Tommy Cash and his song “Espresso Macchiato” clinched the top spot at Eesti Laul on the night of February 15 and will go on to represent Estonia at the Eurovision Song Contest in Switzerland in May. Cash won an overwhelming majority of the vote – 83 percent – beating 15 other hopefuls. The winner was determined by both a public vote and an international jury. Tommy Cash, 33, whose real name is Tomas Tammemets, is a rapper, singer, dancer, producer, and visual artist known for his often provocative, comedic, or tongue-in-cheek songs, lyrics, and videos.
“I want first place (at Eurovision). I’m going after it. But there are still three months to go, and we will start working on it,” he told a press conference after his victory.
“Estonia is definitely going to be one of the most discussed Eurovision countries and stage acts this year thanks to Eesti Laul winner Tommy Cash,” long-serving producer Mart Normet said. He added that Estonia is, in effect, already a Eurovision winner, as Cash merely taking part will raise the country’s profile.
According to Estonian journalist Ülle Toode, who is head of the Italian Estonian Society (Itaalia Eesti Selts), Tommy Cash’s hit “Espresso Macchia-to,” has caused quite a stir in Italy. Discussion about Cash’s song has been in the Italian news almost every day since he won Eesti Laul. There was a very serious controversy on state television RAI, during which a very well-known TV star accused our Tommy of somehow insulting the Italians,” Toode said on the ETV morning show “Terevi-sioon.” According to Toode, Italians may also be surprised by the way Cash drank an espresso macchiato during his performance on stage.
“The language he speaks (in the song) is not Italian. It is often said that he is speaking poor Italian, but it is in fact the language of Brooklyn and New York, which is largely used by Italians who have emigrated to America. It’s worth thinking about the context and his image here,” Toode said.
