Yulduz Usmonova (; born December 12, 1963) is an Uzbek singer, song-writer, composer and actress. She is the People's artist of Uzbekistan and honored artist of Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan. She has achieved widespread fame in Uzbekistan, other parts of Central Asia, and more recently in Turkey. Usmonova has also acted in a number of Uzbek films.
Yulduz Usmonova was born in Margilan in the Ferghana region of Uzbekistan. Her parents worked at a silk factory. She studied music at the pedagogical institute in Margilan.
She was discovered by Gavharxonim Rahimova after singing at a WomenâÂÂs Day show. Rahimova helped to open many doors for Usmanova. After being introduced to professors from the Uzbekistan State Conservatory, she prepared under their guidance. She studied vocal, and then later became a popular singer in Uzbekistan after independence in 1991. She became famous throughout Central Asia and later in Turkey and has released songs in many languages, such as Uzbek, Uyghur, Turkish, Russian, Tajik, Arabic, Kazakh, Indian and Tatar.
Yulduz Usmonova, through the creative use of folk melodies, enriched with the spirit of patriotism, created songs based on the verses of Muhammad Yusuf and many other poets (We won't give you to anyone, Uzbekistan), (May you remain ours, my people). Furthermore, Uzbek music in the 20th century included traditional lyrical songs (Nastarin, Sanamgina, Qizil Olma), festive songs (Nozanin, Buxorodan kuyov Qiling), lyrical-dramatic compositions (Ona, Shoh va gado, Otajon, Allohim, Muhammad Yusufga), and performed a range of foreign and friendly nations' songs on stage, such as "Allah Allah Ya-Baba" (in Arabic), "Dunyo" (in Turkish), "Parvardigori" (in Persian).
In the late 1980s, Yulduz Usmonova released her debut album, "Mayda". In 1990, she won second place in the international competition "Osiyo ovozi," held in Alma-Ata. Following this, her album "Olma-Olma" was well-received on the World Music Charts Europe, reaching high rankings. Her song "I Wish You Were Here," with English and Uzbek lyrics, achieved high ratings on several European pop charts. Later, she released albums such as "Jannona" (1995), "Men shu yerda bo'lsang" (1995), "Binafsha" (1996), "Tanlov albomi" (1997), and "Dunyo" (1999). Additionally, in 1999, Yulduz Usmonova participated in a music festival in the Netherlands. In 2002, she was honored with the title "Middle Asia's Queen of the Arts".
She has been the laureate of several international music competitions (Yurmala, 1989; Alma-Ata, 1991). She was awarded the title of "Dame of Eastern Songs" (2000, Turkey). She has performed on stage in Europe, Asia, America, and North Africa. She served as a two-term deputy in the Supreme Council of the Republic of Uzbekistan (1995-2000).