Let's start the conversation with the latest news. There is a video filmed in Africa, a film about your trip there is about to be released. Firstly, why did you need to go so far?
It all started like this: I was driving along the Vyshgorod dam, and Bicholla Tetradze sent me an audio message of the following nature: “Dude, I just saw your video for “Africa.” I know how to remove it!” It turned out that he was watching the Instagram channel @masakakidsafricana, and at this time the track “Afrika” was playing. And he sees how they coincide! Then Bicholla edited “Africa” and dance moves from Instagram and sent it to me. I was like: yeah, I got it! I realized that this was a great idea. What do you need to go and shoot? And not just somewhere in Africa, but specifically to these children.
The premiere of the film "Power of Africa" took place last night on the Complex website
- Is it difficult to get there? What is the route anyway?
I flew to Dubai, where we met with the rest of the team. Then we flew together to Entebbe, an airport in Uganda. A local producer named Bill was waiting for us there. He immediately said: “Guys, let’s go to the pharmacy and buy pills just in case!” Because most people in Uganda die from malaria. Plus, this is a country with a very large number of HIV-infected people.
From Entebbe we went to Masaka - in fact, to the region where the children are. On the way we crossed the equator. We arrived at a big, big village. But with good roads - they were built by the Chinese.
Guys, let's go to the pharmacy and buy some pills just in case!
We woke up in the morning bitten by mosquitoes. And they were terribly worried. We were told that 30% of all mosquitoes are malaria mosquitoes. Before we went there, we had, I think, seven vaccinations. But malaria vaccinations are not given. You just take pills if you feel bad.
Bill also said that there are witches in Uganda, and there are especially many of them in the Masaka region. They are running around with backpacks, some kind of fire is burning in the backpacks. They run very fast because they are fueled with some kind of powder - associations of some kind of cocaine are immediately drawn. Bill said that witches bewitch men and force them to work on their plots of land. In general, right from the first day we were bombarded with this kind of mystical information.
- How do the children from this dance group live?
This is a huge family of two parents and artistic directors who gather children around them and teach them to dance. Children are either from poor families who cannot provide for them on their own, or without parents. My husband's name is Hassan. His wife cooks all the time. And all the time the same food: a small cornmeal bun and beans. Basically, it's delicious. For one time. And when you sit down with them for the second time, the beans are already a little boring. And the third time you somehow don’t want to eat them. Therefore, the gastronomic holiday began when we arrived and brought lunchboxes from the hotel.
We started training. They just train in the yard. I showed my movements, they showed theirs, so that it was truly a joint dance, and not just children dancing in a video. They all dance very cool individually. But when we started putting together some fundamentally important synchronizations, they turned out to be completely out of sync. I had to work for a very long time to make everything beautiful and synchronized.
- What language did you speak?
In English. But such African English.
And this is what the “Afrika” video actually looks like, the filming of which required a trip to Uganda
- What else was strange there?
It's strange that they treat the earth like a big garbage chute. They drink Fanta or chew gum and simply throw it on the ground. We come to photograph some beautiful view and - damn it, guys! So beautiful, stop littering! At the same time, Uganda is one of the most developing African countries. As the locals told us, poor Uganda is being shown by some European donors or guys who make documentaries. In order to simply raise more money for it. In Uganda they say: “We are not so poor, we are developing.”
- What will the donations you make be used for?
I'll tell you how it turned out. On the first day, we went with the children to get water. We reached a large deep puddle, which most likely forms after rain. They filled water into gasoline cans. Nearby there was an area where they grow some kind of vegetation. And they said: we grow vegetation here, but we are planning to build a school here soon. So that we can all study, dance, and train together here. And they, apparently, have already launched some kind of crowdfunding campaign, but not very successfully. And when I was talking to them, standing in this place, a thought appeared - what if? They are raising funds for a dance school. They have a plan, they have a project ready, they need 30 thousand dollars for construction.
