Emin (singer)
{{Short description|Azeri singer and businessman (born 1971)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2017}}
{{Expand Russian|topic=bio|date=March 2022}}
{{external links|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Emin Agalarov
| image = Emin Ağalarov (2024).jpg
| caption = Emin in 2024
| birth_name = Emin Araz oğlu Ağalarov
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1979|12|12|df=yes}}
| birth_place = Baku, Azerbaijan SSR, USSR
| death_date =
| occupation = Singer, songwriter
| years_active = 1998–present
| alma_mater = Marymount Manhattan College
| spouse = {{plainlist|
- {{marriage|Leyla Aliyeva|2006|2015|reason=div}}
- {{marriage|Alyona Gavrilova|2018|2020|reason=div}}
{{marriage||2024}}
}}
| children = 4
| father = Aras Agalarov
| mother =
| honours = People's Artiste of Azerbaijan (2018)
| website = {{URL|emin-music.com/}}
}}
Emin Aras oghlu Agalarov ({{langx|az|Emin Araz oğlu Ağalarov}}, {{langx|ru|Эмин Аразович Агаларов; born 12 December 1979}}), also known as Emin Arazovich Agalarov, is a developer and President of [https://agalarovdevelopment.com/en/#tab_biography Agalarov Development] as well as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the [http://as%20well%20as%20the%20Chairman%20of%20the%20Board%20of%20Directors%20of%20the%20Azerbaijan-Russia%20Business%20Council Azerbaijan-Russia Business Council]. Along with business projects, Emin Agalarov is professionally involved in music (stage name - [https://emin-music.com Emin]). His songs are in TV and radio rotation.
A singer, he performs in English, Azerbaijani and Russian languages.{{cite web|last1=Quinn|first1=Gerry |title=Musician Emin is definitely not just in it for the money|url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/artsfilmtv/musician-emin-is-definitely-not-just-in-it-for-the-money-325040.html|website=Irish Examiner|access-date=12 July 2017|date=21 April 2015}}{{cite news|last1=Bilger|first1=Oliver|title=Dieser Oligarchensohn will Europa mit Musik erobern|url= https://www.welt.de/vermischtes/article146348882/Dieser-Oligarchensohn-will-Europa-mit-Musik-erobern.html| newspaper=Die Welt |access-date=12 July 2017|date=13 September 2015|trans-title=Son of oligarch wants to conquer Europe with music}}{{Better source needed|date=October 2020}} In 2018, Agalarov was awarded the honorary title of People's Artiste of Azerbaijan.{{Cite web |date=2018-07-31 |others=Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan |title=Famous singer and composer Emin Agalarov received certificate and badge of honorary title of People's Artist of Azerbaijan - News |url=https://mct.gov.az/en/common-news/famous-singer-and-composer-emin-agalarov-received-certificate-and-badge-of-honorary-title-of-people-s-artist-of-azerbaijan |access-date=2023-05-16 |website=Azərbaycan Respublikası Mədəniyyət Nazirliyi}}
Early life
Emin Arasovich Agalarov was born in Baku, Azerbaijan. He is the son of Azerbaijani–Russian oligarch Aras Agalarov, head of the {{interlanguage link|Crocus Group|ru}}.
