Joost Klein

2016–2022: First releases

While active as a YouTuber, Klein published videos ranging from sketches to mini-documentaries.^[14] As of 2026, his channel has 711,654 subscribers. In 2016, he released his debut EP Dakloos (transl. 'Homeless'), after which he began focusing on a career in music. "Bitches", produced by Mick Spek was his first music video that would reach a million views on YouTube.^[18] He was briefly signed to TopNotch in 2017 and 2018, but eventually decided to set up his own record label, Albino Sports.^[19]

On 20 October 2017, Klein released the mixtape Scandinavian Boy, followed by the singles "Meeuw" (transl. 'Seagull') and "Ome Robert" (transl. 'Uncle Robert') in 2018. On 3 August 2018, Klein released the studio album M van Marketing [nl] together with Dutch rapper Donnie. To promote the album, the duo organised a one-time concert titled Viraal in Carré in the Carré theatre in Amsterdam.^[20]

Klein wrote a small book of poems titled Albino, which was published on 14 November 2018. Klein has mentioned that he wrote the book because of his father, who had also written a book and encouraged him to do the same.^[21] To promote his studio album of the same title, Klein organised the Het gaat niet zo goed (transl. 'It is not going too well') concert tour in 2019, during which he visited venues such as Paard, De Oosterpoort [nl], Doornroosje [nl] and Paradiso.^[22] He concluded the tour in Paradiso on 3 March 2019. The following summer, Klein performed at major Benelux festivals such as Pukkelpop, Pinkpop, Lowlands, and Zwarte Cross.

On 15 November 2019, Klein released the album 1983 [nl], the title of which refers to the birth year of Klein's older brother.^[23] Klein collaborated with music producers Mick Spek, Kauwboy and Tantu Beats on the album. On 24 April 2020, Klein released the album Joost Klein 7, which consists of seven songs, including a collaboration with Canadian rapper bbno$. On 7 August of the same year, he released the single "Ik wil je" (transl. 'I want you'), a remix of the eponymous song by the Belgian band De Kreuners.^[24] In 2021 he created a song with StuBru named "Fok De Blok". "Fok De Blok" is a rebellious and energetic anthem about breaking free from control, rejecting authority, and staying true to yourself.

In March 2022, Klein collaborated with Russian musician CMH [ru], releasing "Jackass", a song in which Klein sings about his love for Russian women.^[25] In February 2023, he released "Normalje Bass" with Saint Petersburg-based group Russian Village Boys.^[25] According to a statement released by Klein's management, "Jackass" was recorded prior to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the collaboration with the Russian Village Boys was done after the group had left their homeland following the invasion, noting that "it has absolutely no bearing on what terrible things are still happening there, and is not pro-Russian".^[26]

Klein released his eighth studio album on 13 September 2022, titled Fryslân after his home province of Friesland. The album features the singles "Florida 2009", "Wachtmuziek" and "Papa en mama", and was fully produced by producer Tantu Beats. Various samples can be heard on the album, such as samples of the Dutch ska band Doe Maar and Crazy Frog. In "Florida 2009", Klein reflects on the death of his parents. He premiered the song at the 2022 edition of Pinkpop.^[27] "Droom Groot" was also released as a single in August the following year, following the release of single "Bruder + Schwester" with Dutch DJ gladde paling, with whom he had also collaborated with on Fryslân.

2023–present: Eurovision Song Contest and subsequent work

In 2023, Klein scored his first hit in Germany with the single "Friesenjung", a collaboration with German rapper Ski Aggu and an adaptation of a song by Otto Waalkes, a German comedian from East Frisia. The song reached first place on the German Single Top 100.^[28] That same year, Klein expressed his interest in representing the Netherlands in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 in Malmö, Sweden. A petition was launched by the NPO 3FM radio programme VoorAan of PowNed in an attempt to realise this goal.^[29] On 11 December 2023, Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS announced that Klein had been selected as the Dutch representative for the contest.^[30] His entry, titled "Europapa", was released on 29 February 2024.^[31]

Klein performed in the second semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2024, held on 9 May, and having qualified, was scheduled to perform in position 5 in the final, on 11 May. However, Klein was barred from further rehearsals due to an "incident". On 11 May, the day of the final, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) announced that Klein had been disqualified from the final.^[32] According to AVROTROS, Klein was recorded by a female camera operator against his will immediately following his semi-final performance. AVROTROS claims that she continued to film "against clearly made agreements".^[33] The camera operator alleges that Klein had reacted to the recording by making a "threatening move" towards her holding a camera.^[34][32] The details of the altercation are unclear, but the Swedish police said it would be investigating whether criminal threats were made, not whether an assault occurred.^[3] Klein denied any wrongdoing through his lawyer.^[35] The EBU clarified in a statement that its decision to disqualify Klein "did not involve any other performer or delegation member".^[36] AVROTROS later stated that the disqualification was "very heavy and disproportionate".^[37] On 12 August, the Swedish Prosecution Authority announced that the case against Klein was closed because it could not be proven that the act "was capable of causing serious fear or that [he] had any such intention".^[38] The prosecutor also stated: “The investigation has come to the conclusion that the man made a movement that hit the woman's film camera”.^[38]

In June 2024, Klein released the singles "Luchtballon",^[39] "The Bird Song",^[40] and "Fußball (World Cup 1998)",^[41] followed by a collaboration with Käärijä titled "Trafik!" on 12 July.^[42] He additionally performed at various festivals across Europe between June and August 2024.^[43] During his slot at the 2024 edition of Pinkpop on 22 June, Klein discussed his Eurovision experience throughout the show, and ended his performance by saying "Why the fuck not, 2025", leading to speculation that he was considering entering Eurovision again in 2025.^[44] The following day, Klein added "Eurovision 2025" to his biography line on Instagram and TikTok, fueling further speculation.^[45][46] After deciding to participate, AVROTROS offered Klein the opportunity to represent the Netherlands in Eurovision 2025; however, despite having already written a new song for possible participation, he ultimately declined.^[47]