According to Israeli media reports, Kobi Marimi’s entry has undergone some minor changes ahead of rehearsals. “Home” was internally-selected to be Israel’s host entry for Eurovision 2019, following Kobi winning Next Star earlier this year.
According to Israeli news site Srugim, the song has been altered slightly ahead of Kobi’s first rehearsal next week. The site reports that changes made to the backing track include the addition of more instrumentation.
Kobi will be accompanied by five backing singers, all of whom will appear on stage with Kobi. Srugim claims that they will be stationary during the performance, but highlighting using lighting effects. To reflect the aesthetic of the video, we can also expect projections of Kobi on the LED screens.
Who is Kobi Marimi?
27-year-old Kobi Marimi is an Israeli singer and actor. He was born in Ramat Gan, Israel and now resides in Tel Aviv. Prior to winning Next Star, hestudied in the Nissan Nativ acting studio and had worked in both a pub and a cinema.
His entry, Home, was written and composed by Ohad Shragai and Inbar Vaizman. It was selected over 200 submitted entries. Prior to its release, it was described as “a touching ballad that will be perfect for Kobi’s powerful voice.” The song was revealed on March 10 during the live TV Awards in Israel. Speaking about the entry, Kobi said the following:
From first hearing the song really moved me and I connected to it immediately, I thank the committee for picking a song that fits me perfectly, and in a few days everyone will be able to share my emotions.
Kobi speaking about “Home”
Israel at the Eurovision Song Contest
Israel has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 41 times since making its debut in 1973. The country has won the contest four times (1978, 1979, 1998, 2018), and has hosted the contest twice (1979 and 1999).
Since the introduction of the semi-finals in 2004, Israel has failed to reach the final six times. In 2005, Shiri Maimon gave the country its tenth top five result with “HaSheket SheNish’ar”, finishing fourth. Having failed to qualify for the final for four consecutive years (2011–14), Israel reached the final with Nadav Guedj’s “Golden Boy” in 2015. Since Nadav’s ninth place finish, Israel has qualified for every Grand Final.
Last year, Netta brought Israel it’s forth victory, 20 years after its previous win. Her song won the televote and placed 3rd in the jury vote, amassing 529 points. The 2019 edition of the contest will be hosted in Tel Aviv.
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