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Kobi Marimi brings 'Home' to Eurovision as Israel's 2019 entry

10 March 2019 at 20:59 CET
Kobi Marimi Ronen Akerman
The Israeli singer has revealed his 2019 Eurovision Song Contest entry, 'Home'. He will perform the song on home ground in Tel Aviv in the Grand Final on Saturday 18th May after Netta's victory in Lisbon brought the contest to Israel for a third time.

Since he became Israel's Eurovision entrant, Kobi has become the nation's sweetheart. His soulful singing has brought him 'home', which is also the title of the song that has been written especially for him to perform at the competition. The song brings his personal story and struggles to the Eurovision Song Contest stage.

Home was co-written by Inbar Wizman and Ohad Shragai, whoa re both singers and songwriters from Tel Aviv.

The music video was directed by one of Israel’s leading directors, Guy Sagy. Guy also directed Diva by 1998 Eurovision Song Contest winner Dana International. The video was filmed in black and white, using classic shooting techniques that brings Kobi to the center and makes his unique vocals stand out.

About Kobi

Kobi Marimi was already a well known performer and artist in Israel before he won this year’s edition of Rising Star, Israel’s national selection show to pick the artist that will represent the country at the Eurovision Song Contest. Kobi won the 2017 Music Celebrations ‘Promising Actor’ award for his role in Messiah Now.

Although he started singing at 13 years of age, Kobi pursued an acting career growing up and had no real professional music experience until he decided to participate and compete in Rising Star. Throughout the show, Kobi gained more and more public attention for his unique style and vocal capabilities, which ended with him reaching the finals and winning the show.

Israel in Eurovision

Netta won Israel’s fourth Eurovision Song Contest victory last year in Lisbon, maintaining a record of winning every 20 years; Izhar Cohen and the Alphabeta delivered Israel’s first victory back in 1978 with Abanibi just five years after the nation’s 1973 debut. Twenty years later, Dana International claimed victory in 1998 with Diva and another twenty years later, Netta did it again. Israel also won in 1979 on home ground with the iconic Hallelujah by Gali Atari and Milk and Honey. As well as winning the Eurovision Song Contest two consecutive times, Israel finished second in both 1982 with Avi Toledano’s Hora and 1983 with the late Ofra Haza’s Chai (Life).

Can Kobi make it two-in-a-row for Israel with 'Home'? Let us know in the comments below.