Kirill "Kirka" Babitzin

Kirill "Kirka" Babitzin (September 22, 1950 – January 31, 2007) was a commercially successful Finnish musician. He worked from the late 1960s until his death in 2007. Kirka was previously associated with Ilkka Lipsanen's The Islanders band before going on to record a diverse range of rock and pop music. Hetki Lyö (Beat the Clock), Leijat (Kites), and Varrella virran (Down by the River) are some of his most well-known songs.

Kirka Babitzin had 78 singles and nearly 60 albums, including 15 compilations. Kirka's album Surun pyyhit silmistäni (1988) became the best-selling album in Finnish history, but it is now ranked third in all time. He also represented Finland at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1984. Babitzin received the Emma Award for best male singer twice, first in 1984 and then again in 2000.