The Keiino trio return for the third time, after winning the popular vote at Eurovision 2019 and coming second at MGP 2021.
Is this the third time you have to do this?
– We hope so! It has been a dream of ours to win Eurovision since we were little. And now we’re back with an energetic song that will hopefully make people have a good time. We can’t wait, says Keiino member Alexandra Rotan.
NEW ISSUE: Most fans remember Margaret Berger’s dress well when she featured in 2013. Now she promises that this year’s issue will be something completely different.
Photo: Hege Bakken Riise / NRK
Margaret Berger is also a former winner trying her luck again. The last time she was on the Eurovision stage, she wore a tight white dress while she sang “I Feed You My Love”. She then came in 4th place.
Berger promises that this year’s issue will be very different from last time.
– The musical genre is the same, but I chose to go in a quite different direction on stage. I’m really excited to see what people think.
These are included in this year’s Melodi Grand Prix
18 artists will compete to win the MGP and have the honor of representing Norway at the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö in May.
This year the MGP consists of three semi-finals, where the three artists who receive the most votes advance to the final. The Dolphins finals will take place at NRK studios in Marienlyst, while the finals will take place at the Trondheim Spektrum on February 3.
This time permission to participate in the MGP was opened to songs published as early as September 1st last year.
Marion Ravn and Fredrik Solvang are this year’s presenters, for what will be the 62nd edition of the Melodi Grand Prix.
First semi-final, 13 January
Margaret Berger: «Forgetting»
Text and melody: Margaret Berger, Anders Kjær, Monica Engeseth and Sivert Hjeltnes Hagtvedt
Photo: Julia Marie Naglestad / NRK
Listen to «Oblivion» on Spotify
Margaret Berger is a well-known name in this competition. She won the MGP in 2013 and came fourth at Eurovision with the song “I Feed You My Love”.
Trønder has achieved a lot since leaving the “Idol” stage in 2004. Spellemann Award and strong rotation on MTV, “Hver gang vi møtes” in 2016 and “Maskorama” in 2021. 11 years after the Eurovision adventure, Margaret returned to MGP with the song “Oblivion”.
Myra: «Heart on fire»
Lyrics and melody: David Atarodiyan, Svein Hermansen and Regina Tucker
Photo: Julia Marie Naglestad / NRK
Listen to “Heart on Fire” on Spotify
Myra is an award-winning singer-songwriter and artist from Bergen. With songs like “Homeless in egen by” and “Dovre faller”, the 29-year-old has established himself on the Norwegian music scene in recent years.
Among other things, she performed at the Øya Festival, was named the song of the week on NRK P3, was nominated as newcomer of the year on P3 Gold and won the Edvard Prize in 2020 for the lyrics of the song “Homeless in my own” city”.
Throughout her life, Myra experienced escaping war and a childhood spent in various orphanages and foster families. These experiences could have chilled her heart. MGP’s song, however, is a declaration of love and the hope of always keeping your heart on fire. She is now looking forward to participating in Norway’s biggest music show with the song “Heart on fire”.
Ingrid Jasmine: “Yes”
Lyrics and melody: Ingrid Jasmin Vogt and Jonas Kroon
Photo: Julia Marie Naglestad / NRK
Listen to “Eya” on Spotify
Audiences met an artist unlike any other on the Norwegian music scene when Ingrid Jasmin released her debut single in 2021. Her electroacoustic mix of traditions in modern production, performed with a distinctive vocal style, attracted attention beyond the Norwegian borders. Most recently mentioned by Billboard as “a totally refreshing mix of Nordic folk, R&B and Latin music”.
Ingrid Jasmin grew up in Telemark, one of the central areas of Norwegian popular music, and has family ties to Latin America. Her musical journey is enriched by her diverse background. She studied flamenco alongside traditional Norwegian music and thus set the tone for her debut album “Luna”. You won the Spellemann 2022 in the Open class for this album. In addition to the Spellemannpris, the album also received widespread critical acclaim.
GOTH MINISTER: «We came alive»
Lyrics and melody: Bjørn Alexander Brem
Photo: Julia Marie Naglestad / NRK
Listen to «We Come Alive» on Spotify
GOTHMINISTER is the heart child and alter ego of Bjørn Alexander Brem. During the day the man from Oslo works as a lawyer, but at night the GOTH MINISTER appears. Bjørn Alexander brings out the creative side of him through impressive costumes and music.
GOTHMINISTER recently played to over 30,000 people in Germany and have toured in more than 40 countries over the years. Last year they released the album “Pandemonium”, which won the “Dark Album of the Year” award, and featured Rammstein and Placebo among others. GOTHMINISTER have numerous positions in the German charts and last year won a total of 19 international film awards for two of their music videos.
