Hello, this is Herluis Rafael Alvarado Lopez and this is my first article for ESC Covers and I want talk about the next possible host nation, Ukrainian,  entry for Eurovision 2017.

I’m from Venezuela and since 2002 I’ve been following Eurovision and in 2003 i watched the first ever debut of Ukraine with their singer Oleksandr Ponomariov. Then the following year I watched the first ever Ukraine victory in Eurovision 2004 in Istanbul with their popular singer Ruslana and since then I have been addicted to Ukrainian music as well.

Since 2009, I have been following the Ukrainian Eurovision National Pre-selections and I discovered artists and music of that country who I had never heard. And then I discovered the music market who they share with the Russians artists and with others singers from the former Soviet Union.

After much research, knowledge and listening to a lot of Ukrainian music, I have come to the conclusion that one of these 10 artists should represent Ukraine in Eurovision as a worthy host entry! They have the potential to bring the first back-to-back victory for this country like Ireland did in the 90’s:

1º – Max Barskih: This Guy is amazing! After many Ukrainian females singers in Eurovision, this guy should be my ideal artist to defend the title next. Max had a very interesting repertoire of songs and he participated a few times in the Ukrainian NF in 2010 and in 2012 (lost to Gaitana) and since them he has become increasingly popular in Ukraine! If he is chosen for Eurovision 2017 I hope that his entry could be a song like this.

2º – The Hardkiss: This band is very popular in Ukraine and already they got the second place in the Ukrainian NF 2016 and just lost out to our eventual Eurovision winner Jamala. They could be an excellent choice for the host country.

3º – Kazaky: I have been rooting for this band to be in Eurovision since 2011. They love dance with dance with heels and are famous for being one of the few LGBT bands visible in the former Soviet Union. They could give a great show on stage.

4º – Vera Brezhneva: I have been following her career since her Via Gra (Nu Virgos) times and she is very, very beautiful woman with a very sensual voice! She is a well recognized singer in Ukraine and Russia under her producer Konstantin Meladze and she has many good songs.

5º – Alekssev: He is a newcomer in the Ukrainian music scene and quickly he has become popular! He had good songs like Pyanoye Solntse and Snov Oskolki. He could be a good choice for Ukraine in Eurovision 2017.

6º – NeAngely: This band has tried several times to go to Eurovision but with no luck. Maybe 2017 will be their year?

7º – NikitA: They are a very sensual band led by the former Playboy model, Dasha Astafieva. They became popular due to their erotic videos and ‘slut’ pop songs (which is common with these type of songs in Ukraine and Russia) and in 2011 this band become recognized due to their video – Vereki, which it is parodied by the act of them walking naked in a store. They could win many points in the televoting with a sexy act like this.

8º – Vremya & Steklo (Time & Glass): This band became popular with their song Imya 505 which was become a huge hit across Ukraine and ex- USSR countries and they got several awards this year at the Ukrainian Music Awards. They have another catchy song like Pesnya 404 and they could do well in Eurovision.

9º – Aida Nikolaychuk: She is well known in Ukraine due to the fact that she is X-factor 2013 winner. Also, she took part at the Ukrainian NF 2016 with a good song – Inner Power, which unfortunately didn’t pass the first round. I would give her a chance!

10º – Zlata Ognevich: Probably from all the former Ukrainian participants in Eurovision, she is the most likely to return in the ESC just to defend the yellow-blue colours from her home nation. Zlata is an awesome artist and she could return and win Eurovision if it proposes. She already has enough experience to do a strong comeback and win again the whole thing!

Will Ukraine will be able to repeat the back-to-back victory of Ireland like in the 90’s in our modern times? Only time will tell!