FINLAND is hoping to recreate its 2006 victory at the Eurovision Song Contest with 2023 representative Käärijä.
The multi-hyphenate musician, from Finland, will compete at the annual event as hopefuls and fans descend upon Liverpool for the 2023 festivities.
Finland’s 2023 Eurovision entry Käärijä at the National Lottery’s Big Eurovision Welcome Party at St George’s Hall, Liverpool
Who is Käärijä?
Jere Pöyhönen, known professionally as Käärijä, is a rapper, singer and songwriter from Vantaa in Finland.
The star, born on October 21, 1993, originally released his music independently, but was then signed to the record label Monsp Records in 2017.
Which song is Käärijä singing in Eurovision 2023?
For the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest, Käärijä is singing a track called Cha Cha Cha.
Käärijä wrote the song with his friends, multi-platinum selling producer and songwriter Johannes “Kiro” Naukkarinen, and producer Aleksi Nurmi.
Cha Cha Cha blends together elements of rap, electronic music, metal, and schlager, a style of European popular music.
Käärijä’s performance of Cha Cha Cha, as seen at Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu, the Finnish national selection for Eurovision, incorporates ballroom dancing and wooden pallets.
Is Käärijä married and does he have children?
Käärijä is not married and doesn’t have any children.
He once revealed in an episode of the Urheilucast podcast that his long-term relationship with his ex-girlfriend ended during the Covid-19 pandemic. He is yet to reveal whether he has a new romance in his life.
What are Käärijä’s most famous songs?
Käärijä has been making music since 2014 but it wasn’t until 2016 that fans were treated to his first single Heila, which featured Urho Ghettonen.
In 2016 Käärijä also released his first EP, titled Peliä, which spawned the singles Klo23 and Puuta heinää.
The following year, his debut album Fantastista came out, from which the singles Rock Rock and Mic Mac were taken.
Käärijä also has a number of singles that haven’t been featured on his albums, including Siitä viis, Paidaton riehuja, and, of course, his 2023 Eurovision song Cha Cha Cha.
What condition does Käärijä have?
Käärijä has been open about his experiences of living with ulcerative colitis.
The disease is a long-term condition where the colon and rectum become inflamed.
In some cases, like Käärijä’s, it can be life-threatening, and in 2014 the singer underwent emergency intestine removal surgery. He now has a scar on his lower stomach as a result.
Käärijä has shared that he wants to raise awareness for ulcerative colitis and encourage others to get checked for it.