The song “We Come Alive” was born from the collaboration with producer Jesper Borgen (Alan Walker, Coldplay) and talks about the value of playing, believing in yourself and being united against all injustice.
Fredrik Halland: «Stranded»
Lyrics and melody: Fredrik Halland, Jenson Vaughan and Ruthy Raba
Photo: Julia Marie Naglestad / NRK
Listen to «Stranded» on Spotify
Fredrik Halland moved from Bergen to Los Angeles when he was 16 to follow his dream. He studied at the Musicians Institute for a year before going on tour with American artist Colbie Caillat. Fredrik later began working in the studio as a songwriter, producer and guitarist.
He has performed, written and toured with artists such as Justin Bieber, Michael Jackson, Colbie Caillat, Gavin DeGraw, Becky G, Babyface and many others. Now the 30-year-old has returned to Norway and wants to focus on his artistic career. He is all set to participate in this year’s MGP with the song “Stranded”. The song talks about the importance of being there for someone during difficult and lonely times.
Mathilde SPZ with Chris Archer & Slam Dunk: «Woman Show»
Lyrics and melody: Audun Agnar Guldbrandsen, Silje Montsko Blandkjenn, Emmy Kristine Guttulsrud Kristiansen, Linda Dale, Christopher Colin Archer and Mathilde Espeseth
Photo: Julia Marie Naglestad / NRK
Listen to “Woman Show” on Spotify
Mathilde SPZ is a firework of an artist who has been writing and performing her songs since she was nine years old. She has sung at an incredibly long list of festivals and stages and every year she entertains tens of thousands of spectators with her energetic stage presence. In the MGP context, however, she does not participate with a “one-man show”, but with her own “Woman Show” – a party song for introverts!
She has two energetic artists with her in this song. Chris Archer has over 50 million listens, from Russian music to pop, and many in our vast country will probably recognize his voice from the festive music. Petter Haga, better known as Slam Dunk and “Mango IPA man”, has gone from civil engineer and entrepreneur to artist, conference host and speaker with his humorous songs.
Second semi-final, 20 January
Riddle: “Wolf ham”
Lyrics and melody: Sveinung Eklo Sundli, Ronny Graff Janssen, Marit Jensen Lillebuen, Gunnhild Sundli, Magnus Børmark and Jon Even Schärer
Photo: Julia Marie Naglestad / NRK
Listen to «Ulveham» on Spotify
Gåte had its breakthrough in the early 2000s and quickly revealed itself as a national treasure. Their unique combination of traditional Norwegian folk music and explosive rock has brought them out of the rehearsal basement and onto the big stages in record time.
The band has achieved enormous success with spectacular live shows, two critically acclaimed studio albums, two EPs and one live album. During this period, Gåte sold more than 100,000 albums, went straight to the top of the VG list and won the 2002 Spellemann Award for “Best Newcomer”.
The critically acclaimed band took a 12-year hiatus before making their long-awaited return in 2017. Since then, Gåte has once again delivered concerts and music to brilliant reception and critical acclaim.
Super Rob, Erika Norwich: «My artificial intelligence»
Lyrics and melody: Lars Horn Lavik, Super Rob, Erika Norwich and Kristian Liljan
Photo: Julia Marie Naglestad / NRK
Listen to “My AI” on Spotify
Erika Norwich is a talented singer-songwriter and artist from Trondheim. She made a name for herself with songs like “Til Lillebror” and the EP “From the Heart to the Head and Out.” With her unconventional and honest approach to music, life and social media, Erika provokes and touches the hearts of those who hear and see her.
In her next adventure, Erika has found an unexpected partner and best friend in Super Rob: a nine-foot-tall robot upgraded with the latest AI technology. It works a bit like the digital assistant Siri. Sometimes it’s downright brilliant, while other times it’s just plain annoying. It’s full of clichés and isn’t afraid to use them. Super Rob is here to help people and simply prefers to create a good atmosphere for the whole world.
Erika and Super Rob are undoubtedly an innovative couple. They are at MGP 2024 to take the audience by storm.
Mileo: «You are mine»
Lyrics and melody: Miles Curtis Sesselmann
Photo: Julia Marie Naglestad / NRK
Listen to «You are mine» on Spotify
Mileo is a Norwegian-Australian singer, songwriter and producer. He grew up traveling between Oslo and Sydney with his Norwegian father and Australian mother. As a child he learned about music through school. He soon realized that he would have to learn to write and produce his own songs to find an outlet for his inner musical nature.
