Oleg Gazmanov, a People’s Artist of Russia, spoke with the candor of a veteran who has watched the music landscape shift over decades. He described how gifted young talents today struggle to reach listeners in a field where opportunities do not always align with ambition. Gazmanov’s reflections reveal a perspective shaped by years on stage about how audiences discover music and which voices cut through the noise in a crowded scene. The issue, he suggested, is not a lack of talent but a network of barriers that limits visibility and slows the advancement of rising artists.
He named a number of artists he respects, including Sasha ST, Yuri Strelkin, and Radik Yulyakshin, alongside participants in the Rodniki competition and front-line songwriters whose poems had a striking effect on him. The list captures a cross-section of the contemporary scene Gazmanov sees as worth watching, spanning artists with established clout and emerging voices who bring lived experience to their work. What he values blends lyrical craft with an intimate sense of the country’s history and its current mood.
He offered a sharp critique of how the industry and the ladder of fame function. “They keep recycling the same material”, the 73-year-old artist said, expressing clear puzzlement at the persistence of such patterns and a wish to understand the reasons behind them. His critique hits at the core of how new voices are promoted and how audiences encounter fresh music in a market saturated with familiar formulas. Longevity in the arts tends to ride on moving beyond routine templates and embracing new forms while honoring tradition.
During a roundtable in Russia’s State Duma, Gazmanov spoke with strong conviction about the younger generation not listening to war songs. He framed the issue as part of a larger conversation on national memory, cultural education, and the role music plays in shaping attitudes toward history. The discussion reflected his belief that songs tied to conflict and sacrifice should remain a living part of the national dialogue, not be dismissed as relics of the past. His remarks underscored a desire to see younger listeners engage with songs that carry weight beyond entertainment.
Gazmanov argued that a generation had already slipped away and that the generation gap spans decades. He used the phrase “these are our children” to describe the distance between music that resonates with older listeners and what appeals to younger audiences. He warned that the cultural chain risks breaking if new voices fail to connect with listeners who will become tomorrow’s cultural stewards. Bridging that gap would require attention to authentic storytelling, musical integrity, and a willingness to experiment with new forms while honoring tradition. Earlier he spoke about the influence of family on creativity.