BAKU, AZERBAIJAN – On Thursday it was announced that young singer from Azerbaijan Samra Rahimli will represent the country at the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest. Today Azerbaijani National Broadcaster ITV released her entry song Miracle.
“Though this song is a story of a painful break-up, it’s not a ballad as one may think,” – tells Samra. – “For me it’s the anthem of a strong and brave girl. I hope it can inspire those who lost their love to take the right decision and move on. May this become a real Miracle for me!”
The controversy of the fairytale-like title and the sad narrative adds up with the irresistibly catchy chorus and strong groove of the song. The 21-year-old singer explains that her entry is very much about the feelings that she has personally encountered for the first time in her life.
Azerbaijani delegation along with many other participating countries has a long and relatively successful cooperation experience with various songwriters from the host country of Eurovision 2016 – Sweden. This year is not an exception for Azerbaijan. The creative team behind Miracle includes Amir Aly, Jakke “T.I Jakke” Erixson and Henrik Wikström.
ITV has selected the song internally among over 400 submitted entries from international and local composers and songwriters. The final choice was based on closed ballot decision by ITV and the opinion survey of more than 100 music and television industry experts and some Eurovision fans from over 35 European countries.
On May 10th Samra will perform Miracle in the first Semi-Final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 representing Azerbaijan.
ARTIST INFORMATION
Samra Rahimli is an up-and-coming singer from Baku, Azerbaijan. She spent parts of her childhood in both Azerbaijan and Russia, before eventually settling in Baku for good.
Samra’s foray into the music industry began with Eurovision — at the age of 16 she took the stage for the first time at the national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2012. After impressing audiences as the youngest contestant in the competition, Samra enrolled at Azerbaijan State University of Culture and Arts to study music formally and pursue a singing career.
Samra returned to the spotlight in 2015, when she reached the quarterfinals in The Voice of Turkey. When The Voice finally came to Azerbaijan last autumn, she sang Miley Cyrus’ hit Wrecking Ball during a blind audition. Samra’s performance left coaches speechless and the audience stunned. She quickly became a fan favorite and get to the finals of the competition.
Samra’s singing influences include Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Diana Ross and Beyoncé. This is fitting, since her dream is to land a lead role in her favorite musical – Dreamgirls.
Now Samra is concentrating all her efforts on the biggest challenge of her life: the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest in Stockholm. Her entry song is called Miracle, which, despite the fairytale-like title, is a dramatic break-up story.
“I’ve only been through the similar experience once,” Samra says, “It’s never easy to let someone go but you have to stay strong and keep moving.”
