At this year’s Dora, Croatia’s national selection for Eurovision, Marko Bošnjak emerged as the winner, securing the jury's top vote, although the public had a different favourite. The competition was particularly fierce, featuring notable acts such as Magazin, the group that represented Croatia at Eurovision in 1995. Hence, Marko earned his ticket to Basel with a compelling performance.

Born in 2004 in Mostar, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Marko discovered his passion for music at a young age while singing in a church choir, where his remarkable vocal talent was first recognized. He gained widespread attention at just 12 years old after winning the popular Serbian talent show ‘Pinkove Zvezdice’.

Marko first competed in Dora in 2022 with the emotional ballad “Moli za nas” finishing as the runner-up. The following year, he was honoured with the prestigious ‘Porin’ award for Best New Artist. Now a prominent figure in the Balkan music scene, Marko has released several well-received singles, including “Pusti me”  and “Takav dan” .

Song:  Poison Cake
Writer(s):  Ben Pyne & Emma Gale
Composer(s):  Bas Wissink, Ben Pyne, Emma Gale & Marko Bošnjak
Broadcaster: HRT

As the title “Poison Cake” suggests, the song dives deep into themes of revenge and justice, a dark, twisted narrative centred on the act of poisoning as a metaphor for retribution. It's an anthem of fury, defiance, and the pursuit of what one believes is deserved. Bold and provocative, the track is intentionally unsettling, with an abrasive soundscape that mirrors its intense lyrical content.

Take a bite of my poison cake
Been cooking in my cauldron late
You’re never ever gonna stay awake
You’re going down, down, down

You thought I was a servant slave
But I am just a serpent snake
You better genuflect and pray
You better genuflect and pray

Adding to its striking character is an unexpected interlude: a childlike melody that sharply contrasts with the rest of the arrangement, creating a jarring and surreal effect. This dissonance only heightens the song’s emotional impact, reinforcing its confrontational nature.

Following in the footsteps of last year’s breakout star Baby Lasagna, who secured an impressive second place for Croatia, “Poison Cake” has big shoes to fill. While its unconventional style may divide audiences, its daring artistic vision ensures it won’t go unnoticed. Whether it will lead Croatia back to the Grand Final remains uncertain.