The singer and leader of the KnyaZz project, Andrei Knyazev, spoke openly in an interview with Valeria Gai Germanika, addressing critics who accused him of riding on the legacy of King and the Clown. He framed the discussion around artistic integrity and the personal ties he feels to the material, explaining that the public perception often misses the delicate balance between an artist and the work that defines them. In his view, every note and lyric is a thread connecting the creator to the creation, and that bond cannot simply be severed by casual judgments or hostile commentary.
He addressed the charge that he profits from Pot or profits off the brand itself. He insisted that his involvement remains rooted in the King and the Clown format, a framework he still cherishes and keeps close to his heart. The musician stressed that many listeners misunderstand the depth of a songwriter’s relationship with a song, recalling a line he once wrote about leaping from a cliff. He argued that abandoning his own creative impulses to appease detractors would amount to diluted artistry, a betrayal of the author’s link to his own work.
When discussing the inheritance left by Mikhail Gorshenev, Knyazev rejected the insinuations that KnyaZz benefited from that legacy. He recalled that by the time Gorshenev left, KnyaZz was already drawing large crowds and filling venues on its own. He also reflected on the band’s early days, noting the upheavals with guitarists who did not feel aligned with the project, and how those early challenges shaped the band’s resolve. The artist expressed that Gorshenev’s departure did not influence the group’s popularity or trajectory in any decisive way, underscoring the team’s continued momentum and evolving sound.
Critics who doubted the band or questioned its leadership have since found themselves on the sidelines, according to Knyazev. He stated that the decision to work exclusively with partners who believe in the project remains firm. The core stance is clear: commitment to collaborators who support the artistic direction, rather than those who critique from the outside. He closed with a poised affirmation that the group will not re-engage with dissenting voices, choosing instead to focus on the relationships that foster growth and creative progress.
Earlier, critic Babichev noted it was unusual that Tea for Two released a single featuring a collaboration, a comment that fed into ongoing conversations about how collaborations influence the band’s evolving identity and audience reception. This sentiment, though it sparked debate, highlighted the broader conversation around collaboration, ownership, and the evolving landscape of contemporary performance art. The discourse around these topics continued to shape how fans, critics, and fellow musicians view Knyazev and his ensemble, framing a narrative of resilience, artistic fidelity, and the ongoing pursuit of meaningful creative expression.