Finland: Listen to the second song of UMK 2023!

The finnish broadcaster YLE has released the second song competing in UMK 2023, the finnish national final for Eurovision 2023.

The song is titled “Hoida mut” by Benjamin and you can listen to it below:

The official Eurovision site presents Benjamin as follows:

The bold, charismatic Benjamin was born for Eurovision. Making a name for himself through social media in 2012, Benjamin has an extraordinary career tale to tell. Benjamin’s international music career was launched in 2014, when his English-language debut single Underdogs climbed to the top of the single and radio charts in, for example, Spain.

In 2018, Benjamin changed his singing language to Finnish, and his debut single Naarmuja shot straight to the top of the Finnish single chart. Looking back on Benjamin’s Instagram celebrity in his younger days, his debut album Someveteraani was released in 2020.

Benjamin tells of his long search for himself as an artist, eventually figuring out that the best version is, after all, just being himself. Everything culminated in the song GAY, which is based on Finnish pop icon Maija Vilkkumaa’s classic song Ei. GAY became the Pride anthem for the summer of 2022. Last autumn Benjamin demonstrated his ambition and creativity by winning the Finnish Dancing With The Stars competition.

For Benjamin, who grew up with Eurovision, Hoida Mut is an important song, as it deals with an important moment in one’s life and also bends conventional notions regarding gender. A man doesn’t always have to be the alpha – even a big, strong man can sing about surrendering to someone.

The UMK jury had the following to say about Benjamin and his song: 

“Fast-riser Benjamin’s UMK song entry Hoida Mut brings an explosive energy, a contemporary sound that draws from 80s pop, not to mention a truly hit-making chorus. The production brings to mind the driving 80s-style beat used by Ava Max, The Weeknd and Dua Lipa in recent years. The song has a hot and sexy feel from start to finish, and we’re really looking forward to seeing how Benjamin, with his charisma and stunning dance moves, will bring it to life in the music video and stage performance.”

We remind you that the competing artists/songs of UMK 2023 are being revealed in different dates in the following order:

• Thu, 12 January Keira – No Business On The Dancefloor
• Fri, 13 January Benjamin – Hoida mut
• Mon, 16 January Robin Packalen – Girls Like You
• Tue, 17 January Lxandra – Something To Lose
• Wed, 18 January Käärijä – Cha Cha Cha
• Thu, 19 January KUUMAA – Ylivoimainen
• Fri, 20 January Portion Boys – Samaa taivasta katsotaan

The UMK grand final will take place on Saturday, 25 February, 20:00 CET and will be broadcast on Yle TV1, Yle Areena and Yle radio channels.

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all news regarding UMK and the finnish representative for Eurovision 2023!