Duncan Laurence secured the Netherlands' first Eurovision Song Contest victory in 44 years when he won the 2019 competition in Tel Aviv. His winning entry, the ballad "Arcade," achieved significant international success, becoming one of the most streamed Eurovision songs on digital platforms and marking a return for the Dutch to the contest's winner's circle.
Early Development and Training
Born Duncan de Moor in 1994 in Spijkenisse, he spent his youth in Hellevoetsluis. During his teenage years, he began composing original music. He pursued formal training at the Rock Academy in Tilburg, where he performed in several ensembles including The Slick and Suited, a group founded in 2013 that appeared at the Eurosonic Noorderslag festival. He graduated from the institution in 2017.
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Laurence rose to public attention as a semi-finalist on the fifth season of The Voice of Holland under the guidance of coach Ilse DeLange. In 2019, DeLange nominated him to represent the Netherlands at Eurovision. His performance of "Arcade" earned 498 points, securing the win. Due to the 2020 contest's cancellation, he remained the reigning champion for two years. In 2021, he was awarded a Global Platinum record for the track, which accumulated over one billion streams.
Studio Recordings and Chart Performance
Following his Eurovision win, Laurence released his debut studio album, Small Town Boy, in November 2020, which achieved platinum certification in the Netherlands within three days. The record featured collaborations with Armin van Buuren and expanded on the success of his debut EP, Worlds on Fire. In 2023, he released his second studio album, Skyboy, which was recorded in Los Angeles.
Songwriting and Ongoing Career
Beyond his own vocal performances, Laurence maintains a career as a songwriter. He co-wrote the track "Closer" for the K-pop duo TVXQ in 2018 and contributed to the 2023 Dutch Eurovision entry, "Burning Daylight." He has also served as a coach on the sixth season of The Voice Kids Belgium and continues to contribute to soundtracks, including his work for the Hulu series Love, Victor.
Fast facts
- Born: 1994, Spijkenisse, Netherlands
- Notable Work: Arcade
- Eurovision Win: 2019
- Musical Training: Rock Academy, Tilburg
- Spouse: Jordan Garfield
- Album: Small Town Boy (2020)
- Album: Skyboy (2023)
Questions readers ask
Did Duncan Laurence win Eurovision?
Yes, he won the Eurovision Song Contest in 2019 with his song "Arcade."
What is his professional name?
He is known professionally as Duncan Laurence; his birth name is Duncan de Moor.
Achievements
- First prize of the Eurovision Song Contest — 2019
- Notable work: Arcade
- Instruments: voice and piano
- Genres: pop music
