The Dutch public broadcasting organization, better known as AVROTROS, announced last December the artist who will represent the Netherlands in the 68th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest, which will take place next May in Malmö, Sweden. After a search process that lasted several weeks, the final choice was Joost Klein, a rapper, writer, and former YouTuber.
In late February, during a special broadcast of the show “De Avondshow,” hosted by journalist Arjen Lubach, the AVROTROS network premiered on its main channel, NPO1, “Europapa,” the song with which the young Dutch artist will attempt to secure a spot in the Eurovision grand final on May 9 during the second semifinal of the European contest. During the course of the program, Joost answered various questions about the song and discussed the preparations he is making for the Eurovision Song Contest.
Who is Joost Klein?
Joost Klein is a 26-year-old rapper, writer, and former YouTuber. Regarded as a multifaceted artist, he has made a lasting impact on the entertainment industry. Born on November 10, 1997, in Leeuwarden, the Netherlands, Joost started his career as a YouTuber in 2008, at the young age of 10. However, it was in 2016 when he decided to focus on his music career, erasing any trace of his past life on social media. Known for his energetic style, which combines elements of mainstream pop with cheerful hardcore and pop punk, Joost has released eight studio albums to date and has more than 25 singles out. He has also created his own record label. His first album, “Dakloos,” was released in 2016.
Joost has proven to be a true musical chameleon, capable of adapting to different genres and styles. Although he is primarily a hip-hop artist, his songs and performances often include influences from electronic music, such as drum and bass, hardstyle, and gabber. His ability to fuse these diverse genres has resulted in a unique and captivating sound that has resonated with fans worldwide. Though known for creating party anthems, his music also carries emotional depth.
His fame reached success in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria last summer with his track “Friesenjung,” a collaboration with German rapper Ski Aggu, which hit number 1 in those countries. In addition to his music career, Joost is also an accomplished writer. In 2018, he published a small book of poems titled “Albino.” This book was a tribute to his father, who had also written a book.
“Europapa” the Dutch entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2024.
“Europapa” is produced by Teun de Kruif (Tantu Beats), with a special contribution from DJ Paul Elstak, one of the founders of happy hardcore and the man behind the mega-hit “Rainbow in the Sky.” Joost wrote the lyrics himself with the help of his good friends Donnie (Donald Ellerström) and Tim Haars. The song is performed entirely in Dutch.
“Europapa” is a tribute to Joost’s father. Through the song, the artist tells the listener that there are no limits if you want to make your dreams come true and share your story. The melody is a wild mix of melancholy and happiness, delivered with the poetic lyrics and catchy beats that Joost is known for.
Lyrics of «Europapa»
Europe, let’s come together
(Euro-pa-pa, Euro-pa-pa)
It’s now or never
I love you all
(Euro-pa-pa, Euro-pa-pa)
Welkom in Europa
Blijf hier tot ik doodga
Euro-pa-pa, Euro-pa-pa
Welkom in Europa
Blijf hier tot ik doodga
Euro-pa-pa, Euro-pa-pa
Bezoek m’n friends in France
Of neem de benen naar Wenen
Ik wil weg uit Netherlands
Maar m’n paspoort is verdwenen
Heb gelukkig geen visum nodig om bij je te zijn
Dus neem de bus naar Polen of de trein naar Berlijn
Ik heb geen geld voor Paris, dus gebruik m’n fantasie
Heb je een eurootje please? Zeg “merci” en “alsjeblieft”
Ik ben echt alles kwijt, behalve de tijd
Dus ben elke dag op reis want de wereld is van mij
Welkom in Europa
Blijf hier tot ik doodga
Euro-pa-pa, Euro-pa-pa
Welkom in Europa
Blijf hier tot ik doodga
Euro-pa-pa, Euro-pa-pa
Euro-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa
Euro-pa-pa-pa (hey)
Euro-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa
Eu-ro-pa (hey)
Ich bin in Deutschland, aber Ich bin so allein
Io sono in Italia, maar toch doet het pijn
Ben aan het vluchten van mezelf
Roep de hele dag om, “Help”
Ja, ik geef zelfs mensen geld, maar d’r is niemand die me helpt
Ik hoef geen es-car-gots, hoef geen fish ‘n chips
Hoef geen paella, no
Ik weet niet eens echt wat dat is
Zet de radio aan, ik hoor Stromae met “Papaoutai”
Zal niet stoppen tot ze zeggen, “Ja, ja, dat doet-ie goed ey!”
Welkom in Europa
Blijf hier tot ik doodga
Euro-pa-pa, Euro-pa-pa
Welkom in Europa
Blijf hier tot ik doodga
Euro-pa-pa, Euro-pa-pa
Euro-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa
Euro-pa-pa-pa (hey)
Euro-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa
Eu-ro-pa (hey)
Euro-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa…
Welkom in Europa, jongen
(Hey)
Eu-ro-pa
Aan het einde van de dag
Zijn we allemaal mensen
Mijn vader zei me ooit
Het is een wereld zonder grenzen
Ik mis je elke dag
Is wat ik stiekempjes fluister
Zie je nou wel pa
Ik heb naаr je geluiѕterd
Netherlands’s participation in Eurovision
The Netherlands is one of the few countries that have participated in the Eurovision Song Contest since its first edition in 1956, having missed the annual event only four times. Throughout its history in the contest, it has experienced ups and downs, winning the competition five times.
Its first victory was in 1957 with the song “Net als toen” by Corry Brokken. Two years later, in 1959, it won with “Een beetje” by Teddy Scholten. In 1969, the Netherlands won with Lenny Kuhr and “De troubadour,” although they shared the victory with France, Spain, and the United Kingdom. The next Dutch victory came in 1975 with the group Teach-In and “Ding-a-Dong.” Finally, their last win came 44 years later, in 2019 with “Arcade” by Duncan Laurence. On the other side of the scale, the Netherlands has finished with zero points twice: in 1962 with De Spelbrekers and in 1963 with Annie Palmen.
In 2021, following the cancellation of the 2020 edition due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the contest was held in Rotterdam, with Jeangu Macrooy representing the country with “Birth of a New Age.” S10 represented the Netherlands in Turin in 2022, finishing in 11th place in the grand final with 173 points.
After being internally selected, Mia Nicolai and Dion Cooper represented the Netherlands at Eurovision 2023, but were eliminated in the semi-finals, finishing 13th in the first semi-final.