Visit Timati's MySpace page to listen to his music
On my recent trip to Moscow the first song I heard on the radio, right off the plane, was "V Klube" (In the Club) -- a new smash hit by 23-year old Russian rap-star Timati. Besides being featured prominently on the soundtrack of the current Russian blockbuster, Zhara, he has become popular among several demographics, especially with both teenagers and young professionals.
These days, Russian rap has become widely popular as it has departed from its old "chanson" (prison) ballads and dance pop origins. With both these popular post-Soviet formats the sound quality didn't matter and lyrics concentrated on the dangers of the army draft, hardships and nobility of imprisonment, racism, and teenage sex.
V Klube - "In the Club" music video
(Тимати: "В Клубе")
Russian rap's dominance of pop culture is being built on solid beats, rich sound mixing, and its use of lyrics that dramatically differ from the pop culture of the late Nineties. The songs concentrate first of all on social issues -- corruption, elections, and business. You can't find stories of imprisonment or the army draft any more, however, there are plenty of descriptions of expensive cars, five star hotels, and fancy Russian and European resorts. Love stories don't happen between sixteen year olds any more, instead the songs describe the growing consumer class and its partying crowd hooking up with each other with the amazing night scenes of Moscow, Petersburg, and Kyiv used as the backdrop.
Kogda Ti Ryadom - "When You Are Near"
(Тимати: "Когда Ты Ð Ñдом")
A reader can ask me: So what? What's new about rapping about cars, hotels, resorts, corruption, and elections? My answer is: many things. Music and culture in general reflect the state of society, a nation's wealth, and the people's concerns. Admit it or not, but American music has been strongly influenced by materialism, suburbia, country living, and Protestant Christianity. Thus, like it or not, Christian rock, Dixie Chicks, and Britney Spears are all reflections writ large on the average American. In the same way, Soviet music portrayed the greatness of Communism, the inevitability of a socialist future for the entire world, and the happiness of Soviet people.
Perestroika and the fall of the Soviet Union revealed issues never heard of in Soviet times: disastrous army conditions, crime in every sphere of society, premature sexual relations, racism, etc. Almost two decades later, these are not issues of greatest concern or at least issues to which the general population has become numb. The Chechen war is over, the economy is stable, black singers and dancers are becoming a big part of Russia's pop culture, many citizens can afford Mercedes, Audi, Lexus, you name it, and Russians are buying European real estate -- in London, on the French Rivera, and in the Alps.
Music video from Zhara by Timati - "The Heat" featuring Fedor Bondarchuk and the cast
(Тимати "Жара")
Timati is the essence of contemporary Russia. Born in the suburbs of Moscow, his parents expected him to attend college, get a degree, and then a "real job". Instead he hung out with those then-exotic black people and pursued his childhood dream of rapping. In the Nineties, when music piracy was out of control and rap was alien to the culture, such an idea seemed insane. Not any more. The self-made star now owns a wildly successful night club in Moscow, has his own show on a national television channel (STS), has his own clothing line, gets royalties from his CD sales and air time, and taunts the Putin Administration.
In his latest album "Black Star", Timati has a song, in which he pretends to be a substitute teacher at a middle school. He sits down with the kids and tells them stories ranging from the Khodorkovsky's trial to the troubles faced by pensioners and veterans who cannot access expensive private medical care. He raps about corruption and natural resource money siphoned out of the country, but answers his own questions with famous words from the Russian poet Fedor Tyutchev:
You can't understand Russia with [your] mind,
You can only believe in it and trust it.
Timati suggests that kids should put all their questions to their parents once they get home from school. As the school bell dismisses them for the day, he intones, "In the next class we'll learn how to write a letter to the President of Russia."
Timati is not the only new young celebrity on the Russian pop scene. There are plenty of them replacing the old burnt-out strata of post-Soviet corrupt semi-criminals, semi-celebrities. These young stars are a tangible examples of the new Russian economy, its stability, and the expansion (and use) of free speech.
