"Europapa" was selected to represent the Netherlands in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 and subsequently became Klein's first song to top both the Dutch Top 40 and Single Top 100. Having qualified from the semi-final, he was scheduled to perform fifth in the final, but was disqualified from the competition amidst 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]
Early life
Joost Klein was born on 10 November 1997 in Leeuwarden, Netherlands,[6][7] and grew up in the nearby village of Britsum. In 2008, he started a YouTube channel under the name EenhoornJoost (lit.'UnicornJoost'). He did not complete the curriculum at his secondary school.[6] At the age of twelve, he lost his father to cancer.[8] A year later, in 2011, his mother died of cardiac arrest.[8] Following the death of his parents, Klein was looked after by his older brother and sister.[9]
Career
2016–2022: First releases
While active as a YouTuber, Klein published videos ranging from sketches to mini-documentaries.[6] In 2016, he released his debut extended playDakloos (transl. 'Homeless'), after which he began focusing on a career in music. "Bitches" was his first music video that would reach a million views on YouTube.[10] He was briefly signed to TopNotch in 2017 and 2018, but eventually decided to set up his own record label, Albino Sports.[11]
On 20 October 2017, Klein released the mixtapeScandinavian Boy, followed by the singles "Meeuw" (transl. 'Seagull') and "Ome Robert" (transl. 'Uncle Robert') in 2018. On 3 August 2018, Klein released the studio album M van Marketing [nl] together with Dutch rapper Donnie. To promote the album, the duo organised a one-time concert titled Viraal in Carré in the Carré theatre in Amsterdam.[12]
Klein wrote a small book of poems titled Albino, 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 the Het gaat niet zo goed (transl. 'It is not going too well') concert tour in 2019, during which he visited venues such as Paard, De Oosterpoort [nl], Doornroosje [nl] and Paradiso.[14] He concluded the tour in Paradiso on 3 March 2019. The following summer, Klein performed at major Benelux festivals such as Pukkelpop, Pinkpop, Lowlands, and Zwarte Cross.
Klein performing in 2019
On 15 November 2019, Klein released the album 1983 [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 album Joost Klein 7, which consists of seven songs, including a collaboration with Canadian rapper bbno$. On 7 August of the same year, he released the single "Ik wil je" (transl. 'I want you'), a remix of the eponymous song by the Belgian band De Kreuners.[16]
In March 2022, Klein collaborated with Russian musician Ruslan Tushentsov [ru], releasing "Jackass", a song in which Klein sings about his love for Russian women.[17] In February 2023, he released a song with Saint Petersburg-based group the Village Boys.[17] According to a statement released by Klein's management, "Jackass" was recorded prior to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the collaboration with the 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, titled Fryslân after his home province of Friesland. 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 Dutch ska band Doe Maar and Crazy Frog. In "Florida 2009", Klein reflects on the death of his parents. He premiered the song at the 2022 edition of Pinkpop.[19]
2023–present: Eurovision Song Contest and disqualification
In 2023, Klein scored his first hit in Germany with the single "Friesenjung", a collaboration with German rapper Ski Aggu and an adaptation of a song by East Frisian comedian Otto Waalkes. The song reached first place on the German Single Top 100.[20] That same year, Klein expressed his interest in representing the Netherlands in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 in Malmö, Sweden. A petition was launched by the NPO 3FM radio programme VoorAan of PowNed in an attempt to realise this goal.[21] On 11 December 2023, Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS 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, the European 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 the Swedish 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, the Swedish 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 single "Luchtballon",[31] "The Bird Song",[32] and "Fußball (World Cup 1998)",[33] followed by a collaboration with Käärijä titled "Trafik!" on 12 July.[34] He additionally performed at various festivals across Europe between June and August 2024.[35]
Discography
Studio albums
List of studio albums, with selected chart positions and details
^"In de spotlight: Joost Klein" [In the spotlight: Joost Klein]. Teenmag (in Dutch). 26 February 2021. Archived from the original on 21 August 2023. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
^ ab"Goud/Platina/Diamant" (in Dutch). NVPI. Archived from the original on 11 April 2024. Retrieved 6 September 2024. Note: Enter Joost in the "Artiest of titel" box.
"Ome Robert", "Wachtmuziek", "Friesenjung" and "Droom groot": "2024 21-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. 24 May 2024. Archived from the original on 24 May 2024. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
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