Real name: Vasily Mikhailovich Vakulenko
Date of birth: April 20, 1980
Place of birth: Rostov-on-Don, Russia
Genres: hip-hop, gangsta rap, trap, chanson rap, satire
Aliases: Basta, Noggano, N1NT3ND0
Occupation: rapper, producer, DJ, TV host, entrepreneur
Label: Gazgolder
Concept and Persona
Noggano is the stage persona of Vasily Vakulenko, introduced in 2006 as his bold, satirical alter ego. Unlike Basta, whose songs are filled with lyricism and philosophy, Noggano represents a “street alter-ego” that embodies the spirit of the 1990s — with cynical humor, criminal aesthetics, and parody of the “blatnoy” outlaw style.
This project became a form of social commentary — raw, uncensored, filled with profanity, grotesque exaggeration, and distinct working-class humor. Through Noggano, Vasily explores street culture, absurd everyday life, and the post-Soviet reality.
Early Life and the Path to Noggano
Vasily Vakulenko was born on April 20, 1980, in Rostov-on-Don. From a young age, he was passionate about rap, participating in battles and writing lyrics inspired by both Russian and Western hip-hop culture. In the 1990s, he began releasing music under the name Basta, focusing on deep, meaningful themes. By the mid-2000s, however, he felt the need to create a second creative self — more free-spirited, streetwise, and satirical.
Thus, in 2006, Noggano was born — a character blending gangsta rap, chanson, and post-Soviet folklore. Through this persona, Vakulenko mocks and romanticizes the life of Russian “hoods,” 1990s archetypes, bars, and petty crime, transforming them into musical comedy.
Musical Style
Noggano’s style is an explosive mix of rap, chanson, trap, and satire. His lyrics are full of street slang, grotesque humor, everyday sketches, and irony. Many songs resemble jokes about life “in the neighborhood,” while the characters become symbolic figures of post-Soviet urban folklore.
Unlike traditional hip-hop, Noggano combines rough, slang-heavy vocabulary with theatrical delivery and powerful beats. The result is a form of rap-comedy — a parody of criminal romance and “tough guy” stereotypes.
Breakthrough and Cult Status
Noggano’s debut albums — “Noggano One” (2007) and “Noggano Two” (2008) — became a sensation. Hits like “Barman”, “High”, “In the Neighborhood”, “Radio Chanson”, and “Moskvich” instantly went viral, spreading through social media and YouTube.
In 2009, he collaborated with Guf on the joint album “Shaolin Club”, which became a classic of Russian rap. The track of the same name turned into an anthem for a generation. The songs introduced recurring characters — Kuper, Zhigan, Pal Palych — forming an entire “Noggano-verse.”
Further Development
During the 2010s, he released albums such as “Trap” (2011), “Heat” (2012), and “Warm” (2016), expanding the project with more lyrical and socially aware themes. The Noggano persona grew multidimensional — from satire to introspection — and his animated videos (“Barman,” “In the Neighborhood”) gained cult status.
Over time, Noggano’s releases became rarer, appearing mainly in special concerts and collaborations, yet each new drop still resonates strongly with fans and evokes deep nostalgia.
Vasily Vakulenko’s Alter Egos
- Basta — lyrical, philosophical, introspective persona
- Noggano — streetwise, bold, and parodic character
- N1NT3ND0 — experimental project blending trap and electronic music
This creative versatility made Vakulenko a unique multidisciplinary artist, uniting different genres, audiences, and moods under one name.
Discography
Studio Albums
- 2007 — Noggano One
- 2008 — Noggano Two
- 2009 — Shaolin Club (feat. Guf)
- 2011 — Trap
- 2012 — Heat
- 2016 — Warm (joint project)
Compilations and Mixtapes
- Noggano MP3 Hits
- Underground Classics
- Noggano Live
- Noggano in Chanson Style
Most Popular Tracks
- Barman
- High
- In the Neighborhood
- Radio Chanson
- Moskvich
- Buy Flowers for the Kids
- Gun
- Shaolin Club (feat. Guf)
- For Real
- My Game (remix with Kasta)
Facts and Influence
- Noggano was one of the first successful alter egos in Russian rap, showing how artists can play with identity and genre.
- His tracks became memes and viral quotes across social media and YouTube.
- The persona parodies the “criminal romance” and street culture of the 1990s.
- Music videos were often created as animated clips with signature satire and humor.
- Noggano’s albums have gained millions of streams and remain classics of Russian rap.
- Vasily Vakulenko is the founder and executive producer of Gazgolder, a label supporting emerging artists and multimedia projects.
Legacy
Noggano has become a cult phenomenon in Russian rap history. The project proved that hip-hop can be not only philosophical or rebellious but also satirical, ironic, and deeply folk-inspired. Noggano is both a parody and a mirror of reality — the voice of the streets speaking openly and unfiltered.
Today, Vasily Vakulenko continues to expand his musical universe, while Noggano remains a legendary persona that defined an entire era of Russian street rap.
