

Jere Pöyhönen (born 21 October 1993), known professionally as Käärijä (Finnish pronunciation: [ kæːrijæ ]), is a Finnish rapper, singer and songwriter. In 2020, he released his debut album Fantastista. He is set to represent Finland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 with the song "Cha Cha Cha".
Biography
Pöyhönen grew up in the Ruskeasanta neighbourhood of Vantaa, Greater Helsinki. He discovered his passion for music while learning to play the drums, and started producing music in 2014. His stage name comes from a joke with his friends about gambling, a recurring theme in his music.
Pöyhönen released his music independently until 2017, when he was signed to the record label Monsp Records. He subsequently released the double single "Koppi tules" / "Nou roblem". The following year, he released an extended play, titled Peliä. In 2020, his debut album Fantastista was released.
On 11 January 2023, Pöyhönen was announced as one of seven participants in Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu 2023, the Finnish national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2023. His entry "Cha Cha Cha" was co-written with Aleksi Nurmi and Johannes Naukkarinen, and was released on 18 January 2023. At the competition, he finished in first place with a total of 539 points (467 points from the televote and 72 points from the juries), thus becoming the Finnish representative for the contest.
Jere Pöyhönen (born 21 October 1993), known professionally as Käärijä (Finnish pronunciation: [ kæːrijæ ]), is a Finnish rapper, singer and songwriter. In 2020, he released his debut album Fantastista. He is set to represent Finland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 with the song "Cha Cha Cha".
Biography
Pöyhönen grew up in the Ruskeasanta neighbourhood of Vantaa, Greater Helsinki. He discovered his passion for music while learning to play the drums, and started producing music in 2014. His stage name comes from a joke with his friends about gambling, a recurring theme in his music.
Pöyhönen released his music independently until 2017, when he was signed to the record label Monsp Records. He subsequently released the double single "Koppi tules" / "Nou roblem". The following year, he released an extended play, titled Peliä. In 2020, his debut album Fantastista was released.
On 11 January 2023, Pöyhönen was announced as one of seven participants in Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu 2023, the Finnish national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2023. His entry "Cha Cha Cha" was co-written with Aleksi Nurmi and Johannes Naukkarinen, and was released on 18 January 2023. At the competition, he finished in first place with a total of 539 points (467 points from the televote and 72 points from the juries), thus becoming the Finnish representative for the contest.
Pöyhönen performed in the first semi-final held on 9 May 2023, placing first with 177 points and therefore qualified for the final. He topped the public vote with 376 points but ultimately finished in second place with 526 points overall to Sweden's entrant Loreen.
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1993 |
October 21, 1993
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Helsinki, Finland
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