Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

Finland's national selection for Eurovision song contest 2026  or UMK (Uuden musiikin kilpailu) takes place in Tampere tonight in Tampere arena to sold out crowds.  Special guests are last year's UMK winner Erika Vikman (11th in ESC) with last year's Eurovision winner Austrian  JJ, Finland's Eurovision 1985 represent Sonja Lumme and quartet of leading Finnish rappers Elastinen, Ares, Turisti and Averagekidluke. It's worth remembering JJ's staging and even outfit was made in Finland last year with UMK team.  The show is hosted by Jorma Uotinen, Sami Sykkö and Jasmin Beloued. Read more about them here . Out of 491 submitted entries a panel of nine members along with five audience groups selected the seven entries for the final. Linda Lampenius & Pete Parkkonen emerged instantly the runaway favorites to win the selection gaining more Youtube views in 24 hrs than any other UMK entry ever and also reached one million streams in record time. They also became inter...

Etta (or Emmalotta Kanth, 28) is the most successful and the first female rap artist to have a #1 album. But besides being a rapper she is also an excellent singer. She has released three  top-10 albums and has eight Top-10 singles (and four more as featuring, including one #1 hit). She first came to spotlight at the age of 10 when she reached the semifinal stage in Talent Suomi. Coming from a musical family her brother Vilikasper Kanth also has UMK 2015 experience. Another funny fact is her ex-boyfriend Lukas Leon is Kiki's brother. She has also done featuring with Pete Parkkonen and Isaac Sene among others.  Her song Million dollar smile is an ode to her single mother and gets inspiration from her difficult youth and dealing with alopecia that made her lose her hair as a teenager. As said music was always present in her family and she says she didn't choose music, music chose her. They have tried to label her as pop singer or a female rapper but she says she's and Artist....

Tonight was the official date but as usual the list leaked already last night as Etta published the group photo and details of her entry in her IG by mistake and obviously someone got a screenshot. Or was it a PR stunt from Yle to boost attention and hype? We will probably never know. And yes, all names were circulating more or less during the past months with the exception of Antti Paalanen. Apparently very well known and famous in his music genre circuit but I have never ever even heard of him I admit.  As for the artists I will go deep with them later after their songs are out (and my holidays over) but I am very, very happy to see Linda and Pete in the list as I have been wishing and hoping both of them for years by now. Not sure about Antti and Komiat but let's hear the songs first. Kiki and Sinikka I'm also happy for, Etta ... not so sure and Chachi is a mystery as she's so far only been as the wife of Jukka Hilden of Duudsomit/The Dudesons fame. But then again she...

  It's girl power time as Kiki, Vesta, Etta and Reettabitch belt out some their latest efforts.Enjoy! Kiki - Kohtalo Reettabitch - Pidä kiinni Vesta - Jää mun viereen Etta - Sata shottii

  This week all the songs are a bit older but still #Finpop2024. All four artists are releasing new songs in steady flow and gain popularity, even if still missing The Hit. This season I have enjoyed these ones a bit more than their other efforts. Yet. Enjoy these efforts, there's more to come! ANI - Jos puhutaan totta Etta - Piilota sun sydän Rosi - Joutomaa Ollie - Jumalat

This week superstar Jenni Vartiainen's new single along with already more or less known names AHTI, Averagekidluke, Pihlaja and Jari Uutela, all already featured here previously. Jenni Vartiainen / Etta - Viimeinen pisara AHTI / Averagekidluke - Kissa Pihlaja - Delulu Jari Uutela - Silmät tottuu pimeään 

This year's UMK has been a success for most of its artists. BESS scored the biggest hit this year so far with Ram pam pam and her follow up Rakastan ei rakasta is making it big as we speak. Besides that she's featured in Antti Tuisku's hit Grindr mayhem . Isaac Sene released already the follow up Jukka and is now featured in Etta's Rakastellaan. Cyan Kicks and Younghearted have released their follow up singles, too. As has The Rasmus . Meanwhile last year's success Ilta is here again with her latest continuing her success. Etta feat Isaac Sene - Rakastellaan Ilta - Ei kukaan muu Cyan Kicks - See the light Younghearted - Silloin