Today Azerbaijan confirmed its participation for Eurovision 2016. We are already dreaming of LEDs and images of the Flame Towers. With expensive performances, a perfect qualifying record, one victory and one very well-produced ESC in Baku, Azerbaijan has established itself as a perennial contender. Although the country’s selection process has varied significantly since its debut in Belgrade, its preferred songwriters have not: the national broadcaster likes to hire foreign talent to write and produce its entries. To celebrate Azerbaijan’s confirmed participation, here are five artists we think deserve a shot at representing the Land of Fire in Stockholm.
Emin
You probably saw this one coming! Eurovision 2012’s interval act is one of the biggest household names in his native Azerbaijan, as well as Russia, where he lives. A favourite of the Miss Universe organisation, he started his musical career nearly 10 years ago and has already released eight studio albums, including the critically acclaimed “Amor”, which dropped in July. He is currently touring the continent, performing at sold out concerts in Baku, Paris, Madrid, and London. This is how you do it.
Khana Hasanova
Now let’s go with someone rather unknown. Courageous eurofans who watched the very long Azeri selection back in 2014 might remember Khana. She’s been trying to represent her country since 2011, but has always failed to make it past the first heats. In 2014 she was among the three finalists fighting for a ticket to Copenhagen, but ultimately lost out to Dilara Kazimova. Khana delivered strong performances week after week, proving that she can sing up-tempo songs as well as ballads. We really hope that this beautiful and talented singer will one day grace the Eurovision stage!
Eldar Gasimov
What about a returning artist? Since his victory at Eurovision 2011 Eldar Gasimov has been enjoying success in Azerbaijan and Turkish-speaking countries. Even though some still question Azerbaijan’s victory, they cannot deny that Eldar is a very talented young singer and that he could get his country back in the top 10!
Röya Ayxan
Since 2010, Azerbaijan has only sent ballads to the contest — but never in Azerbaijani. Isn’t it time to hear that beautiful language on stage? This striking 33-year-old singer can deliver a high class ballad with a very distinct voice AND in Azerbaijani. Her ballads are in a totally different league to what we’re used to hearing at ESC.
Röya’s debut goes back to 1999 when she started with a girl band before going solo in 2003 and becoming one of Azerbaijan’s most famous vocalists. Much appreciated by locals and with several albums under her belt, Röya is ready to go global.
Aygun Kazimova
Last but not least, it’s Azerbaijan’s biggest diva Aygun Kazimova! If you recall, she was our pick for the Wednesday Wishlist some weeks ago and she proved to be a popular choice with our readers, so much so that the Azeri press shared our choice in the Land of Fire! Here’s what we said about Aygun:
“This sexy 44 year old singer is the ultimate queen of pop in Azerbaijan! She’s considered one of the founders of the modern Azeri pop scene and is amongst the country’s biggest stars. Her musical career has spanned four decades, she’s released at least seven albums containing many hit singles. She even sang the official anthem of the 2012 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup held in Azerbaijan. Besides that, Aygun is renowned for her energetic live performances and eccentric music videos… Don’t you think it’s time for her to do Eurovision? ”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fUD4Mt15sI
This list only includes five artists. Who else do you think could slay the field? Let us know in the comments section below!
Aygun Kazimova – Azerbaijani Pop Diva
Aygun Kazimova Duets
1 – Filip Kirkorov
2 – Sinan Akcil
3 – Alim Qasimov
4 – SNOOP DOGG
5 – so on..
AYGUN KAZIMOVA MY HEART.
EUROVISION 2016 AZERBAIJAN – AYGUN KAZIMOVA
Azerbaijan is a turkic country and should sing in their own language, not in english please.
But of course, EBU wouldn’t want to drop them that easily. We know how rich Azerbaijan is, right? Let’s just wait and see how money talks between the said parties and we’ll see the country in a victorious lead once again.
Few and few people are hating on Azerbaijan already. Next thing we’ll know, they’ll withdraw from the contest for a short while. Uh oh, here comes the violent Azeri fans now!
The hate for Azerbaijan is very unfortunate. I’ve never disliked an entry but my least fave is ironically the one they won with. I actually couldn’t care about the singer – I just want Azerbaijani composers so that everyone will stop complaining. There’s a song on YouTube by someone called DiHaj (its on Baku Music Factory) and she seems like a cool singer.
Aygun Kazimova is our honorary.I believe that she will represent us worthly.
Aygün Kaz?mova Azerbaijani Pop Diva,
#Eurovision2016 #AygunKazimova #ESC2016
My only wish for Azerbaijan is to be kicked out of the contest, for cheating, bribing for votes, etc. But if you really want to pick an artist for the Land of Cheaters, you probably should look into Swedish artists, since the only thing they can do is hire Swedish composers.
Emin would be an awesome choice. He got charisma, good voice and good songs.
Eldar would be great with song like Closer.
Methinks Ell (Eldar Qasimov) is ready for another shot at this, as a solo entry this time.
Throwing it out there, Roya looks like Ru Paul.
I would like Elnur again or with Dilara.I think every country should sing a song written by its songwriters,finaly they ara representing their country .As theyir neigbour Armenia,they always represent theyir own songwriters ,exept in 2013 and it was the worst year for them.
No returning artists, please. Also, it’s highly unlikely Azerbaijan will ever sing in Azerbaijani, considering all their songs are outsourced to Greece or Sweden.
I don’t want any act to represent Azerbaijan, as they should be thrown out of the competition for cheating and stealing their 2011 victory. I find it impossible to believe anybody could actually like Running Scared enough to pick up the phone to vote for it. Offensibly bland. They could have at least robbed their victory with one of their better songs.
There’s nothing wrong with using Swedish-produced songs if they are doing well for you at Eurovision but the last two years have been disappointing in terms of points and place. In my opinion, in both of those years, Azerbaijan’s entries were excellent. Dilara deserved a top 10 placing and Elnur should have been at least top 5 (possibly winning considering how bad the top 3 were) but Europe did not agree with me. Until the rest of Europe is buying what Azerbaijan is selling, I do not think it will matter who they send. Having said that, I hope they… Read more »
I like Azerbaijan a lot in Eurovision, but I want them to send some real ethno-pop with Turkish sounds, that would be great for once. After too many ballads.
Aygun Kazimova great singer.She must represent Azerbaijan in Esc.Go Aygun !!! we love you <3
AYGÜN KAZIMOVA ?S OUR D?VA. She is best singer from Azerbaijan
Safura should come back for Victory! 🙂