With his exaggerated imagination, creative sense, dark humor and unique sound, he seduces the listener into his world. The song “You’re Mine” is no exception. A catchy, synth-heavy production with horror movie-like beats and a fun, unsettling edge.
In recent years, Mileo has written and produced for several Norwegian artists, including Madcon, Chris Holsten, Mugisho, Alexandra Joner and Adelen.
ELI KRISTIN: «The touch of Venus»
Lyrics and melody: Ronny Graff Janssen and Eli Kristin Hanssveen
Photo: Julia Marie Naglestad / NRK
Listen to “The Touch of Venus” on Spotify
ELI KRISTIN is a true opera diva. Or is she really? It is true that she has been a regular at the opera for several years and has had leading roles in the most famous productions. But in all these years you have cultivated the dream of being part of the MGP. She thought the door was closed when she took to the big opera stages, but now she’s wide open to this wild music feast. Because Eli Kristin is first and foremost a music lover who refuses to be pigeonholed.
She really became known as a participant in the “Stjernekamp”, where in recent years she was both an opera teacher and duet partner for participants. You now wrote “Touch of Venus” together with Ronny Janssen. The song is about how we, in the most vulnerable moment of life, can succumb or discover how strong we truly are. The message is largely based on the life of Eli Kristin.
Dag Erik Oksvold and Anne Fagermo: “You judge me tenderly”
Lyrics and melody: Dag Erik Oksvold, Alexander Pettersen and Anne Fagermo
Photo: Julia Marie Naglestad / NRK
Listen to «Judge Tenderly of Me» on Spotify
They found their tone musically on “The Voice” last year. The former contestants later collaborated on music, participated in “Beat for beat” and are now ready for the MGP stage with the song “Judge Tenderly of Me”. It has already received a good review from Adresseavisen.
Anne Fagermo has quickly made a name for herself as a talented singer and songwriter. With her distinctive voice and unique musical style, in recent years she has appeared on stages large and small and released several singles.
Dag Erik Oksvold has made a name for himself with his velvety voice and fun charm. He has a long artistic and musical career behind him, and in 2021 he released his debut album “Back Then”, a country album recorded in Norway and Nashville.
Farida: «Heartache»
Lyrics and melody: Farida Louise Bolseth Benounis, Kristian Wiik, Ilja Eriksson and Olav Tokerud
Photo: Julia Marie Naglestad / NRK
Listen to “Heartache” on Spotify
Farida is not an unknown name to those who have been following the Norwegian music industry for seven years now. She warmed up for Dua Lipa, played at Øyafestivalen, performed twice at Bylarm, won the “Model of the Year” award at the same festival, and last but not least was seen at South By Southwest in Texas.
In 2021, Farida reached the final of the prestigious “John Lennon Songwriting Competition” in New York with the self-composed song “Do About It”. In December 2022, she wrote two K-pop songs for the groups Red Velvet and WayV. She wrote them together with Karen Poole, known for having worked, among others, with world stars David Guetta and Zara Larsson.
Otherwise, many fans will remember Farida from her previous participation in MGP. She reached the final in 2022 with the ballad “Dangerous”, a song that was also used in the TV 2 and Netflix series “Blodsbrødre”.
Third semi-final, 27 January
KEiiNO: «Damn»
Lyrics and melody: Alexandra Rotan, Fred Buljo, Tom Hugo Hermansen, Alexander N. Olsson and Jakob Redtzer
Photo: Julia Marie Naglestad / NRK
Listen to “Damdiggida” on Spotify
It’s been five years since KEiiNO first combined original Norwegian melodies, joik and danceable pop, and the unique sound has won over a large international audience. Since KEiiNO won the hearts of viewers at Eurovision in 2019, they have released 28 songs, topped the charts, become radio favourites, won awards and been nominated for Spellemann.
Most of the trio’s 150 million plays on Spotify and YouTube come from overseas. Among other things, KEiiNO have toured Australia twice and played several times to large crowds in Europe.
For Alexandra, Fred and Tom Hugo, Melodi Grand Prix is the European pop championship. When they suddenly came up with a song that they thought would resonate with a lot of people, they made another attempt to take home the victory.
MIIA: «Green lights»
Lyrics and melody: Benjamin Dan Ravn Fahre, Mia Virik Kristensen, Mugoshi David Nhonzi, Emelie Hollow and Ida Botten
Photo: Julia Marie Naglestad / NRK
Listen to “Green Lights” on Spotify
MIIA won over many listeners around the world with the single “Dynasty” in 2015. The song was featured by Billboard and was part of charts such as New Music Friday globally. At the time of writing, it has over 161 million plays on Spotify. “Dynasty” became the very foundation for the artist MIIA had always dreamed of being.