Emin's father is Azerbaijani and his mother is Jewish.{{Cite web|url=https://www.jewishtelegraph.com/prof_301.html|title=Rob Prepares Star Emin for International Fame and Glory|last=Yaffe|first=Simon|website=Jewish Telegraph|access-date=2018-02-10}} He considers himself a Muslim.{{cite news|first=Brian|last=Boyd |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/not-eminem-just-emin-1.2147234 |title=Not Eminem. Just Emin |newspaper=The Irish Times |date=22 March 2015 |access-date=11 July 2017}} His family moved to Moscow when Emin was four years old. When he was 13, his parents sent him to a school in Switzerland.{{cite web|url=http://crocusgroup.com/press-center/news/769/|title=Trust - Translation of interview the Agalarovs gave to Forbes by Crocus Group|date=27 March 2013|access-date=6 March 2018|publisher=Crocus Group|archive-date=7 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180307022932/http://crocusgroup.com/press-center/news/769/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://baku.ws/19821-emin-agalarov-na-oblozhke-forbes-life.html|title=April 2013 cover of Russian-language issue of Forbes Life|access-date=6 March 2018|publisher=baku.ws}} Agalarov moved to Tenafly, New Jersey in 1994 and graduated from Tenafly High School in 1997.{{cite news|last1=Cowen|first1=Richard|last2=Shkolnikova|first2=Svetlana|url= https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/nation/2017/07/14/russian-pop-star-tied-trump-has-tenafly-roots/477758001/ |title=Russian pop star tied to Trump has Tenafly roots|work=The Record|date=13 July 2017|access-date=28 February 2018|quote=Russian pop star Emin Agalarov wore black leather, drove a souped-up moped and wanted to be the next Elvis Presley, having spent his teenage years living large and dreaming big on the streets of his adopted hometown, Tenafly. Twenty years after graduating from Tenafly High School, the Russian crooner this week hit it really big.... Emin Agalarov as a senior in Tenafly High School's 1997 yearbook.}} He graduated from Marymount Manhattan College in New York City.{{cite news |last1=Calamur |first1=Krishnadev |title=Who Is Emin Agalarov? |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2017/07/who-is-emin-agalarov/533127/ |access-date=7 June 2019 |publisher=The Atlantic |date=10 July 2017}}
Business career
Emin Agalarov began his career in 2001 at [https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crocus%20Group Crocus Group], initially serving as Commercial Director before advancing to Vice President. By 2014, he was appointed First Vice President, playing a key role in overseeing major projects such as the VEGAS shopping malls, Crocus City Mall, entertainment venues, fashion retail chains, restaurants, and media initiatives.
The Crocus Group operates F1RST (three retail-entertainment complexes located in Kashirskoe Shosse, Moscow Oblast, and Kuntsevo),{{cite news|title=Crocus Group Opens Vegas Kuntsevo Shopping Mall|url=http://www.propertyxpress.com/news/Crocus_Group_Opens_Vegas_Kuntsevo_Shopping_Mall-040109|access-date=2 March 2018|publisher=Property Xpress|date=22 Sep 2017}} several restaurants, the Crocus City Mall, fashion stores and brands, the Crocus City Hall concert venue, and the Sea Breeze Resort in Nardaran, Azerbaijan.{{cite web|title=Emin Arasovich Agalarov, biography|url=http://crocusgroup.com/crocus/management/emin-agalarov/|website=Crocus Group}}
In 2023, Agalarov departed from Crocus Grouphttps://crocusgroup.ru https://www.rbc.ru/business/30/05/2023/6475ad7f9a794780ff634229to dedicate his efforts to Agalarov Development,https://agalarovdevelopment.com his own enterprise. This company manages an array of projects, including the Sea Breeze Resort,https://seabreeze.az Fitness by Emin Agalarov, Restaurants by Emin Agalarov,https://agalarovrest.com and the premium-class Estate Mall shopping and service complex,https://estatemall.ru among others. Additionally, he is the visionary behind the international music festivals "ZHARA" and Dream Fest.https://dreammusicfest.com
In December 2024, Emin Agalarov was appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Azerbaijan-Russia Business Council.https://seabreeze.az/en/news/emin-agalarov-elected-chairman-of-the-azerbaijan-russia-business-council This organization facilitates business engagement between the two nations, fostering dialogue and expanding collaboration opportunities for enterprises in both countries.
Key projects
=Agalarov Development=
[https://agalarovdevelopment.com Agalarov Development] is a modern multi-profile company owned by businessman Emin Agalarov. Its mission is to create projects aimed at improving people's quality of life and continuously searching for new opportunities for development.
