Rapper Instasamka Covers Katya Lel’s Hit, Sparking Discussion Online
The rapper known as Instasamka, whose real name is Daria Zoteeva, recently shared a video where she performs a version of Katya Lel’s popular track My Marmalade. The post appeared on Instagram, a platform owned by Meta, which has faced political questions and bans in Russia.
In the uploaded clip, Zoteeva delivers a rendition that keeps the core melody of the original while substituting the lyrics with her own words. The result is a personalized reinterpretation that some listeners welcomed while others felt it resembled the original too closely.
One line from the altered verse features a boastful refrain: “I’m going to spend a lot of money, honey, don’t get bored. It feels like my head’s spinning again – yeah, I spent a lot of money.” The delivery of these lines drew mixed reactions, with several viewers labeling the version a carbon copy of the initial recording.
My Marmalade first gained viral traction on TikTok toward the end of 2023. The track, originally laid down in 2004, resurfaced for new audiences as users created videos and memes inspired by its distinctive hook and rhythm.
In early February 2024, producer Maxim Fadeev provided remarks regarding the cover. He indicated that he had granted permission for at least one international artist to cover the song, which Fadeev had originally written for Katya Lel. This disclosure added a layer of curiosity about how the song would travel across borders and be reinterpreted by artists beyond its initial circle.
Fadeev noted that the global popularity of My Marmalade led to a flurry of interest from artists around the world. He reported receiving more than a hundred requests from musicians in the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, China, and other countries who wished to create their own covers. The responses illustrated the wide appeal of the track and the way a vintage song can resurface in contemporary contexts.
Meanwhile, discussions surrounding the cover tended to focus on rights and financial arrangements. Several artists reportedly paused their plans to proceed after learning that rights settlements involved transfers to accounts linked to Russian banks, highlighting the ongoing complexity of copyright enforcement and cross-border licensing in the music industry.
In related commentary within the music community, prior critiques of Zivert’s work surfaced from songwriter Rotaru, illustrating how new interpretations of established artists frequently generate debate among fans and fellow musicians alike. The situation with My Marmalade underscores how contemporary audiences negotiate lineage, originality, and homage in popular music, especially when an older track regains prominence in the streaming era.
Overall, the episode surrounding Instasamka’s cover of My Marmalade demonstrates the enduring resonance of Katya Lel’s composition while showcasing how modern creators remix classic songs for new audiences. It also highlights the practical realities of international collaboration, licensing, and the evolving standards that govern how songs are shared and transformed in a digital landscape.