Käärijä

Jere Mikael Pöyhönen ([ˈjere ˈmikɑel ˈpøy̯hønen]; born 21 October 1993), known professionally as Käärijä (Finnish: [ˈkæːrijæ]), is a Finnish rapper, singer and songwriter. He represented Finland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 with the song "Cha Cha Cha", placing second with 526 points and finishing first in the public vote with 376. His entry topped the charts in Finland, Sweden, Latvia and Lithuania and reached the top ten in thirteen other countries, becoming the first song in Finnish to reach the top ten of the UK Singles Chart.

Infobox

Born

Jere Mikael Pöyhönen (1993-10-21) 21 October 1993 (age 32)Helsinki, Finland

Origin

Vantaa, Finland

Genres

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Occupations

Rapper singer songwriter

Years active

2016–present

Labels

Monsp Warner Music Finland

Tables

· Discography › Studio albums

FIN

Title

FIN

Fantastista

Title

Fantastista

Details

Released: 7 February 2020 Label: Warner Music Finland, Monsp Formats: CD, LP, digital download, streaming

Peak chart positions

People's Champion

Title

People's Champion

Details

Released: 1 November 2024 Label: Warner Music Finland Formats: CD, LP, digital download, streaming

Peak chart positions

Title	Details	Peak chart positions
Title	Details	FIN
Fantastista	Released: 7 February 2020 Label: Warner Music Finland, Monsp Formats: CD, LP, digital download, streaming	4
People's Champion	Released: 1 November 2024 Label: Warner Music Finland Formats: CD, LP, digital download, streaming	2

· Discography › Extended plays

FIN

Title

FIN

Peliä

Title

Peliä

Details

Released: 27 July 2018 Label: Warner Music Finland, Monsp Formats: Digital download, streaming

Peak chart positions

Cha Cha Cha Mixtape

Title

Cha Cha Cha Mixtape

Details

Released: 12 May 2023 Label: Warner Music Finland, Monsp Formats: Digital download, streaming, CD, LP

Peak chart positions

Title	Details	Peak chart positions
Title	Details	FIN
Peliä	Released: 27 July 2018 Label: Warner Music Finland, Monsp Formats: Digital download, streaming	22
Cha Cha Cha Mixtape	Released: 12 May 2023 Label: Warner Music Finland, Monsp Formats: Digital download, streaming, CD, LP	2

· Discography › Singles

Title	Year	Peak chart positions									Album or EP
Title	Year	FIN	IRE	ICE	LTU	NLD	NOR	SWE	UK	WW	Album or EP
"Heila"(featuring Urho Ghettonen)	2016	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	Non-album singles
"Urheilujätkä"(featuring Jeskiedes)		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"Puun takaa"		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"Tuuliviiri"	2017	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"Ajoa"		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"Koppi tules"		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"Nou Roblem"		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"Klo23"	2018	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	Peliä
"Puuta heinää"		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	Peliä
"Viulunkieli"		30	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	Fantastista
"Rock Rock"	2019	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"Hirttää kiinni"		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"Mic mac"		44	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"Paidaton riehuja"	2020	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	Non-album singles
"Menestynyt yksilö"	2021	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"Siitä viis"	2021	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"Välikuolema"	2022	19	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	Cha Cha Cha Mixtape
"Cha Cha Cha"	2023	1	7	2	1	13	3	1	6	27	Cha Cha Cha Mixtape
"It's Crazy, It's Party"(featuring Tommy Cash)		4	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	People's Champion
"Huhhahhei"		5	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"Ruoska"(with Erika Vikman)	2024	1	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"Kot Kot"		8	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"Trafik!"(with Joost Klein)		5	—	—	60	84	—	—	—	—	Non-album single
"Sex = Money"		15	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	People's Champion
"Autiomaa"		23	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	People's Champion
"San Francisco Boy"(with Hooja)	2025	8	—	—	—	—	—	5	—	—	Non-album single
"Kaistaa"(with Bess)		4	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	Ultravioletti
"#Eurodab"(with Baby Lasagna)		7	—	—	92	—	—	93	—	—	Non-album single
"Raveyard"(with Lord of the Lost)		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	Opvs Noir Vol. 2
"Yhtä en saa"		42	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	Vain elämää kausi 16
"Moottoritie on kuuma"		24	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"Hyväuskoinen"		29	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"Aamuun asti"		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"Vantaalainen"		6	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"Menoo (Get On)"		49	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"Disko Balls"		17	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	Non-album single
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

· Awards and nominations

2023

MTV Europe Music Awards

Role(s)

Best Nordic Act

Notes

Himself

2024

Berlin Music Video Awards

Role(s)

Best Trashy

Notes

It s Crazy It s Party (feat. Tommy Cash)

Year	Ceremony	Category	Work	Result
2023	MTV Europe Music Awards	Best Nordic Act	Himself	Won
2024	Berlin Music Video Awards	Best Trashy	It s Crazy It s Party (feat. Tommy Cash)	Nominated

· External links

Preceded byThe Rasmuswith "Jezebel"

Awards and achievements

Preceded byThe Rasmuswith "Jezebel"

Awards and achievements

Finland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2023

Awards and achievements

Succeeded byWindows95manwith "No Rules!"

Awards and achievements
Preceded byThe Rasmuswith "Jezebel"	Finland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2023	Succeeded byWindows95manwith "No Rules!"