The company represents 10 key business directions and manages over 60 unique projects. From smart cities to fitness clubs and eco-initiatives, Agalarov Development integrates high-quality standards, environmental consciousness, and robust infrastructure in all of its developments. Each project is designed with a balance between technology and aesthetics, premium status and democratic style, an innovative approach, and respect for timeless values.https://agalarovdevelopment.com
=Sea Breeze Resort=
A flagship development by [https://agalarovdevelopment.com Agalarov Development], Sea Breeze Resort https://seabreeze.azis a luxury seaside community on the Caspian Sea, just 20 minutes from Baku. Spanning hundreds of hectares, it features premium residential properties, commercial spaces, entertainment venues, and upscale infrastructure designed to accommodate residents and visitors seeking an exclusive lifestyle.
=Estate Mall=
[https://estatemall.ru Estate Mall] is a high-end shopping and service complex in Novaya Riga, designed to offer premium retail and everyday services. The development consists of 13 architecturally unique buildings housing top-tier brands, restaurants, fitness centers, and beauty salons.
=International Music Festivals=
Emin Agalarov is the founder of the international music festivals ZHARA and [https://dreammusicfest.com/ru Dream Fest]. These events bring together artists from Russia, Azerbaijan, and other countries, creating large-scale open-air performances that attract global audiences. Dream Fest is a new international music festival on the Caspian Sea shore, featuring musicians from Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey, Europe, and other countries, with five days of grandiose open-air shows and performances by top artists.
=Crocus Fitness & ZHARA Fit=
Emin Agalarov has developed fitness brands that operate internationally. [https://crocusfitness.com Crocus Fitness] is a premium gym network with locations across Russia and CIS countries, offering a full range of fitness and wellness services. [https://zharafitness.com ZHARA Fit] is a fitness club network designed for the middle and business segments, equipped with unique eco-friendly simulators that generate energy and feed themselves, helping to care for the environment.
Music Career
Emin's passion for music first began during his high school years in the United States. His family had moved to New Jersey when Emin was a teenager. After graduating high school and later college, Emin returned to Russia, where he began to write songs as well as perform.
In 2006, he released his debut album, Still. Over the next three years, he released the successive albums Incredible (2007), Obsession (2008) and Devotion (2009). Each release was accompanied by a series of promotional concerts in Moscow and Baku, increasing his growing popularityhttps://emin-music.com/biography/?utm_source=chatgpt.com.
In 2010, Emin relocated to London to collaborate with acclaimed producer Brian Rawling (David Bowie, Cher, Kylie Minogue). Their partnership resulted in the album Wonder, which became a BBC Radio 2 Album of the Week. Emin’s follow-up effort, After the Thunder, produced two BBC Radio 2 Singles of the Week and received significant airplay on UK radiohttps://www.ok-magazine.ru/stars/news_0/7135-emin-agalarov-pokoryaet-london.
In 2012, Emin took to the world stage when he performed as a guest artist at the Eurovision Song Contesthttps://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-18187146https://wiwibloggs.com/2012/03/22/emin-agalarov-to-perform-live-during-esc-grand-finale/?utm_source=chatgpt.com. That same year, he opened for superstar Jennifer Lopez at her Crystal Hall concert in Bakuhttps://www.crystalhall.az/ru/article/2012/09/23/84/jennifer_lopez_gave_an_outstanding_performance_in_front_of_baku_fans.
But his most outstanding achievement happened one year later when Emin performed at the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miss%20Universe%202013 2013 Miss Universe Contest]. A TV audience of over one billion watched from all corners of the globe as Emin shared the spotlight with legendary Steven Tyler of Aerosmith and Panic! At The Discohttps://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/sep/18/trump-in-moscow-what-happened-at-miss-universe-in-2013.
It was during Miss Universe rehearsals that Emin persuaded Donald Trump to make an Apprentice-style cameo appearance in the video for Emin’s single, “In Another Life.”https://www.gazeta.ru/culture/news/2018/05/22/n_11563879.shtml
In 2014, Emin won a World Music Award https://www.kaspiy.az/emin-agalarov-polucil-premiyu-the-world-music-awards-2014 following his performance earlier in the evening. Held in Monaco that year, fellow guest performers included Miley Cyrus, Flo Rida, and Mariah Carey.
