German newspaper taz revealed today that Eritrean born singer Senait will be their representative in the German final Countdown Grand Prix, which will take place March 7th. There, Senait will perform a song which lyrics are still to be found in an ongoing contest.
Senait was born in Eritrea, 25 years ago. She was seperated from her family in the war between Eritrea and Ethopia. For several years she had to live in a child-soldier's camp. 1987, she could immigrate to Hamburg, Germany, where her father and sisters live. Senait has released two singles so far and has written songs for the well-known German girlgroup No Angels.
“I am German and want to represent my country in Europe” Senait says in a recent taz Interview, mentioning the fact that she now has lived more years in Germany than in Eritrea. Bascha Mika, chief editor of the newspaper taz, which is sending her to the contest, stated that “We are glad to have found an artist in Senait which suits us and represents a modern, liberal Germany.”
At this moment, the lyrics to the song Senait is to sing in the German final are still to be found. taz is asking their readers to submit lyrics to two melodies, which can be heard via phone or the taz Grand Prix Webpage. This contest is running until December 24th, the winner will be chosen through an expert jury.
taz is one of three German newspapers which are sending their own representatives to Countdown Grand Prix. The more conservative FAZ has chosen Tobias Schacht, otherwise known as Der Junge mit der Gitarre ('The Guy with the Guitar'), a young and successful singer/songwriter. Tabloid paper Bild has picked Elmar Brand, a voice imitator, who just has received a platinum record for selling 500.000 copies of his novelty 'Steuersong' (Tax Song), in which he makes fun out of German chancellor Gerd Schröder.
