Germany has had little success at the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) for years. Since winning in 2010, there have only been two placings in the top 10 (4th place in 2018, 8th place in 2012). This is set to change next year at the ESC in Basel - with the help of Namibia.
At least that's the message from German-Namibian musician Ees. In his blog, Ees has announced that he will be taking part in the German candidate selection for the ESC with his new song 'One'. His music is a mixture of pop, hip-hop, and borrowings from Kwaito. Kwaito originated in the townships of southern Africa.
Ees' real name is Eric Sell and he was born and raised in Namibia. He lives in Cologne, but visits his home country regularly. He filmed the video for his song ‘One’ in Windhoek.
"It's time for musicians to represent Germany with an authentic voice and message - everything else hasn't worked in the last few years!", explains Ees in his blog [https://www.eesy-ees.com/post/new-one-song-for-eurovision-song-contest-germany-preliminary-round]. "I want everyone to see, we are strong in unity", he sings in the chorus of his song 'One'.
Travel industry happy about advertising for Namibia
Whether Germany wants Namibia's helping hand at the Eurovision Song Contest will be decided at the pre-selection events in the coming months. Many in Namibia's travel industry are sceptical, but are happy about the publicity for the country.
Ees himself is probably also more seeing the advertising effect for himself and his song than taking to the ESC stage in Basel. The music video for 'One' (see YouTube ) essentially consists of footage of Namibians in the Namibian capital Windhoek
It therefore contains nothing in which Germany could see itself authentically represented. But perhaps there will be a surprise in the selection if enough of the thousands of Namibia fans in Germany vote in favour of Ees...
The final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 will take place in Basel on 17 May 2025. Switzerland won the 2024 contest with the song ‘The Code’ by Nemo.
Sven-Eric Stender
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