Then, a few months later, Sony ATV signed Emin to a publishing contract, followed by his signing a record deal with Warner Music.
In 2015, Emin collaborated with multi-Grammy award-winning music legend Nile Rodgers on the hit single "Boomerang."https://vesti.az/sou-biznes/xeber__b_emin_agalarov_prezentoval_klip_s_obladatelem_neskolkikh_premij_grammy__b__-__color_red_video__color__-265000 The remix of "Boomerang" soared to the 9th position on Billboard's dance charts. Later that year, Emin supported mega group Take That on part of their European tour. Emin won over new fans, playing to stadium audiences of more than 60,000 — captivating crowds in Munich, Amsterdam, Berlin, Zurich, and Milan.
Early in 2023, Emin recorded the album, Now or Neverhttps://baku-media.ru/publications/kultura/muzyka/now-or-never-vyshel-novyy-disk-emina/, with 16-time Grammy winner David Foster. Released in February 2024, the album features music made famous by Elvis Presley and includes duets with Katharine McPhee, Nicole Scherzinger, and the legendary Engelbert Humperdinck.
In 2024 Emin created and launched the international music festival, Dreamfesthttps://dreammusicfest.comhttps://seabreeze.az/en/news/emin-agalarov-announces-the-new-international-music-festival-dream-fest?utm_source=chatgpt.com, at his Sea Breeze Resort in Baku, Azerbaijan. The festival lasted six days and featured over 170 musicians from all over the world including Jason Derulo, Enigma, Ani Lorak, Craig David Presents TS5, Alessandro Safina, David Foster, Engelbert Humperdinck, Katharine McPhee, and Nicole Scherzingerhttps://www.azernews.az/nation/229068.html. Dreamfest is now an annual celebration of music, attracting audiences of 10,000 per day.
In 2025, Emin will return to the studio with producer David Foster to record his next album titled Legends. The effort will feature iconic songs from legendary artists across the decades.
Personal life
Emin Agalarov is the son of Aras Agalarov, an Azerbaijani-Russian billionaire.{{cite news|url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-12481714|title=Emin: a singer with connections|publisher=BBC News|first=Neil| last=Smith|date=1 March 2011|access-date=11 March 2011}} From 2006 to 2015, he was married to Leyla Aliyeva, the daughter of the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev.{{cite web|url=http://www.iol.co.za/tonight/gossip/leyla-the-champagne-connection-1.1039319|title=Leyla, the champagne connection|publisher=iol.co.za|first=Paul|last=Harris|date=10 March 2011| access-date=11 March 2011}} The couple had twin sons in 2008 and adopted a girl, Amina, after their divorce, in 2015. In 2018, Agalarov married the former model and businesswoman Alyona Gavrilova and had a baby girl, Afina (Афина) .{{cite news |last1=Fitzharris |first1=Dustin |title=More Love From Emin: The Russian Pop Star Opens Up About His Music, Family and Wealth |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/more-love-from-emin-the-r_b_7310182 |access-date=7 June 2019 |publisher=HuffPost |date=19 May 2015}} The couple divorced in 2020 and remarried in 2024.{{Cite web |last=Плетенёва |first=Ольга |title=Эмин Агаларов снова женился на Алене Гавриловой: тайная свадьба гремит в Москве {{!}} STARHIT |url=https://www.starhit.ru/exclusive/emin-agalarov-snova-zhenilsya-na-alene-gavrilovoi-tainaya-svadba-gremit-v-moskve-5681737/ |access-date=2024-08-07 |website=www.starhit.ru |language=RU}}
Discography
=Albums=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |
