Israel’s Mergui Spills His Guts — and the Tea on Ex Noa Kirel — in English-Language Debut, ‘Sucks to Know You (FU)’ (EXCLUSIVE)
15.07.2022 - 12:07
/ variety.com
Shirley Halperin Executive Editor, MusicWhen Israeli singer Mergui took the stage at the Sun Rose in Los Angeles on Thursday night, it was clear the 22-year-old has some big-time backers in his corner. Chief among them: Haim Saban, the veteran businessman, philanthropist, owner of the Power Rangers IP and label head, who launched Saban Music Group in 2019, and was seated front and center (doubly-masked and wearing surgical gloves) to cheer on his latest signing.
At Saban’s side was Universal Music Publishing Group chairman Jody Gerson and next to her, Aton Ben-Horin, head of global A&R for Warner Music Group. Elsewhere in the room was Saban CEO Gustavo Lopez, top music agents from CAA and UTA, APG founder Mike Caren, radio programmers and personalities.
For a new artist to have that many gatekeepers attend their first major U.S. showcase is the stuff of dreams.
For Mergui, who, after finishing second on singing competition “Rising Star,” developed a successful career in his home country on the strength of a pair of Hebrew pop hits (in May, he opened for Maroon 5 in Tel Aviv, performing for tens of thousands), it marked an all-too-familiar restart for Israeli artists looking to break into the American market: back to zero.But Mergui’s English-language debut arrives with some baggage, as his first single, “Sucks to Know You (FU)” demonstrates unapologetically in its snarling, guitar-driven chorus: “Fuck you / I hate you / I miss you / Sucks to know you.”At the Sun Rose, Mergui didn’t name names, but did share some details. “Back in Israel, I dated another artist, and it was a unique relationship,” he said introducing the song “Falling.” “It was in front of the cameras.