Artists - Biography and discography, all albums and songs

Irina Ivanovna Saltykova (née Sapronova) is a Russian singer, actress, TV host, and entrepreneur—one of the brightest and most recognizable figures of Russia’s pop scene of the 1990s. Her name is firmly associated with the era of music television, clip culture, and the emergence of a new type of female pop image—independent, visually strong, and commercially successful. Early Years and Character Formation Irina Saltykova was born on May 5, 1966, in the town of Donskoy, Tula Region. Her childhood passed far from the capital’s show business, in an environment where success was not assumed “by default.” Sport had a major influence on Irina’s character. As a child, she practiced rhythmic gymnastics and later volleyball. Athletic discipline…

DJ Kool Herc is the person from whom the story of hip-hop begins—not simply as a genre, but as a cultural engine. His impact can’t be measured in charts or sales: he shaped the very principle by which the culture works—rhythm, the break, the street, sound, and community. Origins and early years His real name is Clive Campbell. He was born on April 16, 1955, in Kingston, Jamaica. In the late 1960s, his family moved to New York, settling in the Bronx—a borough that would experience a steep social decline in the 1970s. The construction of the Cross Bronx Expressway effectively cut the area in two, triggering a large-scale middle-class exodus, rising poverty, and escalating street violence. In that environment, DJ Kool Herc’s parties became an alternative to…

Conchita Wurst is the stage persona of Austrian singer Thomas Neuwirth, a figure who has gone far beyond pop music and the Eurovision Song Contest. This is a story not only about a song and a victory, but about the courage to be yourself in a world that is not always ready to accept difference. Childhood and early years Thomas Neuwirth was born on November 6, 1988, in the small town of Gmunden, Austria, and grew up in the rural region of Styria. Conchita’s childhood was far from easy: a closed environment, conservative views, and an early awareness of being “different” left a deep mark. Music became Thomas’s refuge. He sang a lot, took part in school performances, and quickly realized that the stage was a place where he could breathe freely. Even then, his…

Modjo is a French electronic duo formed in 1998 that became one of the defining symbols of early-2000s French house (French House). The project entered dance-music history thanks to the global megahit “Lady (Hear Me Tonight)”, which is still regarded as one of the most recognizable tracks of the genre. Members of the duo Modjo consisted of two musicians: Romain Tranchart — producer, composer, guitarist Yann Destagnol — vocalist, lyricist Romain Tranchart was responsible for the music, arrangements, and production, while Yann Destagnol shaped the project’s distinctive vocal identity. Formation and musical roots The Modjo project emerged during the rise of French Touch — a movement popularized in the late 1990s by Daft Punk, Cassius,…

Oomph! is a German rock band formed in 1989 in Wolfsburg, Germany. The group is widely regarded as one of the founding pioneers of the Neue Deutsche Härte (NDH) genre—a style that fused industrial metal, electronic music, and harsh German-language lyrics. It was Oomph! who set the artistic and musical benchmarks later developed by bands such as Rammstein, Eisbrecher, and Megaherz. The band’s name—Oomph!—is an onomatopoeic expression conveying energy, impact, and physical force, perfectly reflecting the character of their music. Formation and Early Years (1989–1993) The band was founded by three musicians: Dero (Dero Goi) — vocals, lyrics Flux — guitars, synthesizers, programming Crap — bass guitar, electronic elements…

Krovostok is a cult Russian hip-hop group formed in 2003 in Moscow. The collective became widely known for its radically honest, dark, and provocative lyrics that combine criminal realism, black humor, social satire, and philosophical reflections on violence, poverty, and the absurdity of post-Soviet reality. The group is considered one of the most influential and, at the same time, one of the most controversial projects in the history of Russian-language rap. Band Members The classic lineup of Krovostok includes: Shilo (Anton Chernyak) — vocals, lyrics, and ideological core of the project Feldman (Dmitry Feldman) — music and production Sergey Krylov (DJ) — scratches and live support (early period) Anton Chernyak is also known as a conceptual…

Stepan Petrovych Hyha (Ukr. Степан Гіга, November 16, 1959 – December 12, 2025, Bilky village, Zakarpattia region) is a Ukrainian pop singer (tenor), composer, People's Artist of Ukraine (2002), and one of the most recognizable performers of the Western Ukrainian music scene. He is the author and performer of hits that have become an integral part of modern Ukrainian musical folklore. Early Life and Formation Stepan Hyha was born into a working-class family and grew up in a musical atmosphere. In his school years, he took an interest in singing and instrumental music, studying with the local teacher Mykhailo Kopynets, who taught him vocal technique and bayan (accordion). Despite his strong desire to study music, he managed to enter the Uzhhorod Music College only on his fourth…

