“I think the musical isolation of Russian singers is not fair†– Manizha discusses being an artist in the Russia of 2022
-
Loading... - nina elizabeth
- 06 Apr 2022
- 339 Views
- 0 Like
- 0 Comment
She’s the Russian-Tajik singer who sang for the whole of Europe at Eurovision 2021. But almost a year later, Manizha and other Russian singers now have to live under sanctions imposed as a result of the ongoing war in Ukraine. Manizha has spoken to the media about the effect these sanctions are having on her musical output in the Russia of 2022.
Manizha discusses sanctions and Russian artists in 2022
Several weeks ago, Manizha released her song “Soldier”. Although she wrote the track 11 years ago and planned to release it in November, Manizha found that it became relevant at the present time.
Speaking to Dutch broadcaster NOS, Manizha has described being an artist right now in Russia:
“Every one of us has become a soldier, because everyone is right now fighting for their own truth. Someone’s truth is leaving, someone’s truth is being scared, someone’s truth is to go out and scream. It has become very difficult to do, what is not difficult.”
“I believe, not taking in mind that I wrote [“Soldier”] 11 years ago, that I wrote up the scenario in November and that I felt that I shouldn’t release it in November but in February.”
“It’s scary to acknowledge that exact word and to sit in prison. It’s scary to say your opinion.”
Manizha on not being able to monetise her songs
Swedish streaming giant Spotify became one the latest services to leave Russia, after entering the market in June 2020. Russian artists can also no longer monetise their music through YouTube.
In Russia, artists are currently heavily monitored by local media, with accusations of treason being made to those who leave the country. With the sanctions, the country’s music industry is moving inward.
During the interview to NOS, Manizha said:
“I think the musical isolation of Russian singers is not fair. Now, Russian artists have been barred from publishing their music on global platforms. Even the song “Soldier”, nobody did support from global platforms. I understand it, yes, because… But, it seems to me, it’s not right. Because many have something to say.” Read More…
