A more than catchy song, this was the bookies early front runner, it managed 257 points, placing 6th overall in the Eurovision competition. Amir is now a part of my Eurovision 2016 Special. An inspiring story that is shown throughout a perfect melody and video. Amir performs happily in this video, whilst the narrative is beautifully acted out, an inspiration to us all.
Amir, known as Amir Haddad, real name Laurent Amir Khlifa Khedider Haddad, is an Israeli-French singer. He appeared on Kokhav Nolad but only advanced four stages in the competition. He finished third in The Voice: la plus belle voix, which definitely kick-started his career. France chose Amir to represent them at Eurovision 2016 through internal selection, and it proved to be a good choice. The song is written by Amir Haddad, Johan Errami and Nazim Khaled.
The video is both narrative and performance based. Amir is totally relaxed in this performance, he is so happy to be a part of Eurovision and representing his country and everything that goes with it, that he is clearly enjoying every minute of it. He performs the song perfectly, making the viewers feel relaxed too. He did a much more powerful performance in the Grand Final.
The narrative is extremely inspirational. This is exactly what people need to watch to continue to fight for their dreams and to go after what they want. This video proves that people can do what they want to do in life, if they try their very best at it.
This video inspires me, something I'd watch to encourage myself to keep writing. I've been hoping to make a career out of what I love to do, and at times I am at breaking point, where I just want to give up as I don't think I'm getting anywhere. But that is not true, opportunities are slowly coming my way, and I've got to continue going after my dreams. Only the fighters make their dreams come true, and I am prepared to fight.
Overall an inspiration to us all, a happy sweet music video with some darkening sides to it. The song is more suggestive of there being someone there to keep us fighting, yet the video gives us these people in a visual to inspire us. If they can do it, we can right?
This was my second favourite after Barei's "Say Yay!". This was slated online, clearly they weren't expecting it to do so well. But this is a TUNE! Coming in at 10th with 181 points, Laura Tesoro did amazingly well for the opening act. I am an official fan now, and obviously she's a part of my Eurovision 2016 Special. No doubt she'll reappear on my blog some time in the future. Laura Tesoro asks What's The Pressure in this choreographed danced music video that is performed to perfection.
Laura Tesoro, actress, singer, dancer & presenter, and all just at 19 years old, is there anything she can't do? She is known for playing Charlotte in Flemish soap opera Familie. She also came second on The Voice van Vlaanderen (The Voice of Flanders) season three. Getting tenth in the Eurovision Song Contest isn't that bad, and she can definitely make a big impact globally if she keeps promoting worldwide. I am definitely a fan of hers! This song is very catchy, pretty much a mash up of Queen's "Another One Bites The Dust" and Fleur East's "Sax", it really works. The song was written by Sanne Putseys, Louis Favre and Birsen Uçar.
A total performance based music video, this is directed well. This is controlled and performed to perfection, Laura Tesoro is on form.
The choreography is performed on point by Laura Tesoro and her backing dancers, all in sync. However it's lacking in visualisation, engagement and technicality.
It fails to keep the audience interested. Regardless Laura Tesoro performs with amazing vibes, she clearly loves this song and recording the music video, and all the attention she is receiving.
Amazingly produced and performed. This is an all right music video that feels similar to Fleur East's "Sax" especially since the songs sound similar. Laura Tesoro is hot right now, and I'm sure she'll bring out another banger in the future that will have us all talking about her.
Malta has sent such a great entrant this year. Ira Losco was high on everyone's expectations, this song is a banger. She came 12th with only 153 points which is lower than what we expected, and now she's a part of my Eurovision 2016 Special. She returns to the contest after representing Malta in 2002, where she came second. This year clearly proved more difficult, but 12th is nothing to be snubbed at. And she just pushed more limelight her way, since she is already slightly an international star, this has definitely helped her career more so, especially being pregnant during the Grand Final. Ira Losco makes a perfect return to the contest as she Walks On Water in the beautiful island setting of Gozo.
Ira Losco, what to say about Ira Losco? She's gorgeously beautiful and is currently expecting a baby with her boyfriend Sean Gravina. She represented Malta in 2002 with song "7th Wonder", it pushed her into major fame and she has performed with a number of stars. She has earned a Midalja għall-Qadi tar-Repubblika (Medal of Service to the Republic) allowing her to use 'M.Q.R.' at the end of her name. She sent two songs to the Maltese national selection, and she won with "Chameleon", she wanted to improve Malta's chances at Eurovision, so suggested to sing a different song. "Walk On Water" was chosen at a later date. The song was written by Lisa Desmond, Tim Larsson, Tobias Lundgren, Molly Pettersson Hammar and Ira Losco.