References

Jere Pöyhönen career statistics at EliteProspects.com
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=152405&lang=en
Yle
https://yle.fi/aihe/a/20-10004050
Wiwibloggs
https://wiwibloggs.com/2023/01/17/cha-cha-cha-kaarija-releases-his-umk-2023-song-in-finland/274723/
www.officialcharts.com
https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/eurovision-official-chart-record-loreen-kaeaerijae-mae-muller-and-alessandra-reach-uk-top-10-simultaneously__39322/
Kaleva
https://www.kaleva.fi/kaarija-on-ihan-tavallinen-jere-ja-aidin-poika-eur/5517495
Vantaan Sanomat
https://www.vantaansanomat.fi/paikalliset/5928120
""Koko ajan kehitytään, muttei unohdeta miksi tätä musaa tehdään" – Haastattelussa Käärijä, joka ei halua vakavoitua liikaa"
https://www.rumba.fi/uutiset/koko-ajan-kehitytaan-muttei-unohdeta-miksi-tata-musaa-tehdaan-haastattelussa-kaarija-joka-ei-halua-vakavoitua-liikaa/
Eurovoix
https://eurovoix.com/2023/04/10/finland-interview-kaarija/
Vantaan Sanomat
https://www.vantaansanomat.fi/paikalliset/4668196
Warner Music Finland
https://warnermusic.fi/2020/02/17/tavallinen-arjen-mies-kaarija-julkaisi-fantastisen-debyyttialbuminsa/
Eurovoix
https://eurovoix.com/2023/01/11/uuden-musiikin-kilpailu-2023-participants/
Yle
https://yle.fi/aihe/a/20-10004045
Eurovoix
https://eurovoix.com/2023/02/25/%f0%9f%87%ab%f0%9f%87%ae-finland-kaarija-to-eurovision-2023/
Yle
https://yle.fi/a/74-20031698
Yle News
https://yle.fi/a/74-20030203
ESCXTRA.com
https://escxtra.com/2023/05/04/finland-will-use-the-game-fortnite-to-promote-kaarijas-cha-cha-cha/
Observatorial.com
https://observatorial.com/news/entertainment/358425/finlands-wise-representative-kaarija-got-into-the-fortnite-game-used-by-millions-of-players/
www.mtvema.com
https://www.mtvema.com/articles/i7qluh/the-2023-mtv-ema-nominations-are-here
www.mtvema.com
https://www.mtvema.com/articles/zc81dv/mtv-recognizes-artists-with-2023-mtv-ema-awards
Eurovision News | Music | Fun
https://eurovisionfun.com/en/2024/05/eurovision-2024-kaarija-will-appear-during-the-second-semi-final/
Eurovoix
https://eurovoix.com/2024/05/08/eurovision-2024-kaarija-revealed-as-semi-final-two-interval-act/
guernseypress.com
https://guernseypress.com/news/uk-news/2024/05/11/former-eurovision-contestant-kaarija-to-step-down-as-finlands-jury-spokesperson/
ESC Insight - Home of the Unofficial Eurovision Song Contest Podcast
https://escinsight.com/2023/05/01/kaarijas-journey-illness-unemployment-eurovision-legend/
Yle Uutiset
https://yle.fi/a/74-20018264
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsuHmuwD4Dg&feature=youtu.be
Ilta-Sanomat
https://www.is.fi/viihde/art-2000009418920.html
Iltalehti
https://www.iltalehti.fi/viihdeuutiset/a/d024e8aa-9e5a-475f-baa0-280e0a4bf5a7
MTV Uutiset
https://www.mtvuutiset.fi/artikkeli/huomasitko-kaarijaa-erehdyttavan-paljon-muistuttava-salaperainen-haarija-vilahti-suorassa-lahetyksessa-kesken-seitseman-uutisten/8692872#gs.xpc0la
POLITICO
https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2023/05/20/tricky-politics-of-eurovision-during-war-00097885
"Jere Pöyhönen - Stats & Facts - Elite Prospects"
https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/152405/jere-poyhonen
Musiikkituottajat
https://www.ifpi.fi/lista/artistit/k%C3%A4%C3%A4rij%C3%A4/
Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/album/4AvgPb37Z7XSRNEZk6MsCs
Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/album/1tCNYS0XPcGlPvKhncQd6o
Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/album/1YqKcnYYnA2Yoa1qJexI3u
Apple Music
https://music.apple.com/us/album/cha-cha-cha-mixtape-ep/1685284655
"Suomen virallinen lista – Artistit: Käärijä, Joost"
https://ifpi.fi/lista/artistit/K%C3%A4%C3%A4rij%C3%A4%2C+Joost/
"Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50"
https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/irish-singles-chart/20230519/ie7501
"Tónlistinn – Lög"
https://archive.today/20230520213300/http://plotutidindi.is/tonlistinn/
"2023 20-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)"
https://www.agata.lt/lt/naujienos/s20-2/
dutchcharts.nl
https://dutchcharts.nl/search.asp?search=K%E4%E4rij%E4&cat=s
"Singel 2023 uke 20"
https://topplista.no/charts/singles/2023-w20/
"Veckolista Singlar, vecka 20"
https://www.sverigetopplistan.se/chart/41?dspy=2023&dspp=20
"Kaarija | full Official Chart History"
https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/64745/kaarija/
Billboard
https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-global-200/2023-05-27/
"Veckolista Singlar, vecka 22, 2025"
https://www.sverigetopplistan.se/chart/41/?dspy=2025&dspp=22
Distorted Sound Mag
https://distortedsoundmag.com/lord-of-the-lost-release-new-music-video-for-raveyard/