I want to help these children. They are very loving and warm. It was clear that for them we were long-awaited newcomers. Who came, roughly speaking, to turn their lives in a more positive direction. We wanted it to truly be a fusion of cultures. And so that it is realized in dance. We were worried that in the video I was the only white person in the frame. And on this basis they can pick something up: he went, he used the children. Therefore, the documentary will show what the relationship really was. What mutual understanding there was, what enthusiasm and how much fun we had.
- What is happening in your work now?
There are a lot of plans. Now we have made a collaboration with an American DJ, widely known in narrow circles.
Not. Not with. We met with him at the studio of , who was also there, and we had a great rap! These guys are so cool - [damn it]! I felt in seventh heaven with happiness. You know, get together and just chat about... Well, their musical philosophy. Listen, delve into, talk about your own, share your joys and sorrows.
- And the first DJ, who was discussed at first, is...
This is another DJ, I don’t want to disclose his name yet. So without expectations, you know. I flew there and made four tracks with him. We will present it this summer. And then there will be a hip-hop album. We start working on it in mid-May. Finally! That's it, we sit down to write it. There’s a little bit left - we’re bringing furniture [to the new studio]. We will sit in the “Workshop” and take her virginity - in a creative sense.
We have festivals in the summer. At the same time, a tour of Europe took place. Small - Poland, Germany, Holland. We will touch the foreign audience through OTD. I'm preparing one single for the summer. Cover. I won’t say which group. But she is respected and loved by everyone. In Russian.
Dorn traveled to Europe, of course, with the English-language OTD program. And it’s also on YouTube - a recording of last year’s concert in Moscow was released on Ivan’s channel a month ago.
- There are a lot of questions at once. Firstly, a rap album: are you writing it in Kyiv? There was a plan to do this in New York.
No no! This will be an album in Russian.
When you started talking about a rap album a couple of years ago, it seemed very bold: a leading pop star was going into rap. But today everyone reads rap, even Timur Rodriguez. Did you miss the moment?
No. You know, this even makes me happy. Because when we come out with the album, hip-hop in the musical climate will already...
- Will it merge?
First of all, it will be different. Now everyone is moving away - thanks to “Mushrooms” for this trend. And gradually rap will move into this form. And our hip-hop will be more classic.
It’s even more interesting for me to break into this genre when its current popularity has already passed. Of course, we could do this now and be absolutely in the moment. And from a pragmatic point of view, this would be the most correct approach. But this is precisely what we are afraid of.
It's cool to come out with a hip-hop album when hip-hop is already too obvious. When it already starts to be so popular that it’s even repulsive. That's when it gets really interesting! Because then people will pay attention to how hip-hop it really is. How meaningful and contextual it is. And not to what extent it is in the market situation and in the trend.
- Are you satisfied with the current context of hip-hop?
I like deeper artists like, obviously, Kendrick [Lamar]. Of course, this is Oddisee, this is . These are new people like Schoolboy Q, but also Talib Kweli, Mos Def - the old guys that I love very much, that I grew up with. I also avoid places where I don’t see depth, but see only quality.
- So this is the top now: all these young people from Lil Pump to Lil Zan.
I really don't know them. I don't follow these guys at all. Because I get lost in them very easily. For me there is no musical difference in them - they are all like carbon copies. When a movement becomes so widespread, I start to shy away from it. And look for an alternative. Which I find in the names I listed.
The “Collaba” video no longer has 50 percent of dislikes, as Ivan says, but it still has a lot - 44 thousand versus 74 thousand likes
- Do you continue to knock on the doors of American show business?
Moreover, I am already opening the doors a little through publications that agree to publish... And not only do they agree, but, for example, they ask for some kind of material. And at the same time I am focusing on European show business. I want to go to festivals. Therefore, we are now knocking on the push lists of festival agents.
But all this needs to be done slowly, consistently and correctly. And we also took some wrong steps. There were the wrong people we worked with. There were a lot of talkers who say what you want to hear. They say that they know everyone, they will solve everything, just let’s work with them. You work, you expect something. Then they say: “Well, it’s very difficult to predict here, you understand.” Therefore, by trial and error, without knowing anything about the show business there, we are trying to understand how to act in it correctly. And over this year we dug some kind of ditch for ourselves.
