After submitting applications for the past 10 years, and only reaching the top 20, Namibian-German rapper Erick Sell, popularly known as EES, has been called to the Eurovision Song Contest.

The contest is the biggest music performance show in the world, with more than 120 million viewers, where European Union countries participate. 

The contest is coordinated by the European Broadcasting Union, the world’s foremost alliance of public service media, representing over 100 member organisations in 56 countries and an additional 34 Associates in Asia, Africa, Australasia and the Americas.

“This year looks promising for me to be part of this amazing show. I am applying to represent Germany because that’s where I’m living right now, and it is also one of the countries that take part in the contest,” he told VIBEZ!

He said: “This is the biggest music show in the world, there’s nothing bigger. Even that comes close to these numbers. This is big to be part of this. That’s how you get your music scene”.

EES noted that the competition is tough.

“With all of that, if they don’t watch out, then people like me, as completely independent artists, can take part in this competition. That’s what’s happening right now,” he said.

This past weekend, the ‘International’ hitmaker went for the final casting.

“The top 24 will be selected, and will then compete with each other in three television prime-time shows on the German Television, which is the biggest in Germany. It’s a big opportunity. You know how I do it. It’s me and Namibia on that stage ne, so yeah,” he said with excitement.

Although there is no prize money, EES believes that the platform is mileage enough to further propel and market its artistic ability.

He released his song on 7 November, titled ‘One’, for the competition. 

“It’s a very powerful song. It’s very personal because it talks about me not giving up on this competition. After all, I have been taking part in it for so many years. I didn’t make it. Also, it talks about me not giving up on humanity, uniting and coming together as one to overcome these obstacles and difficult times where the whole world is divided,” he shared.

EES added: “The world needs music to bring people together again. That is the special magical power that music has in times like these to bring people together. If we work together, we can make a better planet for everybody to live on, and not just a few people”.

He stated that ‘One’ is a personal, positive outgoing song that has a groove and typical Namibian vibe in it.

“But I mixed that with a very commercial sound because it would be very difficult for me to compete with the typical Namibian kwaito, hikwa or afro-pop sound in this competition. I tried to mix those genres and styles. The best of both worlds brings that together in ‘One’ song,” he said.

-psiririka@nepc.com.na