Renārs Kaupers (sometimes anglicised as Reynard Cowper; born 1 September 1974, in

Jelgava Jelgava (; german: Mitau, ; see also other names) is a state city in central Latvia about southwest of Riga with 55,972 inhabitants (2019). It is the largest town in the region of Zemgale (Semigalia). Jelgava was the capital of the united Du ...

) is a Latvian pop/rock singer, instrumentalist, and songwriter who is the vocalist of the band Prāta Vētra (known internationally as Brainstorm).

Biography

Kaupers graduated from

University of Latvia University of Latvia ( lv, Latvijas Universitāte, shortened ''LU'') is a state-run university located in Riga, Latvia established in 1919. The ''QS World University Rankings'' places the university between 801st and 1000th globally, seventh ...

in 1996 with a degree in journalism. He can speak at least three languages with fluency: English, Latvian, and Russian. Kaupers' ancestors were probably Baron Friedrich von Stuart from Courland (1761–1842) and

Immanuel Kant Immanuel Kant (, , ; 22 April 1724 – 12 February 1804) was a German philosopher and one of the central Enlightenment thinkers. Born in Königsberg, Kant's comprehensive and systematic works in epistemology, metaphysics, ethics, and ...

's niece Henrietta Kant. He is the lead singer of the Latvian pop/rock band Brainstorm, which came third at the

Eurovision Song Contest 2000 The Eurovision Song Contest 2000 was the 45th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. It took place in Stockholm, Sweden, following the country's victory at the with the song "Take Me to Your Heaven" by Charlotte Nilsson. Organised by the Europea ...

with their song "My Star". In 2001, Renārs received the Latvian Film Prize as the best actor for his role as Juziks in the film ''Vecās pagastmājas mistērija'' (''The Mystery of the Old Parish House''). He hosted the

Eurovision Song Contest 2003 The Eurovision Song Contest 2003 was the 48th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. It took place in Riga, Latvia, following the country's victory at the with the song " I Wanna" by Marie N. Organised by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) a ...

in Riga, Latvia, with co-host Marija Naumova (stage name Marie N), and also hosted ''

Congratulations Congratulations may refer to: Film and television *'' Congratulations: 50 Years of the Eurovision Song Contest'', 2005 television programme to commemorate its fiftieth anniversary Music Albums * ''Congratulations'' (album), an album by ...

'', the Eurovision 50th anniversary concert in

Copenhagen Copenhagen ( or .; da, København ) is the capital and most populous city of Denmark, with a proper population of around 815.000 in the last quarter of 2022; and some 1.370,000 in the urban area; and the wider Copenhagen metropolitan ar ...

Denmark ) , song = ( en, "King Christian stood by the lofty mast") , song_type = National and royal anthem , image_map = EU-Denmark.svg , map_caption = , subdivision_type = Sovereign state , subdivision_name = Kingdom of Denmark , establish ...

, with Katrina Leskanich. Kaupers' sons Edgars and Emīls run the indie-pop group Carnival Youth.

Decorations

* 2005 Fifth Class Order of the White Star of the Republic of Estonia. * 2008 Fourth Class Order of the Three Stars of the

Republic of Latvia Latvia ( or ; lv, Latvija ; ltg, Latveja; liv, Leţmō), officially the Republic of Latvia ( lv, Latvijas Republika, links=no, ltg, Latvejas Republika, links=no, liv, Leţmō Vabāmō, links=no), is a country in the Baltic region of ...

Filmography

Actor

# ''Erik Kivisüda'' (aka ''Erik Stoneheart'', 2022) as Versac (Estonia) # '' Georg'' (2007) as Caesar (Estonia) # ''Vecās pagastmājas mistērija'' (aka ''The Mystery of the Old Parish House'', 2000) as Juziks (Latvia)

Soundtrack

# Premiya Muz-TV 2008 (2008) (TV) (music: "Thunder Without Rain") (lyrics: "Thunder Without Rain") ... aka Премия Муз-ТВ 2008 (Russia) ... aka The Muz-TV Music Awards 2008 (International: English title: informal title)

Self

# Premiya Muz-TV 2008 (2008) (TV) (as Brainstorm) .... Himself ... aka Премия Муз-ТВ 2008 (Russia) ... aka The Muz-TV Music Awards 2008 (International: English title: informal title) # '' Congratulations: 50 Years of the Eurovision Song Contest'' (2005) (TV) .... Himself – Host # Eirodziesma (2005) (TV) .... Special Guest # The Eurovision Song Contest (2003) (TV) .... Host # Eurolaul (2003) (TV) .... Member of the jury # The Eurovision Song Contest (2001) (TV) .... Latvian vote presenter # Eirodziesma (2000) (TV) .... Himself # The Eurovision Song Contest (2000) (TV) (as Brainstorm) .... Latvian entry (3rd place)

References

External links

Brainstorm website
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Kaupers, Renars 1974 births Living people People from Jelgava Latvian male film actors 21st-century Latvian male singers Eurovision Song Contest entrants for Latvia Eurovision Song Contest entrants of 2000 University of Latvia alumni Lielais Kristaps Award winners 21st-century Latvian male actors Recipients of the Order of the White Star, 5th Class