I had the feeling that you wrote the first album for the listener, the second - for yourself, and the third - as if somewhere in space.
The motto “Write for yourself” - I, of course, promoted it. And to some extent, I buried myself musically. But when we released the album “OTD”, I knew for sure that I liked this album, that there would be an audience who would understand it. If not immediately, then later.
It’s fun to watch how the perception of this album changes, how it opens up for people and help it open up with the help of additional content, videos, something else. It's like a board game, like a strategy, but very long in time. The same thing happened with [the previous album] “Randorn”: not everyone accepted it, but over time the attitude changed. Only faster - because the album itself was probably less contrasting.
I was clearly aware that there would be non-perception. And it is there. 50% dislikes for the “Collaba” video on YouTube. They made fun of me for saying I won a Grammy. In fact, this excites me!
I find the story of the recording of the American album very attractive in an artistic sense. But it doesn't describe you as a rational music businessman. Because you lost a lot of money on concerts you didn't finish. You could obviously perform more with Russian material. What do you think about this?
Definitely. But, honestly, I set myself a goal - to add foreign ones to our Russian-speaking audience. This means we need to abandon some plans and strategies in the CIS countries. Just to find time and achieve something there. Essentially, you're starting over. Having, however, experience, a Russian-speaking audience and some kind of self-confidence. But it's still anew. And it takes a lot of time and patience to do it again. The “OTD” album, naturally, was more designed for some kind of jump out there, you know? Why, guys, look how I can sing in English. Therefore, I was clearly aware that there would be non-perception. And it is there. 50% dislikes for the “Collaba” video on YouTube. They made fun of me for saying I won a Grammy. In fact, this excites me! This is a serious pain in the ass. Which I set for myself on purpose.
Nowadays in music everyone cares about success. If the artist doesn’t have it, then there is no topic for conversation. One of the signs of the moment is the popularity of the word “coming”. When the music starts, it means everything has happened. If you don’t come in, it doesn’t matter whether it’s high-quality, advanced, or innovative. Are you comfortable living in such a world?
No. Not good. This is a fucking digital industry, which with its information flow breaks the usual musical realities. Perception of music. The music industry as a whole. People don't have time to sit down, close their eyes, listen to music and imagine something. The music works more as a background. Hence all these measurements: it went in - it didn’t go in, it pumps - it doesn’t pump, punch - not punch. Anything that doesn’t catch your attention right away is kind of bad. Listen to it several times, think, find the right atmosphere - there is no time for this. So, of course, I am partly in a risky position. And of course, I am uncomfortable in such a world. But there are no options. Either you keep up with the times, or everyone moves on, and you remain in place. We still have to fight to bring some value to this art. Fight for the thought, for the message, for the context. By any means. Yes, to adapt - but to adapt while standing on some ground. That's what I'm trying to do.
The upcoming concert of Ivan Dorn is in a secret place - ticket buyers will know it directly on the day of the performance.
Ukrainian singer and DJ Ivan Dorn gave an interview to Russian journalist Yuri Dudu, in which he called Ukraine and Russia brothers and denied sponsoring ATO fighters. The musician’s statements caused a strong reaction among fans in his native country and attracted the attention of the local Ministry of Culture.
During the interview, Dorn tried to deny his assistance to the “anti-terrorist operation” in eastern Ukraine. The singer’s money was supposed to go to help victims of the shelling of Mariupol, but one of the volunteers bought optical sights with it.
“One of the volunteers decided to use this money differently - he bought an optical sight - and publicly thanked me for it. I told him: “Let's do something. It was an uncomfortable situation. Delete that post or write how it really happened,” the musician recalled.
Dorn explained the rise of Ukrainian music by the desire of the “younger brothers” to develop independently of the “elder ones.” Going on stage in Jurmala in 2014 wearing a T-shirt with a trident was justified by the desire to “not get into trouble,” promoting culture and protecting oneself from criticism.
“I thought that I should go out with a trident so that no one would stink about the suit,” the singer explained.