The beautiful landscape is extremely visual, this is so gorgeous, I just want to be there and stand on the island of Gozo and see the beauty of it that I'm seeing in this music video. I'm going to have to visit one day!
Ira Losco performs perfectly, sultry, sexy she's a vision of beauty on beauty. Her different dresses are all weirdly gorgeous, they're unusually sexy and works perfectly with the song.
She's like an iconic star, and although she doesn't dance much, leaving it all to the dancer to explain the song through the art of contemporary dancing, it works well.
A vision of beauty on beauty, Gozo is a gorgeous place that I'd want to see one day. A perfect location for this emotional song. Ira Losco does a good job of it and performed it well at the Grand Final too.
An instant fan favourite, Hovi Star is next on my Eurovision 2016 Special. Already an established star in Israel, He finally achieved his dream, to grace the Eurovision stage and represent his country. He's vocally talented, stylishly fashionable, and is definitely the LGBT+ representative this year. The song is strong, but I always expect an amazing chorus and it's kind of lacking. This guy has conquered his dream, now it's time to be an international star, as he definitely has the voice for it. Hovi Star claims we're all Made of Stars in this LGBT+ anthem, whilst singing out to a number of drones in this music video.
Hovi Star, real name Hovav Sekulets, took part in Kokhav Nolad (meaning A Star Is Born), which is similar to 'Pop Idol' and it's spinoffs. He came seventh, then known as Hovi "Star" Sekulets, he launched a career and has rerecorded songs in Hebrew for well known films such as 'Frozen', 'Cinderella' and 'Inside Out'. He then competed in HaKokhav HaBa L'Eirovizion, based off the 'Raising Star' franchise, where the winner represents the country in the Eurovision Song Contest. This, Hovi Star won, which he is more than deserving. He came 14th in the Grand Final with 135 points. I'm sure this is not the last we've seen of Hovi Star. The song was written by Doron Medalie.
This music video shows off Tel Aviv in Israel, with the help of drones. It's a little weird that Hovi Star is singing to them, I presume they represent stars or people who are stars.
Hovi Star performs with so much emotion, he has clearly connected with this song and he performed just as well during the Grand Final as well as the Semi-Final.
There's not much to this video apart from Hovi Star serenading the drones that are both flying around him and following him. Nothing amazing but clear performance vibes. Hovi Star will be back, this is not the last we've seen of him!
With one rapper still on top of the UK Chart, Drake with "One Dance", which still doesn't have a music video yet; another rapper has entered the top 10. Desiigner is at number seven with this smash hit that has already conquered the US Billboard Chart. Panda is about Desiigner's affinity for the BMW X6, a confusing weird video with Kanye West appearing, what more can you want?
Desiigner, real name Sidney Selby III, is signed to Kanye West's label GOOD (Getting Out Our Dreams) Music after this song was released on Desiigner's YouTube and Soundcloud. Is this the start of Desiigner's amazing career as a rapper? Or will Panda just be a one-hit wonder, and he'll fade away like so many rappers before him? Panda was written by Sidney Selby III and Adnan Khan. The song has been sampled by Kanye West for two tracks on his album.
The video is directed by Paul Geusebroek. It contains many different scenes, some of which are difficult to follow. Not quite narrative-based and I surely hope this is not some sort of performance.
The selfie scene is an intricate scene as most people think Desiigner may be high. It captures his passion for this song in that scene more than anything, and kind of reminds me of Alexandra Stan's "Vanilla Chocolat" or Times Red's "Not Listening" because they both contain selfie scenes.
Kanye West appears as a friend throughout the music video, which is definitely expected since he was the one who signed him and sampled his track. However no sign of a real panda, and surely Desiigner is fully promoting the BMW X6 with both this song and it's music video.
A few shocking clips, like the panda painted on an ass that twerks, and Desiigner lying down on a bed whilst being touched up (he looks quite sexy here, not going to lie), him smoking, and the craziness of the rest of the video. It's hard to follow and difficult to understand. On the other hand, it's a typical music video for a rap song, identifiably relatable that way, for sure.
