Today at 13, the artists in Melodi Grand Prix are presented. 21 artists will compete to win the MGP and get the honor of representing Norway in the Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool in May. This year, MGP consists of three finals, where the three artists who receive the most votes advance to the final. The final starts in Trondheim Spektrum on 4 February. Stian Staysman Thorbjørnsen and Arianhrod Engebø are program managers for MGP. Photo: Julia Marie Naglestad / news In addition to fewer dolphin fins, the “Last chance” is also scrapped in this year’s MGP. – I generally think that these changes will set even more feelings in motion among the viewer, said program manager Arianhrod Engebø in the autumn. Together with Stian “Staysman” Thorbjørnsen, she will host the Melodi Grand Prix broadcasts. These are participating in the MGP 2023 Delfinale 1 Ulrikke Brandstorp: “Honestly” Ulrikke Brandstorp is ready for the Melodi Grand Prix. Photo: Julia Marie Naglestad / news Lyrics and melody: Jim Bergsted, Helge Moen, Ben Adams, Ulrikke Brandstorp, Joshua Oliver and Christoffer Gunnestad Ulrikke Brandstorp really became known to the Norwegian public when she won MGP in 2020 with the song “Attention”. That year, Eurovision was cancelled, and it’s no secret that the girl from Sarpsborg is back with a big dose of motivation. In recent years, we have seen her as the Troll in “Maskorama”, in the mud on “Kompani Lauritzen” and in the musical “Mamma Mia” where she played the lead role of Sophie. Eirik Næss: “Wave” Artist Eirik Næss. Photo: Julia Marie Naglestad / news Lyrics and melody: Viktor Ljungqvist, Amalie Olsen and Eirik Næss Eirik Næss is an artist and songwriter from Larvik. After graduating, he moved to London, where he lived for seven years, and spent much of that time on music. Since he moved back to Oslo, he has played in several bands, which means that he does everything from heavy rock to a Christmas tour within a year. Kate Gulbrandsen: “Tears in paradise” Kate Gulbrandsen makes an MGP comeback. Photo: Julia Marie Naglestad / news Lyrics and melody: Kjetil Mørland and Kate Gulbrandsen Many people probably remember Kate Gulbrandsen from when she won the MGP in 1987 with the song “Mitt liv”. Many probably also remember her high 80s paneled skirt. Kate Gulbrandsen in MGP in 1987. Photo: Odd Steinar Tøllefsen / NTB Afterwards she has been on stages both at home and abroad, in addition to being on the TV screen through “Beat på Beat”, “Stjernekamp” and “Allsang on the border”. Rasmus Thall: “TRESKO” The songwriter, producer and artist from Tønsberg, Rasmus Thall. Photo: Julia Marie Naglestad / news Lyrics and melody: Rasmus Simon Vedvik Thallaug, Farida Louise Bolseth Benounis and Robin Alexander Vedvik Helmersen Rasmus Thallaug is a songwriter, producer and artist from Tønsberg. In MGP last year, he was both producer, co-songwriter and pianist on his girlfriend Farida’s contribution “Dangerous”. Rasmus is the grandson of the well-known artist Anita Thallaug, who participated in MGP several times in the 60s. Alessandra Mele: “Queen of Kings” Norwegian-Italian Alessandra Mele. Photo: Julia Marie Naglestad / news Text and melody: Henning Olerud, Stanley Ferdinandez, Alessandra Mele and Linda Dale Alessandra Mele is a Norwegian-Italian artist and songwriter. The 20-year-old has lived most of her life in Italy, but after she finished her secondary schooling she decided to move to Norway. Today she lives in Lillehammer and studies at the music school LIMPI. The song “Queen of Kings” is about daring and being yourself, and coming out stronger from difficult periods in life. Byron Williams Jr & Jowst: “Freaky For The Weekend” Byron Williams Jr & Jowst are ready to create a party atmosphere. Photo: Julia Marie Naglestad / news Lyrics and melody: Byron Williams Jr and Joachim With Steen The artist Byron Williams is from the warm city of Miami in Florida, but became known to Norwegians when he participated in “The Voice” last year. Joakim With Steen, better known under the stage name Jowst, won MGP in 2017 with the song “Grab The Moment”. Now the two boys have come together and made the party song “Freaky for the Weekend”. Umami Tsunami featuring Kyle Alessandro, Kristian Haugstøyl & Magnus Winjum: “Geronimo” Kyle Alessandro, Kristian Haugstøyl & Magnus Winjum are