His song “Espresso Macchiato” has stirred up and divided public opinion in Italy. At one point, he was even threatened with disqualification from the competition. Yet, with satirical lyrics and an irresistibly catchy tune, Tommy Cash has taken over social media. Even Damiano David, the beloved frontman of Måneskin, sang the song on TikTok. Meanwhile, Tommy has kept the public entertained with his PR stunts ahead of the competition. Next week, this Eurovision sensation will kick off the summer and festival season with a show to remember!
From the Eurovision stage in Basel, Tommy Cash is heading straight to the Main Stage at Sea Star! “Espresso Macchiato” has divided Italian audiences – while some adore Cash, others find his song controversial. The lyrics reference uniquely Italian cultural symbols like coffee, traditional dishes, luxury living, and even the mafia, all sung in broken Italian, and they’ve triggered strong reactions across Italian society. Codacons, Italy’s consumer advocacy group, even asked the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) for his disqualification from the competition, claiming the lyrics insult Italian culture by reducing it to stereotypes and clichés. In response, Cash issued a public apology. According to The Guardian, he submitted the song only after his grandmother was moved to tears upon hearing it, emphasizing how much he loves Italy, especially “the food, architecture, design, and coffee.”
The controversy hasn’t died down yet, with even politicians getting involved. According to the BBC, Gian Marco Centinaio, Vice President of the Italian Senate and one of the harshest critics of the song, stated: “Those who insult Italy should stay out of Eurovision.” Still, Tommy Cash managed to turn it all to his advantage. Beyond PR stunts like handing out coffee on the streets of Milan and humorous self-deprecating videos where Italians arrest him or the country’s celebs sip coffee with him, his song has become a staple in cafes across Italy. Influencers, musicians, and celebrities continue to share reaction videos and parodies, fueling the song’s popularity. Even Italy’s darling and Måneskin frontman Damiano David couldn’t resist joining in – he seems to like the song!
Alongside legions of fans, Tommy also enjoys the support of Eurovision favorites Joost Klein and Käärijä. Clearly, controversy is nothing new for this Estonian artist. Earlier this year, he joined forces with Joost Klein to release “United by Music” a track steeped in their signature provocative style, which drew intense reactions across music and Eurovision circles. Finnish rapper and Eurovision fan favorite Käärijä, who rose to fame with his 2023 Eurovision hit “Cha Cha Cha,” has also openly backed Tommy – even wearing T-shirts emblazoned with “VOTE FOR TOMMY”.
Tommy Cash is no stranger to provocation, even dubbing himself the Estonian “Kanye East.” Before “Espresso Macchiato” he released “Untz Untz” a song with a techno-inspired beat and lyrics in “broken German.” His twisted humor, social satire, and parody of modern trends, mixed with a distinct artistic style and thought-provoking visuals, have gradually won over audiences and fellow artists alike. Cash has collaborated with global stars like Charli XCX, Diplo, Salvatore Ganacci, and many others.
Aside from Tommy Cash, this year’s Sea Star Festival, running from May 22 to 25, will feature Lost Frequencies, Indira Paganotto, I Hate Models, Patrick Mason, Paolo Ferrara, Miach, Voyage, Senidah, Grše, 30zona, Peki, Baks, Špiro & Tej, Micka Lifa, MihaMih & Diinzo, Thicc Boi, Marko Louis, Lanna, Inner Sense, and many more!