DJ Jazzy Jeff (real name — Jeffrey Allen Townes) was born on January 22, 1965 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA — an American DJ, producer, sound engineer, and one of the most technically influential masters of hip-hop scratching. One of the founders of the duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, a two-time Grammy winner, a pioneer of hip-hop party DJing, and the creator of the classic “transform scratch” technique. Early life and musical roots Jeffrey Townes grew up in West Philadelphia — a city known for its strong DJ culture. He began DJing as a teenager, inspired by local block-party events and early hip-hop pioneers. Already at 10–12 years old, he experimented with his father’s turntables, and by 14 he was performing at school events.…

DJ Hype (real name Kevin Ford) is a British DJ, producer, and one of the founding figures of the jungle / drum & bass genre. He was born on 6 August 1968 in London. Hype is regarded as a key architect of the 1990s UK sound, a resident of major rave events, founder of Ganja Records, and a member of the iconic project Ganja Kru. He is known for his razor-sharp scratching technique, legendary radio shows, and production work that helped define the face of the early d’n’b scene. Early Years and Beginnings Kevin Ford grew up in London at a time when hip-hop, reggae, dub and sound-system culture were shaping the city’s musical landscape. He began his career as a hip-hop DJ and turntablist, performing at competitions and club nights. In the late 1980s, he became part of…

Jessie J (birth name Jessica Ellen Cornish), born March 27, 1988 in London, UK, is a British singer, songwriter, composer and recipient of multiple international awards. She is known for her powerful vocal range, melismatic technique, a blend of pop, R&B and soul, as well as writing hits for other major artists. Early Life Jessica Cornish grew up in Redbridge, London. She studied at: Colin’s Performing Arts School National Youth Music Theatre (performed in Whistle Down the Wind) BRIT School for Performing Arts & Technology — the same school completed by Adele, Amy Winehouse and Leona Lewis. She was involved in music from an early age and began writing her own songs at 11–12 years old. As a teenager, Jessie J experienced heart issues (including a minor…

Sia Kate Isobelle Furler (Sia Kate Isobelle Furler) was born on December 18, 1975 in Adelaide, South Australia — an Australian singer, songwriter, producer and director. One of the most successful and influential artists of the 21st century, she is known for her unique vocal style, emotionally powerful delivery, and iconic visual image with her face obscured. Early Life and Career Beginnings Sia grew up in a creative family: father — musician Phil Colson, mother — artist Loene Furler. Her musical career began in the mid-1990s when Sia became the vocalist of the jazz–soul group Crisp. After the band disbanded in 1997, she started her solo journey. First albums: 1997 — OnlySee (jazz/soul, independent release) 2001 — Healing Is Difficult…

Alex Gaudino (birth name Alessandro Alfonso Fortunato Gaudino; born January 23, 1970, Salerno, Italy) is an Italian DJ, music producer, and author of dance music, and one of the most prominent artists of the European club scene of the 2000s. He gained worldwide recognition thanks to global hits such as "Destination Calabria", "Watch Out", "I'm in Love (I Wanna Do It)", as well as collaborations with major labels including Ultra Records, Ministry of Sound, and Time Records. Early Life and Career Beginnings Alex Gaudino began his professional music career in the mid-1990s as a producer on the Italian dance scene. In 1998, he became one of the founders of the label Rise Records (a division of Time Records), which soon grew into one of Italy’s key platforms for hits in the house and…

Alexander Vasilievich Novikov (born October 31, 1953, Burevestnik settlement, Iturup Island, Kuril Islands) is a Soviet and Russian singer, poet, bard, composer, and singer-songwriter working in the genres of urban romance and shanson. He is the artistic director of the Ural State Variety Theatre. Laureate of the Ovation Award (1995), multiple laureate of the “Chanson of the Year” award (2002–2019), and laureate of the international literary prize named after Sergei Yesenin. Childhood and Youth Alexander Novikov was born on Iturup Island to the family of a military pilot and a homemaker. His early years were spent on Sakhalin, and later in: the Latvian settlement Vainode, the city of Frunze (now Bishkek), where he spent about ten years, and from 1969 — in…

