JIVA

JIVA (born Jamila Hashimova on 9 September 1982) is an Azerbaijani singer and songwriter. Her musical journey began in the early 2000s, and she has grown into a versatile artist who sings in Azerbaijani, Russian, and English across pop, dance, and R&B genres.

Early Life and Career Beginnings

JIVA was born in Moscow in 1982 and has roots in Azerbaijan. She started pursuing music in her youth and quickly gained recognition. In 2003, she achieved her first major success by finishing second in the Baku Autumn song contest in Azerbaijan. This early accomplishment marked the beginning of her professional singing career. A few years later, in 2007, she participated in a television music competition called Show Time, further raising her profile in the local music scene.

Musical Projects and Collaborations

After these initial achievements, JIVA continued to develop her artistry through various musical projects. She performed with the renowned RAST ensemble led by composer Rashad Hashimov, which allowed her to showcase her talent in jazz-influenced music. She even took the stage at the prestigious Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, gaining valuable international experience. During this period, JIVA also became the lead singer of the Hazz Band, where she blended jazz elements with modern pop sounds. She also performed at major events such as the Zhara (JARA) music festival in Baku in 2018. This high-profile appearance further elevated her presence in the music scene.

JIVA has also collaborated with famous Azerbaijani singers on special music projects. For example, she joined stars like Emin, Zülfiyyə Xanbabayeva, and Manana Japaridze in recording a patriotic song titled “Azərbaycan! Mən səni sevirəm” (“Azerbaijan! I Love You”).

Solo Career and Breakthrough

By 2017, JIVA shifted focus to her solo career, expanding her musical range. She began releasing songs in contemporary pop, dance, and R&B genres, performing in multiple languages including Azerbaijani, Russian, and English. Her versatility and dedication resonated with a broad audience. Moreover, her persistence paid off when she auditioned for the talent show Səs Azərbaycan (The Voice of Azerbaijan) in 2025. She joined the team of coach Röya Ayxan on the show and impressed both the judges and the viewers. As a result, JIVA won the competition, marking a major milestone in her career. This victory boosted her popularity nationwide and opened up new opportunities.

Eurovision Journey

JIVA’s journey with Eurovision has been a long time coming. JIVA’s journey with Eurovision has been a long time coming. In 2011, she attempted to represent Azerbaijan by competing in the national selection. Although she did not advance to the Eurovision stage at that time, she remained determined to eventually get there. Years later, her growing reputation led the national broadcaster to choose her as Azerbaijan’s representative for the Eurovision Song Contest 2026. İctimai Television selected JIVA through an extensive internal process that reviewed around 100 applicants and 186 song submissions. Eventually, a focus group and jury panel picked her as the country’s entrant for the contest in Vienna.  JIVA is now set to take the Eurovision stage in May 2026, proudly representing Azerbaijan on the international stage.