Omar Naber is representing Slovenia in the Eurovision Song Contest in Kyiv this year. He's no stranger to both Kyiv and indeed the contest itself having participated back in 2005 when the competition was held in Ukraine's capital for the first time. Whilst his entry that year, Stop, failed to reach the Grand Final, he'll be hoping that he's on his way this year.
Omar has been involved in music since the age of 16. He composes, arranges and produces his own material as well as plays the guitar, bass guitar and piano. In 2004 he won a national TV Talent show in Slovenia which granted him entry to the Slovenian national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest, EMA, for the first time.
Omar participated again in the national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest in 2009, 2011 and 2014. This year he entered again and won with the song On My Way which he wrote himself. His music may be best described as melodic pop/pop-rock with the emphasis on strong vocal delivery. He divides his time between Ljubljana and London where he has been building contacts, performing gigs and has even been a licensed busker on the London Underground!
According to Omar, On My Way is a very personal song. "I have been saving this song for ten years. I have been saving it for a special occasion", he said. "The song is very intimate. It addresses people directly and I think that they can easily identify with the lyrics."
Omar's dad comes from Jordan which is something that he's very proud of alongside representing Slovenia again. "I always knew I was going to be a singer, since I was 2 or 3 years old. I am a qualified dental technician and worked as one for a year before music called me".
Omar will perform 17th in the running order of the first Semi-Final in Kyiv.
