Dansk Melodi Grand Prix is known for featuring new names on the Danish forefront, and this year, Saba has taken the crown to represent Denmark with “Sand”. An energetic pop song detailing a deteriorating relationship, Saba secured the win thanks to winning the jury vote against two other songs in the superfinal, hoping to be the first Danish entry to qualify to the final since 2019.
What’s impressive is that it’s Saba’s first foray into music, after working in entrepreneurship, modeling, and theater. In addition, she is open about her life and her struggles, which is shown in the documentary My Insane Twin. Together, they paint a picture of a woman going for great things, wherever they may be.
EurovisionFam.com is honored to have Saba answer a few questions, and to hear about her experience with being adopted, the many realms she’s delved into, and why she considers it important for her to represent Denmark at Eurovision!
–What were your first memories of Eurovision? What were some of your favorite songs?
“I remember that Eurovision was always something we gathered around at home. I don’t recall anything specific. So, my earliest memories of Eurovision are the time spent with family – that it was something we did together.”
–If you could duet with any artist, who would it be and why?
“The Weeknd. He also has Ethiopian roots like me, and I like his music, and I think we would complement each other well on stage :-)”
–What motivated you to send a song to the Dansk Melodi Grand Prix?
“For me, the starting point was that I wanted to represent Denmark as the first brown, queer female singer at Eurovision. I saw it as an opportunity to change a statistic and bring further diversity into the music festival. Additionally, I am driven by challenging myself creatively, and after my debut as a singer in the musical “Hair,” I wanted to take music to a greater extent.”
–What was the songwriting process like?
“I wasn’t part of the songwriting process, but it’s clear that the song was tailored to me as a vocalist, fitting both my personality and my abilities as a singer and performer.”
–You and your sister have been adopted at eight months old; how does that impact the themes of your work?
“Being adopted is many things. But for me, part of it is growing up with a feeling of being different. I think that has made me more open. Coming from a place that is significantly different from where I grew up has taught me about differences and given me a special insight into different worlds. And I use that a lot in my work – an openness to the idea that all things are possible. Also, an openness to all types of people. So, with my upbringing, there comes a great openness, and inclusivity.”
–You’ve worked many careers so far–how do you switch your creative muscles between modeling, theater, and music?
“I’m good at tapping into what I do. I’m adaptable and used to tackling challenges because it drives me. And I enjoy telling stories, which I do in different ways, as a photographer, model, or now as a singer.”
–Where do you see yourself in ten years?
“I have no idea. I seize the opportunities and chances that life gives me. But I do hope to
continue expressing myself creatively and to still be able to use my voice and music.”
–Who are your musical influences?
“I’m inspired by many – I listen to many genres. So no, there isn’t one specifically. I think Beyoncé is a fantastic performer, and I’m currently listening a lot to Labrinth. Actually, I listen a lot to many brown artists who bring culture into their music. But overall, I have a very broad taste in music with pop, R’n’B, and rock.”
–If you could have your songs featured in any movie, which one would it be and why?
“It would have to be a sci-fi or fantasy movies. Like “Dune” or “Avatar.” I think it’s fun to make music for a different universe. I enjoy contributing to creative and adventurous universes.”
–If you could be cast in any musical, which one would it be and why?
“Dreamgirls.” I know all the music and love it.”
–What should we expect from your staging?
“Much of what we did in Denmark, which we think worked really well.
But we will of course optimize in various areas, using the opportunities that the big stage brings. Still, it will be simple, powerful and only me on stage.”
–What does it mean for you to represent Denmark at Eurovision?
“Winning the Danish Melodi Grand Prix is a huge victory, not only for me personally but also for the people who feel mirrored in me and share my story. I believe I can bring something new to the music competition with what I represent. But of
course, there’s also a great responsibility that comes with it, which I am very aware of.
I want to make everyone proud and do my very best as an ambassador for Denmark.”
–You have gained the attention of the international crowd, even with people who couldn’t traditionally vote in the Contest. How does it feel to know that your music is reaching corners of the world outside of the Eurovision crowd?
“I think it’s pretty wild. And really cool. We just had to get through the Danish Melodi Grand Prix, but now I’m starting to feel interest from many places around the world. It’s amazing how music has no boundaries. Music is a language we all speak, and that’s why it’s great that others, who traditionally aren’t part of the competition, are listening.”
–If you could perform in any country outside of Europe and Australia, where would you go and why?
“Good question. I am actually not a big traveller. But both South America and Asia are places it would be cool to travel to. Maybe Japan would be my first choice.”
–EurovisionFam.com is a website focused on fans from non-participating countries. What would you like to say to them?
“Thank you for giving so much love to this format and following along. Thank you for
supporting us. It’s so nice to feel the love from the Eurovision outside Europe. 🙂
Saba will be performing seventh in the second semifinal on 9 May. You can find her on Instagram.