She’s the stunning singer who’ll be representing Azerbaijan at Eurovision 2018. Now rumours are starting to heat up around the suggestion that AISEL may be collaborating with the Russian-Greek “Dream Team”. Recent social media posts suggest that something may be going on.

Earlier this year, the Russian maestro Philipp Kirkorov made an Instagram post wishing his Greek counterpart Dimitris Kontopoulos a happy birthday. But most intriguingly, he wrote “again we start to prepare “miracle adventure” for next year”, along with the very conspicuous hashtag #eurovisionsongcontest.

But who was this “miracle adventure” in aid of? Earlier this month Kirkorov revealed to Russian media that he had been approached by a country friendly to Russia and had agreed to produce their entry for Lisbon.

Soon fans started speculating. Ukraine was ruled out due to current political circumstances. This left Belarus and Azerbaijan. But some fans ruled out both Belarus due to it running a national final, and Azerbaijan because the elegant style of AISEL seemed at odds with the bold pop traditions of the “Dream Team”.

But then things got very interesting. Yesterday AISEL posted photos from a Moscow event celebrating the Russian glossy fashion magazine Bonjour. The Azeri beauty was pictured with magazine cover stars Philipp Kirkorov and Ani Lorak.

AISEL had nothing but praise for the two Eurovision icons. She wrote, “[Philipp Kirkorov], it was great meeting you again. Thank you for your valuable advises and your support. Hope to see you again soon. [Ani Lorak], your performance at Eurovision was amazing and will be an inspiration for all future participants.”

If this collaboration is happening, it won’t be the first time that a member of the “Dream Team” has been involved with Azerbaijan at Eurovision.

In 2013, Kontopoulos co-wrote Azerbaijan’s entry “Hold Me”, which placed second in Malmö. Azerbaijan has since used Swedish songwriters, but perhaps they feel like a change for AISEL’s song.

But no one is saying anything. While Eurovision fan media and local Azeri media have picked up on the meeting, neither AISEL nor any member of the “Dream Team” have confirmed that a collaboration is taking place.

What do you think? Should AISEL collaborate with the “Dream Team”? What sort of song should she take to Lisbon? Share your thoughts below!

READ MORE AZERBAIJAN EUROVISION NEWS

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Isic Dvbks
Isic Dvbks
6 years ago

OMG No, I was really looking forward for Azerbaijan’s aong, this year it looked very promising. :-\ I really hope this isn’t true!

VlaD
VlaD
6 years ago
Reply to  Isic Dvbks

You don’t want to go to Baku next year? ;-/

Clara
Clara
6 years ago

Azerbaijan is going down… Using Philip Kirkorov as the songwriter is already very shameful and ridiculous. I mean, come on, he can’t create anything new. All the songs he writes are very predictable. Aisel can repeat Demy’s fate (Greece 2017). Although Demy I liked a lot more than this one…

coca_cola
coca_cola
6 years ago

Thomas G:Son has composed the most dated, generic, uninspired entries and then in 2012 he was one of the song writers of the most amazing Eurovision song of the last 20 years (Euphoria).
So the author is not important,the song is, and having said that I would personally prefer to see her with something mainstream.

perfetto
perfetto
6 years ago

It’s really funny to have Kirkorov’s song in every Eurovision. It doesn’t exist other composers, styles etc? We want to see diversity of European music. She is JAZZ singer!

G1
G1
6 years ago
Reply to  perfetto

I really hope she will not sing a jazz song. I like her much more in something like this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFeGN70ORa0
a great ballad.
Also Kirkorov was in eurovision only in 2014 and 2016 from what I remember. Am I missing something?

Ugnius
Ugnius
6 years ago
Reply to  G1

He also composed songs of Belarus 2007 and Ukraine 2008

Lazarevfan95
Lazarevfan95
6 years ago

Please no!! I can’t stand Phillip or the dream team!! They are all very overrated!! They have never given an artist a song good enough for their ability!!

