Senhit

Biography

Early Life and Musical Theatre Beginnings

Senhit Zadik Zadik, known simply as Senhit, grew up in Bologna, Italy, in a family of Eritrean heritage. As a young performer she found her footing in musical theatre. In the late 1990s and early 2000s she toured Europe starring in popular stage productions. She played leading roles in Fame, The Lion King, and Hair during productions in Switzerland and Germany. Senhit also performed in the Italian musical Il Grande Campione around that time. This work built a foundation for her future music career.

First Albums and Early Music Career

After gaining stage experience abroad, Senhit returned to Italy to launch her music career. She signed a recording contract and released her self-titled debut album Senit in 2006. In 2007, she followed up with a second album, Un tesoro è necessariamente nascosto, featuring Italian-language songs. She even toured with the Italian pop-rock band Stadio around that time. Expanding her artistry, Senhit released a third album in 2009. This English-language record, titled So High, showcased her versatility in pop music.

Eurovision Debut in 2011

In 2011, Senhit stepped onto the international stage. San Marino’s broadcaster selected her to represent the country at the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 in Düsseldorf. She performed the ballad “Stand By”, but it finished 16th in the semi-final and did not advance. Although she did not reach the final, the Eurovision appearance introduced Senhit to a wider European audience.

Continued Career and Name Change

After Eurovision 2011, Senhit continued to focus on her music. She released an upbeat single called “Through the Rain” in June 2011. Two years later she put out another single, “AOK”, in 2013. By 2014, Senhit was appearing regularly on Italian television. She became a guest on the Canale 5 show Domenica Live in 2014. Also, she rebranded herself by changing her stage name from “Senit” to “Senhit”. That year she released the single “Relations”. In 2016, Senhit expanded her presence to the European club scene, performing in popular venues across the continent. This club success led to the release of her dance-pop EP Hey Buddy in 2017. Continuing to experiment, she released Italian-language singles such as “Dark Room” and “Un bel niente” in 2019. These songs marked a return to her Italian pop roots.

Return to Eurovision (2020–2021)

Senhit’s Eurovision journey was far from over. San Marino selected her again as their representative for the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 with the song “Freaky!”. However, the COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of the 2020 contest. Undeterred, San Marino’s broadcaster retained her for the next year. Senhit represented San Marino at Eurovision 2021 in Rotterdam with the catchy song “Adrenalina”, featuring American rap star Flo Rida. Flo Rida even joined her on stage for the live performance. They opened their semi-final and qualified for the grand final. In the final, Senhit finished 22nd. However, “Adrenalina” became a fan favorite and amassed over 20 million streams on Spotify. Around this time, she also engaged fans with her #FreakyTripToRotterdam video series, where she creatively covered Eurovision classics online.

Recent Projects and Eurovision 2026

Beyond her Eurovision appearances, Senhit has remained active in the music scene. In 2022 she took on hosting duties for Una Voce per San Marino, the Sammarinese national song contest. She returned to host it again in 2023. Senhit also released new music, including the single “Follow Me” in mid-2022 and a Christmas song later that year. She closed 2022 with a soulful track titled “Try to Love You”. In 2023, she added more fresh songs including the empowering pop track “Pow” and a cover of “I Am What I Am”. Early in 2024, Senhit embarked on an international I Am What I Am tour. She performed concerts across Europe and the United States. In late 2024, she capped off this period by releasing her fourth studio album Dangerous. The album features collaborations with renowned producers Steve Aoki, Benny Benassi, and a guest spot from Flo Rida.

Now Senhit is set to return to Eurovision yet again. In March 2026, she won San Marino’s national selection with the song “Superstar”, a collaboration featuring British pop icon Boy George. This victory means Senhit will represent San Marino at Eurovision for the third time, after her 2011 and 2021 entries. Her journey from musical theatre stages to Eurovision stardom highlights her versatility and enduring presence in the pop music world.