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Joci Pápai

Believer, fighter, singer, dreamer, father and Samurai – these are the many faces of Joci Papai, Hungary’s representative at the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest.

Music definitely runs in the family of Joci Papai as his father was the leader of a big gypsy orchestra. No wonder that at the age of four Joci chose the same path when he first picked up a guitar, an instrument he did not let go of ever since. Joci Papai could have become a professional sportsman as he was playing basketball from an early age, but eventually he decided to pursue his dreams as a musician. His road to fame, however, was not an easy one: coming from a poor family he struggled to get recognised in various talent shows.

Joci's breakthrough came in 2005 and after he released his first album and was featured in numerous top-charting singles as well. Recently Joci Papai reshaped his musical style, creating an exciting and unique blend of authentic gypsy music and modern pop. This can be heard in his entry for the 62nd Eurovision Song Contest entitled Origo.

Things you should know about Joci Papai

What are the three most interesting aspects about your entry?

First, honesty. Second, the song is the summary of my life as everything in Origo is one hundred percent me. Third, this song is a blend of styles, it’s modern world music – electronic beats meet with Hungarian and gypsy styles, it’s an extraordinary yet finely balanced combination.

What are the three most impressive facts about you?

I'm very proud of being an honest person. Though I’ve had my fair share of struggles, I’m very emotional and I’m filled with love to the brim. I got so much love from my parents and this is so important to me – I wouldn’t be able to write good songs without inner peace and balance and I am forever in debt to my parents for this. I hope to pass that profound love over to my children.

Do you have a (lucky) routine before you go on stage?

Yes, definitely! I’m very close to God and he’s very close to me. Therefore I can’t get on stage without saying prayer. I can actually feel God’s presence when he is there with me on the stage which is the most extraordinary feeling – when I’m there I see everything absolutely clear, it’s like being in a slow-motion scene.

Why is the Eurovision Song Contest important for you?

I love Hungary and the unique Hungarian music. I’m the first gypsy to proudly represent Hungary at the Eurovision Song Contest and I’m grateful for having so many people behind me.

Music video

Lyrics of Origo

Be kell csuknod a szemed
Úgy láthatsz meg engemet
Hogy meg hódítsad a szívem
Ismerned kell lelkemet
Ha nem kellek hadd menjek
Hisz csavargónak születtem
Kínlódtam már eleget
De az isten lát engem, lát engem

Jálomá lommá, jálomá lommá
Jálomá lommá lomalom
Jálomá lommá, jálomá nédinná
Jálomá lommá, lomálom

Mért hazudtad azt nekem
Hogy nem számít a színem
Tudtad barna a szemem
Sosem változik bennem
Nem kérek már belőled
Menj el innen hagyj engem
Ne is lássalak téged
Átkozott légy örökre, örökre

Jálomá lommá, jálomá lommá
Jálomá lommá lomalom
Jálomá lommá, jálomá nédinná
Jálomá lommá, lomálom

Engem 4 évesen megszólított az Isten
Egy igazi fegyvert adott a kezembe
Tudtam, csak ő vigyázhat rám
Többet gyakoroltam vele mint, egy szamuráj
Benne bízhatok, mindig az igazat mondja
Vele sírhatok, de az utat mutatja
Ez egy olyan szövetség ami marad örökké
Fel nem áldozható, ő a legfőbb kincsem
Sejtelmes erők laknak a gyerekbe
Félnek tőle, látszik a szemekben
A húrjaim támadnak, sírnak a testekbe
Hiába is véded ki, méreg a hangszerbe
Nagy tömegeket itattam át vele
Hallod a dallamom, már tudod a nevemet!
Hosszú az út, sebek a hátamon
Ezrek könnyei folynak a gitáromon!

Jálomá lommá, jálomá lommá
Jálomá lommá lomalom
Jálomá lommá, jálomá nédinná
Jálomá lommá, lomálom
Time for you to close your eyes
To see me clear without disguise
For you to have my heart in all
You have to get to know my soul
If you don’t need me let me go
I was meant to be a John Doe
Suffering’s a thing I know
But the Lord is mindful of his own

Jálomá lommá, jálomá lommá
Jálomá lommá lomalom
Jálomá lommá, jálomá nédinná
Jálomá lommá, lomálom

Why didn’t you let me know
My skin’s color will stop the show
My eyes are brown, you knew it well
They’ll never change as I can tell
You fill me up right to the brim
But we’re overflown so leave me be
Go away and shut the door
You’ll be damned forevermore

Jálomá lommá, jálomá lommá
Jálomá lommá lomalom
Jálomá lommá, jálomá nédinná
Jálomá lommá, lomálom

At the age of 4 God talked to me
And armed well to set me free
With this weapon I couldn’t stop to exercise
It grew to be my part like the sword for the Samurai
I can trust it, he’s a friend I know
Will show me the truth and a way to follow
It’s covenant that stays with me forever
It can’t be forsaken now or never
The child’s blessed with mysterious powers
They are all afraid, I can tell, the doubters
My strings attack and the bodies cry
There’s no defence, it’s like venom and it’s set to fire
That’s spreading ‘round and through the masses
You hear the tunes, you know I got this!
A million scars and endless road near and far
Tears of thousands streaming down my guitar

Jálomá lommá, jálomá lommá
Jálomá lommá lomalom
Jálomá lommá, jálomá nédinná
Jálomá lommá, lomálom