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Eldzhey
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Alexey Konstantinovich Uzenyuk (Russian: Алексей Константинович Узенюк; born July 9, 1994), known professionally as Eldzhey (Russian: Элджей), is a Russian rapper, hip-hop and pop singer and songwriter best known for his hit singles "Rozovoye vino" (The Pink Wine), "Рваные джинсы" (The Ripped Jeans) and "360°"[1][2].
Key Information
Early life
[edit]Alexey Uzenyuk was born on July 9, 1994, in Novosibirsk, Russia.
Career
[edit]Uzenyuk began his career by songwriting in early 2010s.[3] He published his first album, Бошки дымятся, in 2015, but rose to fame in 2016 with his second album, Sayonara Boy, which charted well in Russian streaming platforms.[4]
In 2017, Eldzhey and Feduk's single "Rozovoye vino" became one of the year's biggest hits in Russia, topping the streaming charts and gaining more than 200 million streams on VK.[5][6]
The same year, Eldzhey was the face on Yves Saint Laurent's La Nuit De L’homme Intense perfum line. The next year, he voice-acted in the Russian version of Disney's Ralph Breaks the Internet in the role of Spamley.
The arrival of success
[edit]By the beginning of 2017, LJ's appearance started undergoing changes, and the rapper's new style started getting closer to the style of Zef and Die Antwoord.[7]
Back in October 2016 in a video interviewTo the TNT MUSIC channel,[8] Aljay talked about what influenced his changes in music. On September 15, 2016, the first single "Disconnect" was presented on iTunes together with the performer Kravts. October 7, 2016, he released the album Sayonara Boy, which successfully debuted on the Russian Apple Music and iTunes charts, taking second place there.[9]
On June 22, 2017, he released his new album Sayonara Boy ろ,[10] exclusively for the social network "VKontakte". The album was released on Apple Music and iTunes on June 24, 2017. The first single from the album was "FckuDJ", released on January 1, 2017. The second single was the track "Ripped Jeans", released on June 13, 2017: in a few days the track became the most popular on VKontakte and took the lead. Thus, by the end of 2017, LJ had six studio albums on his account, the last of which was Sayonara Boy ろ
On December 1, 2021, he went to live in Cyprus after allegations of promoting drugs.[11] A month and a half later, on January 18, 2022, he returned to Russia.[12]
On March 3, 2023, Feduk sued Eldzhey over their joint track Punks Not Dead, which was posted without Fedor's permission.[13] That same month, it was revealed that Eldzhey had formed the Sayonara Boys basketball team, which has been competing in Medialiga since April 1.[14]
Personal life
[edit]Uzenyuk began dating Russian TV presenter Nastya Ivleeva in 2018, and they were married in 2019. In August 2021, the couple announced their divorce.
Discography
[edit]Albums
[edit]- Бошки дымятся (2015)
- Катакомбы (2016)
- Sayonara Boy (2016)
- Sayonara Boy ろ (2017)
- Sayonara Boy X (2018)
- Sayonara Boy 143 (2018)
- Sayonara Boy Opal (2020)
- Sayonara bоль (2023)
Singles
[edit]- Rozovoye vino (feat. Feduk)
- Sayonara detka (feat. Era Istrefi)
- Cadillac (feat. Morgenshtern)
- Lamborghini Countach
References
[edit]- ^ "Элджей и Федук «Розовое вино»: вышел клип на главный хит лета". Афиша (in Russian). Retrieved 2024-08-20.
- ^ "Ивлееву, Элджея и Поперечного пригласили для озвучки Cyberpunk 2077 - Газета.Ru | Новости". Газета.Ru (in Russian). 2024-08-20. Retrieved 2024-08-20.
- ^ "Элджей и Федук "Розовое вино": вышел клип на главный хит лета". Афиша Daily. Retrieved 2018-01-03.
- ^ Allj — «Sayonara Boy» Archived 2018-03-11 at the Wayback Machine — Trap.Ru
- ^ ВКонтакте назвала самые популярные песни уходящего года — Esquire
- ^ ""ВКонтакте" назвала самые популярные песни уходящего года". Esquire. Retrieved 2018-01-03.
- ^ "Элджей — покоритель Айтюнса". MTV. Retrieved 2018-01-03.
- ^ Интервью Элджея в программе FunBox — TNT Music
- ^ Allj — «Sayonara Boy» Archived 2018-03-11 at the Wayback Machine — Trap.Ru
- ^ Пацанский дэнс в новом альбоме Элджея «Sayonara Boy 3» — The Flow
- ^ PR-менеджер Элджея рассказал, почему рэпер улетел на Кипр
- ^ «Леха нашел замену Ивлеевой!»: Элджей вернулся в Москву с Кипра с робособакой
- ^ Федук отправил Элджею досудебную претензию
- ^ "Команда Элджея сыграет в баскетбольной медиалиге". Sports.ru. 15 March 2023. Retrieved 2023-03-15.
