Eldar Qasımov
Who was Eldar Qasımov?
Television presenter and singer who won the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 as part of the duo Ell & Nikki with the song "Running Scared".
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Eldar Qasımov (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Eldar "Ell" Parviz oglu Gasimov was born on 4 June 1989 in Baku, Azerbaijan. He is known as a singer and television presenter who gained international fame through the Eurovision Song Contest 2011. Gasimov studied at Baku Slavic University, which focuses on languages and humanities, helping him build cultural and communication skills that later benefited his media career.
Gasimov represented Azerbaijan in the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 in Düsseldorf, Germany, performing with singer Nigar Jamal as the duo Ell and Nikki. Their ballad 'Running Scared' won the contest, making it Azerbaijan's first Eurovision victory. This win highlighted Azerbaijani popular music on the world stage and made Gasimov one of the most well-known entertainers from the South Caucasus region.
After their Eurovision win, Gasimov co-hosted the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 in Baku. Hosting in Azerbaijan's capital gave him a global audience of hundreds of millions, where he was noted for his presenter skills. This shift from competitor to host showcased his versatility as both a performer and a broadcaster.
Throughout his career, Gasimov has received several honors recognizing his contributions to Azerbaijani culture and public life. He was awarded an honorary diploma from the President of Azerbaijan, showing the importance of his achievements at a national level. He was also named Man of the Year, further solidifying his status as a leading cultural figure from Azerbaijan in the early twenty-first century. His Eurovision win remains the most internationally known of his achievements.
Before Fame
Eldar Gasimov grew up in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, during a time of big political and cultural shifts following the country's independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. He grew up in a Baku that was slowly opening to international influences while keeping its strong musical and artistic traditions. His education at Baku Slavic University helped him develop his communication skills and cultural understanding.
Before gaining widespread recognition, Gasimov gained experience as a performer in Azerbaijan's local entertainment scene. The country had created a competitive pop music industry, and young artists often tried to become known through TV appearances and local competitions. Gasimov was chosen to represent Azerbaijan at Eurovision after a selection process that showed he could appeal to both local and international audiences. Teaming up with Nigar Jamal was a key move, combining his vocal talent with her established name to create a duo that connected with many people.
Key Achievements
- Won the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 representing Azerbaijan with the song 'Running Scared' as part of the duo Ell and Nikki
- Co-hosted the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 in Baku before a global television audience
- Awarded an honorary diploma of the President of the Azerbaijan Republic
- Received the Man of the Year award in recognition of his cultural contributions
- Graduated from Baku Slavic University and established a dual career as both a recording artist and television presenter
Did You Know?
- 01.Gasimov performed at Eurovision 2011 under the stage name 'Ell', while his partner Nigar Jamal performed as 'Nikki', forming the duo name Ell and Nikki.
- 02.Their winning song 'Running Scared' was written by Stefan Örn, Sandra Bjurman, and Iain Farquharson, a multinational songwriting team.
- 03.Azerbaijan's Eurovision 2011 victory obligated the country to host the following year's contest, making the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest in Baku one of the most logistically ambitious events ever staged in the South Caucasus.
- 04.Gasimov co-hosted the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest in his own hometown of Baku, a rare instance of a previous winner returning to present the following year's edition.
- 05.He received an honorary diploma from the President of the Azerbaijan Republic, one of the country's formal cultural recognitions awarded to individuals who bring distinction to the nation abroad.
Awards & Honors
| Award | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|
| honorary diploma of President of Azerbaijan Republic | — | — |
| Man of the year | — | — |
| First prize of the Eurovision Song Contest | 2011 | — |