It’s exciting times in Astana as Kazakh broadcaster Khabar TV is currently enjoying its first year as an Associate Member of the EBU. Ever since they joined in January, Eurofans have been busy debating whether Kazakhstan should ever compete at Eurovision.

And today the EBU poured even more fuel on the fire when they revealed that they are “reviewing the rules” ahead of next year’s competition and will publish them “in due course”.

As we wait for the EBU to clarify precisely what that means, we’ve rummaged through Kazakhstan’s growing list of musicians and pop stars and have settled on ten artists we’d love to see represent Kazakhstan at Eurovision, if the opportunity ever arises.

Zhanar Dugalova

An obvious candidate, Zhanar Dugalova won Türkvizyon 2014 with the amazing etnho-pop song “Izin korem”. After leaving the group KeshYou to forge a solo career, Zhanar has kept busy, releasing the amazing track “Ayta bersin” (Let Them Talk).

Some Toir

Some Toir are a young indie-pop band hailing from Almaty. And trust us: They are most def among the hottest young indie-pop bands in the foothills of the Trans-Ili Alatau mountains. Their single “Romantic Crap” is quite the track, drawing on indie, pop and dance. They haven’t released any new music recently, but they have appeared on MTV Russia. That’s gotta count for something, right?!

A-Studio

After collaborating with Eurovision 2010 singer Thomas N’evergreen on “Falling For You”, A-Studio are still going strong with tracks like “Vot ona lyubov'”. Their linguistic skills mean they could possibly sing in Russian, Kazakh, English, or maybe even Georgian, since the lead singer hails from the Caucuses nation.

Andrey Tikhonov

Having won the second series of X Factor Kazakhstan, Andrey has already proven he can handle a big competition. He has stayed relatively quiet since his first big hit “Tomorrow is Today”, a dreamy pop ballad all about love.

Listen to his track here.

Daria Gabdull

Another X Factor winner, Daria won the very first edition of the show, with judges describing her as ‘The Kazakh Beyoncé’. Her voice is pure power, akin to the likes of Sanna Nielson and Lisa Angell. This girl has spice and she can werk that emotion.

Makpal Isabekova

Placing in the top 5 of the Kazakh version of Idol back in 2002, Makpal has kept the momentum going with tracks like “Habarlaspa”, which shows off her amazing vocals. Her charisma and soothing voice would surely appeal to voters from all across Europe.

Lashyn

This young girl knows how to slay well beyond their years! Dance-pop is their speciality, blending the modern with the traditional, and that’s a speciality of Eurovision, so their masterpieces like “Zhasa, Tugan Zherim” could totally work. Their music reminds me of Turkey’s old days at Eurovision, and it’s about time we got that spice back into the contest.

https://youtu.be/3xEZNIeEhwE

Aygul Imanbaeva

Aygul is probably the oldest singer on the list. She’s approaching her fortieth birthday, but she can still make modern music. “Sen” is probably the most poppy pop song on the list so far, as it has a catchy beat, memorable lyrics, a great dance vibe and excellent backing vocals. If Aygul could produce something like this for Eurovision, it’s possible that we could find ourselves in Almaty very soon indeed!

Indira Edilbaeva

She made it to the finals of The Voice, narrowly missing out on a win. But that only made this diva stronger. She built on her success with “Zharygym” — a  ferocious dance track that once again showed off her animalistic voice. Hear her roar!

Ilona & Push King

I’m rounding out our first Kazakh wishlist with the rather unusual duo of Ilona & Push King, who have delivered a genre-bending song that crosses pop, opera and rap. It may be too much for the casual voter to take on, but at the end of the day, it’s catchy, and changes quickly, which works with Ilona’s voice and Pop King’s rap on “Sladkiy Noyabr'”.

http://youtu.be/8EfdLkKNhNg

Who do YOU want to see for Kazakhstan should they make it to Eurovision? You can let us know in the comments box below.