VlaD
VlaD
6 years ago
Reply to  Lazarevfan95

What??? Lazarev had his biggest hit in his career with “You are the only one”: he broke the record with 1.000.000 plays in Russian radio stations, he FINALLY won “artist of the year” in muz tv (after 15 years that he was nominated) , he won a golden gramophone from Ruski radio, he won an RU award. He has been releasing songs from 2002 and he never had a hit like that. Lorak started her career in Russian with “Shady lady” and everyone in Russia (and not only says) that it was a very cool song and very fresh for… Read more »

Lazarevfan95
Lazarevfan95
6 years ago
Reply to  VlaD

Dream team gave an awful song for Demy last year. Sergey is much better than YATOO he is an incredible vocalist and that didn’t even suit his voice properly! Every song Sergey has released since has been a million miles better than YATOO. Shady Lady is one of Ani’s worst songs it only had success because of her performance. They all deserved better songs. I can’t say about Koldun because i don’t know his music well.

VlaD
VlaD
6 years ago
Reply to  Lazarevfan95

This is just your personal opinion, you do understand that?
Lazarev,Lorak, Gagarina, Koldun are mainstream singers that need hits and, regardless of if you like the songs or not, the songs of Koldun, Lorak and Lazarev were MAJOR hits.
On the other hand Gagarina, for example didn’t have a hit with “million voices”.
Lazarev also didn’t have a hit with previous Eurovision attempt in 2008, since “flyer” was never a hit.
These are the facts. Now you can continue saying and writing your personal opinion.

Jacque
Jacque
6 years ago

No

sea
sea
6 years ago

At least now we know Azerbaijan will not win.

KESC
KESC
6 years ago
Reply to  sea

And now, did that make you feel better?

VlaD
VlaD
6 years ago
Reply to  sea

I think they will be very happy if they will be 2nd like Lorak or Farid or 3rd like Lazarev, or even 7th like Tolmachevy

EmilyG
EmilyG
6 years ago

None of the authors of “Rise like a Phoenix” was Austrian but I didn’t see anyone having a problem with that.

Erasmus
Erasmus
6 years ago

Why on Earth some countries always pick Swedish, or Russian composers. I’m sure Azerbaijan and Cyprus have some national talent. I’m not saying it’s a bad thing to pick Swedish composers, but it’s way better if they pick someone from their own country. And I loved Azeri’s instrumentals in “Start a Fire” and I still LOVE that song, much more than “Hold Me” . (and I know Start a Fire, wasn’t written by Azeri’s, but at least it had some Azeri insturmental sounds)… So yeah, but we’ll still have to wait for a song. A typical flop last year was… Read more »

G1
G1
6 years ago
Reply to  Erasmus

If you decide to participate with a folk song I understand picking an author from your own country but if you decide to go with another style of music the author doesn’t make any difference to me.
Aisel is a very beautiful girl and her English is very good, so I understand why they want a song in English. Now if the author is Swedish, Azeri, Greek or Russian makes no one will really understand the difference.

Erasmus
Erasmus
6 years ago
Reply to  G1

Yeah, but I hate when artists pick a team just for Eurovision, it usually ends with a non-original song, written what is thought to be for Eurovision. I hate that. I mean why can’t they just have a team, which they work with in everyday career, I wouldn’t have a problem it they are Swedish, or Greek … But no one works with Thomas G:Son “everyday” if you know what I mean. And I’m super happy that that formula isn’t working as much as it used to work.

G1
G1
6 years ago
Reply to  Erasmus

Well Kontopoulos works with Lazarev, Demy , Lorak “everyday” and after Eurovision he may also work with Aisel.
Kontopoulos or Fokas are very successful professionals in Greece. They are not like Thomas G:Son that writes songs only for Eurovision.
Kontopoulos has a huge hit in Greece last summer and Fokas is the stage director of the most important music events in our country.

Anabela
Anabela
6 years ago

Well, this is quite unexpected. I hope it’s not true. I know this is not her style at all, but I would like to hear another composition from the same Azeri songwriter who composed last year’s entry. ‘Skeletons’ was one of my favourites. 😀

Random.sage
Random.sage
6 years ago

If true, Russia is probably set on Julia representing Russia in 2018 since Philipp Kirkorov want to do something for next year and probably gave up and found another participate like he did for Ani Lorak back in 2008 vs Dima Bilan.