| scope="col"| Year
! scope="col"| Title ! scope="col"| Notes |
|---|
| 2006
| scope="row"| Still | |
| 2007
| scope="row"| Incredible | |
| 2008
| scope="row"| Obsession | |
| 2009
| scope="row"| Devotion | |
| rowspan="2"| 2010
| scope="row"| Wonder | {{Track listing | title1 = Obvious | length1 = 3:36 | title2 = Falling | length2 = 3:28 | title3 = Any Time You Fall | length3 = 3:23 | title4 = Just for One Night | length4 = 3:53 | title5 = Tell Me You'll Be Mine | length5 = 3:37 | title6 = You Don't Even Know | length6 = 4:04 | title7 = Hold You in My Arms | length7 = 3:55 | title8 = All I Need to Know | length8 = 3:37 | title9 = One Last Dance (feat. Jo Birchall) | length9 = 3:57 | title10 = Don't Go | length10 = 3:39 | title11 = Wonder | length11 = 4:11 | title12 = Miss America | length12 = 3:55 }} |
| scope="row"| Meleğim benim
| |
| 2012
| scope="row"| After the Thunder | {{Track listing | title1 = Baby Get Higher | length1 = 3:28 | title2 = Never Enough | length2 = 3:39 | title3 = Heart Keeps Beating | length3 = 3:22 | title4 = Oxygen | length4 = 3:46 | title5 = Walk Through Walls | length5 = 3:48 | title6 = After the Thunder | length6 = 3:58 | title7 = Beautiful Taboo | length7 = 3:44 | title8 = Dead Roses | length8 = 3:24 | title9 = I Should've Known Better | length9 = 3:05 | title10 = I'll Be There | length10 = 3:38 | title11 = Better | length11 = 3:44 | title12 = Obvious | length12 = 3:36 | title13 = Anytime You Fall (Ash Howes Radio Edit) | length13 = 3:24 | title14 = Baby Get Higher (Digital Dog Club Mix) | length14 = 6:40 | title15 = Baby Get Higher (Seamus Haji Club Mix) | length15 = 6:39 | title16 = Never Enough (Buzz Junkies Club Mix) | length16 = 4:45 | title17 = Baby Get Higher (video) | length17 = 3:34 | title18 = Album Booklet | length18 = 3:34 }} |
| 2013
| scope="row"| На краю | {{Track listing | title1 = Амор (Amor) | length1 = 3:32 | title2 = На краю (On the Edge) | length2 = 3:46 | title3 = Звезды над Москвой (Stars Above Moscow) | length3 = 3:56 | title4 = Сон не про нас (Dream Not About Us) | length4 = 3:56 | title5 = Ангел бес (Angel Demon) | length5 = 4:22 | title6 = Не ищи меня (Don't Look for Me) | length6 = 3:40 | title7 = Я лучше всех живу (I Live Better Than Everyone) | length7 = 3:30 | title8 = Ты не одна (You Are Not Alone) | length8 = 4:23 | title9 = Сердце бьется (Heart Keeps Beating) | length9 = 3:22 | title10 = В сентябре (In September) | length10 = 3:34 | title11 = Лепестки опавших роз (Dead Roses) | length11 = 3:20 | title12 = Синяя вечность (Blue Eternity) (feat. Muslim Magomayev) | length12 = 4:40 }} |
| 2014
| scope="row"| Amor | {{Track listing | title1 = In Another Life | length1 = 3:18 | title2 = Hurt | length2 = 4:09 | title3 = Not Alone | length3 = 4:40 | title4 = Amor | length4 = 3:38 | title5 = Sweetest Feeling | length5 = 4:12 | title6 = Crawl | length6 = 4:36 | title7 = Run | length7 = 3:30 | title8 = The Game | length8 = 3:09 | title9 = Tonight | length9 = 3:25 | title10 = Last Forever | length10 = 4:33 | title11 = Brighter | length11 = 3:31 | title12 = Turn It Up Loud | length12 = 6:41 | title13 = Coming Home | length13 = 4:35 | title14 = Digital Booklet – Amor | length14 = }} |
| 2015