Read more Kazakhstan music news

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Sayuri A
Sayuri A
7 years ago

Sorry, I forgot to attach the survey in previous message. Hope you can help me answering it and sharing it with friends or aquaittances familiar with Kazakh pop music. I need 36 more persons to archive the goal. I’ll be very grateful if you participate: https://surveyplanet.com/57fe70207fa3427854a09290

Sayuri A
Sayuri A
7 years ago

I’m in favor of Kazakhstan joining the Eurovision family and of course the current choices that could make them be in top 10 are Zhanar Dugalova, Moldanazar, Keshyou and maybe Ali Okapov. If you have free time, I invite you to answer a trivia concerning Kazakh pop music with Eurovision related questions, it is part of a study I’m conducting. I need at least 50 people from other countries that can answer it. I will appreciate it very much if you could help me and in exchange I will include you on the dedicatory part of the paper. It will… Read more »

Alenn
Alenn
7 years ago

@U know:

Yes, unfortunately it seems that some countries will always qualify no matter what, for reasons we all know… EBU are saying that they are doing their best to separate bloc-voting countries at the semifinals, but this doesn’t always work. I think it’s very likely that in the near future we may see a semifinal with Russia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Kazakhstan and Australia in it, which would leave only 4 more spots available for the likes of San Marino, Portugal, Czech Republic, Switzerland… you get the picture…

U know
U know
7 years ago

So one more country will qualify for the Grand Final from Semi-final every year . no matter what quality of music or artist they send.And their 12 point always go to ( U know )

Zebb
Zebb
7 years ago

I guess the completed formula now is: plus another country from east = minus another balkan/unfamous country in the final.

MoreMusicLessGlamourPlease
MoreMusicLessGlamourPlease
7 years ago

Bring on song rock please 🙂 I can imagine they have quite a flourishing rock scene. As many Eastern European countries

vvision
vvision
7 years ago

sorry! i change my mind .I lOVE Kazakhstan at Eurovision. and hope more country at eurovision .just send good song and great stage design . thank you.

Héctor
Héctor
7 years ago

While I would like to see participating the largest possible number of countries, I don’t like the fact that Kazakhstan would give its 12pts to Russia like other ex soviet republics, so this will only add more diaspora voting. I can see Kazakhstan voting for Russia and the Caucasic countries. That’s not fair.

But I supposed that if a part of KZH is in Europe, they should be allowed to participate.

James
James
7 years ago

Wow, a lot of hate in the comments thread. My take is that, The EBU can make exceptions if they want the song contest to continually stay globally relevant, considering its already worldwide reach. EBU associate member countries that are within distance from the continent itself can join in on the fun, whether as interval acts, one-off special guests or regular participants. Those who are from much further way can be invited as interval acts, which the show has done this year when they invited Justin Timberlake to perform in the finale. If Asiavision materializes next year, the EBU can… Read more »

an esc fan
an esc fan
7 years ago

I’m all open about new countries, whatever EBU decides, but the contest should be changed, maybe more semifinals, or maybe quarterfinals, semifinals, and then grand final. It is not fair to just make the 2 semifinals bigger, but still 10 to qualify.

Alenn
Alenn
7 years ago

@fikri:

If Asian countries want to slay, they can do so at Asiavision. I understand that some people would like to see what China, Korea or Japan would have to offer, but we can’t suddenly invite the whole of Asia and have 2 contests in one, that would be chaotic.

fikri
fikri
7 years ago

i support this decision because as an asian myself, i wanna see asian countries slay all the smug european countries in the contest.

as
as
7 years ago

Zhanar Dugalova, Lashyn, KeshYOU, Kamshat Zholdybaeva or Ayumi PLEASE.

Ern
Ern
7 years ago

@Polegend Godgarina — Lichtenstein is indisputably part of Europe. No question there. Let them in! Personally, I think they should STOP letting new members participate in Eurovision, unless they are actually part of Europe (geographically part of Europe). Thus, NO Egypt, Uzbekistan or China should be allowed. Countries that are already in (or were in) the contest can stay (or return). Thus, Israel, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cyprus, Georgia and Australia can stay, despite them NOT being in Europe. Also, if Morocco ever decided to return, I suppose they too should be allowed to participate. (Note: Turkey is partially in Europe, so… Read more »

Amir
Amir
7 years ago

Oh I really Love Kazakh-pop, I hope they will compiting in Eurovision !!! 😀 <3

Happy
Happy
7 years ago

I would love to see Kesh You representing Kazakhstan. Love those talented girls!

