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Daily Mail
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Estonia's Tommy Cash sparks outrage for 'offensive' lyrics in Eurovision entry after calls for him to be disqualified
Estonian rapper Tommy Cash has ignited fresh controversy with his Eurovision 2025 entry, Espresso Macchiato. Many Italians have criticised it for perpetuating offensive stereotypes about their culture - including ones about coffee, the Mafia and smoking. The song, performed in a mix of English and mock Italian, includes lyrics such as 'Ciao bella, I'm Tomaso, addicted to tobacco. Mi like mi coffee very importante,' and 'Mi money numeroso, I work around the clocko. That's why I'm sweating like a mafioso.' While some viewers found the song humorous and satirical, others believed it crossed the line into offensive territory. Taking to X they expressed their upset writing: 'Estonia is just bad and not in a funny way lol' 'I'm with the Italians. That was downright offensive from Estonia #Eurovision' Many Italians have criticised it for perpetuating offensive stereotypes about their culture - including ones about coffee, the Mafia and smoking 'Estonia there with the biggest crime against music I have ever had the displeasure of hearing. Pretty insulting to Italians there too. That's not music, that's just s***e. #Eurovision' 'Estonia - absolutely terrible #Eurovision' 'What in the racism was that? #Eurovision' Before Saturday nights show Gian Marco Centinaio, Vice President of the Italian Senate, condemned the song. He fumed: 'We cannot allow a song that reinforces negative stereotypes about our country to compete in such a major international event. 'He [Tommy Cash] should come to Italy and see how decent people really work before daring to write such a stupid and stereotypical song.' Despite the backlash, Tommy Cash has defended his song and noted that many Italians have approached him positively, saying: 'Everyone coming to me is like 'I'm from Italy, you're a legend there and we're so happy to have your song'. He added: 'The thing is, coffee is for the world. Everyone can drink coffee. Americans, Europeans, and this brings us together.' In stark contrast, viewers were left very impressed with UK's girl group Remember Monday with their grand finale performance on Saturday night. The country pop band, made up of Lauren Byrne, Holly-Anne Hull and Charlotte Steele, all 30, represented the UK with their song What The Hell Just Happened? While some viewers found the song humorous and satirical, others believed it crossed the line into offensive territory and took to X to vent their anger Viewers were left convinced the group would win the competition as they praised their 'unbelievable vocals'. While some fans are worried the UK won't get enough points, they insisted Remember Monday's song will be a hit regardless of the result. The UK last finished triumphant in the contest 27 years ago with the victory of Katrina and the Waves in 1997, with their track Love Shine A Light. Remember Monday first gained prominence after appearing on The Voice UK in 2019 and have also had careers in theatre. Despite their high-energy routine, it appeared the odds were not in their favour as they were more likely to finish in last place than first, according to Ladbrokes.
The Irish Sun
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Estonia's Tommy Cash slammed for ‘offensive' lyrics in Eurovision song after calls for him to be disqualified
ESTONIA'S Tommy Cash sparked uproar this evening as he once again performed his track Espresso Macchiato. The song has been branded offensive by viewers as it references a number of Italian stereotypes and expressions - including ones about coffee, the Mafia and smoking . Advertisement 2 Estonian singer Tommy Cash performed Espresso Macchiato Credit: AFP 2 The track has sparked debate Credit: Reuters Those watching at the One person commented: 'I'm with the Italians . That was downright offensive from Estonia.' Another wrote: 'Arguably one of the most offensive things if your are Italian but brilliant by While a third added: 'Estonia song could definitely be described as racist and I'm not even Italian.' Advertisement Read More on Eurovision Earlier in the week the vice president of the Italian Senate, Gian Marco Centinaio, expressed upset about the song, He said: 'He [Tommy Cash] should come to Tommy has been more optimistic about the reception and after rehearsals this week, he said: 'Everyone coming to me is like 'I'm from Italy , you're a legend there and we're so happy to have your song,'' He commented that if Sabrina Carpenter was allowed to sing espresso then so could he. Advertisement Most read in News TV Exclusive Exclusive 'She should be singing about Big Gulps,' he said. 'The thing is, coffee is for the world. Everyone can drink coffee. Americans, Europeans, and this brings us together.'
