MTV Russia is just like MTV everywhere else - except that it plays some Russian stuff too. They also have a program called "Русская 10-тка" (Russian 10) devoted to the best Russian-language pop currently on the market. Once a month, SRAS provides a snapshot of what's at the top five of that chart, with YouTube videos and additional commentary taken from the Russian Popular Music page of our Library.
1. «Never Forget» - Lena Katina
Lena Katina has already earned herself a spot in today’s music history as the redhead vocalist from the scandalously famous pop sensation t.A.T.u. Today, after having earned acclaim for the past decade with her band, Lena announces the launch of her solo career and “keeps the horizon high”.
2. «Осколки» - MakSim
The pop singer's real name is Marina Maksimova. The nickname Maksim came from her older brother, with whom she spent much of her time growing up in Kazan, Russia. Her brother and friends would gather in their apartment building's courtyard to play guitar together and sing and she credits him with a great deal of her musical inspiration.
3. «Задыхаюсь» - Дима Билан
Dima is one of the most popular Russian artists today, thanks in large part to a sultry voice, wholesome good looks, charisma, and well-funded PR. Dima Bilan represented Russia in 2006 in Eurovision, a vastly popular annual competition of European pop. Bilan took second place leading one politician to dub him "the pride of Russia."
4. «Выше» - Нюша
The daughter of a musician, Nyusha says she always knew that she would dedicate her life to music. She first entered a recording studio at 5, wrote her first song - in English! - at 8, and in Russian – at 12 years old. At 17 Nyusha became a finalist of "СТС зажигает суперзвезду" project (a Russian version of American Idol). The following year she gained popularity with and awards for her first single "Вою на луну" (Howling at the Moon). Her second single "Не перебивай" (Do Not Interrupt) put her in the top positions of music charts, and the newest hit "Выбирать чудо" (To Choose a Miracle) became a title song for her first album that came out in late 2010.
5. «Вернись» - T-Killah, ЛОЯ
T-killah (real name – Alexander Tarasov), a Russian rap-artist, burst into popularity through online videos in 2008. He presents his songs and videos online and they immediately climb up playlists of Russian social network “VKontakte”. Since childhood, Alexander knew he wanted to be a musician, and was especially influenced by Eminem. He has an education in economics, music, and theater arts and previously played professional volleyball for 7 years. He comments on his Internet strategy: “Listeners of my age mostly live on the Net. I try my tracks there and watch the reaction. I make changes based on actual comments of my fans, which is very important. My music is for them so to have it popular with them, I take their advice, first of all, through the Internet.”
