Switzerland’s Nemo wins Eurovision 2024 in a year of protests

Switzerland has received this yr’s Eurovision Music Contest. Swiss rapper and singer Nemo’s track “The Code” impressed each the jury and the general public on the well-liked 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 id in a flamboyant mashup of opera, rap, drum-and-bass and digital dance music.

Nemo was one one in every of two nonbinary singers to compete within the Eurovision Grand Finals this yr, 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.

1000’s of protesters against Israel’s conflict in Gaza rallied exterior the Malmö Enviornment 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 criticism lodged by a feminine manufacturing crew 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 received one different time — in 1988. The highest entry that yr, “Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi,” was carried out by a then-little-known (and non-Swiss) singer who would go on to develop into some of the profitable vocalists of all time: Céline Dion.

Copyright 2024 NPR. To see extra, go to https://www.npr.org.