The prominent singer JIVA is officially set to perform and represent her nation on the Eurovision 2026 stage
The acclaimed singer JIVA will represent Azerbaijan in the first half of the second semi-final, which is scheduled to be held on May 14th.
JIVA – Who Are You?
JIVA, whose real name is Jamila Hashimova, is a prominent Azerbaijani pop singer. She previously performed with the renowned RAST ensemble, taking the stage at the prestigious Montreux Jazz Festival. Later, as the lead vocalist of the band Hazz, she masterfully combined elements of jazz with contemporary pop music. Her solo career officially launched in 2017. She currently records pop, dance, and R&B songs in Azerbaijani, Russian, and English.
A Triumphant Path to the European Stage
Her distinguished status in the Azerbaijani music industry was firmly established following her participation in the television program The Voice Azerbaijan, where she captured first place in 2025. Beyond her remarkable local success, she possesses valuable experience within the European competitive sphere. In 2021, she participated in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest as a backing vocalist, and earlier in 2011, she reached the final trio from which Azerbaijan’s representatives for the competition were ultimately chosen.
הצגת פוסט זה באינסטגרם
How Azerbaijan selected its representative for Eurovision 2026?
In December, it was revealed that Azerbaijan would once again select its Eurovision 2026 representative through an internal selection process. This means both the artist and the song are chosen by a professional committee appointed by the national broadcaster, without a public national final.
Azerbaijan has largely relied on this method since joining the Eurovision Song Contest in 2008, with only a few exceptions. During those years, televised national finals were held, allowing public participation choosing the representatives through formats such as “Milli Seçim Turu” in 2008, 2010 and 2011 and “Böyük Səhnə” in 2014. Since 2015, İTV has consistently maintained an internal selection process, giving it full control over both the artist and the song sent to the competition.
Azerbaijan, which won Eurovision 2011 with “Running Scared” performed by Ell & Nikki, namely Eldar Gasimov and Nigar Jamal, is widely regarded as one of the competition’s most invested participants, consistently delivering polished performances and maintaining a high artistic standard each year.
Azerbaijan at Eurovision 2025
“Run With U” is the song that will be performed by the band Mamagama, representing Azerbaijan at Eurovision 2025. The song was written by band member Safael Mishiyev, along with Roman Zee and KHVS. This is the first Eurovision entry for these songwriters, and the song is performed in English.
The band finished 15th and last place in the first semi-final, with 7 points, which failed Azerbaijan qualifying to the final for the third consecutive time.
Eurovision 2026: This will be Azerbaijan’s 18th participation in Eurovision. Azerbaijan joined the contest in 2008 and achieved its best result in Eurovision 2011 when singers Ell and Nikki, won first place with the song “Running Scared”.
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Maor Heumann has been writing about the Eurovision Song Contest and following it for over three decades. He has attended five contests and has found something to appreciate in almost every possible musical genre — from the sugary pop entries that finish last in the semi-finals to the quirky avant-garde pieces that even the competition’s juries struggled to connect with. He usually prefers original languages and songs with depth over Swedish-produced English clones — though he doesn’t promise to stick to that rule.
He grew up on the kibbutz of Sara’le Sharon, who instilled in him a love for music and created his first connection to the contest back in 1993 — before most of the current editorial team was even born.
