The Dutch entry for 2020 is about growing up and realizing that there is no such thing as a clear cut path to happiness. But it’s also about accepting the fact that life is a series of highs and lows, which ultimately makes us grow.

In the autobiographical song Grow, Jeangu opens his heart and mind up to the world around him. The song is his personal story about getting older and his quest to find himself.

As he himself says, "the more I learn, the less I know." It affirms that there is no instruction manual for life; by being open about the good and bad moments, you arrive closer to who you really are. Grow was written by Jeangu himself, with all instruments and arrangements by Perquisite & Jeangu. Joe Roberts directed the video.

About his entry, the singer says: “Emotions, good and bad, are a universal language. I hope this song makes people feel a little less lonely in their search for happiness. I think that openness and honesty about how we really feel will ultimately bring us closer. I believe in the power music has to bring people together. It’s the reason I do what I do."

The Netherlands' Eurovision 2020 representative Jeangu Macrooy Anton Corbijn

Together with his creative team, made up of Hans Pannecoucke (director), Marco Driessen (lighting) and Perquisite (creative supervisor), Jeangu Macrooy will be working with AVROTROS to perfect his performance. On Saturday 16 May, Jeangu will perform Grow during the Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest in Rotterdam.

What do you think about Jeangu Macrooy's Grow? Let us know in the comments!

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Posted 10 January 2020 at 14:40 CET

Jeangu Macrooy to represent the Netherlands in Rotterdam

The Netherlands' Eurovision 2020 representative Jeangu Macrooy AVROTROS

The Dutch selection committee confirmed today that Jeangu Macrooy will represent the Netherlands at the Eurovision Song Contest 2020!

According to the managing director of Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS and member of the selection committee Eric van Stade, Jeangu has been on the radar for quite some time. “The song he delivered touched us right away. We are very happy that Jeangu wants to go on this journey with us!”

Jeangu is equally as delighted with the news: “I am indescribably honoured! It’s a dream come true and the most beautiful thing that has come my way so far. My team and I are excited to make the Netherlands proud! Let’s go!”

AVROTROS

About Jeangu Macrooy

Jeangu Macrooy was born in 1993 in Paramaribo, Suriname. The seeds to Jeangu’s journey were planted when he received a guitar as a 13th birthday present from his parents. Together with his twin brother Xillan, a musical duo was formed.

Jeangu’s musical ambition turned out to be bigger than the music scene in his native Suriname, leading to his move to the Netherlands in 2014. There he met producer and composer Perquisite who signed him to his label, Unexpected Records. From that moment, Jeangu’s career in the Dutch music industry was on the fast track. He has since played several big Dutch festivals, is a recurring guest in TV shows and has been nominated twice for an Edison Award, the Dutch equivalent to the American Grammy Awards.

Jeangu's entry will be released at a later date.

The Netherlands in the Eurovision Song Contest

The Netherlands won the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time in 1957 and won again in 1959, setting an early record of 2 victories in their first 4 years of participation. After a record-setting 1950s, the next decade didn’t bring much success to the Dutch entries until Lenny Kuhr finished as 1 of the 4 winners of the 1969 Eurovision Song Contest. De Troubadour was a folk-inspired ballad about the impact the music has on the audiences in the Middle Ages.

In 1975, after ABBA’s win, dutch group Teach-In won the Eurovision Song Contest with their up-tempo song Ding-A-Dong. After this, it took 44 years for the Netherlands to reach another victory. It was Duncan Laurence who brought home the trophy from Tel Aviv, Israel last year. He received 492 points for his winning song Arcade.

What do you think of the Netherland's selection for Rotterdam? Let us know in the comments!