BEOSONG 2013: MORE INFO ON THE PARTICIPANTS

Luka Popovic (Serbia)

Serbian press has revealed the singers at the upcoming Beosong national selection with many high profile names failing to make the final cut by the professional jury. Fifteen singers will take to the stage on March 2. Via a public televote the best five will proceed to the final the following night where they will battle it out for a ticket to Malmo.

Galija will be the most famous band performing at Beosong this year. The once iconic Yugoslav rock band was formed in the 1970s, They will perform “Ruža od baruta” (Rose made out of gunpowder). Controversial singer Maja Nikolić, who has competed in the former Serbian national selection Beovizija, will take to the stage with the song “Blagoslov” (Blessing). Maja Odžakiljevska, who gained her fame in the 1980s across Yugoslavia, will also compete in Beosong with the song “Andjeo sa neba” (Angel from the skies).

Beosong will also see a barrage of young music reality show contestants. The finalist of last season’s hit reality show “Serbia’s Got Talent”, Bojana Stamenov, dubbed as Serbia’s answer to Adele, will perform “Svetla pale se za nas” (The lights turn on for us). This year’s finalist of the same show Dana Gašić Gavaya, already nicknamed Serbia’s Rhianna, will take to the stage with two of her high school friends.

They have named their band The Sky’s. Dana, who is half Indonesian, and her friends, will perform “Magija” (Magic) written by famous composer Skaj Vitler. The three finalists of the 2012/2013 season of “The Voice” – Mirna Radulović, Sara Jovanović and Nevena Božović (JESC 2007) will compete with the song written by Saša Milošević (who co-wrote the winning entry of ESC 2007). Their song is entitled “Ljubav je svuda” (Love is everywhere). Other “The Voice” contestants will also be competing including Saška Janković (Duga u tvojim očima – The rainbow in your eyes), Aleksandra Dabić (Moja svetlost – My light) as well as Igor Terzija (Što prolazim – What I’m going through). Other reality show contestants Dušan Svilar from Grand Stars and Dušan Zrnić from Serbian Idol have also made the cut.

Other names also making it include Kristina Savić with the song “Za tebe živim” (I live for you). Kristina is the backing vocalist for one of Serbia’s most famous singers Zdravko Čolić who competed at Eurovision under the Yugoslav flag in 1973. Marija Mihajlović considered one of Serbia’s best vocalists has also made the final cut and will compete with the song “Halo” (Hello).

Several high profile names including Yugoslav pop diva Neda Ukraden, Marija Šerifović’s step- brother Danijel Pavlović and the OT Band (featuring Vukašin Brajić – ESC 2010) did not make it.