Nigar Jamal
Encyclopedia
Nigar "Nikki" Jamal is an Azerbaijan
i singer currently living in London
, United Kingdom
, since 2005. Jamal's singing genres include R&B, soul and pop music. Jamal won the Eurovision Song Contest 2011
along with Eldar Gasimov
as they performed under the pseudonym Ell and Nikki.
Jamal says she is inspired by the likes of Christina Aguilera
, Alicia Keys
, Brandy Norwood
, Craig David
and Chris Brown.
, majoring in economics and management, and graduated in 2001.
but having narrowly missed the show's deadline.
In December 2010, Jamal took part in the Azerbaijani national selection, Milli Seçim Turu 2011
. Her first appearance was in Heat 7, placing joint first with 11 points, along with Ilhama Gasimova, both qualifying to the semi-final. Jamal qualified from the semi-final along with four other artists to the final on 11 February 2011, where she and Eldar Gasimov
won the right to represent Azerbaijan at the Eurovision Song Contest 2011
in Düsseldorf
, Germany
in May 2011. They sang under the pseudonym Ell & Nikki
the song "Running Scared" written by Stefan Örn and Sandra Bjurman from Sweden and Iain Farquharson from the UK, which won with a total of 221 points.
. Azerbaijan and Germany have issued a postage stamp dedicated to Nigar and Eldar's victory at Eurovision.
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan , officially the Republic of Azerbaijan is the largest country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded by the Caspian Sea to the east, Russia to the north, Georgia to the northwest, Armenia to the west, and Iran to...
i singer currently living in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, since 2005. Jamal's singing genres include R&B, soul and pop music. Jamal won the Eurovision Song Contest 2011
Eurovision Song Contest 2011
The Eurovision Song Contest 2011 was the 56th annual Eurovision Song Contest and was won by Eldar & Nigar performing "Running Scared" for Azerbaijan. The event took place in the Esprit Arena in Düsseldorf, Germany, following Germany's win in the previous year...
along with Eldar Gasimov
Eldar Gasimov
Eldar "Ell" Gasimov is an Azerbaijani singer who successfully represented Azerbaijan at the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 in the music duo Eldar & Nigar with Nigar Jamal.-Early life:...
as they performed under the pseudonym Ell and Nikki.
Jamal says she is inspired by the likes of Christina Aguilera
Christina Aguilera
Christina María Aguilera is an American recording artist and actress. Aguilera first appeared on national television in 1990 as a contestant on the Star Search program, and went on to star in Disney Channel's television series The Mickey Mouse Club from 1993–1994...
, Alicia Keys
Alicia Keys
Alicia Augello Cook , better known by her stage name Alicia Keys, is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and occasional actress. She was raised by a single mother in the Hell's Kitchen area of Manhattan in New York City. At age seven, Keys began playing the piano...
, Brandy Norwood
Brandy Norwood
Brandy Rayana Norwood , known professionally as Brandy, is an American singer-songwriter, producer, actress, and dancer. In 2009, she introduced her rap alter-ego Bran'Nu....
, Craig David
Craig David
Craig Ashley David is an English singer and songwriter. He has released five studio albums: Born to Do It, Slicker Than Your Average, The Story Goes..., Trust Me, Signed Sealed Delivered and a Greatest Hits album...
and Chris Brown.
Early life
In 1997 she entered Khazar UniversityKhazar University
Khazar University is a private university located in Baku, Azerbaijan.-Campuses:...
, majoring in economics and management, and graduated in 2001.
Eurovision Song Contest 2011
Before trying herself as a singer, Nigar Jamal had been a housewife for five years. In an interview to The Sun she confessed having once planned to participate on The X FactorThe X Factor (UK)
The X Factor is a British television music competition to find new singing talent. Created by Simon Cowell, it began in September 2004 and is contested by aspiring singers drawn from public auditions. It is the originator of the international X Factor franchise. The seven series of the show to date...
but having narrowly missed the show's deadline.
In December 2010, Jamal took part in the Azerbaijani national selection, Milli Seçim Turu 2011
Azerbaijan in the Eurovision Song Contest 2011
Azerbaijan won the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 in Düsseldorf, Germany with the entry "Running Scared".-National Final 2011:A few days after the Eurovision Song Contest 2010 in Bærum, İctimai TV announced the Azerbaijani participation in Düsseldorf....
. Her first appearance was in Heat 7, placing joint first with 11 points, along with Ilhama Gasimova, both qualifying to the semi-final. Jamal qualified from the semi-final along with four other artists to the final on 11 February 2011, where she and Eldar Gasimov
Eldar Gasimov
Eldar "Ell" Gasimov is an Azerbaijani singer who successfully represented Azerbaijan at the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 in the music duo Eldar & Nigar with Nigar Jamal.-Early life:...
won the right to represent Azerbaijan at the Eurovision Song Contest 2011
Eurovision Song Contest 2011
The Eurovision Song Contest 2011 was the 56th annual Eurovision Song Contest and was won by Eldar & Nigar performing "Running Scared" for Azerbaijan. The event took place in the Esprit Arena in Düsseldorf, Germany, following Germany's win in the previous year...
in Düsseldorf
Düsseldorf
Düsseldorf is the capital city of the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia and centre of the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region.Düsseldorf is an important international business and financial centre and renowned for its fashion and trade fairs. Located centrally within the European Megalopolis, the...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
in May 2011. They sang under the pseudonym Ell & Nikki
Ell & Nikki
Ell & Nikki is an Azerbaijani pop duo consisting of singers Eldar Gasimov and Nigar Jamal. On May 14, 2011, they won the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 for Azerbaijan with their entry "Running Scared". It was the country's first ever win at the contest...
the song "Running Scared" written by Stefan Örn and Sandra Bjurman from Sweden and Iain Farquharson from the UK, which won with a total of 221 points.
2011–present: After Eurovision
After winning the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 Jamal and Gasimov got to travel to a number of countries and perform their winning entry.In September 2011, it was announced that Nigar Jamal would appear in one of the episodes of the Turkish comedy series Yahşi CazibeYahşi Cazibe
Yahşi Cazibe is a Turkish comedy series. Cazibe, an Azerbaijani immigrant, marries Kemal to become a Turkish citizen. "Ms. Gül" who deals with illegal marriages arranges this marriage which will last for 3 years according to the agreement. Kemal receives TL 10,000 from Cazibe. But Kemal has a...
. Azerbaijan and Germany have issued a postage stamp dedicated to Nigar and Eldar's victory at Eurovision.