There have been many recruitment attempts over the years.
Jason "Timbuktu" Diakité always answered no - he would never be at the Melodifestivalen.
But then last autumn when Christer Björkman called, it finally became a yes - as host.
- It was now or never to get Jason into the program.
I really want to show his artistry to our audience, that was the whole point.
To make him compete, I have given up, says Christer Björkman.
"Christer had corona"
And of course Jason Diakité gets to show off his artistry - but maybe not as we had expected.
The program begins with him singing Mikael Wiehe's "The Girl and the Crow" dressed in some form of 18th century dress.
Is it ironic or serious?
Nobody knows.
And then the northern humor duo Leif and Billy take over.
They ravage the scenes in pre-recorded clips.
And also appears in the live broadcast.
At one point, one of them is glued to Christer Björkman.
- We have said that this program will stand out, says Anette Brattström, project manager for the Melodifestivalen.
It can be said that they seem to succeed.
But Brattström also states that there is a lot to work with after the genre rep.
The program may therefore be changed somewhat before it is broadcast live on Saturday night.
"Increasing diversity"
But behind all the spex, there are also some serious undertones.
The artist presentations have a much more serious tone this week.
And Jason Diakité states that the focus will be on showing music that may not have been included in the program before.
- Among the first things Christer said was that we want you for you.
You do not have to make up your mind, change anything or delete.
Be the one you are with us, says Jason Diakité.
He continues:
- And now, only through my, Mapei, Sabina Ddumba and also Tusse's participation, we increase the representation and diversity in the picture and in the speakers.
Not typical mid-song
Sabina Ddumba was also originally intended as a presenter - but due to an advertising contract, she will instead participate as an intermediary.
In addition to her song, Jason Diakité makes a brand new song together with soul and R'n'B star Mapei during the intermission.
- It's going to be damn soft.
At least one of them I would say is not at all a typical Melodifestivalen song.
So it will be exciting.