Khayat (singer)

Khayat
Background information
Born
Andrii Oleksandrovych Khaiat

(1997-04-03) 3 April 1997
Znamianka, Kirovohrad Oblast, Ukraine
GenresFolktronica
OccupationsSinger, songwriter
InstrumentsVocals, accordion
Years active2018–present
LabelsMasterskaya, ENKO (2026-)[1][2]

Andrii Oleksandrovych Khaiat (Ukrainian: Андрій Олександрович Хайат; born 3 April 1997), known professionally as Khayat[3] (stylized in all caps), is a Ukrainian singer and songwriter. He writes his own songs which are usually in Ukrainian or English. He also speaks Arabic which he studied along with English at university.[4] He plays the accordion.[5][6][7] His music style is described as folktronica, neo-pop or ethno-techno, a combination of indie-pop and electronic music with ethnic and folk motives.[8][9][10]

Holos Krainy and Vidbir

In 2019 he took part in the 9th season of "Holos Krainy", the Ukrainian version of The Voice. He was coached by Tina Karol and came third overall.

He has repeatedly taken part in Vidbir, the national selection of the Ukrainian representative at the Eurovision Song Contest. In 2019 he competed with the song "Ever" in Semi-final 2. He received the 3rd highest amount of points from the public but was placed second-to-last by the jury, and so didn't proceed to the final.[11][12] He finished in the 2nd place in both the semi-final and the final of Vidbir 2020 with the song "Call for Love".[13][14] In the 2025 edition of the same competition, he competed with the song "Honor". The song which is sung in English and Ukrainian was partly inspired by the Russian shelling of a Kyiv hospital.[15] He received the highest amount of points by the jury but only came in 4th in the televote. Overall, he tied for second place with two other entries, but the rules dictate that in case of a tie the televotes decide. Therefore, he placed 4th.[16][17] In 2026, he became part of the Vidbir line-up by winning the wildcard vote having received over 32% of votes.[18][19] His performance of the song "Герци" (Hertsy) came in 6th in the jury vote, 4th in the televote, and 5th overall.[20]

Music style

Khayat's voice has been described as specific and mesmerizing[21] as well as a unique, soulful and penetrating timbre that makes listeners "tingle".[22] His first album Khmil' was noted for the blend of modern and traditional music as well as both ordinary and uncommon sounds. He mixes electronic and indie-pop music with traditional folk instruments, such as duduk and Tibetan standing bell. His songs feature ordinary sounds, such as a car engine. They were praised for their fusion of "the future and the past of music."[21] The website CultureFix described his single "Темно" (Darkness) as "a moody electronic folk anthem with synth and acoustic production combining to produce an enchanting, ethereal soundscape."[23] and his single "Honor" as "a thrilling moody electronic anthem"[24] His second EP "Ultra II" had to be postponed due to the invasion of the Russian army into Ukraine. Before its eventual release, Khayat decided to change some of the songs because he wanted them to stay relevant to his current state of mind stating: "My music changes, grows with me, and I think it's beautiful."[25]

Discography

Album

  • «Khmil'» (2019)

EP

  • «Ultra» (2021)
  • «Ultra II» (2023)

Singles

  • «Devochka» (2018)
  • «Ясно» (2018)
  • «Ever» (2019)
  • «Vesnianka» (2019)
  • «Osoka» (2019)
  • «Сall for Love» (2020)
  • «Говорила» (2020)
  • «Темно» (2020)
  • «Крок» (2021)
  • «Рубікон» (2024)
  • «Balamut» (2025)
  • «Honor» (2025)
  • «Герци» (2026)

Awards and nominations

Award Year Nominated work Result
Ukrainian song of the year[26] 2020 song "Osoka" Won
9th Yearly Ukrainian National Awards (YUNA)[27] 2020 Discovery of the year Nominated
10th Yearly Ukrainian National Awards (YUNA)[28] 2021 Best performer Nominated