Illenium (real name Nicholas D. Miller, born December 26, 1990, Chicago, USA) is an American producer, DJ, and composer, widely regarded as one of the key architects of modern melodic bass, future bass, and the new wave of emotional EDM. His music blends cinematic melodies, atmospheric synthesizers, powerful bass dynamics, and emotional vocals. Illenium has become one of the top global EDM artists, selling out arenas and appearing in Billboard, Rolling Stone, and Forbes as one of the most influential electronic musicians of his generation. Early Life Nicholas Miller grew up between Chicago, San Francisco, and Denver. In his youth, he played guitar and bass guitar and was influenced by rock and the pop-punk scene. He began producing seriously around 2008–2010, drawing inspiration…

Sasha (real name Alexander Paul Coe, born on 4 September 1969 in Bangor, Wales, UK) is a British DJ, producer, and remixer, one of the key architects of early-1990s progressive house, trance and modern melodic techno. Together with John Digweed, he formed the legendary duo Sasha & Digweed, which transformed global club culture with its mixes, residencies, and deep set dramaturgy. Sasha is regarded as one of the most technically gifted DJs on the planet, a pioneer of digital DJ tools (Ableton Live, CDJ systems, advanced looping), and the creator of the iconic “Involver” concept. Early Years Sasha became interested in music in childhood, listening to electronic music, synth-pop and early house. His future career began in the late 1980s when he became a resident of the…

John Digweed (real name — Thomas John Digweed, born 1 January 1967 in Hastings, England) is a British DJ, producer, and one of the central figures of global progressive house, tech house, and deep techno. His name has become synonymous with “intelligent,” atmospheric electronic music, where dramaturgy, depth, and flawless mixing technique come together. Together with Sasha, he formed the legendary duo Sasha & Digweed, reshaping the perception of DJ mixes and club culture through landmark releases such as Northern Exposure, Renaissance, and their long-term residency at the iconic Twilo (New York). Early years and path to the scene Digweed grew up in Hastings and became fascinated with electronic music early on. At just 13, he decided he wanted to be a DJ, and by 15…

Tchami is a French DJ, producer, and one of the creators of the future house genre. His real name is Martin Joseph Léonard Bresso, born on May 12, 1985 in Paris, France. Tchami’s signature sound is a blend of: future house deep house bass house gospel-inspired vocals church-influenced organ progressions dramatic choral elements warm, melodic French electronic textures He has become one of the key figures of the new wave of European and global electronic music. Early Years and Path to the Stage Before becoming a renowned producer, Tchami grew up in Paris, played musical instruments, and was heavily influenced by hip-hop and electronic music. He began his career in the underground scene, creating remixes and personal EDM experiments under various monikers. In…

ODESZA is an American electronic duo from Seattle, formed in 2012. The project consists of: Harrison Mills (Catacombkid) Clayton Knight (BeachesBeaches) The duo quickly became one of the most popular and influential acts of the new electronic wave thanks to their unique sound, which blends: downtempo future bass ambient chillwave indie-electronic cinematic sound design ODESZA’s music is instantly recognizable for its airy synths, dense atmospheres, live percussion, vocal layers, and cinematic production style. Early Years & Formation Harrison and Clayton met at the University of Washington — both studied media and design while being passionate about electronic music and experimental synthesis. Before forming the duo, each produced music individually…

Alec Empire (Alexander Richard Eichberger, born May 2, 1972 in West Berlin) is a German electronic musician, producer, DJ, composer, and innovator, best known as the founder of the label Digital Hardcore Recordings (DHR) and the creator of the revolutionary group Atari Teenage Riot. He is considered one of the architects of the digital hardcore genre — a radical fusion of hardcore-techno, punk, noise, breakbeat, drum’n’bass, and industrial music. His work has influenced the development of the extreme electronic scene in Europe, Japan, and the USA. Early Years and Formation Alec Empire grew up in Berlin in the 1970s–80s — a city divided by the wall, filled with punk culture, political activism, and alternative music. From a young age he: was an active…

Deep Purple is a British rock band formed in 1968 in Hertford. The group is regarded as one of the three pillars of hard rock and early heavy metal, alongside Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath. Their record sales exceed 100–120 million copies, and their influence on music is monumental — from hard rock and progressive rock to power metal, grunge, and neoclassical rock. Deep Purple became famous for their fusion of: heavy guitar riffs virtuosic solos progressive arrangements charismatic vocals the unique sound of the Hammond organ And, of course, they created one of the most iconic riffs in history — “Smoke on the Water”. Formation and Early Years (1968–1970) Original lineup: Ritchie Blackmore — guitar Jon Lord — keyboards…