| Emin Agalarov | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Emin Araz oglu Agalarov |
| Born | 12 December 1979 |
| Origin | Baku, Azerbaijan |
| Genres | Jazz, pop, jazz rock |
| Occupations | Singer, songwriter |
| Years active | 2005–present |
| Labels | Saffron Music UK |
| Website | www.emin-music.com |
Emin Araz oglu Agalarov (Azerbaijani: Emin Araz oğlu Ağalarov; 12 December 1979), simply known under the stage name Emin, is an Azerbaijani singer-songwriter and businessman. [1] He writes and performs songs in English. [2]
Emin went to fame with his debut album Still which sold over 100,000 copies worldwide. [3] In 2010, he released his album Wonder in UK which made him first non-British artist not only from Azerbaijan but also from the whole of Eastern Europe to be mentioned by BBC Radio 2 twice in a row. [4] His vocal teacher was an iconic Azerbaijani singer Muslim Magomayev whom he pays a tribute to in his concerts. [5] Agalarov is also a businessman and works as a commercial director at Crocus International.[6]
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Agalarov was born in Baku, Azerbaijan, but at the age of four he and his family moved to Moscow, where his father Aras Agalarov started his own business, Crocus International. Educated first in Russia, he later was schooled in Switzerland and New Jersey, United States. In 2001 he graduated with a bachelor degree in Business & Management from a New York-based university.[7]
Agalarov's interest in music began in high school whilst in the USA. After graduating from high school, he returned to Russia, where he continued to write songs, and in 2005 began working with Muslim Magomayev, who was his vocal and music teacher. In 2006 he released his first studio album Still, which in the first six months sold 70,000 copies in Russia, and an additional 30,000 copies in CIS countries.
He then released an album per year: Incredible in 2007, Obsession (a set of classic Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley songs) in 2008;[7] and in 2009, Devotion. Each of these albums was supported by concerts in Moscow and Baku.
In 2010 he relocated to London, to work with producer Brian Rawling and focus on the UK music charts. The resultant album Wonder was released in Russia and CIS in November 2010, and in the UK on 21 March 2011. The first single, "Obvious", was previewed on BBC Radio 2, and selected for its B list.
Emin Agalarov is the son of Aras Agalarov, a Russian billionaire,[8] and married to Leyla Aliyeva, the daughter of the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.[9] The couple have two sons.