The head of the group Earthlings, Vladimir Kiselev, called a meeting to discuss who he believes are the strongest vocalists in Russia as observed by a broad audience.
In his remarks, Kiselev identified several performers who enjoy wide popularity among domestic listeners. He named Nikolai Baskov, Grigory Leps, Leonid Agutin, and Vladimir Presnyakov as the most beloved artists in the country. While he acknowledged that younger talents also draw significant attention, he suggested that their musical output does not align with his personal tastes at present.
Earlier in September, Kiselev offered a pointed critique of his colleague Oleg Gazmanov, describing the veteran singer as a composer who lacks certain creative vitality. He claimed that Gazmanov had proposed a songwriting project for which payment would be offered, presenting it as a test of professional seriousness.
Such friction is not new in the dynamics between Gazmanov and Kiselev. There have been prior public disagreements in which Kiselev condemned Gazmanov and, separately, Igor Matvienko for producing patriotic songs on a paid basis. In another turn of the discourse, Gazmanov reportedly refused to acknowledge Kiselev as a musician and reminded listeners that he is the proprietor of Russian Radio.
Grigory Leps, in September, offered a blunt observation about success, saying that achieving significant heights requires taking responsibility for one’s work without surrendering to doubts. He stressed that perseverance matters most, especially when belief from others is in short supply.
In related news, the music scene also witnessed a moment of performance nerves when a singer named Slava forgot the lyrics during a concert in Nizhnevartovsk, an incident that drew attention to the fragility of live shows.
Source attributions: (Source: news.ru) The reporting notes that tensions and opinions among prominent Russian artists continue to shape public perception of contemporary music and its leadership figures. (Source: news.ru) The dialogue reflects ongoing debates about artistic integrity, commercial pressures, and recognition within the Russian entertainment industry.