OMSC 18

Online Music Song Contest 18, often referred to as OMSC 18, was the eighteenth edition of Online Music Song Contest, held in Oslo, after Norway won the previous edition of the contest.

The Pre-Qualification Round of OMSC 18 occured on the 12ᵗʰ September 2021, the Semi-Finals on the 19ᵗʰ September 2021 while the Final occured on the 26ᵗʰ September 2021. Fifty countries participated in the eighteenth contest, under the slogan “Equal As One!”.

Guadeloupe won the contest with the song "La Favorite", sung in French, receving a total of 134 points. Iran finished in second place with a margin of just six points from the winner, while Saint Helena finished in third place. They were followed by Sweden, which reached the fourth place and Liechtenstein which reached the fifth place.

Location
After it's victory in the previous edition, the broadcaster NRK chose to host the contest in in the capital and most populous city of Norway, Oslo, which has a population of 673,000 inhabitants. It occupies an arc of land at the northernmost end of the Oslofjord. In all other directions Oslo is surrounded by green hills and mountains. There are 40 islands within the city limits, the largest being Malmøya. Oslo has 343 lakes, the largest being Maridalsvannet. This is also a main source of drinking water for large parts of Oslo. Although Eastern Norway has a number of rivers, none of these flow into the ocean at Oslo. Instead Oslo has two smaller rivers: Akerselva and Alna. The highest point is Kirkeberget, at 629 metres. Although the city's population is small compared to most European capitals, it occupies an unusually large land area, of which two-thirds are protected areas of forests, hills and lakes. Its boundaries encompass many parks and open areas, giving it an airy and green appearance.

During the Viking Age the area that includes modern Oslo was located in Viken, the northernmost province of Denmark. Control over the area shifted between Danish and Norwegian kings in the Middle Ages, and Denmark continued to claim the area until 1241. Under the reign of Olaf III of Norway, Oslo became a cultural centre for Eastern Norway. During the Middle Ages, Oslo reached its heights in the reign of Haakon V of Norway. He started building Akershus Fortress and was also the first king to reside permanently in the city, which helped to make Oslo the capital of Norway. The Black Death came to Norway in 1349 and, like other cities in Europe, the city suffered greatly.

Over the years, fire destroyed major parts of the city many times, as many of the city's buildings were built entirely of wood. After the last fire in 1624, Christian IV of Denmark decided that the old city should not be rebuilt again. Outside the city, near Vaterland and Grønland near Old Town, Oslo, a new, unmanaged part of the city grew up filled with citizens of low class status. In 1814 the former provincial town of Christiania became the capital of the independent Kingdom of Norway, in a personal union with Sweden. Several state institutions were established and the city's role as a capital initiated a period of rapidly increasing population. The population increased rapidly and Christiania expanded its industry from 1840, most importantly around Akerselva.

In 1948, Oslo merged with Aker, a municipality which surrounded the capital and which was 27 times larger, thus creating the modern, vastly enlarged Oslo municipality. The municipality of Aker was incorporated into Oslo in 1948, and suburbs were developed. The city and municipality used the name Kristiania until the 1ˢᵗ January 1925 when the name changed to Oslo. Oslo was the name of an eastern suburb, site of the city centre until the devastating 1624 fire. At the beginning of WWII Norway declared itself a neutral state. However, despite their neutral status Germany invaded Norway, assisted by a small pro-Nazi socialist party. Oslo was quickly occupied and remained so until the Nazi retreat in 1944.

Nowadays Oslo is the economic and governmental centre of Norway as well as a hub of Norwegian trade, banking, industry and shipping. It is an important centre for maritime industries and maritime trade in Europe. The city is home to many companies within the maritime sector, some of which are among the world's largest shipping companies, shipbrokers and maritime insurance brokers. Oslo is a pilot city of the Council of Europe and the European Commission intercultural cities programme.

Participants
Fifty countries participated in the eighteenth edition of the contest: fifteen European countries (Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Liechtenstein, Norway, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovenia, Sweden, Wales), fifteen Asian countries (Bangladesh, British Indian Ocean Territories, China, Iran, Iraq, Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar, North Korea, Philippines, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Turkey, Vietnam), seven American countries (Argentina, Canada, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Peru, United States of America, United States' Virgin Islands), six Oceanian countries (Australia, Fiji, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Palau, Vanuatu) and seven African countries (Mauritius, Nigeria, Republic of the Congo, Saint Helena, South Africa, Tunisia, Zimbabwe).

In this edition the British Indian Ocean Territories, Myanmar, Saint Helena, Tunisia, Vanuatu and Wales participated for the first time.

Returning Artists
This edition featured thirteen representatives who had performed previously as lead vocalists for a country in the contest.

Nilusi represented France at its fifth appearence in the tenth edition of the contest with her song "À Des Vies De Toi" sung entirely in French, which placed 22ⁿᵈ out of 46 participating countries with 43.5 points. In this occasion, she represented Sri Lanka, with her song "Los Angeles", sung also in French, placing 47ᵗʰ with 97 points, in the pre-qualification round.

