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LAMA is a Ukrainian pop-rock band founded in Kyiv in 2005 by singer, composer and songwriter Natalia Ihorivna Dzenkiv (born December 14, 1975, Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine). The band’s main musical directions include pop rock, alternative rock and electronic pop. LAMA gained widespread recognition with songs such as «Мені так треба», «Моє серце», «Літак», «Світло і тінь», «Знаєш, як болить» and «Не мама». In 2007, the band won the MTV Europe Music Award for Best Ukrainian Act.
Natalia Dzenkiv is the founder, lead vocalist and only permanent member of LAMA. Composer and music producer Vitalii Telezin played an important role in shaping the band’s musical style. The core of LAMA’s discography consists of three studio albums: «Мені так треба» (2006), «Світло і тінь» (2008) and «Назавжди» (2013). The band rose to prominence during the rapid development of modern Ukrainian-language popular music in the mid-2000s, combining expressive female vocals, guitar-driven arrangements and electronic production.
Natalia Dzenkiv: childhood and early music projects
Natalia Dzenkiv was born in Ivano-Frankivsk into a family of professional performers. Her parents were members of the Hutsul Song and Dance Ensemble: her mother was a dancer, while her father was a musician and singer who played the cimbalom and percussion instruments. From childhood, Natalia was surrounded by concert life, accompanied her parents on tour and studied music.
She received formal musical training in piano at the Ivano-Frankivsk Music College. Although she initially considered pursuing a professional career as a pianist, she gradually became more interested in writing her own songs.
An important influence on the future singer was a concert by the American rock band Bon Jovi, which she attended in Berlin in 1990. The scale of the show and the energy of live rock music influenced her perception of the stage. After the trip, Natalia became increasingly interested in contemporary Western popular music and synthesizer-based sound.
In the early 1990s, Dzenkiv performed in the Ivano-Frankivsk duo «Магія», which she formed together with Svitlana Rymar. During this period, she met sound engineer Vitalii Telezin, who worked at a local radio station. He noticed a recording by the duo and helped arrange its radio broadcast.
The meeting marked the beginning of a long-term creative partnership. Telezin later took part in writing and arranging LAMA’s music and helped shape the band’s distinctive sound.
The formation of LAMA and the origin of the name
The LAMA project took shape in Kyiv in early 2005. Initially, it centred on Natalia Dzenkiv’s original material and her collaboration with Vitalii Telezin. As the project developed as a live act, instrumentalists joined the line-up and LAMA evolved into a full band.
The name is associated with the singer’s interest in Eastern religious and cultural traditions. Accounts of the band’s history also mention Lama, a protective goddess in ancient Mesopotamian mythology.
One of the most recognisable elements of Natalia’s stage image became the bindi — a decorative mark worn on the forehead and traditionally associated with Indian culture. Together with her distinctive hairstyles and costumes, this detail helped set the singer apart from other figures on the Ukrainian pop scene.
LAMA’s musical identity developed from several different influences. Rock guitars and a full rhythm section were combined with synthesizers, electronic effects and pop-oriented melodies. Dzenkiv’s voice remained the central expressive element: her singing is recognisable for its soft timbre, emotional phrasing and transitions from intimate passages to more intense choruses.
«Мені так треба» (2006): debut and breakthrough
LAMA’s first major success came with the song «Мені так треба», which began receiving radio airplay in 2005. The track quickly attracted listeners’ attention and became the foundation for promoting the new project.
In 2006, the band released its debut studio album of the same name. The record contained 12 tracks, including an opening piece and a new version of the title song.
«Мені так треба», «Літак» and «Моє серце» became particularly popular. These songs defined LAMA’s early sound: melodic pop rock with electronic elements, emotionally charged lyrics and prominent guitar parts.
The debut album also included «З тим (кого любила)», «Не сліди», «Обман», «Тіло тремтить», «Між зорями», «Сон» and «Білі вогні».
Unlike many dance-oriented pop projects of the period, LAMA placed strong emphasis on live instrumental performance. This allowed the band to transfer its studio material to the concert stage without significantly changing the arrangements.
The album «Мені так треба» became one of the notable Ukrainian pop-rock releases of the mid-2000s. Its success secured regular radio rotation for the band and expanded the geography of its live performances.
MTV Europe Music Awards 2007
LAMA achieved international recognition in 2007. At the MTV Europe Music Awards, held in Munich on November 1, the band won the Best Ukrainian Act category.
Other nominees included «Okean Elzy», «Vopli Vidopliassova», Esthetic Education and singer Gaitana.
The award had particular significance for the Ukrainian music industry: 2007 marked the first appearance of a dedicated Ukrainian national category at the MTV Europe Music Awards. LAMA’s victory became one of the notable examples of international recognition for Ukrainian popular music.
