Azerbaijan’s Efendi has been confirmed for Eurovision 2021. And while she won’t be able to sing her song about Cleopatra — the last active ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt — she’ll most definitely bring her treasure trove of gifts: beauty, voice and presence.
“Guys, I have great news to share with you,” she wrote on Instagram. “Yes, I will represent Azerbaijan at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2021! Thank you for your support and unforgettable emotions! Can’t wait to see you.”
She punctuated her message with a heart emoji, signing off with a love akin to that Cleopatra shared with Marc Antony. But thankfully our girl has the ambition and fire make sure her love affair with Eurovision has a happier ending.
Azerbaijan at Eurovision 2021: It’s Efendi!
Our excitement for Efendi stems, no doubt, from the impressive music video she dropped for her intended 2020 song “Cleopatra”. And while she won’t be able to sing it next year, owing to a decree by the EBU for new songs, it sets down a very high standard for The Land of Fire to build on next year.
“Betrayed by a lover, so hard to recover, couldn’t see the forest from the trees.” These are just some of the words she used to create an aura of mystery and intrigue in the song.
It was built around the myth and legend of Cleopatra — Egypt’s final Pharaoh who has beguiled artists, writers and historians for centuries. She’s known to have seduced many powerful men, such as Caesar and Antionius. And Efendi was poised to seduce listeners with her mystical sound and endlessly sensual looks. Not to mention some out-there Buddhist chanting.
When Deban and I reviewed the song after its release, we were impressed by how lush and expensive it all was. We see Efendi bedecked in garments befitting of an Egyptian queen. Amid her personal splendour we also see stunning landscapes — including a vast desert — adding to the myth and hype of Cleopatra, but also Efendi, our Azerbaijani queen.
In 2014, Efendi competed in Azerbaijan’s national final Böyük Səhnə. She made it to the third heat, where she was eliminated just before the grand final. But her three performances on the show proved Efendi is an experienced performer with a strong voice. Broadcaster Ictimai says Samira Efendi was selected from a short list of five acts.
Are you as excited to welcome Samira to Eurovision 2021 as we are? Do you hope that she comes with a similarly over-the-top song? Let us know in the comments box down below.
I’d love for Efendi realising her music on an album; imma buy it!!! A new Cleopara has been born. And with two chances; who knows?
I’d love for her to make a full album! With two sings in the pocket; she can do it!
Thank you, Azerbaijan!
Hopefully they will come up with better lyrics than “straight or gay or in between” for 2021. That ruined what could have been a good song
I liked those lyrics so
disgusting
Cleopatra is a HUGE loss, it was literally Egyptian ethnopop. Let’s hope they will come up with something similar for Efendi next year, it was truly one of a kind.
As many people have stated. The Eurovision songs for this year should not be tossed away like some unwanted garbage. There are many good quality songs that have to be recognised. If the Eurovision authorities have binned this years contest it doesn’t mean that the Eurovision community should follow suit. We have to organise some kind of online competition. Wiwibloggs please help us come up with something. These songs deserve nothing less.
Only from Sweden may there be a new representative character.
Other countries keep participants 2020, but there are doubts about Uku
To be honest I don’t really like this song. I wouldn’t be too disappointed if they chose another act. Seems very unfair though considering most countries are keeping their artists.
Distasteful and cringe
Okay 😀
Yes looking forward to Samira Efendi <3
Ama lütfen biraz Azeri dil
This is what every single country should do! So I’m very happy with the decision of Azerbaijan.
Thank you Azerbaijan! Even if I wasn’t into the song.
Cleopatra was an ethnic bop made to shine in the eurovision stage. We lost this great song but i am glad they are giving Efendi the chance she deserves.
I don’t think she can top Cleopatra tbh
We’ll see. She could top it but it won’t be easy.
You should see her instagram story!! Can it be posted here? You can see how happy she is!! She loves Eurovision soo much! She has waited 5 years to do it and finally, it’s her time to shine. Cleopatra was the song whose staging I was most looking forward to. I’m pretty sure that she could’ve reached the TOP 10. Although it won’t be that easy to top Cleopatra, and I’m really sad that we won’t get to see it on the Eurovision stage, I’m really looking forward to her song in 2021. Hopefully she will come with another banger,… Read more »