While Azerbaijan has already confirmed they’ll send their 2020 act, Efendi, to the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest in Rotterdam, the talks about the future are everlasting. And now one very prominent voice has waded into the discussion.

At the Zhara Music Awards 2020, Russian music mogul and Eurovision icon Philipp Kirkorov revealed some of his thoughts and preferences for the years ahead. It’s been widely reported that he believes Sergey Lazarev can win for Russia in a third attempt. But, as 12xal reports, Philipp also waded into his hopes for the Land of Fire. In his vision of the future: “Lazarev would represent Russia, and JONY for Azerbaijan.”

Who’s JONY?

Born Jahid Afrail oglu Huseynli, JONY has quickly become one of the hottest names in the Russian music market. The Azerbaijani-born singer has had music as his main goal from an early age, managing to break through in 2018. That year he signed with RAAVA Music after being discovered through his covers on Instagram. Since then JONY has released hit after hit, with many of his songs reaching millions of views on Youtube. His most recent hit, “Ty besposhadna” (You’re Merciless), has made waves across many countries in eastern Europe, including Russia.

JONY was also a featured act at Zhara Fest, as well as in Kirkorov’s press conference afterwards, signalling a potential alliance between the two, which could lead them to collaborate for Eurovision. Kirkorov’s “Dream Team” have already written for Azerbaijan twice — in 2013 and 2018 — but this would be the first direct collaboration between Kirkorov and the country. JONY’s youthful energy and R&B vibe would fit well with both the strong-pop brand of the country and the style of the Dream Team.

It is important to note that the Russian Eurovision maestro announced that preparations for Eurovision 2021 are in full swing. He’s probably referring to his ongoing collaboration with Natalia Gordienko, who was due to reprsent Moldova in 2020, and who recently confirmed via her Instagram that she’ll be back in 2021. Kirkorov is also collaborating with Estonia’s Eurovision 2020 act Uku Suviste, who is in the studio and gearing up for Eesti Laul 2021.

What do you think? Would you like to see JONY represent Azerbaijan? Let us know in the comments below!

 

24 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
TheDrMistery
TheDrMistery
3 years ago

What would Lazarev need to do to win with the juries? Both of his entries were different and he wasn’t even close with either of them. Nothing against him but I don’t know if that’s possible…

Not to mention political climate preventing Russia from winning nowadays (and allowing them to win in 2008 all the same).

James
James
3 years ago
Reply to  TheDrMistery

I thought he had a great pull with the juries, it’s only that he did not have a bigger share than his competitors from both editions he took part in.

Toinousse
Toinousse
3 years ago
Reply to  TheDrMistery

I think the issue with both of his entries is that despite their quality, they lacked modernity and radio potential, and I feel this is what the juries reward the most. They give points to modern, vocally perfect and radio friendly songs. Sergey is more of a showman which is attractive for public votes but not jury vote.

Rashad Guliyev
Rashad Guliyev
3 years ago

Well, I wouldn’t really want Philipp to be involved in the production of future Azerbaijani entries. He totally ruined a great jazz talent as Aisel with a cheesy Eurovision pop song.

Azaad
Azaad
3 years ago

I have a feeling that after 2018 Azerbaijan will not want anything to do with Kirkorov…

Kim
Kim
3 years ago
Reply to  Azaad

I feel like I should know what you’re talking about here, but you’ve puzzled me. What happened?

Joe
Joe
3 years ago
Reply to  Kim

Dream Team members (not Kirkorov) worked on X My Heart and it tanked.

Kim
Kim
3 years ago
Reply to  Joe

Ah ok so Not Kirkorov’s fault then. Thanks for the clarity.

Azaad
Azaad
3 years ago
Reply to  Kim

My bad- although aren’t the Dream Team and Kirkorov close? Either way, I think if Azerbaijan were to court a foreign producer for the next few editions, it’d likely be Milanov.

Jordan
Jordan
3 years ago

I understand the points made about Kirkorov. I too wish he’d take a step back for a little while. But no one can deny this guy is very talented and with a great song could do really well at Eurovision. His voice could span a vareity of different genre’s. He’s good at the pop-rock song featured here but also has a tone that could also really work on an R&B track. I’d be very interested to see him at Eurovision!

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
3 years ago

I definitely see it. This is the sort of voice that I could see really working with the right kind of song.Azerbaijan has an abundance of good singers, though.

Alex
Alex
3 years ago

I don’t like Kirkorov, he seems to force his choices by using his fame and money.

Lazarev doesn’t deserve to win with songs like Scream, i still can’t get how it got so high! A very forgettable song.

Russia is a big market and should give the chance to new singers to take part.

Nils
Nils
3 years ago

Performers aside, Kirkorov should get back on track first. Musically, his recent Eurovision efforts were ‘meh’ at best.

NickC
NickC
3 years ago

Wow. Great voice.

Esc addict
Esc addict
3 years ago

Kirkorov an esc icon!? Not for me. Lazarev a third time in esc!? Russia has other talented artists, the omnipresence of Kirkorov everywhere it’s just ridiculous and tiring, even in the Jesc he is present, sorry but I don’t like him, what he does and have done, and what he represents, how russian people don’t laugh at him seriously!?. Moldova, Russia, Azerbaidjan, Estonia, who else more? We need more new names new persons with new ideas, not always the same old fashioned person working for 4 or more countries. Same things about the songwriters, always the same names as if… Read more »

Last edited 3 years ago by Esc addict
Ashton
Ashton
3 years ago

I’m sorry but Kirkorov has had his time. I will take a 1000000 Boris Milanovs over Philipp every day.

Jonas
Jonas
3 years ago
Reply to  Ashton

Yeah, at least Boris has the ability to get there based on quality – as the recent anonymous German selection proved. I highly doubt Philipp could do the same.

Joe
Joe
3 years ago
Reply to  Jonas

At least Boris’ style of intense pop is contemporary and interesting. Kirkorov’s is very old-fashioned.

Jonas
Jonas
3 years ago
Reply to  Joe

He has entered the Ralph Siegel realm.

Ashton
Ashton
3 years ago
Reply to  Jonas

but not quite. most of Siegel’s stuff is so bad there is some humour to be had. most of Kirkorov’s, however, is just so uninterestingly mediocre and leaning on bad that it’s just kind of upsetting at how little effort was put into it. (one exception to this is prison, which I surprisingly enjoyed, but I know that I am in the minority haha, I just love the ethnic flairs and chanting in it)

Erasmus
Erasmus
3 years ago

I don’t mind songwriters returning, but they have to be good (like Milanov or Alex P.). Kirkorov and Dimitris are just not it (for my taste of course).

Anyway Jony seems great – just don’t ruin him with Philip.

Joe
Joe
3 years ago
Reply to  Erasmus

They’re gonna make him Farid Mammadov Mk. 2, mark my words…

Joe
Joe
3 years ago

Looking forward to the day when a great musician with a strong presence in the international music industry shows the same level of passion for and has the same level of influence on Eurovision as Kirkorov.

Last edited 3 years ago by Joe
Hyunwoo
Hyunwoo
3 years ago

This is interesing, but i hope that he will represent Russia!