After one of the largest expansions of a Eurovison selection in recent times with last year's multi-week marathon, Norway have stuck to their guns and pushed Melodi Grand Prix even further in 2021. The third of five competitive heats took place on the 30th of January, and it was a doozy. Some criticized the show for its less competitive songs than the previous couple of weeks, but with a genre pool so diverse as the one Norway has created, many discovered their favorite tracks of the competition during the show. Let's take a look at the four competing songs:
DUEL 1
Dinaye - "Own Yourself"
Far from a stranger to the stage, Dinaye performed as a main artist in MGP after previously competing in MGPjr and dancing alongside Amina Sewali in MGP 2017. Her 2021 entry is a feel-good, self empowerment tune that infuses modern pop with elements of her Ethiopian heritage, including a repeated line in Amharic. Dinaye and her dancers performed in bold red outfits and danced in traditional African styles on a colorful stage that reflects the positive mood of the song. It's impossible to watch Dinaye perform without her infectious confidence lifting your mood and making you want to get up and dance!
Big Daddy Karsten - "Smile"
Self-described as Norway's only gay rapper, Big Daddy Karsten joined the contest with a danceable pick-me-up confessing his affection for the song's subject. The stage performance features plenty of pride-esque elements, including rainbows on every wall and unique individual costumes for the dancers and Karsten himself. Some may be put off by the genre or lyrics in the verses, but there's no denying at the chorus that the song is a banging dance tune that deserves such a celebratory stage.
Winner: Big Daddy Karsten
DUEL 2
EMMY - "Witch Woods"
Another veteran of MGPjr, EMMY quickly became the fan favorite to win the show with her song about enjoying the creepier sides of life, warning a boy about the wild rituals he will be roped into if he pursues her. The themes were certainly reflected in the staging, with fire, dancers clad in black, a brutalist throne and shots of EMMY staring into the camera as lights flash from different angles. Certainly not a performance for everyone, but it's no wonder she won so many people over with a song so different from the competition.
Ole Hartz - "Vi er Norge"
With an instrumental that sounds straight out of How to Train Your Dragon, Ole Hartz tells stories about Norwegian people and embodies his Norwegian pride. The song and performance are full of violins, traditional Norwegian dress, and a positive feeling shining through it all. In an area of the world not well known for overt national pride, the song might easily be dismissed by some of the Norwegian public, but for others it could be a fun, proud moment, and for those of us listening from the outside, we can certainly enjoy the music.
Winner: EMMY
In addition to the four competitors, one of the automatic qualifiers performed as a guest in the second half of the show. "Feel Again" by Kaja Rode is a classic pop song, with a catchy progression and a great vocalist. It wouldn't be a stretch to call it a safe song, but the on-stage light show and Kaja's fantastic delivery of the song certainly speak for themselves and clarify the song's pre-qualified status.
EMMY defeated Big Daddy Karsten in the gold duel, meaning "Witch Woods" qualified to the final. The three losing songs will compete again on the 15th of February, along with the non qualifiers from the other shows, in the revitalized "Last chance" round to attempt to secure the last spot for the final on the 20th. The shows are available to stream live and on demand on the NRK website.