Azerbaijan is a relative latecomer to the Eurovision family, having made its debut in 2008 with Day After Day performed by Elnur and Samir. The duo finished eighth and sparked a series of successes for the country including Ell and Nikki's win in 2011 with Running Scared. To commemorate the moment, Azerbaijan issued a special postage stamp dedicated to Ell & Nikki's victory.

The 2012 Eurovision Song Contest was held in Azerbaijan's capital Baku and success in the competition continued when Sabina Babayeva finished fourth on home ground with When The Music Dies. Read more about Azerbaijan in the Eurovision Song Contest.

Sabina Babayeva's entry and also won the Marcel Bezençon Press Award in 2012. Farid Mammadov flew the Azeri flag in 2013 with the song Hold Me which won the Marcel Bezençon Artistic Award again that year.