Asif Karimov

Asif Karimov was born in Shamakhi.

He received his education at the Shamakhi City Music School (1976–1981), the Soltan Hajibeyov Secondary Specialized Music School in Sumgayit (1981–1985), and the Azerbaijan Music Academy (1989–1994).

In 1984, he won second place in a national performance competition in the kamancha category. From 1987 to 1989, he worked as a music teacher at the Gobustan District Music School. He was a member of the group "Aypara" led by Vagif Garayzadeh. In 1994, he co-founded the group "Rast" with three other musicians. As part of this group, he served as a music arranger for concerts by a KVN team, and the group also worked at a studio directed by Rafig Babayev. His first composition, the song "Gecədən sübhədək" ("From Night till Dawn"), was written in 1993 and performed by Matanat Isgandarli. In 1998, he began his career in concert organization and musical direction by producing a two-day concert series for Matanat Isgandarli at the Heydar Aliyev Palace. He has served as a judge on singing competitions broadcast on various television channels. He is the artistic director of the instrumental group "Khagan".