References

  1. ^ enko_music. "Instagram post by enko_music on 17 January 2026". Instagram. Archived from the original on 8 February 2026. Retrieved 7 February 2026.
  2. ^ "Ukrainian Artist Khayat Joins ENKO Label Ahead of Eurovision 2026". MEZHA. Retrieved 7 February 2026.
  3. ^ "Osoka. Khayat випустив кліп. Відео / Бульвар Шоубіз". gordunoa.com. 9 October 2019. Archived from the original on 9 October 2019. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  4. ^ "Live the moment >> KHAYAT events". Concert.ua. Retrieved 7 February 2026.
  5. ^ "Андрей Хайат – "Летить галка через балку" – нокауты – Голос страны 9 сезон". Голос країни. YouTube. Retrieved 7 February 2026.
  6. ^ Khayat (ado.khayat). "Instragram post by Khayat on 07 February 2026". Instagram. Archived from the original on 8 February 2026. Retrieved 7 February 2026.
  7. ^ "Fig. 1. The location of water sampling points in the suburban area of Almaty: No. 1 - p. Esik (t. No. 1-1, 1-2, 1-3); Number 2 - oz. Esik (t. No. 2-1, 2-2, 2-3, 2-4); No. 3 - p. Turgen (t. No. 3-1, 3-2)". doi.org. Retrieved 7 February 2026.
  8. ^ "Ukrainian Musicians That You Should Be Listening To". Culture Fix. Retrieved 7 February 2026.
  9. ^ "Expanding Horizons with Crimean Tatar Music". Insight UA. Retrieved 7 February 2026.
  10. ^ Tarkovska, Dartsya (19 August 2019). "KHAYAT". beehype. Archived from the original on 7 December 2025. Retrieved 7 February 2026.
  11. ^ CJ Terry (16 February 2019). "Ukraine Has Spoken: The Results from Semifinal 2 of Vidbir 2019!". escYOUnited. Archived from the original on 8 July 2025. Retrieved 7 February 2026.
  12. ^ "Ukraine:Vidbir 2019". Eurovision World.com. Archived from the original on 3 January 2026. Retrieved 7 February 2026.
  13. ^ Khayat is your favourite in the national final Archived 22 February 2020 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 28 February 2020
  14. ^ Go_A wins the ticket to Rotterdam Archived 28 February 2020 at the Wayback Machine/
  15. ^ "Live the moment >> KHAYAT events". Concert.ua. Retrieved 7 February 2026.
  16. ^ Helgeson, Justina. "Ukraine: Ziferblat wins Vidbir 2025 with "Bird of Pray"". Eurovision World.com. Archived from the original on 14 December 2025. Retrieved 7 February 2026.
  17. ^ Siegal, Sam. "🇺🇦 Ziferblat Wins Vidbir 2025, Will Represent Ukraine at Eurovision!". escYOUnited. Archived from the original on 21 March 2025. Retrieved 7 February 2026.
  18. ^ Ceica, Titi Stefan. "🇺🇦 Ukraine Completes Its Vidbir 2026 Line-Up as KHAYAT Wins the Wildcard". euro alfa. Retrieved 7 February 2026.
  19. ^ Klagkos, Pavlos. "Ukraine: KHAYAT Secures Vidbir 2026 Final Spot After Winning Wildcard Vote". Eurovision FUN. Retrieved 7 February 2026.
  20. ^ Helgeson, Justina. "Ukraine: Leléka wins Vidbir 2026 with "Ridnym"". Eurovision World. Retrieved 7 February 2026.
  21. ^ a b Tarkovska, Dartsya (19 August 2019). "KHAYAT". beehype. Archived from the original on 7 December 2025. Retrieved 7 February 2026.
  22. ^ "Live the moment >> KHAYAT events". Concert.ua. Retrieved 7 February 2026.
  23. ^ "Ukrainian Vidbir Favourite KHAYAT Releases Moody Folktronica Track 'Темно' ('Dark') - Culture Fix". www.culturefix.co.uk. 14 October 2020. Retrieved 7 February 2026.
  24. ^ "Ukraine's KHAYAT Drops Thrilling & Atmospheric Vidbir 2025 Entry 'Honor' - Culture Fix". www.culturefix.co.uk. 24 January 2025. Retrieved 7 February 2026.
  25. ^ "Екс-учасник "Голосу країни" KHAYAT презентував відвертий нео-поп альбом". Офіційний сайт каналу 1+1 (in Ukrainian). 20 June 2023. Retrieved 7 February 2026.
  26. ^ "MELOVIN и KHAYAT получили национальную музыкальную премию "Українська пісня року"". STB (in Russian). 28 February 2020. Archived from the original on 26 February 2020. Retrieved 28 February 2020.
  27. ^ "Дев'ята церемонія. YUNA 2020". YUNA. Archived from the original on 15 July 2025. Retrieved 7 February 2026.
  28. ^ "Десята церемонія. YUNA 2021". YUNA. Archived from the original on 23 April 2025. Retrieved 7 February 2026.
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