The revelations caused a strong reaction from social network users and Ukrainian musicians, who condemned the singer and accused him of corruption. Odessa social activist Gleb Zhavoronkov published selected excerpts from the interview on his Facebook.
The head of the Ukrainian Ministry of Culture, Yevgeny Nishchuk, called his compatriot’s statements unacceptable, recalling that artists have a responsibility to their listeners.
“Artists are not just those who amuse and carry only their talent, and nothing else should worry them. This is wrong. When tens of thousands of the best sons of Ukraine are dying in the east of the state, it is unacceptable to say that there is a small quarrel going on here,” the official noted .
Ordinary Ukrainians reacted to Dorn's words in stronger terms, preferring to “bury” his career.
Dorn is broken. Carry the next one.
- Vasya (@KoloradskayaTla) April 12, 2017
Once upon a time there was Vanya Dorn
Which pleasantly surprised me in Jurmala
But it turns out it was
We didn't stink.
This is some shit from Chelyabinsk... https://t.co/GgrZ3iEXvz
- Icecoin Getman (@YevhenS) April 12, 2017
It’s a pity that Ivan had little time for the interview. We could also talk about the fascists, torchlight processions, and armed coup.
- Uncle Sasha (@ddya_sasha)
A scandal surrounding Ivan Dorn’s interview with one of the popular Russian bloggers is gaining momentum on the Internet. In particular, the 28-year-old singer spoke about his attitude towards Russia and commented on the information about the transfer of money to help ATO participants in the Donbass.
As it turned out, Ivan Dorn never equipped Ukrainian soldiers, but gave money to help people in Mariupol.
Money was given to the victims in Mariupol. After the shelling. Then volunteers distributed money for this. But one of the volunteers decided to use this money differently and thanked me for it
Dorn explained.
Ivan also said that he wore a T-shirt with a trident during the New Wave 2014 song contest in Jurmala “so as not to stink,” and called Ukrainians and Russians brothers who would soon make peace.
We went there with Penguin Dance. Then the question became a little more acute, because a stink began to arise that our participant from Ukraine was wearing a suit with a tricolor. How is it possible, we have such problems, such a quarrel, and she walks around in this tracksuit... Something had to be solved. Therefore, I thought that I should go with a Ukrainian song, firstly, to carry culture, since this is such a thing. And secondly, I thought, I need to go out with a trident so that no one stinks about the suit
The singer said.
Such statements by Ivan Dorn caused outrage among Ukrainian celebrities. On their pages on social networks, some write angry posts, while others try to justify the musician, calling what is happening bullying.
Dorn was at least honest. He said what he thought. And I'll tell you. Perhaps I will repeat myself (for those who love examples of Klavdia Shulzhenko, who would never have fought in the war in Berlin). Sometimes it seems to me that the war in the country is for soldiers and artists, the rest live as in peacetime, and politicians are even better. None of you go to a tank factory or a medical unit in the morning for a 12-hour shift, as was the case during Shulzhenko’s time. You all enjoy a peaceful life and only sometimes write your angry posts about artists, saying that there is no war for them. Is there one for you? - Ukrainian producer Oleg Bodnarchuk writes in his blog.
You know, Vanka... I never had any illusions about you before. Well, my dear, having explained to us fools that this is just a “quarrel”, that you gave money to... but to me, in principle, to... where you gave them. P.p.s. Who nourishes a lot, why did I write so tolerantly... So, please, I try to control my emotions.. and so be... you yourself know what I said, it’s not internal censorship
Producer Alena Mozgovaya shares her opinion.
Well, okay, show business figures who are trashing Ivan now. It is explainable. At first they had a hard time surviving when he, then still... from the mountain, raised his performance fee to 40,000 euros within 2 years. This generally violated all laws of subordination. And then, successfully maneuvering between countries, he continued to tour in Russia, while also giving concerts in Ukraine, at a time when many who had prospects of capturing the Russian music market publicly refused to tour in the Russian Federation. It’s clear that one can only hate something like that. And now, without irony, I would hate him myself if we were in the same competitive environment. Therefore, I have no questions about our show business. Everything is clear here. Hello to everyone who sucked Vanka on their page,” writes TV presenter Andrei Shabanov.