During this period, the band performed actively both in Ukraine and abroad. In 2007, LAMA took part in the cultural programme «Days of Ukraine in France» in Nice, and in 2008 appeared at the Zelt-Musik-Festival in Freiburg, Germany.
«Світло і тінь» (2008): musical development and live success
In May 2008, LAMA released its second studio album, «Світло і тінь», continuing the success of its debut record.
The band broadened its musical palette on the album. Alongside its established pop-rock sound, the songs featured fuller guitar arrangements, electronic textures and elements of alternative music. At the same time, the melodic foundation remained accessible to a broad audience.
Among the best-known tracks were «Світло і тінь», «Знаєш, як болить», «Не мама», «Я не та» and «З джерела».
The song «Знаєш, як болить» holds a special place in the band’s catalogue. It became associated with the Ukrainian-American film «Sappho. Love Without Limits», directed by Robert Crombie, and was used in connection with the film’s promotion.
In April and May 2009, the band undertook a nationwide Ukrainian tour in support of the album, performing in more than twenty cities. The concert programme featured live arrangements that allowed the musicians to place greater emphasis on instrumental sections and vocal improvisation.
As the repertoire expanded, the band’s line-up also changed. During work on the second album, LAMA included guitarist Andrii Alekseev, bassist Zurab Rohava, keyboardist Yevhen Kobzaruk and drummer Dmytro Supruniuk. Guitarist Kostiantyn Sheludko later joined the band.
Live performances and collaborations with other musicians
By the end of the 2000s, LAMA had developed a repertoire designed both for radio audiences and for large concert venues. In addition to solo performances, the band regularly appeared at festivals and took part in collaborative music projects.
In 2009, LAMA joined «Druha Rika» and Dazzle Dreams to record the song Hey U. The project had a social focus: the music video featured photographs of missing children in an effort to draw attention to the issue of finding them.
In 2010, the compilation album «Тримай» was released, combining material from the band’s previous albums with new songs. The title track expanded LAMA’s repertoire and became one of the better-known works from this period.
The songs «Не підведи» (2011) and «Пробач» (2012) continued the development of the band’s sound, retaining the melodic qualities of its earlier work while adopting a more restrained emotional tone.
The album «Назавжди» (2013)
On November 1, 2013, LAMA presented its third studio album, «Назавжди».
Work on the record continued for several years. Symphony musicians took part in the recording of selected tracks, adding orchestral elements to the band’s established guitar-and-electronic sound.
The album contains 12 songs, including «Лиш тільки ти», «Той вогонь», «Ангел», «Любов», «Нехай все буде так, як є», «Фани», «Не підведи», «Пробач» and «Жовте поле».
One of Natalia Dzenkiv’s most personal works on the album is «Ангел», dedicated to her father. Recording the song affected the album’s completion schedule: the release had originally been planned for an earlier date, but the preparation of the material was extended.
The record demonstrated changes in LAMA’s creative direction. Rather than focusing primarily on radio-friendly pop rock, the album placed greater emphasis on more expansive arrangements, serious lyrical themes and combinations of acoustic, electric and orchestral instruments.
At the end of 2013, «Назавжди» ranked ninth on music publication Open.ua’s list of the ten best Ukrainian albums of the year.
Reduced touring activity and new songs
After the release of the third album, LAMA began appearing less frequently on television and at major concert venues. Natalia Dzenkiv explained the change in schedule by citing fatigue from years of touring and a desire to devote more time to her personal life.
The band nevertheless continued making music. In 2016, it released «Не кажу прощай», followed by «Спалені мости» in 2017 and «Привіт, привіт» in 2018.
The latter was associated with the Ukrainian fantasy film «Тільки диво», in which Natalia Dzenkiv also played the role of the Ice Fairy.
The newer recordings retained the main characteristics of LAMA’s music: Ukrainian-language lyrics, melodic choruses and a combination of live instrumentation with contemporary studio production.
LAMA’s music after 2020
During the 2020s, LAMA continued releasing individual singles without returning to its previous pace of full-length album production.
In 2021, the band released «Діаманти». In 2022, LAMA presented «Сильні люди», a song addressing resilience and mutual support during wartime. The same year also saw the release of the collaboration «Любов починається» with the group «Ulmo Try».
Following the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Natalia Dzenkiv increased her live activity, took part in charity performances and supported initiatives providing assistance to Ukrainian military personnel.
In 2023, LAMA released the single «Мій друг». That year also brought a new version of one of the band’s best-known songs, «Знаєш, як болить (your flame remix)».
In 2024, LAMA released «Тішу», accompanied by a music video. The song continued the lyrical side of the band’s work.
