Rodolfo Chikilicuatre
Encyclopedia
Rodolfo Chikilicuatre; is a Spanish
comedic character played by David Fernández Ortiz (24 June 1970 in Igualada
, Barcelona, Spain
) and first introduced in the Spanish late night show
Buenafuente as an improvisational act. Rodolfo was interviewed as the inventor of the vibrator-guitar. The character rose to fame after he was later presented by the show's host, Andreu Buenafuente
, with a song called "Baila el Chiki-chiki
" (Dance the Chiki-chiki), a parody of reggaeton
music filled with jokes and political references, and the show's host decided to enter the song into the Spanish selection process for the Eurovision Song Contest 2008
, Rodolfo landed Spains best placement since Eurovision Song Contest 2004
.
, the Spanish broadcaster RTVE
decided to make the song selection process more democratic, so, in an agreement with MySpace
, a webpage was created where the general public could vote for any of the artists who were interested in participating, possibly discovering new talents. Any aspiring singer could upload a video to enter the contest. The top 5 voted videos, along with 5 more entries selected by a jury, went to a televised final where the Spanish Eurovision Song Contest 2008 entry would be chosen.
More than 530 songs were submitted, the comedic act of Rodolfo Chikilicuatre and his "Baila el Chiki-chiki" song among them. The song was heavily promoted by the late show "Buenafuente" and the TV Station LaSexta where the show is broadcasted, and ended up being selected by a landslide, earning 56.28% of the votes, well ahead of the second place, which earned only 14.6%. The winner was chosen through text messaging
.
This selection has been met with a certain degree of controversy, as many considered it a gimmick song, and not worthy of representing Spain. It has also met controversy because Rodolfo Chikilicuatre is a comedic act, with no prior songs, and was backed by a private show (Buenafuente) and a private TV station (LaSexta). RTVE stands by their choice of voting system.
On March 11, 2008, Rodolfo announced some changes to the lyrics of his song to comply with the rules of the Eurovision Song Contest, thus removing partially the names of the politicians included in the song (José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero
, Hugo Chávez
and Mariano Rajoy
). Even if Chávez's name was completely removed, a reference to a previous incident
with the king Juan Carlos I of Spain
was kept. A non-political reference to Serbia was added. The song was also made longer, as the original was considered too short, going from 1:20 to 2:56 minutes, and several verses in English were added. The new version was presented on March 14, 2008.
He has sung the "Chiki-Chiki" theme with other performers: King Africa
, Tata Golosa and Dustin the Turkey
.
During the final contest of the Eurovision 2008 on May 24, 2008, the song "Chiki-Chiki" reached sixteenth place with 55 points, together with Albania.
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
comedic character played by David Fernández Ortiz (24 June 1970 in Igualada
Igualada
Igualada is a municipality of the province of Barcelona in Catalonia . It is located on the left bank of the Anoia river, and at the western end of the Igualada-Martorell-Barcelona railway. Igualada is the capital and central market of the Anoia comarca, a rich agricultural and wine-producing...
, Barcelona, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
) and first introduced in the Spanish late night show
Late night television
Late night television in the United States is the block of television programming airing after 11:00 pm and usually through 2:00 am. Traditionally, this type of programming airs after the late local news and is most notable for being the daypart used for a particular genre of programming that falls...
Buenafuente as an improvisational act. Rodolfo was interviewed as the inventor of the vibrator-guitar. The character rose to fame after he was later presented by the show's host, Andreu Buenafuente
Andreu Buenafuente
Andreu Buenafuente is a Spanish late night show host and founder of the group El Terrat. He has worked in TV3, Antena 3 and La Sexta...
, with a song called "Baila el Chiki-chiki
Baila el Chiki-chiki
"Baila el Chiki-chiki" is a song by Rodolfo Chikilicuatre and Spain's entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008, in Belgrade, Serbia...
" (Dance the Chiki-chiki), a parody of reggaeton
Reggaeton
Reggaeton is a form of Puerto Rican and Latin American urban and Caribbean music. After its mainstream exposure in 2004, it spread to North American, European and Asian audiences. Reggaeton originated in Puerto Rico but is also has roots from Reggae en Español from Panama and Puerto Rico and...
music filled with jokes and political references, and the show's host decided to enter the song into the Spanish selection process for the Eurovision Song Contest 2008
Eurovision Song Contest 2008
The Eurovision Song Contest 2008 was the 53rd edition of the Contest. It was hosted in Belgrade, Serbia after Marija Šerifović won the 2007 Contest in Helsinki, Finland. This year was the first contest to have two semi-finals which were held on 20 and 22 May, and the final held on 24 May 2008...
, Rodolfo landed Spains best placement since Eurovision Song Contest 2004
Eurovision Song Contest 2004
The Eurovision Song Contest 2004, was the 49th Contest and it was held in the Abdi İpekçi Arena in Istanbul, Turkey. This was the first occasion in which the contest was held in Turkey after they had won the competition in 2003 with Sertab Erener singing "Everyway That I Can"...
.
Eurovision Song Contest 2008 and "Baila el Chiki-chiki"
For the Eurovision Song Contest 2008Eurovision Song Contest 2008
The Eurovision Song Contest 2008 was the 53rd edition of the Contest. It was hosted in Belgrade, Serbia after Marija Šerifović won the 2007 Contest in Helsinki, Finland. This year was the first contest to have two semi-finals which were held on 20 and 22 May, and the final held on 24 May 2008...