| scope="row"| The Falling 8 | {{Track listing | title1 = One in a Million | length1 = 4:17 | title2 = It Doesn't Hurt | length2 = 3:25 | title3 = Forget About You | length3 = 4:07 | title4 = You | length4 = 3:48 | title5 = Left Without a Word | length5 = 3:16 | title6 = Be Mine | length6 = 4:34 | title7 = Women Like Me (feat. Grigory Leps) | length7 = 3:47 | title8 = The Falling 8 | length8 = 3:43 | title9 = Live to Live | length9 = 3:38 | title10 = I'll Pray for You | length10 = 3:50 | title11 = Goodbye | length11 = 3:45 | title12 = Father (Dedication to My Father) | length12 = 4:36 }} |
| 2016
| scope="row"| Love is a Deadly Game | {{Track listing | title1 = Love is a Deadly Game | length1 = 4:12 | title2 = Creative | length2 = 4:01 | title3 = It's Impossible | length3 = 3:23 | title4 = Let There Be Love | length4 = 3:12 | title5 = Mack the Knife | length5 = 3:07 | title6 = If You Go Away (feat. Anggun | length6 = 4:03 | title7 = Obvious | length7 = 3:38 | title8 = Somewhere to Run | length8 = 3:15 | title9 = Two Shots of Happy | length9 = 4:27 | title10 = When I fall in love | length10 = 2:55 | title11 = You Are So Beautiful | length11 = 4:14 | title12 = Blue Eternity | length12 = 3:27 | title13 = You Don't Have to Say You Love Me (With David Foster) [Live] [Bonus Track] (feat. Ani Lorak) | length13 = 3:12 | title14 = Always On My Mind (With David Foster) [Live] [Bonus Track] (feat. Polina Gagarina) | length14 = 3:51 | title15 = Unchained Melody (With David Foster) [Live] [Bonus Track] | length15 = 3:21 }} |
| 2017
| scope="row"| Прости, моя любовь | |
| 2018
| scope="row"| Неба не боялись | |
| 2019
| scope="row"| Good Love | |
| 2019
| scope="row"| Девочка Моя | |
| 2021
| scope="row"| Love Is | |
=Singles=
- 2011: "Any Time You Fall"
- 2012: "Heart Keeps Beating"
- 2012: "Baby Get Higher"
- 2012: "Never Enough"
- 2012: "Walk Through Walls"
- 2013: "Amor" / "In Another Life"
- 2014: "Смотришь в небо" (with Loboda)
- 2015: "Boomerang" (feat. Nile Rogers)
- 2017: "Good Love"
- 2018: "Азербайджан" (contains Azerbaijani lyrics)
- 2018: "Розы" (with Grigory Leps)
- 2019: "Нежная"
- 2019: "Мой Азербайджан" (with Maxim Fadeev)
- 2020: "MMM"
- 2020: "Ну почему?" (with HammAli & Navai)
- 2020: "Камин" (with JONY)
- 2020: "Аперитив" (with Grigory Leps)
- 2022: "О любви"
=DVDs=
- 2012: After the Thunder
Filmography
| class="wikitable" | ||
| Year | Film | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Love in Vegas | Himself |
| 2018 | Night Shift | Chernyavskiy |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.emin-music.com/ Official website]
{{S-start}}
{{Succession box|
| before=Jan Delay
| title=Eurovision Song Contest
Final Interval act
| years=2012
| after=Loreen
Sarah Dawn Finer
}}
{{S-end}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Businesspeople from Baku
Category:Tenafly High School alumni
Category:People from Tenafly, New Jersey
Category:Businesspeople from Bergen County, New Jersey
Category:21st-century Azerbaijani male singers
Category:Azerbaijani expatriates in Russia
Category:Azerbaijani pop singers
Category:Azerbaijani singer-songwriters
Category:Azerbaijani male singer-songwriters
Category:Russian male singer-songwriters
Category:Russian singer-songwriters
Category:Russian people associated with interference in the 2016 United States elections
Category:Azerbaijani Shia Muslims
Category:Azerbaijani people of Jewish descent
Category:Russian people of Azerbaijani descent
Category:People associated with Russian interference in the 2016 United States elections
Category:Marymount Manhattan College alumni
Category:21st-century Russian male singers
Category:People's Artiste of Azerbaijan
Category:English-language singers from Azerbaijan
Category:Russian-language singers of Azerbaijan