🇺🇦 Road to Malmö: Ukraine

photo: UA:PBC

We can not wait for the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö. Therefore, we have a closer look at one of the contestants every day. Today: Ukraine.

Alyona Alyona

Aliona Olehivna Savranenko, known professionally as Alyona Alyona, is a groundbreaking Ukrainian rapper and songwriter, born on June 14, 1991, in Kapitanivka, Novomyrhorod Raion, Kirovohrad Oblast. With a background in education, holding two bachelor’s degrees and experience as a kindergarten teacher, she transitioned from teaching to pursue music full-time. Gaining attention with her debut video for “Rybky” in October 2018, Alyona Alyona’s career quickly ascended. Her first album, “Pushka,” released in April 2019, showcased her storytelling prowess and unique approach to rap, earning her acclaim as “Ukraine’s most unlikely rap star” by Vogue. Alyona Alyona’s impact extended internationally with her signing to Def Jam Polska in 2020 and winning the Public Choice Award at the Music Moves Europe Talent Awards in 2021. 

Jerry Heil

Yana Oleksandrivna Shemayeva, known as Jerry Heil, is a versatile Ukrainian singer, songwriter, and YouTuber, born on October 21, 1995, in Vasylkiv, near Kyiv. Her musical journey was shaped by her studies at the R. Glier Kyiv Institute of Music and the Kyiv Conservatory. Adopting the stage name Jerry Heil at 15, she launched a YouTube channel in 2012, covering songs and sharing vlogs, which caught the attention of notable musicians, including Sviatoslav Vakarchuk from Okean Elzy. Signing with Vidlik Records in 2017, Heil’s debut EP, “De miy dim,” marked her professional entry into music. Her career further blossomed with hits like “Okhrana, otmyena,” leading to her debut album “Ya, Yana.” Heil’s distinctiveness continued with her engagement in Vidbir, notably winning Vidbir 2024 alongside Alyona Alyona with “Teresa & Maria” for Eurovision 2024. Fluent in multiple languages and a committed vegan, Heil’s personal and artistic choices are closely intertwined, reflecting her unique identity and values in the music industry.

Vidbir

Vidbir is the name of the Ukrainian national selection. The contest this year contained 11 entries. One of them was added in a late stadium as a wildcard, as a winner of an online election. One former Eurovision participant was among the contestants: MĂ©lovin. The singer presented the song “Dreamer” and was the runner up of the contest. Following the completion of the performances, the Diia app (an app especially for the Ukrainian diaspora) experienced a malfunction, which caused the voting period to be prolonged and resulted in the postponement of the results announcement to February 4. 

Ukraine in the Eurovision Song Contest

In 2003, Ukraine debuted in the contest. Already one year later, the country had its first victory: Ruslana won the contest with “Wild dances”. Ukraine won again in 2016 with Jamala‘s “1944” and in 2022 with Kalush Orchestra and “Stefania”. Ukraine never failed to reach the Grand Final, reaching the top-3 on no less than 6 occasions.

photo: EBU

The Bookmakers

It looks like Ukraine is gonna be succesful: in the betting odds Ukraine is currently the 3rd country in chances to win the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest.

The song

This is the song:

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Martijn

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