An American R&B artist will take part in Russia's revival of a song contest billed as a rival to Eurovision, which has excluded Russian singers since the Ukraine offensive, organisers said Thursday.

Brandon Howard, known professionally as B. Howard, is mostly famous for his resemblance to Michael Jackson -- sparking media speculation in the past that he was a son of the late pop icon.

Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered this year a revival of the Intervision Song Contest, which showcased artists from the Soviet Union and Eastern Bloc states in the 1960s and 1970s to rival the West.

"Brandon, we hope that your emotional depth and electrifying energy will captivate our audience," contest organisers said in a Telegram post.

"We are looking forward to his brilliant performance at Inte

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