Armenian singer Hayko Hakobyan dies at age 48 from COVID-19

Hayko Hakobyan, who represented Armenia in 2007, sadly passed away today, 29 September 2021. Hayko reached the age of 48 years old. The ”Anytime you need” singer caught COVID-19 earlier this year. The first news about his hospitalisation hit the newsstands around 21 September 2021. Today the news reached us that Hayko has tragically died from the complications. Shushan Danielyan, chief of staff at Yerevan State Medical University has conformed the information.

Hayko was one of the most popular singers of the country. In 2003 and 2006 he was voted best singer of the year in Armenia. His popularity facilitated an automatic placement in Armenian national final in 2007. He ultimately won the competition and made his way to Finland to compete in the Eurovision Song Contest. With the entry ”Anytime you need”, Hayko planted Armenia in the 8th place of the contest.

Hayko’s first album, Romances, was released in 1999. The debut album had the musician winning three awards at the Armenian Music Awards in 2002. The awards included Best Singer, Best Project and Best Album.

He was the second artist to represent Armenia at the Eurovision Song Contest. André Hovnanian competed in 2006, who also finished in eighth place.

Sanne Messemaker

See all contributions

Related news

Eurovision 2026

🇦🇿 Song: JIVA’s Eurovision song “Just Go” released for Azerbaijan

📷 EBU JIVA’s Eurovision song “Just Go” has officially been released. It gives Azerbaijan its full package for the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Vienna. The track premiered this evening through its music video. It immediately adds an emotional sound to this year’s line-up. For fans, The artist was already known, but now the song is finally here. According to broadcaster İctimai Television, “Just Go” is an emotional ballad about love, heartbreak and inner strength. The song focuses on finding yourself again after disappointment in a relationship. That theme gives JIVA room to do what she does best: deliver a sincere performance built around strong vocals and clear emotion. As a first impression, Azerbaijan is choosing intensity over gimmicks, and that could help the entry stand out in a busy field. In other words, Azerbaijan has opted for atmosphere and authenticity. There is also experience behind the release. “Just Go” was written and composed by Azerbaijani-American composer Fuad Javadov, while the official music video was directed by Farhad Ali. JIVA, whose real name is Jamila Hashimova, is no newcomer either. She won The Voice of Azerbaijan in 2025, sings in Azerbaijani, Russian and English, and already reached the top three of Azerbaijan’s national selection back in 2011. Now that “Just Go” is published, the attention will quickly shift to the Eurovision stage in Vienna. JIVA will perform for Azerbaijan in the first half of the second semi-final. It will be Azerbaijan’s 18th appearance at Eurovision since debuting in 2008. After an internal selection process that started with 186 submitted songs, the country now sends a track that aims straight for feeling and connection. Tonight, Azerbaijan has finally shown its hand. JIVA’s “Just Go” is in the race.

March 9, 2026 No Comments

Eurovision 2026

🇦🇿 Song: JIVA’s Eurovision song “Just Go” released for Azerbaijan

📷 EBU JIVA’s Eurovision song “Just Go” has officially been released. It gives Azerbaijan its full package for the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Vienna. The track premiered this evening through its music video. It immediately adds an emotional sound to this year’s line-up. For fans, The artist was already known, but now the song is finally here. According to broadcaster İctimai Television, “Just Go” is an emotional ballad about love, heartbreak and inner strength. The song focuses on finding yourself again after disappointment in a relationship. That theme gives JIVA room to do what she does best: deliver a sincere performance built around strong vocals and clear emotion. As a first impression, Azerbaijan is choosing intensity over gimmicks, and that could help the entry stand out in a busy field. In other words, Azerbaijan has opted for atmosphere and authenticity. There is also experience behind the release. “Just Go” was written and composed by Azerbaijani-American composer Fuad Javadov, while the official music video was directed by Farhad Ali. JIVA, whose real name is Jamila Hashimova, is no newcomer either. She won The Voice of Azerbaijan in 2025, sings in Azerbaijani, Russian and English, and already reached the top three of Azerbaijan’s national selection back in 2011. Now that “Just Go” is published, the attention will quickly shift to the Eurovision stage in Vienna. JIVA will perform for Azerbaijan in the first half of the second semi-final. It will be Azerbaijan’s 18th appearance at Eurovision since debuting in 2008. After an internal selection process that started with 186 submitted songs, the country now sends a track that aims straight for feeling and connection. Tonight, Azerbaijan has finally shown its hand. JIVA’s “Just Go” is in the race.

March 9, 2026 No Comments