Biography
Who is Eldar Qasımov?
Early life and education
Eldar Qasımov was born in Baku, Azerbaijan, on June 4, 1989. He comes from an artistic family, being the great-grandson of actor Abbas Mirza Sharifzadeh and actress Marziyya Davudova, and the grandson of actress Firangiz Sharifova. He began singing at a young age and participated in concerts across Azerbaijan and Russia. Between 2001 and 2005, he received professional music training and learned to play the piano.
He studied at Baku Slavic University, where he earned a double major in international relations and regional geography. He later became a graduate student in the same field at the university. Alongside his studies, he mastered Russian and German while gaining proficiency in English. In October 2012, he returned to Baku Slavic University to teach a course in international relations.
Eurovision victory and music career
Eldar Qasımov entered the national selection process for Eurovision, known as Milli Seçim Turu 2011. He advanced through the heats and the semi-final to reach the final on February 11, 2011. Alongside Nigar Jamal, he won the right to represent Azerbaijan at the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 in Düsseldorf, Germany. Performing under the pseudonym Ell and Nikki, they sang Running Scared, which was written by Stefan Örn, Sandra Bjurman, and Iain Farquharson. The entry won the competition with 221 points.
Following their victory, Eldar Qasımov and Nigar Jamal travelled to multiple countries to perform their winning song. The government of Azerbaijan printed 15,000 postage stamps in honor of their victory. In January 2012, Eldar released his first post-Eurovision single titled Birlikda nahayat. Later that year, he released the acoustic version of his single I'm Free, which featured production work from Farid Mammadov and Ali Abasbeili.
Television and hosting work
In 2012, Eldar Qasımov co-hosted the Eurovision Song Contest held in Baku after his victory the previous year. He also served as a member of the jury for the Danish national selection for the 2012 Eurovision contestant alongside four other musicians from Azerbaijan.
Between 2021 and 2022, Eldar expanded his television career by working as a coach in the second season of The Voice of Azerbaijan. His contestant, Nadir Rustamli, won the show and went on to represent Azerbaijan in the Eurovision Song Contest 2022, finishing in sixteenth place.
Birthday and age
Eldar Qasımov was born on June 4, 1989, which makes Eldar 37 years old today. That birthday falls under the Gemini sign. Eldar shares the date with 32 other famous people.
Explore more
