Kraljevi Ulice, the Zagreb street musicians who will represent Croatia at this year's Eurovision Song Contest in Belgrade, have told the Serbian tabloid Blic that they secretly want to win the contest.
Band members Miran Veljković Had�iand Zlatko Petrović Pajo have said that they don't need extra security, however accept that the organisers of the contest want to stay on the safe side.
They have said that although their song has been played extensively on Serbian radio their tips haven't increased, however the most important thing for them is the fact that they have become national heroes in Croatia in the last couple of months.
"We are gradually becoming tired, because there is so much we want to do. We have come to Belgrade to relax! In the last two months we have recorded a Russian version of our song Romanca, for which we got lots of praise from Russia, we recorded the video clip for the song as well as two remixes and a change of the arrangement. We have worked so hard for the contest, and, like all the contestants, we would like to win, however we'll have a great time regardless of the result."
"Our secret wish is to win", says seventy-five year old rapper Laci, aka 50 Cents, who will perform with them. "Our song is quite retro, somewhere between sentimental ballads and Russian romance, and, realistically speaking, it all depends on whether that style, which differs from the other songs, will appeal to the public."
"If we make it to the final, we've got a good chance of a high placing", says Pajo, and adds that he and Had�i are very happy that Laci, who has been involved with music all his life, will play a main role in their song. "Laci, whohas played all sorts of music, from classical to jazz, has found his feet very well in the role of a rapper", explains Pajo. He adds that his wife is from Belgrade and hopes that members of her family will vote for them!
Kraljevi Ulice will change their image for the contest."We are hedonistic types, and the most important things for us are eating and drinking! We are not the type of blokes who wear suits! However Varteks have done a great job, and I am satisfied when I look in the mirror, although I hardly recognise myself!"
The Croatian Eurovision representatives will play on the streets of Belgrade, however they don't want to reveal exactly where. They will also throw a party on the 15th of May for friends and the other contestants, with Croatian ham and red wine, but they are having difficulty deciding which Serbian whitewine to choose!
Had�i likes Serbian representative Jelena Tomašević's song, saying it "has melody and soul, something there isn't much of at Eurovision" but Pajo's thoughts are slightly different: "The song Oro is beautiful,but it's not like Molitva, which I liked a lot last year. There is a lot of ethno in Jelena's song, but in my opinion it is not in the style of Eurovision. However I am sure it will be a great success on themarket."
Kraljevi Ulice, runners-up in Dora 2006 and 2007, will take part in the second semi-final on 22nd May in Belgrade.
