Gina G
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More than you think
Over the last few decades, the Eurovision Song Contest bore many incredible stars and music idols. The music competition starred numerous singers from different genres, like Jazz, Folk, Opera and Rock and contributed unforgettable hits from those who won – and those who didn’t.
Australian superstar Gina G is one of the few people who had great success with their music, despite losing the contest in 1996. But what makes her the unforgettable personality she is? And where is the Australian megastar today?
One-Hit Wonder Gina G
Gina G began her rampant career in 1987 as a DJ in Melbourne. She was also featured as a vocalist with the dance act Bass Culture, which had a top 20 hit in the Australian charts with “Live the Life“. In 1993, Gina left the band to pursue a solo career in the UK.
Being drawn to the musical style of catchy dance rhythms and funky melodies, Gina G represented the UK with the quirky song “Ooh Aah… Just a Little Bit” at the 1996 Eurovision Song Contest in Oslo. Despite the high odds of her winning, she came 8th in the competition.
To everyone’s surprise, the single reached the very top position in the British Charts at the end of May 1996 and sold almost one million copies in the UK alone. In November 1996, the track also entered the US Billboard charts, a rarity for a Eurovision entry.
With that colossal success overnight being the backbone of her career, she recorded her second single, “I Belong to You“. Gina G, therefore, entered the British music league, becoming the first artist to debut in the Top 10 with a track from a Eurovision contest, followed immediately by another one.
Her album “Fresh!” made a debut showing her wild dance-pop bias and was released in March 1997. It also included other fantastic singles, like “Gimme Some Love” and “Every Time I Fall“.
The single “Ti Amo” pulls away from Gina G’s previous, fast-paced Eurodance-like songs and contains a far more suggestive and slower tempo, which gives it the distinctive Flamenco touch.
In 1998 “Ooh Aah… Just a Little Bit” was nominated for a Grammy in the “Best Dance Recording” category.
The mix of electro bangers, hum-along melodies and quirky lines made the Australian superstar famous overnight. Setting herself apart from other musicians of her time, Gina G and her songs were the preeminent music of the golden 90s.
Sadly, as fast as the fame came, it went away. One-Hit Wonder Gina G disappeared in 1998 from the stages after drug abuse scandals went public.
The Millennial Comeback
After a lengthy legal battle with her former manager, Gina G returned to the studio in 2000 to record new material. She worked with Swedish producers Lagoona, with whom she recorded a cover version of the Nancy Sinatra classic “These Boots Are Made for Walking“.
To give her career the kick it needed, Australian superstar Gina G went back to the Eurovision and took part in the preliminary round. But sadly, she could not prevail against other competitors such as Katie Price or Javine.
In 2011 Gina G surprised fans with a new single, called “Next 2 You”, featuring Hip-Hop and Rap DJ Vigilante. The song still incorporates her early, funky, pop music style but shows off with new modern electronic dance elements.
Even though Eurovision was the spark to the flame of her career, One-Hit Wonder Gina G flourished over the years and gifted fans worldwide with genuine and great hits. The world of dance-pop will certainly never forget her quirky yet harmonious “Ooh Aah… Just a Little Bit“.
So there you go did you learn anything new about Gina G, not just a little bit?
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