In 2016-2017 one Ukrainian band seemed to bring many people from both sides of the border on common ground. Their music was loved both in Russia, Ukraine, and many other countries.
The group’s name is “Grebz” (“Griby”). Even though the band comes from Ukraine, the more significant part of their songs are in Russian. The group’s first release was the single named “Intro,” It probably resolved one of the most critical issues of Russian-speaking Hip-Hop culture.
How does a Russian-speaking Hip-Hop song sound cool without completely copying Western artists? The best way would probably be similar to the music video below. Here is “Intro” by Grebz.
Here is a Russian music video from 2014 to better understand the “copying Western artists” part.
However, before Grebz, there already was a couple of unique artists with exciting and original sound. Unfortunately, no one really knew of them and, again, it was only a couple. Their feature is in the video below.
“Intro,” however, was a tremendous success. Its video on YouTube now has almost 30 million views, which are already huge numbers for 2016 Hip-Hop music videos from Ukraine.
The summer-fall of 2016 marked Grebz’s success in Russia. They first appeared on the Russian internet in July 2016, while their September 2016 single “Cops” sought fame in Ukraine and Russia. The “Cops” music video today has more than 47 million views.
The possibility of the war in the middle of Europe at this point seems 50/50, at best. NATO’s refusal to let Vladimir Putin occupy Eastern Europe doesn’t make it any better.
Suppose someone in Russia, Ukraine, or anywhere else assumed there would be a high chance of the full-scale war between Russia and Ukraine. In that case, they’d make a delusional ass out of themselves. Even the 2014 Crimea annexation lived only in the wet dreams of the Russian far-right, next to the northern Kazakhstan occupation or mass deportations of immigrants.
Even after the Crimea annexation and the start of the eastern Ukraine war, an open conflict between the two countries still seemed like a questionable possibility. Sure, there is a “Russian population” in the east of Ukraine, which needs “protection,” according to the Kremlin. Let’s send them “provisions” while spreading hateful fake news.
But no one really talked about the invasion of Kyiv, or especially the whole country. With UN security meetings and the 100,000 troops at the border, it seems like we are.
“Ice Melts” Takes Over The world, Also Uniting Russia and Ukraine Again, For A Bit
The record sky-high success came to Grebz in the March of 2017. “Ice Melts” now has almost 250 million views. Which are also very significant numbers, even on the world scale.
Ukraine’s population is 44 million people; Russia’s 144 million. More people watched the music video than the population of the two countries” Ice Melts” is primarily marketed for. That’s approximately 62 million more people.
Basically, every person with Internet access in Russia or Ukraine watched the music video. On top of that, dozens of millions worldwide watched the Hip-Hop music video in the Russian language. Such a precedent also never partake before.
Unfortunately, the band broke soon enough, and the song went forgotten around the same time. And now we have 100,000 troops at the Belarus-Ukraine border.
“Globe Is Under Our Feet, Fire Is Between Us Today”
In 2019, Grebz founder Yuriy Bardash will say in an interview that “Ice Melts” is his most significant project. It’s also “the most important track in the whole history of Russian-speaking Internet.”
“Every social group made their own version of the music video on YouTube. Convicts, doctors, teachers, workers— everyone. It was just a complete boom!” Yuriy continues explaining why such popularity, “People want peace. The second meaning behind “Ice Melts” is the war between Russia and Ukraine. “Ice melts,” get it? We also released it during an escalation of the conflict.”
Unfortunately, the newfound musical friendship didn’t last too long. Today’s news headlines show Vladimir Putin’s oil empire is again choosing weapons over other means of communication.
One can only hope that Kremlin’s military has common knowledge not to start a war in the middle of Europe with our recent closest ally.
But also, one can remember how a single song broke through annexations, local conflicts, and propaganda, becoming the leading narrative instead.
Knowing that one can also try to hope for the best. I mean, right?…