Collaborations with MELOVIN: 2025–2026
In 2025, LAMA began a creative collaboration with Ukrainian singer MELOVIN (Kostiantyn Bocharov).
Their first collaboration was «Мені так треба Вітрила!», which combined musical motifs from well-known songs by both artists — LAMA’s «Мені так треба» and MELOVIN’s «Вітрила».
The project brought Natalia Dzenkiv’s recognisable vocals together with a more contemporary pop-rock arrangement. For LAMA, it represented a return to its early material in a new musical context.
On October 30, 2026, the artists released their second joint single, «Між нами тантра». Unlike their previous collaboration, which reworked familiar melodies, the new song is an entirely original composition.
The track is built around dynamic pop rock with prominent guitar parts and a contrast between the two vocal styles. Its lyrics explore strong emotional attraction, intimacy and a relationship in which physical distance does not become an obstacle to feelings.
For LAMA and MELOVIN, the recording marked a continuation of the collaboration between two artists representing different generations of Ukrainian popular music.
Musical style and performance characteristics
LAMA’s sound developed at the intersection of Ukrainian pop rock, alternative guitar music and electronic arrangements. Some tracks also contain elements of indie rock and psychedelic music.
The band’s defining feature is the combination of Natalia Dzenkiv’s melodic vocals with rich instrumental arrangements. Her voice has a distinctive timbre and characteristic emotional delivery. In slower songs, softer phrasing dominates, while in more energetic material her vocals become sharper and more intense.
Vitalii Telezin played a major role in shaping the band’s musical identity. His work with electronic instruments, guitar parts and studio production helped create a sound that distinguished LAMA from more traditional Ukrainian pop music of the mid-2000s.
Natalia Dzenkiv’s lyrics frequently explore themes of love, separation, trust, loneliness and emotional experience. Personal stories are often conveyed through imagery connected with nature, light, movement and time.
Live performance occupies a distinct place in LAMA’s work. Having a full instrumental line-up allows the band to modify arrangements in concert and strengthen the rock elements of its songs compared with the studio versions.
Band members and creative team
The only permanent member throughout LAMA’s history has been Natalia Dzenkiv — vocalist, lyricist and composer.
Musicians who have performed as members of the band at different times include:
- Andrii Alekseev — guitar;
- Kostiantyn Sheludko — guitar;
- Pavlo Lysiuk — guitar;
- Zurab Rohava — bass guitar;
- Oleh Dramaretskyi — bass guitar;
- Yevhen Kobzaruk — keyboards, synthesizers;
- Dmytro Supruniuk — drums;
- Ivan Zymenko — drums.
One of the project’s main creative partners is music producer Vitalii Telezin, who has participated in the writing, arrangement and recording of LAMA’s material.
LAMA discography
Studio albums
| Year | Title | Number of tracks |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Мені так треба | 12 |
| 2008 | Світло і тінь | 11 |
| 2013 | Назавжди | 12 |
Compilation albums
| Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 2010 | Тримай |
Selected singles and songs
| Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 2006 | Мені так треба |
| 2006 | Моє серце |
| 2006 | Літак |
| 2007 | З тим, кого любила |
| 2007 | Світло і тінь |
| 2008 | Знаєш, як болить |
| 2008 | Не мама |
| 2009 | Я не та |
| 2009 | З джерела |
| 2009 | Жовте поле |
| 2010 | Тримай |
| 2011 | Не підведи |
| 2012 | Пробач |
| 2013 | Лиш тільки ти |
| 2013 | Ангел |
| 2016 | Не кажу прощай |
| 2017 | Спалені мости |
| 2018 | Привіт, привіт |
| 2021 | Діаманти |
| 2022 | Сильні люди |
| 2023 | Мій друг |
| 2024 | Тішу |
Selected collaborations
| Year | Track | Artists |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Hey U | LAMA, Druha Rika, Dazzle Dreams |
| 2022 | Любов починається | LAMA, Ulmo Try |
| 2025 | Мені так треба Вітрила! | LAMA, MELOVIN |
| 2026 | Між нами тантра | LAMA, MELOVIN |
Awards and recognition
LAMA’s most important international award is the MTV Europe Music Award 2007 in the Best Ukrainian Act category. The winner was determined through a national vote among Ukrainian artists.
The album «Назавжди» was included in Open.ua’s list of the ten best Ukrainian music albums of 2013.
The band’s first two albums hold a notable place in the history of Ukrainian popular music of the 2000s. Songs such as «Мені так треба», «Літак», «Моє серце» and «Знаєш, як болить» remain closely associated with the period when Ukrainian-language pop rock flourished on national radio and music television.