Kim Begović represented Slovenia in the sixteenth edition of the contest with her song "Rhythm Back To You", sung in English, which made it to the final and placed 9ᵗʰ out of 50 participating countries with 92 points. In this occasion, she represented Slovenia again, with her song "Calling Me", again in English, placing 16ᵗʰ with 70 points.

Evangelia represented Greece at its debut in the ninth edition of the contest with her song "Fotiá (Φωτιά)" sung in English and Greek, which won the contest with 144 points and brought the contest to Heraklion. In this occasion, she represented Zimbabwe, this time with Kelvin Jones, also returning this edition. The song she performed this edition was "Diving", sung in English, placing 7ᵗʰ with 99 points.

Kat Nestel represented Micronesia in OMSC 7 together with Vicetone with the song "Angels" which placed 11ᵗʰ out of 33 participating countries with 74 points. In this occasion she was selected to represent Bangladesh, again as a featured artist in Sanjoy's song "Shangri-La", sung in English, which placed 8ᵗʰ with 97 points.

Gryffin represented Sweden at its debut in the second edition of the contest, together with John Martin. He performed the song "Cry", sung in English, which placed 4ᵗʰ out of 14 participating countries with 70 points. He returned to the contest in the twelfth edition for Israel as a featured artist in Zohara's song "Remember", which placed 3ʳᵈ out of 44 participating countries with 133 points. In this occasion, he was selected one last time, this time to represent Micronesia together with Two Feet with the song "I Want Love", placing 46ᵗʰ with 122 points, in the pre-qualification round.

Kelvin Jones represented Zimbabwe in the previous edition of the contest. He performed the song "Seventeen" together with YouNotUs, which placed 19ᵗʰ out of 50 participating countries with 63 points. In this occasion he represented Zimbabwe again, this time with the former winner Evangelia and the song "Diving", sung in English, placing 7ᵗʰ with 99 points, achieving Zimbabwe's best result to date.

G5SH represented Taiwan at its second appearence in the fifteenth edition of the contest. They performed the song "Limelights", together with Lili, which placed 2ⁿᵈ out of 50 participating countries with 117 points scoring Taiwan's best result so far. In this occasion, they represented Taiwan again with the song "Burnin' Love", together with Trezo, placing 21ˢᵗ with 39 points.

Olivia Rodrigo represented the United States of America in the ninth edition of the contest with her song "Drivers License", which made it to the final and placed 20ᵗʰ out of 46 participating countries with 63 points. In this occasion, she represented the United States' Virgin Islands, with her song "Brutal", placing 49ᵗʰ with 90 points, in the pre-qualification round.

Josephine represented Greece in its last participation in the fourteenth edition. She performed her song "Ti (Τι)" which placed 16ᵗʰ out of 43 participating countries with 74 points. In this occasion she represented Greece again, this time with the song "Magia (Μάγια)", sung in Greek as well, placing 20ᵗʰ with 39 points.

Inna represented Romania at its seventh appearence in the thirteenth edition of the contest together with Gromee and the song "Cool Me Down". The song placed 23ʳᵈ out of 42 participating countries with 36 points. In this occasion, she represented Romania again, this time together with SICKOTOY and Elvana Gjata, also returning this edition. She performed the song "Papa", placing 22ⁿᵈ with 36 points.

Elvana Gjata represented Albania in the previous edition of the contest with the song "Loti", sung entirely in Albanian. The song placed 34ᵗʰ out of 50 participating countries with 69 points, without unfortunately making it to the final. In this occasion, she represented Romania again, this time together with Alex Cotoi and Inna, also returning this edition. She performed the song "Papa", placing 22ⁿᵈ with 36 points.

LOONA represented North Korea in the sixteenth edition of the contest with the song "Paint The Town", which made it to the final and placed 14ᵗʰ out of 50 participating countries with 81 points, scoring North Korea's best result so far. In this occasion, the group represented North Korea again, with the song "Not Friends", placing 44ᵗʰ with 12 points, without unfortunately qualifying for the final.

Zoi represented Serbia at its third appearence in the fifteenth edition of the contest with her song "Jasno Mi Je" sung in Serbian, which won the contest with 144 points and brought the contest to Novi Sad. In this occasion she represented Serbia again, this time with her song "Nirvana (Нирвана)", sung in Serbian again, placing 38ᵗʰ with 54 points, without unfortunately qualifying for the final.

Kim Petras represented the United States of America in the eleventh edition of the contest with the song "Icy". The song placed 4ᵗʰ out of 38 participating countries with 128 points. In this occasion, she represented Liechtenstein, this time together with the song "There Will Be Blood", sung in English, placing 5ᵗʰ with 104 points, achieving Liechtenstein's best result to date.

Withdrawing Countries
These countries confirmed their non-participation in the eighteenth edition of the contest:

• Albania – Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) announced on the 29ᵗʰ August 2021 that Albania will withdraw from the contest.

• American Samoa – American Samoan broadcaster announced on the 5ᵗʰ September 2021, that American Samoa would not participate in the eighteenth edition of the contest.

