Latvian Eurovision 2022 artists Citi Zēni have recreated the performance of “I Wanna”.
Ahead of their appearance in tonight’s semi-final, Latvia’s Citi Zēni have released a recreation of Marie N’s 2002 winning performance. The group have also been releasing several covers of this year’s competing entries, including Austria’s “Halo” and The Netherlands’ “De Diepte”.
Latvia will perform in 2nd position in the first semi-final this evening.
Who are Citi Zēni?
Citi Zēni are a pop band consisting of Jānis Pētersons (vocals), Dagnis Roziņš (vocals and saxophone), Reinis Višķeris (keyboards), Krišjānis Ozols (guitar), Roberts Memmēns (bass) and Toms Kagainis (drums). The group was formed in March 2020 at a songwriting camp in Riga.
Source: Citi Zeni | Image source: EBU / Nathan Reinds
Latvia debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2000, being the last of the Baltic nations to join the contest. On their debut, Brainstorm finished in 3rd place with the song “My Star”. Latvia won the contest for the first and only time in 2002, with Marie N’s “I Wanna”. Latvia only participated in 2002 thanks to the withdrawal of Portugal from the contest, as Latvia’s poor result in 2001 had relegated them from the 2002 contest. Latvia struggled in the contest after 2002, failing to qualify for the final for six years between 2009 and 2014, they last made a final in 2016 with Justs and “Heartbeat”.
