Rauf Yusuf oglu Babayev was born on December 30, 1937 in the city of Gumru, Western Azerbaijan. After graduating from high school in Baku, he studied at the Asaf Zeynalli Music School in 1953–1957, and in 1957–1962 he received higher music education in the percussion class of the Azerbaijan State Conservatory named after Uzeyir Hajibeyli.

Rauf Babayev, who started his career as a musician in the Azerbaijan State Russian Drama Theater in 1957, was a soloist-vocalist in the Azerbaijan State Symphonic Orchestra in 1960–1962, the Azerbaijan State Philharmonic in 1962–1964, and the Dagestan State Philharmonic in 1965. From 1965, he sealed his creative destiny with the “Gaya” estrada ensemble, until 1968 he was the vocalist of the “Gaya” estrada ensemble of the Azerbaijan State Philharmonic, in 1968–1972 he was the member of the “Gaya” quartet at the Azerbaijan Radio and Television Committee, in 1972–1987 he was the soloist-vocalist of the “Gaya” state ensemble, and in 1987-2001, he was the soloist-vocalist of the “Gaya” state estrada-symphonic orchestra under the Baku City Culture Department. Since 2011, he worked as the director and artistic director of the “Gaya” state ensemble, since 2003 “Beri Bakh” vocal group, and since 2007 as the artistic director of the State “Gaya” Ensemble of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Rauf Babayev was one of the founders of the “Gaya” vocal-instrumental ensemble, which is considered one of the most famous groups of the Azerbaijani estrada show in the 60s and 80s of the last century. The artist has successfully performed at a number of jazz festivals, won the title of recipient of international pop and jazz music competitions. He has successfully represented the modern music culture of Azerbaijan with his stage performances during numerous tours in far away goegraphies.

The new life of the “Gaya” ensemble, which began in 2001, is connected with the name of Rauf Babayev. The music collective, headed by the artist, remained true to its traditions and won special favor of the listeners with its bright presentation of the works of Azerbaijani and foreign composers, as well as folk songs in pop and jazz style.

Since 1995, Rauf Babayev hads been engaged in pedagogical activities at the music school named after Leopold and Mstislav Rostropovichs, and had contributed to the formation of young musicians by sparing his knowledge and skills in the vocal class to train a generation of talented performers. He was the founder and artistic director of the “Beri Bakh” vocal group, which continued the line of the “Gaya” quartet.

Rauf Babayev was awarded the honorary title of “Honored Artist” in 1978, “People’s Artist” in 2006, and the “Shohrat” Order in 2017.

Rauf Babayev died on March 27, 2020.