Unsuitable for me(((So naive and believed better. 1. After this quarrel happened... 2. The younger brothers told the older brother... 3. He didn’t give money for the ATO. 4. He put on a trident so that they wouldn’t stink about the suit
TV presenter Solomiya Vitvitskaya wrote on her Facebook.
The famous Ukrainian singer Ivan Dorn disowned helping the military who participated in the Anti-Terrorist Operation and stated that there is only friendship between Kiev and Moscow.
“Soon, the thaw is already beginning,” the singer believes.
“When there was a quarrel (the war in Donbass - ed.) between two brothers, all the younger brothers said “no” to everything from the older brother, “we want everything of our own,” Ivan Dorn commented on his understanding of the conflict in eastern Ukraine.
The musician also said that many Ukrainians do not like his tour of Russia.
“Simply because the very fact that I am performing in Russia is outrageous. Well, precisely for those who are ardent Russophobes, they don’t like it either. And the rest of the people, in fact, to be honest, they don’t give a damn what I say, my music is more important to them,” the singer is sure.
Dorn also disowned assistance to the military participating in the Anti-Terrorist Operation.
“Money was given to the victims in Mariupol when the shelling occurred. One of the volunteers who wrote this post decided to use this money differently, bought an optical sight and publicly thanked me for it,” said the singer.
In addition, Dorn spoke about his reaction.
“I said: “Listen, let’s do something somehow, because somehow the situation turned out to be uncomfortable.” There was too much stench about this,” Dorn recalled, noting that he never helped the ATO again.
Dorn also stated that the balloons in the colors of the national flag of Ukraine, stated in his rider, were simply so that he could “better see the organizers” when leaving the plane.
Dud asked Ivan Dorn what he would say to the head of the Kremlin if he got a meeting with him. The singer said that, apparently, he would pose a question to the head of Russia.
“Like Libra (zodiac sign), do you also have some kind of uncertainty? It’s unclear all the time whether yes or no, and you always depend on someone’s opinions,” Ivan Dorn voiced his question to Putin.
In March 2017, Ivan Dorn released a video for the first English-language single “Collaba”, which
Ukrainian singer Ivan Dorn, popular in Russia, gave an interview to Russian journalist Yuri Dudu. The conversation, during which the topic of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict was touched upon, aroused harsh criticism from the Ukrainians, who felt that Ivan was trying too hard to please the Russian reporter and was afraid to say too much.
Let us remember that Ivan has repeatedly helped volunteers in Donbass, a region that is fighting for independence from Ukraine. According to the musician, he did this solely out of good intentions and wanted to help the victims. As a result, the money he gave went to buy weapons, and Ivan was considered a supporter of Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. Later, the press began to write that Dorn was sponsoring fighters of the “anti-terrorist operation,” as the Ukrainian authorities described their actions.
The journalist touched on this topic during an interview. So, Ivan convinced him that he did not and does not intend to sponsor the war in Donbass: “Money was given for the victims in Mariupol when the shelling occurred. But one of the volunteers decided to use the money in his own way and bought an optical sight.”
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Ivan also justified himself for going on stage in Jurmala in 2014 wearing a T-shirt with the state emblem of Ukraine in the form of a trident. “I thought that I should go out with a trident so that no one would make a fuss about the suit,” explained Ivan, who considers Russians and Ukrainians brothers.
Such words caused severe criticism from Ukrainians. They felt that by doing so, Ivan took the side of Russia: “Let’s find someone else—more talented, more attractive and patriotic!” “Such interviews make me feel nauseous. It seems that an accomplished Ukrainian artist, popular, recorded an English-language album to conquer the United States, but still this “little brother” complex does not let go,” “Unfortunately, you can’t sit on two chairs with one ass. And you won’t make all the money. Sorry for Ivan. With this interview you chose your stool. Don’t put on the coat of arms again and don’t disturb Kuzma’s memory.”
