TV: We have come halfway through this year’s “Star Wars” season. Tonight it will be competing in hip hop. This task has traditionally offered both comic and impressive moments. Guest judges in tonight’s broadcast are André Hadland and Jørgen Nordeng.
Dagbladet reviews the performances song by song. Pay attention.
1. Alexandra Rotan: «All I Do Is Win» – Khaled ft. T-Pain, Ludacris, Rick Ross and Snoop Dogg
It became clear early in the season that Alexandra was serious about her participation in “Star Wars”. She is a perfect “all-rounder” and she puts just as much soul into all the tasks that are thrown at her. So here too.
Not only does she rap surprisingly well, she also has an attitude that only artists with several years of experience in the genre can point to. Simple and straightforward – it both looks and sounds completely raw. Perhaps less surprising is that she makes the melodic chorus rise to the sky. Fine.
2. Jorun Stiansen: «Get Ur Freak On» – Missy Elliott
Missy Elliot is a lady who has a lot to report and she usually does it hard and mercilessly. In that context, Jorunn has a lot to live up to when she chooses a song of this caliber. Of course, it does not help her that she has had medical challenges with her voice in recent weeks – she becomes somewhat lever and hoarse in her rap, which in turn takes the hood off the groove.
But, it should not be on the effort – had Jorunn had the margins on her side, I’m sure she would have lifted this performance a notch.
3. Marius Roth Christensen: «California Love» – 2Pac ft. Dr. Dre and Roger Troutman
I dare say that Marius went to the first rehearsal this week with a mixture of horror and joy. After tonight’s number, one can assume with equal certainty that it will probably be a long time before hip hop becomes part of the singer’s regular repertoire. Having said all that, there is nothing that is embarrassingly bad about Marius ‘performance, it’s just that when you treat a genre that requires a great deal of authenticity in order to appear credible, there is something mechanical about Marius’ approach to the subject.
It is clear that it is more about getting over the finish line than making it something personal and then the experience will be accordingly.
4. Bjørn Tomren: «Long Time Coming» – A-F-R-O ft. Marco Polo
It’s fun to hear how Bjørn formally only grows into the songs as they progress. This is very much the case here with this not directly simple matter of a hip hop song. But when Bjørn is on stage, you also forget to notice if things are going awry in some places – there is something about the personality and communication that overshadows everything.
And for a spectacle it all was – from the main character to extras and musicians. Brilliant.
5. Heidi Ruud Ellingsen: «(Æ gir mæ nu) Faen» – Tungtvann
Speaking of attitude, this classic hip-hop epic from the cold north does not put two fingers in between when a passport is to be signed. In this way, Heidi has big shoes to fill in terms of energy, something she is obviously aware of. She chooses a different approach here that almost pulls further towards rock than hip hop. She half-singers and puts notes in the phrases that are guaranteed to be a dissenter among the ihuga.
In this book, it works just fine, but I miss it fist.
Carina Dahl: «The Monster» – Eminem ft. Rihanna
Carina has not made it easy for herself. In addition to delivering Rihanna choruses, she will also rap as Eminem. There are not a few syllables to go out of the gap during this song. Some of them are swallowed on inhalation and exhalation, but no more than you can tolerate. The slightly hoarse voice also works in the context here – especially in the melodic parts.
Carina is not the most technical artist in this couple, but she wins by thinking total package. Here she has spent time on both choreography and performance.
Group assignment:
Group 1 Marius, Bjørn and Carina: «Dschinghis Khan» – Dschinghis Khan
If you had used an eraser on the story and sent this trio to “Eurovision” next year with this number, I am 100% sure that Norway would have been at the top of the generous scoreboard when the last points were awarded. What’s not to like here? Super captivating, explosive, exotic and just right fit – they tick all the “Eurovision” boxes.
Seriously – someone has to write a song for this trio and send them to Italy.
Group 2 Alexandra, Heidi and Jorun: «Dancing Lasha Tumbai» – Verka Serduchka
They are not completely lost behind a wagon, Group 2 either. They approach the work with undisguised enthusiasm and energy in buckets and buckets. So much so that it tends to over-ignite. Here, too, it is visual, strange and fun – as it should be when you do it in a “Eurovsion” way. If one is to distinguish between the two elements, the first group probably had significantly more X-factor.
But you big – it was fun, this too – if you have low shoulders on the musical.
The case is being updated.
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