• Armenia – Armenian broadcaster Hayastani Hanrayin Herrustaynkerut'yun (ARMTV) announced on the 30ᵗʰ August 2021 that Armenia's participation in the eighteenth edition of the contest would not be possible.

• Austria – Österreichischer Rundfunk (ORF) announced on the 29ᵗʰ August 2021, that Austria would withdraw from the contest, without further explanations.

• Azerbaijan – Azerbaijan's broadcaster İctimai Televiziya və Radio Yayımları Şirkəti (İTV) announced on the 30ᵗʰ August 2021 its withdrawal from the contest, despite scoring their best result to date.

• Brazil – Brazilian broadcaster Sistema Brasileiro de Televisão (SBT) announced on the 5ᵗʰ September 2021 that Brazil would withdraw from the contest after eight consecutive participations.

• Bulgaria – Bulgaria's broadcaster announced the withdrawal on the 29ᵗʰ August 2021, because of financial difficulties.

• Chile – Televisión Nacional de Chile (TVN) announced on the 5ᵗʰ September 2021, that Chile would not participate in the eighteenth edition, without further explanation.

• Djibouti – Djibouti did not appear on the list of participants published on the 5ᵗʰ September 2021.

• Georgia – Sakartvelos Sazogadoebrivi Mauts'q'ebeli (GPB) announced on the 30ᵗʰ August 2021, that Georgia would withdraw from the contest, without further explanations.

• Guam – Public Broadcasting Service Guam (PBS GUAM) announced the country's withdrawal on the 5ᵗʰ September 2021.

• Hong Kong – Hong Kong's broadcaster Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) announced on the 30ᵗʰ August 2021 its withdrawal from the contest, because of the broadcaster's intention to focus on news content instead of music and entertainment.

• Hungary – Magyar Televízió (MTV) announced the country's withdrawal on the 29ᵗʰ August 2021, after the disappointment from the results of their debut.

• Israel – Israel's broadcaster Israel Public Broadcasting Corporation (IPBC) announced on the 30ᵗʰ August 2021 its withdrawal from the contest for unknown reasons.

• Ivory Coast - Radiodiffusion-Télévision Ivoirienne (RTI) announced the country's withdrawal on the 5ᵗʰ September 2021, for unknown reasons.

• Kazakhstan – Kazakhstan Radio and Television Corporation (RTRK) announced on the 30ᵗʰ August 2021, that Kazakhstan would not participate in the eighteenth edition, due to a lack of interest from the Kazakh public.

• Laos - Lao National Television (LNTV) announced Laos's withdrawal on the 30ᵗʰ August 2021.

• Lithuania – Lietuvos Nacionalinis Radijas ir Televizija (LRT) announced on the 29ᵗʰ August 2021, that Lithuania would not participate in the eighteenth edition, despite scoring their best result to date.

• Moldova – Moldovan broadcaster Teleradio-Moldova (TRM) announced on the 29ᵗʰ August 2021 its withdrawal from the contest, due to a series of poor results.

• Nauru – Nauru Broadcasting Service (NBS) announced the withdrawal a few days after the confirmations opened, despite placing 3ʳᵈ in the previous edition and achieving Nauru's best result so far.

• Norfolk Island – Norfolk Island did not appear on the list of participants published on the 5ᵗʰ September 2021.

• Puerto Rico – Corpración de Puerto Rico para la Difusión Pública (CPRDP) announced on the 5ᵗʰ September 2021 its second withdrawal from the contest, citing debts and the ongoing financial issues.

• Rwanda – Rwandan Broadcasting Agency (RBA) announced on the 5ᵗʰ September 2021 that Rwanda would not participate in the eighteenth edition of the contest, due to financial difficulties.

• South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands – South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands did not appear on the list of participants published on the 5ᵗʰ September 2021.

• Switzerland – Societad Svizra da Radio e Televisiun (SRG SSR) announced on the 29ᵗʰ September 2021, that Swizterland would withdraw from the contest without further explanations.

• Thailand – Thailand's broadcaster National Broadcasting Services of Thailand (NBT) announced on the 30ᵗʰ August 2021, that Thailand would not participate in the eighteenth edition of the contest, due to an increasing lack of interest from the Thai public.

• Togo – Togolese broadcaster Télévision Togolaise (TVT) stated that Togo would not take part in the eighteenth edition of the contest on the 5ᵗʰ September 2021.

• Ukraine – Ukrainian broadcaster Nacional'na Suspilʹna Teleradiokompanija Ukraïny (UA:PBC) announced on the 29ᵗʰ August 2021 its withdrawal from the contest for unknown reasons.

Other Countries
• Costa Rica – On the 29ᵗʰ August 2021, Costa Rica's broadcaster Sistema Nacional de Radio y Televisión de Costa Rica (SINART) announced that they were planning a debut again in OMSC 18, after their attempt in OMSC 12. However, it was later confirmed on the following day that the country would not debut in this edition of the contest either.

• Solomon Islands – On the 29ᵗʰ August 2021, the Solomon Islands' broadcaster Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC) announced that they were planning a debut in OMSC 18. However, it was later confirmed on the 30ᵗʰ August 2021 that the country would not debut in this edition of the contest.