Skamp

Skamp is a Lithuanian pop and hip hop band formed in 1998, known for its multicultural lineup and genre-blending sound. The trio consists of Irish-born singer Erica Jennings, producer/guitarist Victor “Vee” Diawara, and rapper Vilius Alesius. Skamp quickly rose to fame in Lithuania with an innovative hip-hop cover of George Gershwin’s “Summertime” in May 1998. The song shot to the top of the Lithuanian charts, proving that their mix of pop, rock, rap, and reggae could captivate a broad audience. Riding this early success, the band established their own label (Tabami Records) and built a reputation as one of the Baltics’ most popular live acts.

Eurovision 2001

Skamp made international headlines when they represented Lithuania at the Eurovision Song Contest 2001 in Copenhagen. They earned the Eurovision ticket by winning the national selection (Eurovizijos atranka 2001) and performed the upbeat song “You Got Style”. At Eurovision, Skamp finished in 13th place out of 23 entries. The catchy “You Got Style” also became a hit back home, even earning a Gold certification in Lithuania. The Eurovision appearance put Skamp on the map for many European pop fans and opened doors for the group’s international ambitions.

Albums, Hits and Awards

Following their Eurovision success, Skamp continued to release music prolifically through the 2000s. By blending English lyrics with occasional Lithuanian and even French or Bambara lines, the band appealed to diverse audiences. Skamp’s debut album Angata came out in 1999, followed by a string of albums that each spawned radio hits. Their 2000 album Green and 2001’s Skempinligė both won Lithuanian music awards for Best Album, with Skempinligė later certified platinum in Lithuania. In 2004 the band recorded the album Reach in Dublin and London with producer Jez Coad, signaling their aim for a broader European sound. Skamp’s energetic tracks like “Split the Atom (Na Na Na)” and “Calling After Me” became fan favorites. The group often opened for international stars such as The Black Eyed Peas and Macy Gray.

By 2007, Skamp had released five studio albums and even put out a live CD/DVD, Live & Deadly. Their 2007 single “Reach” was the first video ever premiered on the newly launched MTV Baltics channel. In 2008, Skamp released Kažką?!, their sixth studio album, which produced popular singles like “Always Too Much” and “Ten Kur Tu”. The band’s consistent success earned them multiple awards over the years, including several Best Band and Best Song honors in Lithuania. They were also twice nominated for MTV Europe’s Best Baltic Act award in 2007 and 2008, highlighting Skamp’s prominence on the Baltic music scene.

Solo Projects and Cultural Impact

Throughout Skamp’s career, the members also pursued independent projects, becoming influential figures in Lithuanian culture.

Victor Diawara

Group member Victor “Vee” Diawara joined the joke-band LT United for Eurovision 2006, helping Lithuania achieve a surprising 6th place with “We Are The Winners”. Victor is not only a musician but also a key music promoter in Vilnius. He co-founded the popular art and concert venue Loftas, which has become a hub for alternative music and international acts in Lithuania. In recent years he launched a world-music solo project called Afrodelic, blending his Malian heritage with electronic sounds and releasing an album in 2022.

Erica Jennings

Skamp’s lead singer also made her mark as a solo artist and public figure. In 2016 she entered Lithuania’s Eurovision selection as a solo act with her self-penned ballad “Leading Me Home”. Erica finished as the runner-up in the national final. She was just narrowly losing out to Donny Montell. She planned another Eurovision attempt in 2018 but ultimately withdrew, outspoken about her concerns with the competition’s judging process. Beyond contests, Erica released solo music. She formed a duo called The Ball & Chain with her husband, Colombian-Lithuanian singer Jurgis Didžiulis.

Over two decades in Lithuania, Jennings has become a familiar face on television, served as a coach on music talent shows, and advocated for social causes. In 2018, she and Skamp garnered attention when their music video for “Love Me Like There’s No Tomorrow”, featuring both opposite-sex and same-sex couples, was banned from daytime TV under a law against “non-traditional family propaganda”. Erica publicly defended the video’s message of love and equality, further cementing her role as a progressive voice in Lithuanian pop culture.

Vilius Alesius

The band’s Lithuanian rapper, kept a lower profile but remained active in music and media. He released a Lithuanian-language solo album Kelias, kuriuo aš einu under the nickname Willux in 2003. In later years, Vilius also dabbled in acting, appearing in Lithuanian TV series and film projects. He continues to reunite with Skamp for special performances and recordings, contributing his charismatic rap verses and local cultural perspective to the group’s unique blend.

Recent Developments

After a quiet period in the 2010s, Skamp delighted fans by returning to the studio in the 2020s. In July 2025, the trio released a brand-new album titled Lost & Found. It was their first full album in 17 years. This comeback record features fresh collaborations (including a track with rapper Tomas “Requiem” Krivickas) and shows that Skamp’s genre-fusing spirit is still alive and well. Today, the band occasionally reunites on stage for special concerts, proving that their chemistry and energy endure.