Käärijä is a Finnish rapper, singer, and songwriter whose real name is Jere Pöyhönen. In 2020, he released his debut album, "Fantastista," and he will represent Finland in the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest with his song "Cha Cha Cha."

Pöyhönen grew up in the Ruskeasanta neighbourhood of Vantaa, which is part of Greater Helsinki. He developed a love for music while learning to play the drums and began producing his own music in 2014. He got his stage name from a joke he made with friends about gambling, which is a common theme in his music.

Initially, Pöyhönen released his music independently, but he was eventually signed to Monsp Records in 2017. He then released a double single titled "Koppi tules" / "Nou roblem" and an extended play called "Peliä" the following year. In 2020, he released his debut album, "Fantastista."

On January 11, 2023, Pöyhönen was announced as one of the seven participants in Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu 2023, which is the Finnish national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2023. He co-wrote his entry, "Cha Cha Cha," with Aleksi Nurmi and Johannes Naukkarinen, and it was released on January 18, 2023. Pöyhönen won the competition, earning a total of 539 points (467 points from the televote and 72 points from the juries), and thus became the Finnish representative for the contest.

The captivating singer truly thrives under the spotlight of a grand stage. In the recent Finnish national final, he managed to leave the audience in awe with his refreshing take on progressive metal rap, in the form of the lively track "Cha Cha Cha". Interestingly, his stage moniker is inspired by the Finnish term for organizing gambling winnings, adding a layer of intrigue to his persona. It's worth noting that Käärja is a devoted fan of the German rock sensation Rammstein, further proving his passion for music. The song he performed is a genre-defying blend of metal, rap, and pop, weaving a tale of a much-needed night out at a local bar after a tough week. Despite the pressure that comes with being a Finnish entry in the ESC, Käärja's song has already amassed a devoted following, solidifying its status as one of the top contenders in Liverpool.