Hayko

Hayk Borisi Hakobyan, known professionally as Hayko, was born on August 25, 1973, in Yerevan, Armenia. He displayed an early passion for music, attending the Tchaikovsky Music School and later the Romanos Melikyan Music College. His formal education culminated at the Komitas State Conservatory in Yerevan, where he refined his musical talents.​

Hayko’s career began to flourish in the mid-1990s. In 1996, he achieved first place at the “Moscow 96” music festival. The following year, he secured another first prize at the “Big Apple” festival in New York City. In 1998, he was honored as the “Best Author-Performer” at Armenia’s “Ayo” Author’s Competition. These accolades established him as a prominent figure in the Armenian music scene.

In 1999, Hayko released his debut album, “Romance,” offering fresh interpretations of classic Armenian city songs. His dedication and talent were recognized at the Armenian National Music Awards, where he was named “Best Singer” in 1999, 2003, and 2006. His second album, “Norits” (“Again”), was released in 2003, further showcasing his musical versatility.​

A significant milestone in Hayko’s career was representing Armenia at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2007. Performing the ballad “Anytime You Need,” he achieved an impressive eighth place in the finals, bringing Armenian music to an international audience.​

Beyond his singing career, Hayko was a prolific composer, creating music for several Armenian films, including “Do Not Be Afraid,” “The Killed Dove,” and “The Diary of a Cross-Stealer.” His contributions to film music earned him the “Composer of the Year” award in 2007, 2010, and 2011.​

In 2013 and 2014, Hayko served as a coach on “The Voice of Armenia,” mentoring aspiring singers and sharing his extensive musical knowledge.​

Tragically, Hayko passed away on September 29, 2021, at the age of 48, due to complications from COVID-19. His death was a significant loss to the Armenian music community. The Eurovision Song Contest paid tribute, stating, “You will always be in our heart.” ​