"Europapa" was selected to represent theNetherlands in theEurovision Song Contest 2024 and subsequently became Klein's first song to top both the Dutch Top 40 andSingle Top 100. Having qualified in second place from the second semi-final, he was scheduled to perform fifth in the final, but was disqualified from the competition due to allegations of misconduct.[4] The allegations were investigated by Swedish prosecutors, who dropped the case in August 2024 after concluding that they could not prove any criminal conduct.[5]
On 20 October 2017, Klein released themixtapeScandinavian Boy, followed by the singles "Meeuw" (transl. 'Seagull') and "Ome Robert" (transl. 'Uncle Robert') in 2018. On 3 August 2018, Klein released the studio albumM van Marketing [nl] together with Dutch rapperDonnie. To promote the album, the duo organised a one-time concert titledViraal in Carré in theCarré theatre inAmsterdam.[12]
Klein wrote a small book ofpoems titledAlbino, which was published on 14 November 2018. Klein has mentioned that he wrote the book because of his father, who had also written a book and encouraged him to do the same.[13] To promote his studio album of the same title, Klein organised theHet gaat niet zo goed (transl. 'It is not going too well')concert tour in 2019, during which he visited venues such asPaard,De Oosterpoort [nl],Doornroosje [nl] andParadiso.[14] He concluded the tour in Paradiso on 3 March 2019. The following summer, Klein performed at majorBenelux festivals such asPukkelpop,Pinkpop,Lowlands, andZwarte Cross.
Klein performing in 2019
On 15 November 2019, Klein released the album1983 [nl], the title of which refers to the birth year of Klein's older brother.[15] Klein collaborated with music producers Mick Spek, Kauwboy and Tantu Beats on the album. On 24 April 2020, Klein released the albumJoost Klein 7, which consists of seven songs, including a collaboration with Canadian rapperbbno$. On 7 August of the same year, he released the single "Ik wil je" (transl. 'I want you'), aremix of the eponymous song by the Belgian bandDe Kreuners.[16]
In March 2022, Klein collaborated with Russian musicianRuslan Tushentsov [ru], releasing "Jackass", a song in which Klein sings about his love for Russian women.[17] In February 2023, he released a song withSaint Petersburg-based group the Russian Village Boys.[17] According to a statement released by Klein's management, "Jackass" was recorded prior to theRussian invasion of Ukraine, and the collaboration with the Russian Village Boys was done after the group had left their homeland following the invasion, noting that "it has absolutely no bearing on what terrible things are still happening there, and is not pro-Russian".[18]
Klein released his eighth studio album on 13 September 2022, titledFryslân after his home province ofFriesland. The album features the singles "Florida 2009", "Wachtmuziek" and "Papa en mama", and was fully produced by producer Tantu Beats. Various samples can be heard on the album, such as samples of the Dutchska bandDoe Maar andCrazy Frog. In "Florida 2009", Klein reflects on the death of his parents. He premiered the song at the 2022 edition ofPinkpop.[19]
In 2023, Klein scored his first hit in Germany with the single "Friesenjung", a collaboration with German rapperSki Aggu and an adaptation of a song byEast Frisian comedianOtto Waalkes. The song reached first place on theGerman Single Top 100.[20] That same year, Klein expressed his interest inrepresenting the Netherlands in theEurovision Song Contest 2024 inMalmö, Sweden. A petition was launched by theNPO 3FM radio programmeVoorAan ofPowNed in an attempt to realise this goal.[21] On 11 December 2023, Dutch broadcasterAVROTROS announced that Klein had been selected as the Dutch representative for the contest.[22] His entry, titled "Europapa", was released on 29 February 2024.[23]
Klein (centre) and two dancers during the second semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2024
Klein performed in the second semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2024, held on 9 May, and having qualified, was scheduled to perform in position 5 in the final, on 11 May. However, Klein was barred from further rehearsals due to an "incident". On 11 May, the day of the final, theEuropean Broadcasting Union (EBU) announced that Klein had been disqualified from the final.[24] According to AVROTROS, Klein was recorded by a female camera operator against his will immediately following his semi-final performance. AVROTROS claims that she continued to film "against clearly made agreements".[25] The camera operator alleges that Klein had reacted to the recording by making a "threatening move" towards her holding a camera.[26][24] The details of the altercation are unclear, but theSwedish police said it would be investigating whether criminal threats were made, not whether an assault occurred.[4] Klein denied any wrongdoing through his lawyer.[27] The EBU clarified in a statement that its decision to disqualify Klein "did not involve any other performer or delegation member".[28] AVROTROS later stated that the disqualification was "very heavy and disproportionate".[29] On 12 August, theSwedish Prosecution Authority announced that the case against Klein was closed because it could not be proven that the act "was capable of causing serious fear or that[he] had any such intention".[30]
In June 2024, Klein released the singles "Luchtballon",[31] "The Bird Song",[32] and "Fußball (World Cup 1998)",[33] followed by a collaboration withKäärijä titled "Trafik!" on 12 July.[34] He additionally performed at various festivals across Europe between June and August 2024.[35] During his slot at the 2024 edition of Pinkpop on 22 June, Klein discussed his Eurovision experience throughout the show, and ended his performance by saying "Why the fuck not, 2025", leading to speculation that he was considering entering Eurovision again in2025.[36] The following day, Klein added "Eurovision 2025" to his biography line onInstagram andTikTok, fueling further speculation.[37][38] After deciding to participate, AVROTROS offered Klein the opportunity to represent the Netherlands in Eurovision 2025; however, despite having already written a new song for possible participation, he ultimately declined.[39]
In 2025, Klein released 'Why Not???', which contains lyrics that reference the incident in Malmö. He opens the song with the lyrics 'Once there was a boy, and he had a dream / But then, one day, his dream was taken away'. He also released a YouTube exclusive song titled 'funny onion song' which samples an interview he had prior to Eurovision. On February 21, Klein released his ninth albumUnity. The album features the pre-released singles "Europapa", "Friesenjung", "Luchtballon", "Filthy Dog" and "Why Not???". Another case of EBU-critical lyrics on the new album after the Malmö incident is the song "United by Music" which features the lyric 'F*ck the EBU, I don't want to go to court'.
^"In de spotlight: Joost Klein" [In the spotlight: Joost Klein].Teenmag (in Dutch). 26 February 2021.Archived from the original on 21 August 2023. Retrieved21 August 2023.
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