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
7 years ago

Anyway, I would only be here for debuts from Kazakhstan, Liechtenstein and Lebanon. The rest shouldn’t be allowed to. Australia can stay at this point, but no one else should be allowed.

Alenn
Alenn
7 years ago

As some people have already commented, yes, part of Kazakhstan is west of the Ural mountains (which are considered the border between Europe and Asia) which makes it a transcontinental country, just like Russia, Turkey and the Caucasus republics, so I don’t see any reason why they shouldn’t participate.

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
7 years ago

Zhanar Dugalova is the correct answer. Had Izin körem been a Eurovision entry, it would’ve been a solid winner.

Ern
Ern
7 years ago

Interestingly, Kazakhstan does have territory that is part of continental Europe. Its north west corner lies in the Kuma-Manych depression, thus making it part of the European continent.

Let them in!!

James
James
7 years ago

imo only Kazakhstan should be able to participate as a normal european country. if other countries want to participate they participate in only one year. for exemple in 2017 Canada participates, in 2018 New Zealand and so on. It would be cool to have a (different) guest country every year, they would be directly in the final as Australia 2015, to bring some music from other places. But don’t make eurovision a global contest, if the EBU wants to make a worldvision create a new contest and leave eurovision as it is now.

mocosuburbian
mocosuburbian
7 years ago

Kazakhstan > Australia
one is European, one isn’t

Daniel
Daniel
7 years ago

Omg like every comment is on about South Korea ?! Aha.
Kazakhstan, like Turkey, Russia, Georgia and Azerbaijan is transcontinental. Let them in!! It’d be good to have such a different kind of music in the contest. You’ll certainly know when Kazakhstan is on stage! Personally, I dont have a problem with it, although I doubt theyll debut in 2017. Im pretty sure they’ll be at theparty by 2018 though!

Charles
Charles
7 years ago

There is a lot I could comment on this matter … but to be quite honest … I’ll stick to the very clear fact that we all know where those extra 12 for Russia are coming from next year …

KennyESC
KennyESC
7 years ago

Oh, my. I don’t want to offend anyone, but some ESC-fans are really retarded. What problem do you have if not European countries partecipate? Eurovision hasn’t be only Europe. No one says anything about Israel, so why you are talking about Qatar, Kazakhstan and others? Btw for me EBU need to be in contact with the others BU(because there has to be other Broadcasting Unions..), and do all together contest. Like, Africa Broadcasting ecc.. (Maybe FBU instead of ABU because that’s Asia..? And so UBU instead of America Broadcasting ecc..) All do a continental contests, so we have Amerivision Song… Read more »

Igckazakhstan
Igckazakhstan
7 years ago

Ayumi would be amazing to see, also Renzo or KESHYOU but not this formation as they aren’t that good live in my opinion! Zhanar Dugalova and Lashyn would also be amazing! But I am missing the Altyn Girls and Farleon on the list

xESCx
xESCx
7 years ago

@Gigu if some of Kazakhstan is in Europe then I guess they can participate but only Kazakhstan. I don’t want to see Bangladesh , Malaysia & other countries who aren’t even near Europe!

Thomas
Thomas
7 years ago

I have no problem with Kazakhstan competing, a good chunk of it is in Europe, bigger than Turkey’s . An bigger than Slovenia Montenegro San Marino, Albania and Kosovo. So honestly yes let them compete. AN I love Zhanar!

vvision
vvision
7 years ago

NO there are many europe country send good song but not to grand final every year why one more easten country .and im asian from asia

Gigu
Gigu
7 years ago

@xESCx
Kazahstan is partly in Europe while Iran South Korea and so on are not… so i don’t see a problem with Kazahstan compiting.. I say Kazahstan in (cause it’s partly Europe) and Australia out (cause it’s not)!!

xESCx
xESCx
7 years ago

Iran not Iraq**

xESCx
xESCx
7 years ago

I’m praying to god the EBU doesn’t let associate members join the contest. Honestly who wants to see the likes of Iraq, south Korea, Syria and so on in Eurovision? Certainly not me. It’s EUROvision.. there’s already some countries not even in Europe competing which is bad enough and we don’t need more. If the EBU lets them join I’m totally finished with eurovision forever. If they want to join they should create their own contest????