As the Eurovision Song Festival approaches, all eyes are on Claude, who is set to perform in the semi-final on May 13, 2025. The young artist has made waves since the release of his first single, "Ladada (Mon dernier mot)," which has turned him into an international sensation.
Released in October 2024, "Ladada" has amassed over 60 million streams on Spotify, reaching the top of the charts and earning Claude multiple accolades, including the 3FM Award for Best Newcomer and the Qmusic Artist of the Year award. His rapid rise to fame is supported by Cloud 9 Music, the label that discovered him during a talent show in 2022.
Leander Maas, Senior Talent & Development Manager at Cloud 9 Music, recalls the moment Claude impressed everyone during his audition. "He enchanted the entire room," Maas said. Claude went on to work with producers Arno Krabman and Joren van der Voort, and together they created the hit song "Ladada." Initially, they had attempted a ballad, but the label felt an upbeat track would be a better debut. "When we heard 'Ladada,' everyone jumped on the table; it was incredibly good," Maas added.
Claude's success led to his selection as the Netherlands' representative for the Eurovision Song Festival 2025, announced by AVROTROS in late 2024. His new song, "C’est la vie," was unveiled on February 27, 2025, and has since garnered nearly 10 million streams on Spotify and over 3.5 million views on the Eurovision Song Contest YouTube channel.
As the competition looms, expectations are high. "C’est la vie" currently sits in fifth place among bookmakers, a promising position as the event draws near. Mattijs van Welzenis, Head of Recordings at Cloud 9 Music, expressed pride in Claude's achievements, noting that the excitement around his participation has been building since "Ladada" gained international traction.
Claude had his first rehearsal in Basel on May 4, 2025, where he was joined by two dancers and three violinists. Footage from the rehearsal shows Claude actively engaging with the audience, dancing, and singing, which has drawn mixed reviews. Some critics noted that while his energy is infectious, it sometimes affects his vocal clarity. "He is clearly overenthusiastic, which can lead to him overshadowing himself," said Lara Zevenberg, a Eurovision reporter.
Despite the critiques, Claude remains optimistic. "I just came off the stage and I have to say, it was fantastic!" he shared on social media. "It's always special to step onto the Eurovision stage, and I can't wait for the semi-finals." His enthusiasm is palpable, and he acknowledges the nerves that come with performing in front of a large audience.
However, the road to Eurovision has not been without its challenges. Just a day before the official release of "C’est la vie," the song was leaked on social media platform X, amassing 600,000 views in the 46 hours it was online. Van Welzenis reflected on the stress caused by the leak, stating, "It took a significant bite out of our streaming numbers. We tried to contact the platform to remove it, but their response was minimal. It was a bitter pill to swallow, especially for Claude, who had been waiting for his moment to shine. Ultimately, we decided to focus on the positive reception of the official release instead of pursuing the leak further. As Claude says, 'C’est la vie.'"
Looking ahead, Maas and Van Welzenis are both excited about the future. They have already begun planning for what comes after Eurovision, depending on the song's performance. "If the song does well, we could be jumping on a plane for international promotion," Maas noted. "Claude is also working on new music set for release in the fall." The team is eager to capitalize on any momentum that may arise from the festival.
As the first semi-final approaches, the anticipation builds. The final will take place on May 17, 2025, and the pressure is on for Claude to deliver a standout performance. The team is hopeful that his personality will shine through during interviews and performances, helping him connect with audiences across Europe.
With the Eurovision stage as his platform, Claude aims to showcase not just his musical talents but also the hard work that has brought him to this point. The journey has been a dream not just for Claude but for his entire team at Cloud 9 Music, who have worked tirelessly alongside him for the past three years.
As the countdown to the Eurovision Song Festival continues, fans and industry insiders alike are looking forward to seeing how Claude will perform on one of the world's biggest musical stages. Will he rise to the occasion and secure a spot in the final? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: Claude's journey is just beginning, and the future holds endless possibilities for this rising star.
