Azerbaijani broadcaster İctimai Televiziya has recorded Fahree feat. Ilkin Dovlatov nominated as a candidate for the Eurovision Song Contest 2024. The song “Özünlə Apar”, which was the last of all ESC titles to be released, failed in the semi.
The selection process in Azerbaijan took a long time: after countless auditions and evaluations by juries, Ictimai found its artist for the ESC 2024 in Fahree. And, in 2024, Azerbaijan actually relied on musical expertise from its own country: no Swedish composers and producers. Instead, Edgar Ravin, Hasan Haydar, Mila Miles and Fahree were responsible for the song “Özünlə Apar” (“Take It With You”). The song is not purely in English, but also contains Azerbaijani lyrics.
VIDEO: Azerbaijan: Fahree feat. Ilkin Dovlatov – “Özünlə Apar” | First ESC semi-final 2024 (3 min)
Music beats law, law beats music
Fahree said his entire Eurovision journey was a reward for his hard work and commitment.
Fahree was born Fakhri Ismayilov in 1995 in the capital Baku. He grew up in an artistic family. His father is a passionate jazz drummer and his grandfather was a respected actor. Fahree also loves music and the game of basketball, which he plays professionally. But instead of following in his father’s footsteps, he first decides to study law – and becomes a lawyer.
But Fahree won’t let go of his childhood dream; during the Corona pandemic, he’s dedicating himself more to music again. He is putting his legal career on hold. In 2022, Fahree will finally release his first single “Dance”. His participation in the ESC shows that dreams can come true.
lkin Dovlatov takes on the Mugham part in Malmö
The 29-year-old was not alone on stage in Malmö. He got support from lkin Dovlatov. He also comes from Baku, where he grew up in a musical family. His great role model is always his father. When Dovlatov presents his first song “Qəlbimdə qaldı”, he is just four years old. During school, the music teacher noticed Dovlatov’s talent and encouraged him to make music. Like so many artists of his generation, he takes part in the Azerbaijani edition of “The Voice” (2023).
In “Özünlə Apar” Dovlatov takes on the mugham part. Traditional Azerbaijani ethno music is included in the representative list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity. The music is based on folkloric elements and oral tradition. And it leaves a lot of room for improvisation.
“Özünlə Apar” addresses male emotions
Take me with you, without you this world is too small for me. Fahree in “Özünlə Apar”
“Özünlə Apar” is dedicated to Fahree’s girlfriend. In it he sings about the challenges of love. The song is a powerful statement about how masculinity should not negate emotions and feelings.
Azerbaijan between triumph and failure
Azerbaijan has been taking part in the ESC since 2008 in Belgrade, more or less successfully. In 2011 Ell & Nikki took first place for the Caucasus Republic in Düsseldorf, Farid Mammadov came in an excellent second place in Malmö in 2013. After that there are almost only places beyond the top ten. Most recently, Chingiz2019 took a good eighth place. Like TuralTuranX in Liverpool last year, Fahree feat. Ilkin Dovlatov will not reach the final in 2024 either.
Further information
Azerbaijan has been taking part in the ESC since 2008. Ell / Nikki got their first win in 2011 with “Running Scared”. All rankings, participants and songs from Azerbaijan at the ESC. more
3 Min
Fahree feat. Ilkin Dovlatov will compete for Azerbaijan at the ESC with “Özünlə Apar”. Here is the official music video for the song. 3 mins
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ONE | Eurovision Song Contest | May 7, 2024 | 9:00 p.m