Zebb
Zebb
6 years ago

They were even captured together at Emin’s birthday party in Moscow. Seems like Zhara Fest roots keep spreading further more…

Here’s new Dihaj collab
https://soundcloud.com/n-e-z/we-stuck-in-here-ft-dihaj

doctor Z
doctor Z
6 years ago

If it’s true I will bet some money that Azerbaijan will be in the top 10.

Michael
Michael
6 years ago
Reply to  doctor Z

Tell that to Demy

doctor Z
doctor Z
6 years ago
Reply to  Michael

Bets are based on statistics.9 out of their 10 entries were in top 10 so it is the safest bet for the moment.

Jo
Jo
6 years ago
Reply to  doctor Z

I think your data isn’t quite accurate.

doctor Z
doctor Z
6 years ago
Reply to  Jo

2004 Greece 3rd place (Fokas staging)
2005 Greece 1st place (Fokas staging)
2006 Russia 2nd place (Kirkorov producing Fokas staging)
2007 Belarus 6th place (Kirkorov Kontopoulos Fokas)
2008 Ukraine 2nd place (Kirkorov Kontopoulos Fokas)
2009 Greece 7th place (Kontopoulos Fokas)
2013 Azerbaijan 2nd place (Kontopoulos Fokas)
2014 Russia 7th place (Kirkorov Kontopoulos Fokas)
2016 Russia 3rd place (Kirkorov Kontopoulos Fokas)
2017 Greece 21st place (Kontopoulos Fokas)

Isn’t that accurate?

Jo
Jo
6 years ago
Reply to  doctor Z

I thought you were talking about Azerbaijan solely.

AzeHoneeey
AzeHoneeey
6 years ago

Philipp freakin Kirkorov!! Wow, ITV. And I thought it couldn’t get any worse. xD I was glad they approached Isa Malikov to compose the song last year and now here we go again.

VlaD
VlaD
6 years ago
Reply to  AzeHoneeey

You made your point before. It doesn’t make any sense to change your name and post the same thing all the time.

AzeHoneeey
AzeHoneeey
6 years ago
Reply to  VlaD

Lol! What are you talking about, mate?

Kelly 18
Kelly 18
6 years ago
Reply to  AzeHoneeey

My friend last years entry from your country could easily be written by a Swedish or British songwriter, it’s not like it was a typical Azeri traditional track that no one else could write, so I don’t understand the reason you were happy.

AzeHoneeey
AzeHoneeey
6 years ago
Reply to  Kelly 18

Of course, that’s true. But still I was glad that at least the songwriter was Azerbaijani. Of course it would be much better if we sent something which features our own traditional music.

Kelly 18
Kelly 18
6 years ago

For me all that matters is the song and the singer and not the author behind it.
Last years Azeri entry could easily be composed by a British or Swedish songwriter. No one that watched the contest really cared about the fact that the composer was from Azerbaijan.
Kirkorov and his team have some of the best entries in the history of Eurovision.

Michael
Michael
6 years ago

Going to Kirkorov is no better than having Swedish songwriters write the song. Sadly, if this true, I can see their reasoning. They tried to be more experimental last year, and it didn’t bring them to the top 10, and Kirkorov wrote their last top 10 song. But if this happens, why would they send a talented jazz singer and pianist?

Michael
Michael
6 years ago
Reply to  Michael

Thank you for proving my pont. She could sing anything, and even write anything, yet they’d pair her up with someone who makes cheap pop.

Hazar
Hazar
6 years ago

Please send a song from azeri composer. Azerbaijan has beautiful songs. For example I listen songs on youtube – ‘ Baku Music Factory’. Please Itv do it

Kelly 18
Kelly 18
6 years ago
Reply to  Hazar

I listened to several songs from this YouTube channel. Aisel is also there. But I personally think that 90% of those songs wouldn’t even qualify.
I can understand going to an Azeri author for something very traditional but for pop music there are much better songwriters than the ones that have composed those songs.

Jak
Jak
6 years ago
Reply to  Hazar

‘Skeletons’ is apparently composed by ?sa Melikov, an Azeri musician.