News clip about Timati (in Russian, but we still recommend watching it, as it is self-explanatory. The very end of the clip features street racing).
damn.
the author doesnt understand who d f is this f4g - "selfmade" - hahahaha-)
u better explore russian music deeper.
"timati and hip-hop" is like "britney and the death metal"
do u know why people listen to this fag?
(in russia rnb is not a "rhythm and blues", it is "rich and beautiful" - how nice, aight?) - people became stupid. people dont read books. people watch crappy neo social realistic, "positive" (its a government project - "lets make stupid films about how f*ckin fine is that all! how we rock! how we are stupid and positive!").
and u catch that (happily).
so who is the dumbest?
ps. if u want to write about russia - place your ass into the Orel city. or chelyabinsk. for a half of a year.
explore the wild east, fo
US of A has a diverse range of rap and hip hop music. Probably incomparable to Russia, or Moscow. Do you see Timati as importing this culture (loosely termed "gansta rap") to Moscow? Or is this honestly his own brand of music? The beats sound distinctly pop/rap not underground or hip hop. Important distinction there my friend.
Disgusting.
Now Russia can claim to be as bad as America in their objectifying of women and glorifying of crass material wealth. Promiscuous sex and breakdown of the values that once held a culture together.
Congratulations on how low a great culture can go.
But since the wealth is so much greater, and this is how is is utilized, perhaps even lower....
My lord, what a load of crap.
Yes, of course, "Russians" can afford BMWs and Audis and real-estate in London. Of course, those would have to be to the Russians who don't get paid 2500r/month right?
...â€A Russian is self-assured just because he knows nothing and does not want to know anything, since he does not believe that anything can be known.â€
Count Leo Tolstoy War and Peace Book Nine.
Please don't prove to me that it true!!!!!
Slightly out of context, but surely some things are worth discerning and knowing!!
Don't become the lowest common denominator!
Favorite russian rap video found on youtube is Ati Bati by Pornorap
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4JVIHQ8pBc
Absolutely hilarious and quite catchy to boot.
This one by "Intriga" is amusing and catchy as well
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9KprlQi0b4
Must admit I am not much a fan of rap in any of its forms. Don't care for musicians that act all tough or suave (as the case may be).
Russian Rap is real Rap in USA all rap obut money and b****** thet`s suck!!!!!!!!!!!
I was born in Russia, and I got to say:
Don't Hate the Playa, Hate the Game...
Im abroad now, but still poor and still ghetto, and maybe stay in this s--- whole my life, but one thing I know is:
if u got Cash - u may be a little b----, but STILL BE ON TOP
!But if u got skills u can REACH this TOP too! So don't hate the people like TIMA-T, cause the truth is-u wanna live LIKE THIS too (!), just TRY to reach this Level and stop hatin!!!!
Hey German Dream Soldja,
I got cash. I gotta great view home. Nice husband, great kids. Nice cars. Good looks. Smart brains and talent.
Never would I aspire to be as low as the behavior that Timati glorifies. There are some values that are to be held in the soul, which rise above the baseness of the human degredation. One of the worst things about American culture is the gangsta mentality, and all the people who copy it, in dress, talk, values and behavior. I am sick to see it exported,and a whole new continent and generation of people fall to its low levels.
Maybe I have it all wrong, and he is really promoting a different set of values--and I am just an old lady who cannot understand a generational and language barrier.
However, Russia has some of the greatest cultural history in the world. That is what needs to be cultivated and glorified. Beauty and creation of that which enhances the world; not defiles it.
gangsta Rap in Russia??
Give me a break
That amazing how russian singers got sooo low. What's a f... gangsta??
They wanna get low as american stupid gangsta rap losers???
Timati is advertizing himself. He thinks that's cool to be gangsta. What about his songs: naked girlz, wheed, money, cars.
