Introduction

• Participant(s): Aisel Mammadova
• Song: “X My Heart”
  
• Writer(s): Sandra Bjurman
  
• Composer(s): Dimitris Kontopoulos
• Broadcaster: Ictimai TV
  
• Social media:    
• Team review: 

There has been another internal selection by the Azerbaijani broadcaster Ictimai iTV. It’s the third time that Azerbaijan is doing it this way. The Caucasian country is one of the most successful new countries in the recent ESC history. They always qualify for the final and in the first six years they always ended up in the top 10, including one victory. This year the choice felt to Aisel Mammdova or better known as just Aisel.

The popular girl’s name “Aisel” means “the path that leads you to the moon” in the Azerbaijani language. What a good omen for the Eurovision entry this year, as the song is about to fly to the moon. Aisel feels a strong connection to the song and her own life. The message of the song is to believe in yourself – stronger than cannonballs.

Aisel, who is born in Baku, 1989 came in touch with music at a very early age of life. She attended a music school in Baku and later on the Azerbaijani State Conservatory. Aisel released several singles, even internationally. The next big step is going to represent her country in Lisbon at the ESC. With the famous composers Dimitris Kontopoulos and Sandra Bjurman the chances to reach the Grand Final seem to be easy. Furthermore stage director Fokas Evangelinos is going to create Aisel’s stage performance. Maybe this team will reach a better position than in the last previous years.

History

• Debut: 2008
• Participations: 11
• Victories: 1
• Finals: 10
• Top 10: 6
• Chances for Top 10: 55%
• Chances for Final: 100%

Since Azerbaijan joined the Eurovision Song Contest in 2008, a truly outstanding story of success began. In the short history Azerbaijan has always made it into the Grand Final, and there were even six Top10 places in that short period of time! Statistically there is a chance of 55% for Azerbaijan to have a place in the Top10. In the very early years Azerbaijan even made it into the Top10, but since 2014 this has not been the case anymore. And the chances for reaching the final is at 100%, this is due to the fact that Azerbaijan always made it into the Grand Final since the debut. And that’s really something special.

The Eurovision Song Contest has become very important in Azerbaijan and enjoys a huge interest in the entire country. For the Azerbaijani music industry the ESC is also a good platform to show their music talents internationally. 

The debut entry “Day After Day” by Elnur & Samir made a respectable 8th place in Belgrade, even if it was a very extraordinary song with a lot of drama and unbelievable high notes on stage. 

Of course there were a lot of votes by the ex-Soviet countries. But beside of that the songs from Azerbaijan have shown a lot of modernity and the stage performances were always very special on a very high artistic level. This is also due to the fact that Azerbaijan often invites international composers e.g. Stephan Örn, Sandra Bjuman, etc., which made the songs very international. In 2011, Azerbaijan could even win with “Running Scared” by Ell & Nikki.

The ESC from Baku in 2012 was one of the most important events in Azerbaijan with the support of the highest government circles. This was the most south eastern ESC ever. The impressive Crystal Hall and the greatly illuminated city of Baku have surprised the visitors and watchers of the ESC, which will remain in good memories.

Biggest successes

1x 1st place

• Ell & Nikki | Running Scared (2011) (Interview with Ell & Nikki)

1x 2nd place

• Farid Mammadov | Hold Me (2013)

1x 3rd place

• AySel & Arash | Always (2009)

Video Nostalgia

• “When The Music Dies” | Sabina Babayeva, Rank 5 (Final), Baku 2012
• “Start A Fire” | Dilara Kazimova, Rank 22 (Final), Copenhagen 2014