Rafael
Rafael
6 years ago

Pff… please no! Why do they do this?? We have so many talented songwriters like Eldar Mansurov, Isa Malikov, Zahra Badalbeyli etc. I am sure they would create something much more interesting than this Philip guy or some swedish songwriters. Seriously this is just getting boring and no wonder why each year more ppl quit to watch Eurovision in my country, because this is not what represents Azerbaijan or our culture. They just need to stop playing safe and choosing some famous songwriters from different countries. I am sure we can do so much more than this.

Jo
Jo
6 years ago
Reply to  Rafael

I love the “Baku Music Factory” channel on Youtube, it has amazing songs that could do very well at ESC.

AzeriChico
AzeriChico
6 years ago

I can’t say anything on that until I hear what they have come up with.. But on the other hand I hope it won’t be something like “You are the only one” (if the rumour is actually true ofc). But I am still waiting for the day when my country will finally send a song in Azerbaijani with our national instruments like balaban, naghara etc. It sucks that ITV doesn’t want to take risk when it comes to Eurovision and they are always playing it safe. For that reason there is not as much as interest to the contest as… Read more »

AzeriChico
AzeriChico
6 years ago
Reply to  AzeriChico

Good luck to lovely Aisel, she’s a very talented singer and a very nice person. I hope she’s going to do well. 🙂

Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago
Reply to  AzeriChico

Snatch that balaban before Armenia gets to the duduk, girls!

ArmRus
ArmRus
6 years ago

Ha ha. You got it -_-

Ronda
Ronda
6 years ago

I think that the reason why Azerbaijan does not use that instrument is that they failed with it in 2014 (“Start a Fire”). So now the broadcaster is kind of scared to send another song with Azeri national instrument in it. But they need to understand that there was nothing wrong with the song in 2014, she just couldn’t deliver it live and the staging wasn’t good. :p

ArmRus
ArmRus
6 years ago
Reply to  Ronda

I think it’s because “that instrument”, as you mentioned, plays correctly and efficiently on the hands of its real owners 😉

Ronda
Ronda
6 years ago
Reply to  ArmRus

@ArmRus Umm.. First of all nobody was talking about who is the owner of the instrument or anything, so I think that you are kind of being provocative with that comment. As you see there are also azeris commenting on this page and we all know how these type of discussions always end between the two nations. So please, let’s keep it cool and respect each other. Thank you.

ArmRus
ArmRus
6 years ago
Reply to  Ronda

“So now the broadcaster is kind of scared to send another song with Azeri national instrument in it.”
Just cited your words.
All right bye-bye.

Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago
Reply to  ArmRus

Let’s not here, no one knows where the instrument is actually from. The Caucasian countries tend to share similar cultures, after all.
By the way Die in a Fire was the worst song to ever make it to the Eurovision stage, should’ve stayed in the semi with its 15 televote points.

Hazar
Hazar
6 years ago
Reply to  ArmRus

@armrus yes even Jupiter is belong to armenistan lol

KESC
KESC
6 years ago
Reply to  ArmRus

Ehm?? It’s real owner? I think we can be all sure that there is not a real owner of the düdük. The instrument is used in the whole Caucasian region, even in Turkey.
The reason why Start a fire did not well wasn’t surely because of the instrument, but because it was quite monotonuos and flat.

KESC
KESC
6 years ago

I really hope that she won’t work with them. You are the only one was soo overrated, and it was such a generic song. She has an interesting personality, and even Dihaj said that she knows what to do, and that she is really professional. So, she should definetely use her own style, and write her own song, or at least have an influence on the song. Last year, Dihaj’s song was composed by Isa melikov, specially for Diana’s personality and style. Hopefully, Aisel won’t work with them and hopefully the next entry will contain even a bit of Azeri… Read more »

VlaD
VlaD
6 years ago
Reply to  KESC

Why should it contain Azeri language? Why no one has a problem with Sweden using English every year but when it comes to Russia or Azerbaijan it needs to be a song on their own language.
From what I listened she has very good English.

Michael
Michael
6 years ago
Reply to  VlaD

People love seeing songs in Swedish, they love seeing all countries singing in their native language. It would be different

KESC
KESC
6 years ago
Reply to  VlaD

Who said that I would not like to see Sweden sending a song in Swedish?! Of course I would be satisfied. Since it’s EUROvision, and not ANGLOvision, it’s always great to see countries, sending songs in their native language or other languages, aka Hungary 2017 or Croatia 2017.

