The Netherlands has announced Claude, a rising talent in the Dutch music scene, as its representative for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 in Basel, Switzerland. The 21-year-old singer-songwriter, known for hits like Ladada (Mon Dernier Mot), Layla, and Écoutez-moi, was selected through an extensive national process conducted by AVROTROS.
“I feel incredibly honored to be representing the Netherlands at the Eurovision Song Contest next year and I still can’t believe it. I’m really looking forward to it and can’t wait to let Europe hear the song,” Claude stated in a press release.
Selection Process
Claude emerged as the choice from 331 song submissions received by AVROTROS. A selection committee, including Eurovision commentator Cornald Maas and singer Jaap Reesema, made the final decision, describing the entry as “a meaningful, connecting, and hit-sensitive song with international appeal.”
Claude’s Eurovision song will be revealed in mid-January 2025.
About Claude
Born Claude Kiambe in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Claude moved to the Netherlands at the age of nine. His family’s early experience in the country included watching Eurovision together, with Austria’s Conchita Wurst as a memorable winner.
Claude’s music career began with his breakthrough single Ladada (Mon Dernier Mot) in 2022, which has accumulated over 57 million streams. The song propelled him to win the 3FM Award for Best Newcomer and Qmusic’s Artist of the Year. In 2024, he released his debut album, Parler Français, and toured across the Netherlands and Belgium.
In addition to Eurovision, Claude is scheduled to perform at the Pinkpop Festival in 2025, solidifying his status as an emerging artist with international reach.
