Bess is the stage name of Essi Miia Marianna Launimo, a Finnish singer best known for her distinctive electro-infused pop sound. Born in Finland in 1993, she holds a double degree, one in hairdressing, and has also honed her musical talents through professional training at the prestigious Pop & Jazz Conservatory in Oulunkylä, Helsinki. In 2017, Bess unveiled her debut single "En pysty lopettaa," followed by "Tempo" later that year. The song skyrocketed to success, reaching the third spot on Finland's download list and Number 13 on the Official Finnish Charts while also attaining double-platinum status. Her eponymous debut album, Bess, was released in November 2019 to great critical acclaim, peaking at Number 29 in Finland. Bess's popularity continued to soar, leading her to participate in the esteemed 2022 Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu (New Music Competition). Her entry, the track "Ram Pam Pam," secured a remarkable third-place finish in the competition, solidifying her position as an emerging force in the Finnish music scene. Upon its release as a single, "Ram Pam Pam" shot straight to Number 1 on the local charts. Building on her growing success, Bess reached new heights in 2023 when she triumphed at the prestigious Emma-gaala Awards. The singer claimed an astonishing four awards, including Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, Pop Song of the Year, and Most Streamed Domestic Song of the Year. Later that year, she returned with her sophomore effort Kädet ylös, which cracked the Top 5 of the Finnish Albums Chart.