, the Spanish broadcaster RTVE
RTVE
The Corporación de Radio y Televisión Española, S.A. or Corporación Radiotelevisión Española is the state-owned public corporation that assumed the indirect management of the Spanish public radio and television service from Ente Público Radiotelevisión Española in 2007...
decided to make the song selection process more democratic, so, in an agreement with MySpace
MySpace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
, a webpage was created where the general public could vote for any of the artists who were interested in participating, possibly discovering new talents. Any aspiring singer could upload a video to enter the contest. The top 5 voted videos, along with 5 more entries selected by a jury, went to a televised final where the Spanish Eurovision Song Contest 2008 entry would be chosen.
More than 530 songs were submitted, the comedic act of Rodolfo Chikilicuatre and his "Baila el Chiki-chiki" song among them. The song was heavily promoted by the late show "Buenafuente" and the TV Station LaSexta where the show is broadcasted, and ended up being selected by a landslide, earning 56.28% of the votes, well ahead of the second place, which earned only 14.6%. The winner was chosen through text messaging
Text messaging
Text messaging, or texting, refers to the exchange of brief written text messages between fixed-line phone or mobile phone and fixed or portable devices over a network...
.
This selection has been met with a certain degree of controversy, as many considered it a gimmick song, and not worthy of representing Spain. It has also met controversy because Rodolfo Chikilicuatre is a comedic act, with no prior songs, and was backed by a private show (Buenafuente) and a private TV station (LaSexta). RTVE stands by their choice of voting system.
On March 11, 2008, Rodolfo announced some changes to the lyrics of his song to comply with the rules of the Eurovision Song Contest, thus removing partially the names of the politicians included in the song (José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero
José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero
José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero is a member of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party . He was elected for two terms as Prime Minister of Spain, in the 2004 and 2008 general elections. On 2 April 2011 he announced he will not stand for re-election in 2012...
, Hugo Chávez
Hugo Chávez
Hugo Rafael Chávez Frías is the 56th and current President of Venezuela, having held that position since 1999. He was formerly the leader of the Fifth Republic Movement political party from its foundation in 1997 until 2007, when he became the leader of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela...
and Mariano Rajoy
Mariano Rajoy
Mariano Rajoy Brey is a Spanish People's Party politician and is the Prime Minister-elect since 20 November 2011. He will be sworn into office in mid-December 2011....
). Even if Chávez's name was completely removed, a reference to a previous incident
¿Por qué no te callas?
¿Por qué no te callas? is a phrase that was uttered by King Juan Carlos I of Spain to Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez, at the 2007 Ibero-American Summit in Santiago, Chile, when Chávez was interrupting Prime Minister of Spain José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero's speech...
with the king Juan Carlos I of Spain
Juan Carlos I of Spain
Juan Carlos I |Italy]]) is the reigning King of Spain.On 22 November 1975, two days after the death of General Francisco Franco, Juan Carlos was designated king according to the law of succession promulgated by Franco. Spain had no monarch for 38 years in 1969 when Franco named Juan Carlos as the...
was kept. A non-political reference to Serbia was added. The song was also made longer, as the original was considered too short, going from 1:20 to 2:56 minutes, and several verses in English were added. The new version was presented on March 14, 2008.
He has sung the "Chiki-Chiki" theme with other performers: King Africa
King Africa
Alan Duffy better known by his stage name King África is an Argentine recording artist of American descent. He is well known in Latin America and Spain for his dance music and unique, intense voice.-Biography:...
, Tata Golosa and Dustin the Turkey
Dustin the Turkey
Dustin the Turkey is a puppet, "television presenter" and star of RTÉ television's The Den since 1989. A turkey with a strong Dublin accent, Dustin is voiced by John Morrison, brother of Ciaran Morrison who was one of the creators of Zig and Zag. Dustin first appeared on The Den with Zig and Zag in...
.
During the final contest of the Eurovision 2008 on May 24, 2008, the song "Chiki-Chiki" reached sixteenth place with 55 points, together with Albania.
Singles
| Year | Title | Peak | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SPA Spain Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula... |
GRE Greece Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe.... |
SWE Sweden Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund.... |
FRA France The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France... |
||
| 2008 | "Baila el Chiki-chiki Baila el Chiki-chiki "Baila el Chiki-chiki" is a song by Rodolfo Chikilicuatre and Spain's entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008, in Belgrade, Serbia... " |
1 | 1 | 12 | 20 |
External links
- Official website (in Spanish)
- TVE's Eurovision 2008 website (in Spanish)
- Eurovision's Spain country profile
- Site at TumblrTumblrTumblr is a website and microblogging platform that allows users to post text, images, videos, links, quotes and audio to their tumblelog, a short-form blog. Users can follow other users, or choose to make their tumblelog private. The service emphasizes ease of use. The site ranks as the 10th...
- Pictures at the FlickrFlickrFlickr is an image hosting and video hosting website, web services suite, and online community that was created by Ludicorp in 2004 and acquired by Yahoo! in 2005. In addition to being a popular website for users to share and embed personal photographs, the service is widely used by bloggers to...
account of El Terrat producing company - Buenafuente website (in Spanish)
- LaSexta website (in Spanish)