Behind the artist’s name we find Mia Virik Kristensen from Kragerø. In 2023, MIIA lifts the veil on a new chapter, a debut EP with painful and powerful stories from her life. It is a soundscape that bends through emotions, shaped by experience and passion, and that marks the beginning of a timeless artistic journey, full of authenticity and renewed power.
The princess: «Save me»
Lyrics and melody: Annprincess Johnson
Photo: Julia Marie Naglestad / NRK
Listen to “Save Me” on Spotify
Annprincess is an artist and singer-songwriter from Lier. She is originally from Liberia and fled to Norway with her mother when she was seven. The 32-year-old loves writing songs that make others feel strong, seen and heard. She signed up to Norske Talenter when she was a teenager and took part in “The Voice” in 2022.
Annprincess became professionally involved in music in 2019 after studying psychology. In the same year she released her debut single “Middle of the Night”, which received international attention from, among others, Sky News.
MGP’s song “Save Me” is about the loneliness you feel when others point out how different you are. Contribution also means accepting it, accepting how you are and advocating for yourself.
Thomas Jenssen: «Take me to heaven»
Lyrics and melody: Thomas Jenssen, Ricky Hanley, David Fremberg and Jonas Holteberg Jensen
Photo: Julia Marie Naglestad / NRK
Listen to “Take Me to Heaven” on Spotify
Thomas Jenssen is an artist and songwriter from Levanger in Trøndelag. In recent years he has studied music at the University of Agder and is now in his final year of a master’s degree in songwriting. Trønderen has written songs and collaborated with several producers in recent years. With several singles, concerts and a brand new Norwegian Christmas album in the bag, Thomas is now ready to conquer the whole of Norway.
The dream has always been to participate in the Melodi Grand Prix. The stage is the place where he feels completely at home. Thomas was a tenor at the Fagottkor in Oslo for many years, before choosing to pursue a solo career as an artist. “Take Me To Heaven” is about being fascinated by someone and having the courage to be vulnerable. Daring to be yourself is an important topic, especially in the queer environment. The message in the song is something Thomas is passionate about.
MISTRA – Waltz of Death
Lyrics and melody: Benedicte Adrian and Anders Odden
Photo: Julia Marie Naglestad / NRK
Listen to “Waltz of Death” on Spotify
In the new duo MISTRA, two extremes of the Norwegian music industry collide: pop queen Benedicte Adrian and metal pioneer Anders Odden. Together they will perform the song “Waltz of Death”.
Benedicte Adrian returns to MGP 40 years after the success of Dollie de Luxe. The duo of Benedicte and Ingrid Bjørnov won the competition with “Long live life”. The two followed up the success with the album “Rock vs. Opera” and composed music for several musicals together. They released their latest album as “Adrian/Bjørnov”. As a solo artist, Benedicte has, among other things, sung the role of the Queen of the Night in “The Magic Flute” at Den Norske Opera, released the solo album “Desember” and has guested on various stages both as a pop artist than as an artist. classical singer.
Anders Odden has a long life behind him in black metal. In 1990, his band Cadaver debuted with the first Norwegian death metal LP “Hallucinating Anxiety”. Since then, Cadaver has released six albums and gained cult status worldwide. Anders has also toured the world as a musician for other bands such as Celtic Frost. He has also collaborated with famous musicians such as Ronni Le Tekrø, Ledfoot, Hank von Hell, Tony Harnell and Satyricon.
Villa Vidar: «MORE»
Lyrics and melody: Vidar Mohaugen, Jonas Thomassen, Martin Thomassen and Mathias Nilsen
Photo: Julia Marie Naglestad / NRK
Listen to “MORE” on Spotify
A lot has happened since Vidar Villa took the stage at MGP in 2018, right at the start of his career, singing about his guitarist’s mother. Kompisgengen originally started as a band in a boys’ collective. To date they have played over 500 concerts and have been streamed more than 200 million times, and 17 songs have received a gold or platinum trophy. These include “One Night Stand”, “Den Samme Jævla Sangen” and “Fy Faen Så Deilig”. Vidar Villa was also nominated for Spellemann in 2022 in the category “party music”.
Vidar’s contribution to this year’s MGP is the exuberant energy bomb “MER”. The song is about embracing all aspects of life, both the good and the bad. The lyrics describe the desire to get out of the old routine that one can quickly end up in and to want more, more of everything!
2024-01-05 13:49:26
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