Five Local Artists Who Could Give Malta Some Eurovision Glory With A Song In Maltese
As Eurovision travels in different directions after every win, recent successes and new voting rules have encouraged broadcasters to push for songs in native languages. One country that has not been represented with a song in its native language in more than twenty years, is Malta.
The last time the Maltese language made an appearance at Eurovision was back in 2000, when Claudette Pace switched to Maltese after the first chorus of Desire. Since then, efforts for a Eurovision song have been entirely commercial and Maltese was never used. But this does not mean that Malta cannot achieve international success with its own language. Here are five artists that could do the job for Malta, in Maltese.
(Although the forty artists aiming to represent Malta next year have been announced, this lists includes artists who sing in Maltese and could be great representatives at Eurovision in the future.)
1. Kantera
A folk band with releases solely in Maltese, Kantera were formed in 2020. Their music combines Maltese traditional folk with modern sounds.
Particular effort to bring lyrics discussing social and cultural themes by means of Maltese idioms and proverbs. With an uptempo folk tune and a memorable melody, Kantera could rock the Eurovision stage with a product that would showcase a strong local flavour that is rich in quality.
More so, this could finally give European viewers a showcase of Maltese musical elements, one that has been in demand for a long time.
2. The Travellers
The most obvious name on this list, The Travellers, released their first single in 2016 and have since been one of the biggest local names. The Gozitan six-piece sing Maltese lyrics to a sound that they describe as brass-based pop.
Just like the previous pick, give these boys an upbeat track with a catchy tune, and they are good to go. A bonus here would be their easygoing lyrics. which would potentially interest audiences in the beauty of the Maltese sound and hopefully cast their coins into the land of the sun.
3. AIDAN
Żejtun born Aidan is aiming to represent Malta in 2023. He has made it to the final of the local selection twice before, but his most successful release came in 2021 after he competed in the first edition of Mużika Mużika with the summer bop Naħseb Fik which had sparked controversy after plagiarism accusations arose.
Aidan is known for producing alongside Macedonian producer Boban Apostolov, a collaboration that has made him a fan favourite in the Eurovision community.
Reactors, bloggers and fans want Aidan to fly the Maltese flag in the very near future.Such interest could show signs of televote support for an Aidan-bop solely in Maltese.
4. MARA
The newest Maltese all-female group, MARA were formed just over a year ago. Finishing fourth in the latest Mużika Mużika, the girls have since released an impressive three singles in their very short history. What is also rare and commendable about MARA is that all of their PR and social media is done entirely in Maltese.
Their music could be described as electro pop with a hint of Eurodance, a genre that usually sends fans into frenzy and is generally well liked by European audiences. With a composition that rides on the wave of their first release Aħjar hekk inkella agħar Malta could fare incredibly well.
5. LAPES
A local rapper that came to fame on the first edition of Malta’s Got Talent, LAPES has went on to release his debut album Merħba Malta as well as collaborating with sister-duo New Victorians on their hit single Min Jaf.
Rappers do not usually do Eurovision alone and LAPES could team up with a pop artists like Gaia Cauchi or Maxine Pace and expose Europe to the world of Maltese rap.
Although the genre is not an easy sell with professional juries, the risk would be a commendable one given Malta’s history of sending safe pop songs.
Who would you like to see represent Malta at Eurovision with a song in Maltese?