one of the youngest artists participating this year. Photo: Julia Marie Naglestad / news Text and melody: Torgeir Ryssevik, Carl-Henrik Wahl, Bjørn Olav Edvardsen, Sindre Timberlid Jenssen, Lasse Midtsian Nymann and Kristian Lund. Umami Tsunami is a collective project consisting of songwriters, artists, producers and people who work with design and visual expression. This time they have brought feature artists Kyle Alessandro (16), Kristian Haux (20) and Magnus Winjum (17) from Lillestrøm. Delfinale 2 Sandra Lyng: “Dream away” Sandra Lyng is for the first time participating in MGP as an artist. Photo: Julia Marie Naglestad / news Lyrics and melody: Sandra Lyng, Erlend Torheim, Ferdinann West and Kristina Blakli For the first time, Sandra Lyng is participating as an artist in MGP. Last year she was a songwriter on the song “Someone”, performed by the group Northkid. Sandra Lyng has extensive experience in the music industry. Already at the age of 16, she became known through “Idol”. Now she will be back on stage with the song “Drøm d bort”, which is about vulnerability, hope and strength. Jone: “Ekko Inni Meg” In 2021, JONE was Spellemann-nominated in the party music category, and received a gold trophy for the single “Eventyr”. Photo: Julia Marie Naglestad / news Text and melody: Morten Franck, Christopher Colin Archer, Christine Ekeberg, Audun Agnar Guldbrandsen and Silje Blandkjenn. Jonas Nes Steinset from Lier, with the stage name JONE, is participating in Melodi Grand Prix for the first time. In recent years, JONE has specialized in sing-along friendly and catchy party music, with singles such as “Et sted på Montebello”, “Jag gillar dig” and “Livet på bøgda”. Swing’it: “Prohibition” Swing’it consists of Martin Jarl Velsin, Leif Peter Vilhelm Grahn, Edvard Bondi Knowles, Jan Ivar Ekroll, Vebjørn Mamen, Håvard Mathisen Tanner and Håkon Kvam. Photo: Julia Marie Naglestad / news Lyrics and melody: Martin Jarl Velsin, Jonah Charles Hitchens, Vebjørn Mamen and Sam Peter Norris Swing’it started their career as street musicians in Tønsberg in 2014. Since then, the band has played hundreds of concerts in Norway, Europe and in the United States. In 2018, they created the concept “prohibition”, which is a show with 1920s dance, burlesque and cabaret and music where the audience dresses up in Gatsby style. The band consists of Martin Jarl Velsin, Leif Peter Vilhelm Grahn, Edvard Bondi Knowles, Jan Ivar Ekroll, Vebjørn Mamen, Håvard Mathisen Tanner and Håkon Kvam. Ella: “Waist” Lyrics and melody: Raphaela Antônia Souza Silva, Timothy John Adam Gosden, Tristan Henry and Isabell Røren Hannevig Ella was born in Brazil, but came to Norway as a 12-year-old. Now she focuses fully on music. Photo: Julia Marie Naglestad / news Ella, also known as Raphaela Antônia Souza Silva, was born in Belo Horizonte in Brazil. At the age of 12, she moved to Norway with her mother. In 2022, she released her debut single “Criminal”, which was used as the soundtrack to the Brazilian film “Me Tira da Mira”. Alejandro Fuentes: “Fuego” Alejandro Fuentes is participating for the second time in the MGP. Photo: Julia Marie Naglestad / news Lyrics and melody: Alejandro Fuentes, Nermin Harambasic, Chris Young and Mateo Camargo We saw Alejandro Fuentes for the first time in “Idol” in 2005. Since then, he has been successful both as a solo artist and as part of the new Gitarkamateren. Fuentes also participated in MGP in 2018 with the song “Tengo Otra”. Bjørn Olav Edvardsen: “Turn Off My Heart” Bjørn Olav Edvardsen is participating in MGP for the first time. Photo: Julia Marie Naglestad / news Text and melody: Bjørn Olav Edvardsen, Christian Ingebrigtsen and Henrik Thala Bjørn Olav Edvardsen is an artist, shoe player and songwriter living in Nord-Odal. He got his breakthrough when he became a finalist in “Idol” in 2005. Since then, he has been on several stages and was visible on several TV productions such as “The Voice”. This is the first time he has participated in MGP as an artist. Elsie Bay: “Love You in a Dream” Elsa Søllevik is in MGP for the second year in a row. Photo: Julia Marie Naglestad / news Lyrics and melody: Elsa Søllesvik, Andreas Stone Johansson and Tom Oehler Despite her young age, Elsa Søllevik is an artist and songwriter who has been in the industry for many years. She got her breakthrough