But, yeah, I was referring to Azerbaijani language, since it’s a beautiful melodic langauge.
Additionally, Azerbaijan should be the only country, which has never sent a song in their native language, and thus I think that the time has come to finally do it.

Hi hello
Hi hello
6 years ago

Hardly “dream team” ..
the only one was a terrible song , cheap tacky rubbish ..

VlaD
VlaD
6 years ago
Reply to  Hi hello

Well this is just your opinion,the viewers around Europe had a different opinion ranking it 1st the juries had a different opinion rankling it 5th and the radio stations in my country had a different opinion rotating it 1.000.000 times in one and a half years

Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago
Reply to  VlaD

K, it was successful on the Russian radios, we get it. Occidentali’s Karma is certified 5x Platinum here in Italy and it’s one of the most played songs on the radio this year, and yet it didn’t win. So what’s your point? You Are the Only One was nowhere to be found on the airwaves of countries outside of the Russian sphere of influence.

VlaD
VlaD
6 years ago

Italy was 6th and Russia 3rd. If Aisel ends anywhere within the top 10 it will be a huge success for Azerbaijan especially after their recent results.

Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago
Reply to  VlaD

Yeah, 3rd or 6th, neither won and neither was successful outside of their country. Occidentali’s Karma did generate revenue from those 250,000 sales, at least.

VlaD
VlaD
6 years ago

if Aisel comes 3rd or 6th and has major hit in her country isn’t that going to be a success for her? What is it that you don’t understand?

Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago
Reply to  VlaD

Yeah, because Azerbaijan has a relevant music industry. Come on, they don’t even have record stores there and you have to sell 2 copies to go #1 on iTunes!

coca_cola
coca_cola
6 years ago

I don’t think she will be working with them since she says “I hope to see you again soon”. If she was working with them she wouldn’t say that.
On the other hand I really hope she would perform something as cool and fresh “Shady Lady” was in 2008.

D
D
6 years ago

Philipp makes me cringe

azaad
azaad
6 years ago

Wait- isn’t Armenia friendly with Russia? Or to a lesser extent, Bulgaria? (friendly with other EU countries and Russia simultaneously).

Hopefully Aisel still has some creative input.

Jo
Jo
6 years ago

I really hope not.

Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago

Is it just me, or Aisel looks like Demi Lovato and Lana Del Rey’s lovechild in the banner photo? Either way, my hype for Azerbaijan is now gone–another generic, dated and uninspired song in the basket!

Jo
Jo
6 years ago

But 12 points from Montenegro.

Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago
Reply to  Jo

I’m going to Montenegro in April, lemme bring some taste to their jurors.

VlaD
VlaD
6 years ago

From what I remember last year Montenegro gave zero points to Azerbaijan and 12 to Greece!!!!!!

Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago
Reply to  VlaD

He’s saying this because Montenegro has been giving its 12 jury points to the most insipid songs (Malta in 2016 and Greece in 2017).

VlaD
VlaD
6 years ago

@Polegend you should realize that Eurovision is a contest full of dated songs. Just have a look at the winners or runner ups of the last years?
2014 Austria : old fashion ballad
2015 Russia : very dated, generic ballad
2016 Ukraine : old fashion ballad
2017 Portugal : old fashion ballad
That’s Eurovision darling. At least Lazarev had a mega hit with “you are the only one” with a rotation of more than 1.000.000 plays

Jo
Jo
6 years ago
Reply to  VlaD

Kontopoulos was part of the Greek delegation in Ukraine, not of the Azeri one.

The only thing dated on “1944” is the narrative.

VlaD
VlaD
6 years ago
Reply to  Jo

And 2014 Kontopoulos and Kirkorov were the authors of the Russian entry and the jury of Montenegro gave them the last place (25).
So what’s your point?
As for 1944 the melody is very very dated and this is why the song was heard just two times in a year : at the closing of Eurovision 2016 and the opening of Eurovision 2017.

Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago
Reply to  VlaD

Look, there’s a difference between old-fashioned and dated. Those four songs you listed are timeless. Songs like You Are the Only One are DATED.

VlaD
VlaD
6 years ago

Well that’s just your opinion with which viewers all around Europe disagreed ranking it first