For the second time ever, a Mountain Jew will be competing at the Eurovision. Mizrahi Sarit Hadad represented Israel in 2002, and this year, Asaf (Sefael) Mishiyev of the band Mamagama will be taking the Eurovision stage in the first semifinal. Mishiyev, the band’s frontman, spoke of his pride to represent his motherland Azerbaijan in an interview with Rolling Stone UK. Both of his parents are Jewish, and he also spoke of how proud he is to represent the Jewish people. The band’s guitarist, Hasan Heydar has Russian-Lebanese roots while its drummer, Arif Iramov, is Azeri.
A Jewish person representing a Muslim-majority country is definitely something to kvell about on its own, but Mamagama’s entry, “Run With U,” is a genuine bop, featuring synth beats and the beautiful string sounds of the saz — a stringed instrument popular in Azerbaijan — that just make me want to dance. I am genuinely obsessed with this song.
Mishiyev, 33, grew up in Baku, but comes from Red Village Mountain Jewish community, a 300-year-old Jewish community that has been dubbed by some as Europe’s last living shtetl. He went to a Jewish school in the nation’s capital, and has been to Israel on Birthright. He has competed in Jewish music competitions in his community and in Israel (he won that one, on behalf of the his country’s Jewish community), and speaks a little Hebrew too. He loves Jewish musicians like Amy Winehouse and Bob Dylan and is a big fan of Israeli performers like “the Mercedes Band, Asaf Avidan, and Yael Naim,” he told Ynet. Listening to “Run with U,” you can definitely hear the influence of some of these Jewish greats — especially Avidan and the Mercedes Band.
“There is total tolerance here,” Mishiyev told the Rolling Stone of his home country. “Jewish holidays are celebrated alongside Muslim holidays, so we all celebrate each other.”
“Our relations with Israel are very strong,” he said. He’s also cheered on Yuval Raphael, Israel’s Eurovision contestant this year, who is a Nova Festival survivor. She’ll be on that stage singing “New Day Will Rise,” which features words from King David’s Song of Songs.
As for “Run With U,” with its delightful futuristic video in which Mishiyev’s bandmates create a Mishiyev robot with the help of some modern and throwback technology (love the Frankenstein vibe and the floppy disks), the song is meant to be a global pop anthem that brings joy to all. “I wanted the lyrics to resonate with people, to be something that can connect people across borders,” Mishiyev shared.
We’re definitely game to run with Mishiyev anywhere he wants to go!
