Singer Nemo of Switzerland wins 2024 Eurovision Song Contest : NPR

Switzerland has gained this 12 months’s Eurovision Music Contest. Swiss rapper and singer Nemo’s music “The Code” impressed each the jury and the general public on the widespread annual occasion, held Saturday in Malmö, Sweden.

“It’s the most insane factor that has ever occurred to me,” the 24-year-old vocalist mentioned on the post-event press convention.

“The Code” explores the artist’s nonbinary identification in a flamboyant mashup of opera, rap, drum-and-bass and digital dance music.

Nemo was one one among two nonbinary singers to compete within the Eurovision Grand Finals this 12 months, together with Eire’s Bambie Thug.

Switzerland narrowly beat pre-competition favourite Croatia — incomes 591 votes in contrast with the runner-up’s 547 — in an occasion that was not with out controversy.

Safety was tight for Israel’s entrant, Eden Golan. She acquired some boos and turned backs throughout her efficiency however positioned excessive on the occasion, coming in fifth with 375 votes.

Hundreds of protesters against Israel’s struggle in Gaza rallied exterior the Malmö Area within the days main as much as the finals, calling for Israel’s disqualification.

In the meantime, Dutch contestant Joost Klein was disqualified simply hours earlier than the finals started over a grievance lodged by a feminine manufacturing staff member. Police mentioned they’re investigating.

Switzerland took first place on the very first Eurovision Music Contest in 1956. Till now, the nation has solely gained one different time — in 1988. The highest entry that 12 months, “Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi,” was carried out by a then-little-known (and non-Swiss) singer who would go on to turn out to be one of the vital profitable vocalists of all time: Céline Dion.