This Saturday, we will have a chance to watch the last six candidates competing for the three places in the final of Melodi Grand Prix 2024. The running order of the competing acts is as follows:

1. Vidar Villa – “MER”
2. Mistra – “Waltz of Death”
3. Thomas Jenssen – “Take Me to Heaven”
4. Annprincess – “Save Me”
5. MiiA – “Green Lights”
6. KEiiNO – “Damdiggida”

Vidar Villa – “MER”
Lyrics and music: Vidar Mohaugen, Jonas Thomassen, Martin Thomassen and Mathias Nilsen

Vidar Villa took part at MGP 2018, right at the start of his career. He performed in a band which has now played over 500 concerts and been streamed over 200 million times, and as many as 17 of the songs have received a gold or platinum trophy. Some of their songs include “One Night Stand”, “Den Samme Jævla Sangen” and “Fy Faen Så Deilig”. Vidar Villa was also nominated for Spellemann in 2022 in the category “party music”.

His MGP entry is a song about embracing all parts of life – both the good and the bad. The lyrics depicts the desire to get out of the old, trodden rut one can quickly end up in, and to want more – more of everything

MISTRA – “Waltz of Death”
Lyrics and music: Benedicte Adrian and Anders Odden

In the new duo MISTRA, two extremes in the Norwegian music industry collide: pop queen Benedicte Adrian and metal pioneer Anders Odden.

Benedicte Adrian is back in MGP 40 years after the success of Dollie de Luxe. The duo, which consisted of Benedicte and Ingrid Bjørnov, won the competition with “Long live life”. The two followed up the success with the album “Rock vs. Opera” and has composed music for several musicals together. They released their last album as “Adrian/Bjørnov”. As a solo artist, Benedicte has, among other things, sung the role of Queen of the Night in “The Magic Flute” at Den Norske Opera, released the solo album “Desember” and guested on various stages both as a pop artist and a classical singer.

Anders Odden has a long life behind him in black metal. In 1990, his band, Cadaver, debuted with Norway’s first death metal LP “Hallucinating Anxiety”. Since then, Cadaver has released six albums and gained cult status worldwide. Anders has also toured the world as a musician for other bands such as Celtic Frost. He has also collaborated with famous musicians such as Ronni Le Tekrø, Ledfoot, Hank von Hell, Tony Harnell and Satyricon.

Thomas Jenssen – “Take Me To Heaven”
Lyrics and music: Thomas Jenssen, Ricky Hanley, David Fremberg and Jonas Holteberg Jensen

Thomas Jenssen is an artist and songwriter from Levanger in Trøndelag. In recent years, he has studied music at the University of Agder and is now in his final year of a master’s in songwriting. Thomas was a tenor in the Oslo Fagottkor for many years, before he chose to pursue a solo career as an artist. “Take Me To Heaven” is about being captivated by someone and daring to be vulnerable. Dare to be yourself is an important topic, especially in the queer environment. The message in the song is something Thomas is passionate about.

Annprincess – “Save Me”
Lyrics and music: Annprincess Johnson

Annprincess is an artist and songwriter from Lier. She is originally from Liberia and fled to Norway with her mother when she was seven years old. She signed up for Norske Talenter when she was in her teens, and took part in “The Voice” in 2022.

Annprincess made a professional commitment to music in 2019 after studying psychology. In the same year, she released her debut single “Middle of the Night”, which received international attention from, among others, Sky News.

The MGP song “Save Me” is about the loneliness you feel when others point out how different you are. The contribution is also about accepting it, accepting how you are and standing up for yourself.

MIIA – “Green Lights”
Lyrics and music: Benjamin Dan Ravn Fahre, Mia Virik Kristensen, Mugoshi David Nhonzi, Emelie Hollow and  Ida Botten

MIIA released her debut single “Dynasty” in 2015. The song was featured by Billboard and was part of charts such as New Music Friday globally. At the time of writing, it has over 161 million plays on Spotify.

Mia Virik Kristensen is from Kragerø. In 2023, MIIA lifts the veil on a new chapter, a debut EP with painful and strong stories from her life. It is a soundscape that bends through emotions, shaped by experience and passion, and which marks the beginning of a timeless artistic journey, full of authenticity and power.

KEiiNO– “Damdiggida”
Lyrics and music: Alexandra Rotan, Fred Buljo, Tom Hugo Hermansen, Alexander N. Olsson and Jakob Redtzer

Five years have passed after KEiiNO won the hearts of the audience at Eurovision 2019 and after that they have released 28 songs, topped the charts, become radio favourites, won awards and been nominated for Spellemann award. They also competed at MGP 2021 with “Monument” where they ended as runner ups of the show.

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Like last year this year’s edition of Melodi Grand Prix has 4 shows (three semi-finals and a grand final). The three artists with the most votes from each semi-final are advancing to the final. The hosts of the show are Marion Ravn and Fredrik Solvang. The third semi-final is set for this Saturday 27th of January and the Grand Final will take place on 3rd of February. The six qualifiers for the final so far are as follows:

• Ingrid Jasmin – “Eya”
• Margaret Berger – “Oblivion”
• Gothminister – “We Come Alive”
• Super Rob & Erika Norwich – “My AI”
• Gåte – “Ulveham”
• Dag Erik Oksvold & Anne Fagermo – “Judge Tenderly of Me”

Which songs are your favorite to qualify from the third semi-final of MGP 2024? Let us know your impressions in the comments below and at our social media @escbubble.