Beeing cool is not just about MONEY and Gangsta.
very smart =)
This song about the club...is pretty bad but only good for clubs.What amazes me though is how much Russia has changed and how it is trying to emulate American music. On my recent trip to Russia two months ago, especially in Moscow, I noticed these changes. Since I speak the language, the hear that this is song is exactly like
This is a good song to dance to but other than that, its mediocre. Since I speak the language I am amazed to hear how identical Russian Rap is to American rap. I remember the first time I heard it...it was so different (and really weird might I add). Also, it is quite obvious that modern Russian pop Culture is emulating the USA's. I noticed this on my trip to Russia two months ago, particularly in Moscow.
I find it funny that the author makes it out to be the movement away from the Post-Soviet cultural gap, but I think it is just a continuation of an identity crisis in the Russian society. Combine that with rising nationalism bordering fascism, and you have a classic example of social pathology. Timati is just a reflection of that, but I have to give him props for capitalizing on cultural decay instead of just spending his parents' money. You gotta admit the man can do business. Even his song is a promotional track for his club.
Timati my dream!I love you!
Hi i am from russia
"Timati is the essence of contemprorary Russia" - it's ridiculous! This pitiful imitation of American music has nothing to do with Russia. Luckily:) I guess Timati owes his wealth to his rich parents that allow him to play this game.
Oh my God! Rap has reached Moscow now. Truly Russia has progressed. Three-note music copied and mastered by a small half-caste called Tits for short.Now that's some achievement.That should surely enthuse 13 year-olds.And he taunts Putin, too. Such BRAVERY!!! Brilliant copy too. You're sure the writer is not called Ziegfeld or Cohen?
I've never been to Moscow, but if what we hear about Russian street gangs is true can't any one gang sort of make him give a 48 hour non-stop concert, change Black Star to a black-an'-blue star, squeeze a few more notes out of him and perhaps negthen him a bit.
Im your fanat
i love dis song! timati u rock!!!!!
I just wanna say that Timati is a cutie, with a nice voice.
and I love his gap..so sweet. :)
yep, the guy is trying his best, folks. because he doesn't wanna remain in streets and indeed inspering the youth. let him do what he is destined to; we all have the ability to become super star, only that we are so lazy to work on it.
keep it up timati' musics make perfect.
Personally i LOVE timati!hes the kind of guy that will reach his dream no matter what..he doesnt just copy thick american rapers that sing about how much they want to f**k..
everyone who says hes just a spoilt little brat now nothing about him..i think hes the cutest boii ive ever seen..
I also cant understand where did u get that Russia is the country of rising nationalism & bordering fascism???wher did all of this come from?EU && America..you make conclusions from few newspaper headlines..from people that make u belive in something that they want you 2 belive..well ive travelled a lot lately..i live in england 4 about 4 years now & i haven't really seen any smart english boys!seriously isnt that sad judging others without looking on yourself..
xui Timati is the best 4 ever man!
by wanja
TIMATI PRETTY GOOD RAPPER.... YOU HAVE A VERY SIMILAR STYLE TO AMERICAN RAPPERS....
Hey any way RIP Ratmir also dont thimk that somebary will be more good then Ratmir!
Love,Leyla
Hey guys!What`s up?I like some of Tomati songs `me and you `vaprosi`rostovanie` and many other like those ones!I am from USA but i am still listing that song`s!
I click to watch, but video is no longer available... what's wrong? and where can I find it?
But I want to address the value of music as a vehicle. I recently did a photo composite of a piano keyboard. country music lyric
I’d prefer reading in my native language, because my knowledge of your languange is no so well. But it was interesting!
timait is the best singar and the hotist one love u sweeit.x x x x x
ru$$ian is the best. timati & sereoga love u from;snizana xx xx xx xx
I click to watch, but video is no longer available :(
i think that timati is great im not gonna start sayin that i hate him. timat he is cool. and for the old and borring people just get on with life there is nothing intreasting in living a borring life you got to comunicate with different people. you should know that life is a gift dont intend on wasting it
timati doesnt have like fun things or more about him pls make it
this is my future husband he is so hot i think i love him
i love timati, he is so handsome and cutie. And has got very nice voice, u just want to hear it again and again.
hey.you are very impressive
hey tiimati, i like your music
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