Who is KAJ and why can they give Sweden its 8ᵉ Eurovision win?
Sweden loves Eurovision. Too much? That's debatable. One thing's for sure, they're so talented that they've won the title 7 times. And this year, with KAJ, Sweden has chosen to do things... a little differently, in stark contrast to their rather serious songs, which some might criticise for being a little too formatted. This year, Sweden has decided to send KAJ, a Finnish-Swedish trio known for their blend of comedy, nostalgia and Nordic folk-pop, to Eurovision 2025 with a viral anthem about the benefits of the sauna: " Bara Bada Bastu" .
Who's KAJ?
KAJ is spelt in capitals, for the acronym of the names of their three members: Kevin Holmström, Axel Åhman and Jakob Norrgård. All three grew up in the Swedish-speaking region of Ostrobothnia in Finland. Axel and Jakob first met playing football in Vörå and quickly became close friends. Kevin joined the trio a little later, when he met Axel at a motocross event in Röuka.
They formed KAJ in 2009. At first it was sketches and humorous songs at local school events, but this "» hobby quickly turned into a music career. Their first hit was released in the summer of 2014 with " Jåo nåo e ja jåo YOLO ja nåo" .
KAJ, a Finnish UFO at Eurovision
KAJ's musical style veers between different genres - from folk and disco ballads to K-pop parodies - while retaining a strong narrative, a theatrical touch and a distinctive sense of humour. Their songs may seem light-hearted or absurd at first, but they often hide social reflections or deep emotions behind their wordplay.
Singing in Swedish (often in their own dialect), KAJ have played a pioneering role in showcasing Finnish-Swedish culture through music. Their lyrics are joyful and nostalgic, peppered with references to local customs and fuelled by a genuine affection for the Nordic way of life. Whether poking fun at regional pride, celebrating the simple pleasures of rye bread or poetically describing the steam of the sauna, their music always exudes authenticity.
Why does KAJ mark a historic turning point for Sweden?
Bara Bada Bastu is a celebration of Nordic sauna culture, written by Melodifestivalen regulars, including Anderz Wrethov, who has written no fewer than 44 songs for Melodifestivalen and has "taken part" in Eurovision 6 times, including once for". Too Late For Love » from John Lundvik (Eurovision 2019, 5th place) and "Fuego" de Eleni Foureira (Eurovision 2018, Cyprus, 2nd place). Since its release, Bara Bada Bastu has topped the Spotify charts in Sweden and Finland, and even topped the Global Viral 50.
But make no mistake. Behind the fun song, there's a Revolution! With Bara Bada BastuKAJ is the first Finnish group to represent Sweden at Eurovision. It's also the first song with lyrics in Swedish sent by Sweden to Eurovision since 1998. A revolution, we tell you!
KAJ: the big favourites for Eurovision 2025
For several weeks now, KAJ has been one of the favourites for Eurovision 2025. Their song has won them over well beyond the Nordic borders. Despite their absence from the pre-party in Amsterdam at the beginning of April, the audience sang along happily to the sound of Bara Bada Bastu when the DJ played their song. There's something going on with these three and it's reflected in the bookmakers' odds. The trio have been leading the predictions for several weeks now, with more than 20 % odds of victory.
So, whether it's a viral craze or a bold concept, what if they win the title?
KAJ's performance at Melodifestivalen 2025
Artist details KAJ
Sweden at Eurovision
Sweden
ESC Ranking History
Avg: 8.7| Year | Artist / Song | Pts | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 |
Felicia
« My System » |
51 | 20 |
| 2025 |
KAJ
« Bara bada bastu » |
321 | 4 |
| 2024 |
Marcus & Martinus
« Unforgettable » |
174 | 9 |
| 2023 |
Loreen
« Tattoo » |
583 | 1 🏆 |
| 2022 |
Cornelia Jakobs
« Hold Me Closer » |
438 | 4 |
| 2021 |
Tusse
« Voices » |
109 | 14 |
| (2020) |
The Mamas
« Move » |
- | - |
| 2019 |
John Lundvik
« Too Late for Love » |
334 | 5 |
| 2018 |
Benjamin Ingrosso
« Dance You Off » |
274 | 7 |
| 2017 |
Robin Bengtsson
« I Can't Go On » |
344 | 5 |
| 2016 |
Frans
« If I Were Sorry » |
261 | 5 |
