The Secure Internet League president, Ekaterina Mizulina, expressed strong disapproval over a public comparison that linked rappers Vacio, Oksimiron (noted in the Russian Federation as a foreign agent) and Scally Milano with poets Vladimir Mayakovsky and Sergei Yesenin. The remark surfaced in a Telegram channel titled “Attention, news.”
During a session with students in Kazan, Mizulina argued that in public discourse Russians should refrain from using profanity. She claimed that musicians faced criticism when their songs included vulgar language, and she noted that some listeners had raised concerns about this in response to the complaints. One student pushed back, arguing that obscene language is a facet of language and a tool for artistic expression, and that Yesenin and Mayakovsky themselves employed stark stylistic choices. Mizulina did not share this view, suggesting that the modern rappers and the classic poets operate within different artistic and cultural milieus.
“Have you heard any of Scally Milano’s lyrics? It is unfortunate you draw parallels with Mayakovsky and great figures and then juxtapose that with Oksimiron, who is labeled a foreign agent, and the rapper in socks,” Mizulina remarked, addressing the gathered group. The reference to a “rapper in socks” was a nod to Vacio, who had appeared at a blogger Nastya Ivleeva’s event wearing a single sock during a provocative party appearance.
Earlier, Mizulina had been involved in a contentious exchange with a student about Milokhin’s future and had urged a public apology from him. The incident underscores ongoing debates in Russia regarding the boundaries between artistic freedom and public decorum, especially when public figures are tied to political or legal designations and when social media discourse amplifies controversial statements. The discussion also highlights the tension between traditional literary heritage and contemporary urban music forms, as well as the broader cultural questions about what constitutes acceptable creative expression in modern Russian society. [Source attribution: Secure Internet League communications committee]
Experts note that the episode reflects a broader pattern in which state-linked organizations scrutinize modern music genres for their perceived impact on youth culture and public norms. Critics argue that such conversations often become conflated with political branding rather than clear assessments of artistic merit. Supporters of Mizulina’s stance say that clear boundaries help maintain civil discourse in public spaces, especially in educational settings where impressionable students are present. The incident likewise raises questions about how public figures and institutions respond when famous artists are involved in provocative public moments, and how those responses influence public perception of both classic literature and contemporary music. [Attribution: cultural policy observers, contemporary Russian media analyses]