The Sun
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Estonia's Tommy Cash slammed for ‘offensive' lyrics in Eurovision song after calls for him to be disqualified
ESTONIA'S Tommy Cash sparked uproar this evening as he once again performed his track Espresso Macchiato. The song has been branded offensive by viewers as it references a number of Italian stereotypes and expressions - including ones about coffee, the Mafia and smoking. 2 2 Those watching at the Eurovision song contest at home were not impressed and took to X to complain about it. One person commented: 'I'm with the Italians . That was downright offensive from Estonia.' Another wrote: 'Arguably one of the most offensive things if your are Italian but brilliant by #Estonia espresso Machiatto!!' While a third added: 'Estonia song could definitely be described as racist and I'm not even Italian.' Earlier in the week the vice president of the Italian Senate, Gian Marco Centinaio, expressed upset about the song, He said: 'He [Tommy Cash] should come to Italy and see how decent people really work before daring to write such a stupid and stereotypical song.' Tommy has been more optimistic about the reception and after rehearsals this week, he said: 'Everyone coming to me is like 'I'm from Italy, you're a legend there and we're so happy to have your song,'' He commented that if Sabrina Carpenter was allowed to sing espresso then so could he. 'She should be singing about Big Gulps,' he said. 'The thing is, coffee is for the world. Everyone can drink coffee. Americans, Europeans, and this brings us together.'
Scottish Sun
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Estonia's Tommy Cash slammed for ‘offensive' lyrics in Eurovision song after calls for him to be disqualified
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ESTONIA'S Tommy Cash sparked uproar this evening as he once again performed his track Espresso Macchiato. The song has been branded offensive by viewers as it references a number of Italian stereotypes and expressions - including ones about coffee, the Mafia and smoking. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 2 Estonian singer Tommy Cash performed Espresso Macchiato Credit: AFP 2 The track has sparked debate Credit: Reuters Those watching at the Eurovision song contest at home were not impressed and took to X to complain about it. One person commented: 'I'm with the Italians . That was downright offensive from Estonia.' Another wrote: 'Arguably one of the most offensive things if your are Italian but brilliant by #Estonia espresso Machiatto!!' While a third added: 'Estonia song could definitely be described as racist and I'm not even Italian.' Earlier in the week the vice president of the Italian Senate, Gian Marco Centinaio, expressed upset about the song, He said: 'He [Tommy Cash] should come to Italy and see how decent people really work before daring to write such a stupid and stereotypical song.' Tommy has been more optimistic about the reception and after rehearsals this week, he said: 'Everyone coming to me is like 'I'm from Italy, you're a legend there and we're so happy to have your song,'' He commented that if Sabrina Carpenter was allowed to sing espresso then so could he. 'She should be singing about Big Gulps,' he said. 'The thing is, coffee is for the world. Everyone can drink coffee. Americans, Europeans, and this brings us together.'
New York Times
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Estonia's entry, ‘Espresso Macchiato,' brewed trouble in Italy.
When Tommy Cash, a rapper and singer from Estonia, won his country's Eurovision selection with 'Espresso Macchiato,' he barely had time to celebrate before a backlash began. In the song, Cash sings in a cheesy Italian accent that he is 'sweating like a Mafioso' from working so hard, and just wants a coffee. 'Me like mi coffee,' he says: 'Very importante.' Cash's riff on Italian clichés did not go down well in some parts of Italy. Gian Marco Centinaio, a lawmaker with Italy's far-right League Party, posted on Instagram that Eurovision should ban the song. 'Is this the idea of European brotherhood that the organizers of the Eurovision Song Contest have in mind?' he wrote. The flap also made headlines because Codacons, an Italian consumer rights organization, complained that the song 'conveys a message of a population tied to organized crime.' In a recent interview, Cash said that he found the reaction over the top. He hadn't meant to insult Italians, he said: 'I love Italy. I love the people. I'm drawn to them because they're so passionate.' In earlier songs, he rapped in English with his own heavy Eastern European accent, he said, and he also made a track with a German-accented chorus. His comedic Italian voice in 'Espresso Macchiato' was no different than those, he said. Cash — who has made several tracks with Charli XCX — has many fans in Europe who love his left-field vibe and provocative videos, but he's never been close to a household name. But in Italy, at least, he is now a star. Cash said that he had performed on Italian TV many times since 'Espresso Macchiato' blew up. On a recent trip to Milan, he added, fans chased him down the street. He had a simple message for anyone who still felt insulted. 'Drink a coffee,' he said: 'Chill!'
