The BlackSheeps was a Norwegian Sami rock band from Nesseby. Formed in 2008, the group originally included singer Agnete Johnsen, guitarist Emelie Nilsen, bassist Alexander Touryguin and drummer Viktoria Eriksen. The ensemble won the 2008 MGP jr competition with the song “Oro, Jaska, Beana”. They subsequently represented Norway and won the MGP Nordic 2008 contest. The track reached Number 1 on the Norwegian singles chart and received the Spellemannprisen for hit of the year. In 2009, the band released its self-titled debut album, The Blacksheeps, which reached number 4 on the national album chart. In 2010, Touryguin and Eriksen were replaced by bassist Nikolaj Gloppen and drummer Simon Stenvoll Pedersen. The new lineup participated in the 2011 Melodi Grand Prix with the song “Dance Tonight”, which finished in second place and reached number 15 on the singles chart. In 2011, the group was involved in a legal dispute regarding band name rights and royalties, which was ruled in favor of the current members. The ensemble became inactive that same year.