through the duo Elsa and Emilie, she has provided sound for the TV series “Skam”, and last year she participated both as a songwriter and artist in MGP. This year she is back as a songwriter on Eline Thorp’s song “Not Meant to Be”, in addition to performing the song “Love You in a Dream”. Delfinale 3 Skrellex: “Love Again” Kai Thomas Larsen is participating as the drag artist Skrellex this year. Photo: Julia Marie Naglestad / news Lyrics and melody: Kai Thomas Ryen Larsen, Michael James Down, Will Taylor, Primoz Poglajen and Jonas Gladnikoff Skrellex, or Kai Thomas Larsen as he is actually called, is a familiar profile to many. He has worked as a musical and show artist since 2007. In MGP he participates as the drag artist Skrellex, whom we have seen as a mentor in “Drag Me Out” and as a drag queen in the series “Drags”. Now Skrellex is ready for the big MGP scene. Tiril Beisland: “Break It” 21-year-old Tiril Beisland from Lillestrøm debuts as an artist in MGP. Photo: Julia Marie Naglestad / news Text and melody: Emma Steinbakken, Emelie Hollow, Lars Rossnes and Benjamin Pinkus Tiril is a 21-year-old artist and songwriter from Lillestrøm. She has a lot of experience of being on stage as, among other things, a shoe dancer in Skedsmo Amatørteater, a dancer in the Norwegian Ballet Institute and as a county representative in UKM. Now she is making her debut as an artist in MGP. Akuvi: “Triumph” It is the second time Beatrice Akuvi Hosen Kumordzie has participated in the MGP. The last was in 2020. Photo: Julia Marie Naglestad / news Text and melody: Beatrice Akuvi Hosen Kumordzie, Andreas Stone Johansson, Anderz Wrethov and Konstantinos Vlastaras Beatrice Akuvi Hosen Kumordzie (27) is a Norwegian-Ghanaian artist, songwriter and entertainer. In 2020, she participated in Melodi Grand Prix with the song “Som du er”. She is also known as the voice behind the animated character Dolores in the Disney film Encanto, as well as the rapper Karma in the Netflix series Karma’s world. Atle Pettersen: “Masterpiece” Artist and presenter Atle Pettersen will take the stage at MGP this year. Photo: Julia Marie Naglestad / news Text and melody: Andreas Stone Johansson, Hannah Dorothy Bristow and Atle Pettersen Atle Pettersen is known as both an artist and a presenter. He usually relieves large parts of the population during the Friday evening in Beat for Beat. Music has been a big part of Pettersen’s life, and he has done several musicals and revues such as “Singin’ in the Rain”, “Jersey Boys” and “Beatles”. Eline Thorp: “Not Meant to Be” Eline Thorp from Hamarøy has overcome stage fright and is back in the limelight. Photo: Julia Marie Naglestad / news Lyrics and melody: Jonas Holteberg Jensen, Andreas Stone Johansson, Elsa Søllesvik and Eline Thorp Eline Thorp (29) comes from Hamarøy in Nordland, but lives in Oslo. She broke through as an artist at the start of the 2010s, but after getting stage fright she withdrew from the limelight. Now he is making a comeback on the big stage – and making his debut as an MGP artist. Maria Celin: “Freya” Maria Celin from Mandal makes her debut as an artist in MGP. Photo: Julia Marie Naglestad / news Text and melody: Sindre Timberlid Jenssen, Anna Timgren, Gaute Ormåsen, Benjamin Alasu and Erik Fjeld Maria Celin Strand is from Mandal. She has performed in both theater and musicals since she was 9 years old. Many people became familiar with the 25-year-old when she took part in “The Voice” in 2017. In the competition, she covered the song “Runnin” by Beyoncé, which was very well received and currently has 3.5 million plays on Spotify. Stig van Eijk: “Someday” 24 years have passed since Stig van Eijk won the last Melodi Grand Prix. Photo: Julia Marie Naglestad / news Text and melody: Stig van Eijk and Beate Helen Thunes 24 years have passed since Stig van Eijk had his big breakthrough as an artist. It happened when, as a 17-year-old, he won the Norwegian MGP final with the song “Living My Life Without You”. Both the single and the subsequent album sold gold. This year he is currently working on several record projects, in addition to re-entering the big MGP scene. Stig van Eijk with the song Living my life without you
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These are this year’s artists in Melodi Grand Prix 2023 – news Culture and entertainment
