On February 4th, Azerbaijan’s public broadcaster Ictimai Televiziya officially announced that the band Mamagamawill represent the country at Eurovision 2025 in Basel. This marks the first time Azerbaijan is sending a group to Eurovision since debuting in 2008 in Belgrade.
Their Eurovision entry is titled “Run With U”, and Azerbaijan is set to perform in the first semifinal on Tuesday, May 13th, live from St. Jakobshalle in Basel.
Meet Mamagama, Azerbaijan’s Entry for Eurovision 2025
The band Mamagama was formed in Baku over seven years ago, originally fronted by vocalist Klim and keyboardist Roman Zilyanev. After Klim left the band due to personal struggles and depression, the group searched for a new lead singer. Eventually, Safael Mishiev joined as the new frontman, bringing a fresh voice to Mamagama’s evolving sound.
In 2022, Mamagama made waves by entering Kënga Magjike, the renowned Albanian music festival organized by Ardit Gjebrea. Competing in the New Proposals category with their song “Dreamer”, they impressed the professional jury and won the award for Best International Proposal.
Following their Albanian success, they gained momentum both internationally and within Azerbaijan, leading them to set their sights on Eurovision. Despite submitting a song to Ictimai for Eurovision 2023, their bid was ultimately not selected, with TuralTuranX chosen instead.
Introducing “Run With U”: Azerbaijan’s Eurovision 2025 Song
After teasing snippets on social media, the full version of “Run With U” was finally released on February 19th via the official Eurovision YouTube channel.
Listen to “Run With U” by Mamagama here:
The song was written by Safael Mishi, Roman Zee, and KHVS, with lyrics penned by Safael Mishi. Production and mastering were handled by Ihor Zavada and Michael Nekrasov.
The official music video features cameos from former Azerbaijani Eurovision representatives, including Fahree & Ilkin Dovlatov (2024) and TuralTuranX (2023).
Directed by Elvin Ahmadoglu and Nihad Malikli, with support from Tarana Khalilzade, the video showcases stylish visuals by Nigamat Gurbanov (styling) and Nargiz Atakishiyeva (makeup). The production team includes Novruz Mammadov, Rovshan Abiyev, and others under the coordination of Elnur Gasimzade and Fidan Sujaddinova.
Excitingly, Azerbaijan has enlisted Ace Bowerman, a London-based creative director known for work with BLACKPINK, Rina Sawayama, Ed Sheeran, and Dua Lipa, to design the staging for Basel.
“Run With U” Lyrics – Original & English Translation
Looking for the lyrics to “Run With U” by Mamagama? Here’s where you can find them in both the original Azerbaijani and English translation, perfect for singing along during Eurovision!
Rhythm pulls me out
Don’t know where to start
You electrify
Never felt so high
Every glance you’re giving
Every move, I’m feeling
I can not resist
Pure in every twist
Shall we dim the lights
Leave our fears behind?
Play wrong till it’s right
Give it all tonight
Heartbeat takes control
Moves my body and soul
Just one look at me
And I can’t stand the heat
Shadows in the neon light
The night is young, the beat is tight
Something in the air that makes me fall for you the way I do aha
Way I do aha
Way I do aha
Way I do aha
No matter what you do tonight
I wanna run with U
I wanna run with U
No matter what you do tonight
I wanna run with U
I wanna run with U
(Running)
(With me)
(Running)
(Let’s go)
Shooting to the stars
Can’t get enough, so far
You make me feel brand new
Never felt this true
Every laugh you’re giving
Every touch I’m living
And I can’t pull away
Caught up in the play
Shall we dim the lights
Leave our fears behind?
Play wrong till it’s right
Give it all tonight
Way I do aha
Way I do aha
Way I do aha
Way I do aha
No matter what you do tonight
I wanna run with U
I wanna run with U
No matter what you do tonight
I wanna run with U
I wanna run with U
Azerbaijan’s Eurovision 2025 Selection Process
Azerbaijan launched its internal selection in October 2024, aiming to choose its Eurovision 2025 act. Led by Head of Delegation Nurlana Jafarova, the process received 154 submissions. A jury panel of eight international and eight Azerbaijani experts narrowed the field down to twelve finalists.
The broadcaster shared a behind-the-scenes voting video on Instagram, revealing familiar faces among the jury. After much speculation, Ictimai Televiziya officially announced Mamagama as Azerbaijan’s Eurovision 2025 representatives.
Azerbaijan at the Eurovision Song Contest
Azerbaijan debuted at Eurovision in 2008 with Elnur & Samir’s “Day After Day”, finishing 8th in Belgrade. The country’s pinnacle came in 2011, when Ell & Nikki won with “Running Scared”.
Azerbaijan has frequently hired Scandinavian producers and invested heavily in their entries, securing seven Top 10 finishes since 2009. However, recent years have seen mixed results, including non-qualification in 2018 and a 20th place in 2021 with “Mata Hari”.
In 2022, Nadir Rüstəmli sang “Fade To Black”, placing 16th. In 2023, the self-produced act TuralTuranX failed to qualify, finishing 14th in the semifinal. Most recently, in 2024, Fahree & Ilkin Dovlatov also missed the final, placing 14th in the semifinal with “Özünlə Apar”.