V.I.P.

Four Boys From Budapest: The Formation of V.I.P.

V.I.P. were a Hungarian pop boy band founded in 1997, consisting of four members including two brothers. The group brought together Alex Józsa, brothers Imre and Viktor Rakonczai, and Gergő Rácz, all from Budapest. Viktor Rakonczai was born on 16 October 1976, while his brother Imre was born on 1 September 1972. Gergő Rácz was born on 4 March 1976. The group played a blend of pop, dance-pop, and R&B, and they signed with major label BMG right from the start. Furthermore, Viktor Rakonczai took on the role of chief songwriter, composing the group’s music while also performing as part of the group. Their formation in early 1997 immediately put them on a fast track to national recognition.

Winning Hungary’s National Final and Releasing Their Debut

Before V.I.P. had even released an album, they entered Hungary’s national selection for Eurovision. Magyar Televízió held the national final on 28 February 1997 at its television studios in Budapest, hosted by István Vágó, with 19 songs competing. The winner was chosen by five regional juries. V.I.P. came out on top with “Miért kell, hogy elmenj?”, which translates as “Why Do You Have To Go?”. Viktor Rakonczai composed the song, with lyrics by Krisztina Bokor Fekete. Shortly after, the group released their self-titled debut album on BMG, launching their recording career at the same time as their international breakthrough.

Eurovision 1997 and Growing Fame at Home

V.I.P. took “Miért kell, hogy elmenj?” to the Eurovision Song Contest 1997 in Dublin, Ireland. They scored 12th place with 39 points, tying with Greece. Though the result was modest, the exposure helped the group build momentum back home. They continued to release music on BMG throughout the late 1990s. Their 1998 single “Keresem a lányt” sampled NSYNC’s “Tearin’ Up My Heart”, showing they kept up with global pop trends. In total, V.I.P. released four studio albums: their debut V.I.P. (1997), Keresem a lányt (1998), Szükségem van rád (1999), and Csak neked (2000), followed by a Best of compilation in 2001. 

The Split and Solo Paths

After four years together, the group decided to go their separate ways. In 2001, the singers each chose to pursue individual paths, and the band disbanded. However, rather than stepping away from music, each member stayed active in the Hungarian music industry. Following the breakup, Viktor Rakonczai formed the duo R-Port with his brother Imre. Viktor in particular went on to build a highly respected career as a composer, pianist, and music producer. Meanwhile, Gergő Rácz also stayed busy with songwriting and performing, proving that the end of V.I.P. was anything but the end of their contributions to Hungarian music.

Viktor and Gergő: Continuing the Eurovision Connection

Two former V.I.P. members kept their connection to the Eurovision world alive in the years that followed. Viktor Rakonczai and Gergő Rácz co-composed the song “What About My Dreams?” for Kati Wolf, who represented Hungary at the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 in Düsseldorf. Additionally, Viktor Rakonczai composed the song “Szívverés” for Csézy, who represented Hungary at Eurovision 2008, and he also accompanied her on piano at the event. Viktor Rakonczai also served as chairperson for the Hungarian jury at the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest in Stockholm. These continued involvements show how deeply rooted both men remained in Hungary’s musical landscape.

V.I.P. Members Today

Viktor Rakonczai has built a wide-ranging career as a film composer, having scored Hungarian feature films including Pappa Pia (2017) and The Cost of Deception (2021), and contributed music to the TV series Dancing with the Stars – Mindenki táncol (2020). He has won multiple Hungarian music prizes, including the Artisjus, Fonogram, and EMeRTon awards. Meanwhile, Gergő Rácz won A Dal 2020 (Hungary’s former Eurovision national final) as part of a duo with Reni Orsovai, performing the song “Mostantól”. He also came close to a Eurovision return in 2014 as part of the a cappella group Fool Moon, who reached the A Dal superfinal. Together, the former members of V.I.P. continue to shape Hungarian music to this day.