Aiko | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Alena Shirmanova-Kostebelova |
| Born | 26 December 1999 Moscow, Russia |
| Origin | Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic |
| Occupation(s) |
|
| Years active | 2015–present |
| Website | www |
Alena Shirmanova-Kostebelova (Russian: Алёна Ширманова-Костебелова; born 26 December 1999), known by her stage name Aiko, is a Czech singer-songwriter currently based in Brighton, England. She is set to represent the Czech Republic in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 with the song "Pedestal".
Early life
Alena Shirmanova-Kostebelova was born in Moscow, Russia. Shortly after, she moved with her family to Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic, where she was raised.[1][2]
Career
In 2015, Shirmanova participated in season 4 of the reality talent show Česko Slovenská SuperStar.[1] She then moved to the United Kingdom to pursue a musical career, first settling in London and later in Brighton. Under the stage name Aiko, she released her debut self-titled album in 2018, followed by Expiration Date in 2020, when she released her first single "Hunt".[2]
She was the first Czech artist to feature on the Times Square screens and the first Czech female to take part in the Spotify Equal Campaign. She performed at the Rock for People, ESNS, Metronome Prague, The Great Escape, Grape, Nouvelle Prague, Sziget and Waves Vienna festivals, as well as following Alice Merton, Black Honey, Lauren Ruth Ward and Tamino in some of their tours as a supporting artist. Some of her songs were included in the TV shows Teen Mom and Love Island.[2][3]
Aiko released her third album Fortune's Child on 13 October 2023. On 28 November 2023, she was announced as one of the contestants of the Czech national final for the Eurovision Song Contest 2024,[4] competing with the song "Pedestal". On 13 December, it was revealed that she had won the selection.[5]
Discography
Albums
| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| Aiko |
|
| Expiration Date |
|
| Fortune's Child |
|
Singles
As lead artist
| Single | Year | Album / EP |
|---|---|---|
| "Hunt" | 2020 | Expiration Date |
| "Power" | 2021 | Fortune's Child |
| "Daughter of the Sun" | ||
| "Gemini" | ||
| "Alter Ego" | 2022 | Non-album singles |
| "I Want to Be Perfect" | ||
| "Restless" (with Boy Jr.) |
Fortune's Child | |
| "Instincts" | 2023 | Non-album single |
| "Lucky Streak" | Fortune's Child | |
| "Pedestal" |
As featured artist
| Single | Year | Album / EP |
|---|---|---|
| "Why Don't You" (Ivo Blahunek feat. Aiko) |
2023 | Non-album single |
References
- 1 2 SuperStar 2015 - III. casting - Alena Shirmanová (in Czech). TV Nova. 16 September 2015. Retrieved 13 December 2023 – via YouTube.
- 1 2 3 "Aiko (CZ)". Nouvelle Prague (in Czech). Retrieved 14 December 2023.
- ↑ "Aiko". aikomakesmusic.com. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
- ↑ "Czechia finalists revealed ahead of ESCZ 2024". Eurovision.tv. European Broadcasting Union. 28 November 2023. Retrieved 28 November 2023.
- ↑ "Aiko will represent Czechia at Eurovision 2024". Eurovision.tv. European Broadcasting Union. 13 December 2023. Retrieved 13 December 2023.