter @wiwibloggs.
Photo: Klapa s mora
@Z24: It’s not Ivi Adamou. I’m pretty sure I’d know if it really is her.
My personal favorite from the singers listed above is Severina. People like her,she likes people and I want all of them to know she’s not some shallow gold digger who sings about her high heels. She’s truly amazing.
Really liked Raspašoj.
Was that Ivi Adamou in the background?
Danijela Pintaric, Ivana Radovnikovic, Franka Batelic or Ivo Gamulin.
@Diane when I wrote that Klapa s mora was a fail I meant on the result. Of course it’s good to send something new and different on Eurovision. That’s what Eurovision is about – to celebrate european culture and music heritage.
For all y’all who want to hear more there’s 2 more links below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z32qWC7uObA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V778co_u8iI
( I forgot to put them on my Eurovision list. They are even better than some of the singers listed in the article above)
Colonia would rock!!! I love that dance group, but somehow I think they would go down like Waldo’s People unfortunately. Maybe, just maybe. Indira would save them from last place… Only two that stand out are Franka & Jacques. Am with Diane. Klapa s Mora added a lovely cultural flavour to the competition & their harmony was riveting.
@Julian, I’m surprised Croatia flopped with the juries this year, as I’d thought it’ll be the other way round. Maybe it’s the lack of ‘wow factor’ from the juries’ point of view, but considering Klapa s Mora ended up in a ballad heavy First Semi-Final, then they definitely had some brutal competition this year.
Klapa s Mora were a class act. And in an year with no jury vote they would’ve made it to the final.. **** juries how they killed everything not fitting their Procrustean bed!
Bring back Kraljevi Ulice!!!!! 🙂
Off topic, but the guy second from right looks kind of like Vebooboo. Creepy!
Ivo Gamulin Gianni would also be a good choice. He performed alongside Pastora Soler, and actually did a good job!
I mean like, really? “Klapa s Mora was a total fail for Eurovision”? I don’t think so.. That’s why Eurovision is all about, to showcase the diversity of European culture. Eurovision is not about putting all the same kind of songs together on a show, imagine how boring it would be. The variety of the music will make Eurovision more respectable and make Eurovision becomes an entertainment show with such quality. Klapa s Mora did sounds great, the song was also beautiful. At least people more aware about a place called Dalmatia in Europe. Come on, let’s see Eurovision in… Read more »
Sorry if this is out of topic, but I believe it’s important DR has announced today that a special Eurovision Concert will be held in Copenhagen 3rd May 2014, hosted by Jørgen De Mylius, it will be held at the B&W Grand Ballroom which is at Refshaleøen, which is one of the possible places the contest will be hosted. http://www.dr.dk/melodigrandprix/Artikler/2014/20130813121126.htm The show will feature different Danish Eurovision stars, and it’s possible to buy tickets at this point, to the concert http://www.billetkontorbwgrandballroom.dk/Billetkontor/Melodi_Grand_Prix_Hyldestkoncert.html Personally I think, it sounds like a hint on that the Eurovision Song Contest might be held in Copenhagen… Read more »
I just hope thet the Croatian national broadcast television choose first and foremost a great song which sadly has been missing in the competition as I personally feel they just went downhill after 1998. Then a performer that trully echoes the song … Trying to choose a performer first has rarely given any good results really … As for the suggestion presented here I only appreciated Jacques Houdek … and I feel dissapointed that Danijela sold herself out that way … she was a class performer … and showcasing those kind of uptempo songs is just sad to watch and… Read more »