Rapper Scally Milano, whose real name is Daniil Slonov, recently traveled from Russia to Dubai after a concert in St. Petersburg was halted by law enforcement. According to the Mash Telegram channel, Slonov left Russia when a criminal case was opened under Article 151 of the Russian Criminal Code, which concerns involving minors in antisocial acts. Authorities were in the process of identifying those implicated, and the maximum sentence for this charge can reach four years in prison. The channel further reported that several intoxicated teenagers were taken from the Scally Milano show to a police station.
The events unfolded amid a flurry of official activity. One day earlier, Mikhail Romanov, the First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Control and Regulation, submitted a mandate request to Alexander Bastrykin, the head of the Russian Investigative Committee. On April 23 in St. Petersburg, Scally reportedly requested that Bastrykin personally oversee the verification of alleged violations observed by witnesses at the Milan concert.
Romanov asserted that the concert violated age restrictions for attendees and claimed that the rapper’s lyrics promoted drugs and included anti-war statements. He noted that children aged 12 to 14 could have attended a venue intended for audiences over 16, a point he framed as a serious concern. The claim argued that the artist encouraged the young audience to support obscene anti-state slogans. A member of the United Russia faction suggested that Scally Milano and his producers had deliberately arranged the show’s schedule and script with a youthful audience in mind, one that might be particularly receptive to radical protest and drug-themed content.
In response, the lawmaker argued that such incidents threaten the country’s future. He stated that many parents hope their children will stay healthy and loyal to their homeland, and he insinuated that the artist was promoting a dangerous and negative path that could lead young people away from family, country, and ordinary life. He urged parents to shield their children from the music, expressing strong disapproval of what he described as a provocative influence on impressionable youth.
Reports indicate that the April 23 concert was interrupted by police presence, with media noting that some young attendees were seen using alcohol and drugs during demonstrations. Following the incident, Slonov released a statement on Telegram. In his message, he claimed to be in a time of personal hardship and denied using drugs or alcohol, insisting that he has remained clean. He described a childhood marked by poverty and family struggles, including a mother who struggled with addiction and a father currently in detention. He emphasized that he has not spoken out against national policy and maintained affection for his homeland, asserting that his work is a stream of thought and creativity rather than a harmful agenda.
Slonov reiterated that most of his fans understand his artistic perspective and see his work as a way out of darkness. He stressed that his interactions with fans are respectful and that his music is meant to offer relief, rather than promote harm. Reports from a Russian Telegram channel linked to media sources noted that Moscow subsequently canceled a Scally Milano concert following the St. Petersburg raid, a development seemingly tied to the broader controversy surrounding the artist and the tour.
Observers continue to analyze the situation from multiple angles. Some critics argue that the presence of teenagers at concerts with mature themes requires stricter enforcement of age restrictions and a closer look at the scheduling of performances targeting younger audiences. Others contend that artistic expression and the right to perform must be weighed against public safety concerns. In this ongoing discussion, authorities have underscored the need for accountability and transparency in how concerts are marketed to different age groups, while supporters emphasize the importance of artistic freedom and the challenges of balancing cultural access with social responsibility.
For audiences following the case, questions often center on how age verification is handled at live events, what kinds of content are deemed inappropriate for minors, and what steps performers and promoters should take when concerns about safety and substance use arise. The situation also highlights broader debates about youth engagement with music, the influence of celebrity on impressionable listeners, and the role of law enforcement in monitoring performances that may be connected to social or political messaging. As events unfold, updates are anticipated from official channels about any further investigations, scheduling changes, or policy responses that could shape future performances by Scally Milano and similar acts.