Agnete Saba
Agnete Kristin Johnsen Saba, also known as Agnete Saba, Agnete Johnsen or simply Agnete, is a Sami-Norwegian singer and songwriter. Saba is best known for being the lead singer of the Norwegian teen punk band the BlackSheeps. She represented Norway in the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 as a solo artist with the song "Icebreaker".
Life and career
Early life and career
Saba was born as Agnete Kristin Johnsen on 4 July 1994 in Varangerbotn in Nesseby Municipality in Finnmark county, Norway. She is an ethnic Sami and the daughter of Sami children's author Signe Iversen. In 2020, she changed her surname to include her grandmother's maiden name Saba.The BlackSheeps were formed in 2008 while its members were attending school in their hometown of Nesseby. They later won Melodi Grand Prix Junior 2008 with their song "Oro jaska, beana" which was performed in both Norwegian and Northern Sami. The band later performed at MGP Nordic 2008 and won the competition. "Oro jaska, beana" went on to win Song of the Year at the Spellemannprisen Awards and peaked at number-one on the Norwegian singles chart.
In 2011, the band were announced as one of the competing acts in Melodi Grand Prix 2011 with the song "Dance Tonight", where they placed second. They later split up the same year.
In 2013, Agnete competed in the second season of the Norwegian music TV-competition , where she placed second in the finale against Silya Nymoen. The same year she also performed as an interval act during Melodi Grand Prix Junior 2013.