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Eldzhey
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Biography
Early life
Alexey Konstantinovich Uzenyuk, known professionally as Eldzhey, was born on July 9, 1994, in Novosibirsk, Russia.[7][8] Limited public details exist about his parents, though his father, Konstantin Uzenyuk, owns a business in furniture and metal construction; he was raised alongside a younger brother, Danil, in a standard urban Russian environment in Novosibirsk.[9][10] Uzenyuk spent his childhood in post-Soviet Novosibirsk, a period marked by economic transition and growing access to global culture through the internet, where he first encountered Western music alongside local hip-hop scenes.[11] He attended local schools, graduating from School No. 33 (later renamed Gymnasium No. 9) on Lineynaya Street in 2011 as a diligent and independent student, earning mostly good grades with only one C.[12][13] Uzenyuk did not pursue higher education, instead shifting his focus to music during adolescence after briefly trying vocal lessons without completing formal training.[14][15]Personal life
Eldzhey began dating Russian TV presenter and blogger Nastya Ivleeva in 2018, and the couple married in September 2019 after a spontaneous decision to visit a registry office without waiting the required month.[16][17] The wedding was kept private initially, with details emerging later, including Ivleeva taking his surname, Uzenyuk.[18] No children were born during their marriage.[18] In August 2021, Eldzhey and Ivleeva announced their divorce, citing irreconcilable differences and differing life rhythms, though they emphasized remaining friends and Ivleeva stated she still loved him.[19][16] The separation was amicable, with both agreeing they were not ready for family life at that stage.[16] Ivleeva later reverted to her maiden name in 2023, two years after the divorce.[16] Following the divorce, Eldzhey relocated to Cyprus in December 2021 amid allegations of promoting drug use through his lyrics, a move influenced by professional scrutiny that prompted personal reflection.[20][21] He stayed briefly for work-related matters, including a visit to a migration center, before returning to Russia on January 18, 2022.[22][23] As of November 2025, Eldzhey resides in Cyprus.[24] Post-divorce, Eldzhey has shared public statements focusing on personal growth, expressing a preference for maintaining privacy in his relationships.[19] In December 2024, he was confirmed to be in a relationship with Anna Onanova.[25]Career
Early career
Eldzhey, born Alexey Konstantinovich Uzenyuk in Novosibirsk, Russia, entered the music scene in the early 2010s amid the city's burgeoning underground hip-hop community. Influenced by local rap battles and scenes, he began songwriting around 2010-2012, initially focusing on personal and introspective themes in hip-hop. Self-taught through online resources and home recordings, Uzenyuk honed his skills without formal training, balancing music with studies at a medical university and part-time work.[26][27][28] His first releases emerged as underground tracks shared on platforms like VKontakte starting in 2010, where he built a modest following with raw, experimental hip-hop laced with pop elements. Performing under the stage name Allj, he participated in local battles and small gigs in Siberia, releasing mixtapes that showcased his distinctive raspy delivery and "angry" lyrics. Limited studio facilities in Novosibirsk posed significant challenges, forcing him to record basic demos at home and travel for better production, which restricted his early recognition to regional audiences.[7][26][27] His debut album Гундёж (with Mal) was released on May 19, 2013. He followed with Бошки дымятся (Heads Are Smoking) on May 28, 2014, a 14-track project featuring collaborations with local artists like Tetris and Monblant, blending experimental hip-hop and emerging pop sensibilities. The album, recorded partly in Moscow due to inadequate local resources, highlighted his evolution but still garnered primarily underground attention. By mid-decade, considerations of relocating to Moscow for expanded opportunities became pressing, as Siberian isolation hindered broader exposure. Around 2016, he transitioned to the stage name Eldzhey, signaling a stylistic shift that paved the way for mainstream breakthroughs.[29][30]Rise to prominence
Eldzhey's breakthrough came with the release of his debut studio album Sayonara Boy on October 7, 2016, which marked a pivotal shift toward an autotune-heavy pop-rap sound infused with house elements, distinguishing it from his earlier underground work. The album quickly gained traction on Russian digital platforms, debuting prominently on iTunes and Apple Music charts in Russia shortly after launch.[31][32] The following year, Eldzhey solidified his rising status with the collaborative single "Rozovoye vino" featuring Feduk, released on August 4, 2017, through ZBV and Warner Music Russia. The track amassed over 200 million plays on VK within the year, becoming one of the most streamed songs on the platform and propelling Eldzhey into mainstream recognition.[33][34] It also won the inaugural VK Music Awards in the category of most played track of 2017, with users streaming it more than 200 million times, highlighting its massive appeal in the Russian music scene.[35][36] Building on this momentum, Eldzhey released additional hits like "Rvanые dzhinsy" (Ripped Jeans) in September 2017 and "360°" in July 2018, both of which contributed to his rapid ascent by blending catchy hooks with his signature electronic-rap production. These tracks fueled his first major tours across Russia in 2017 and 2018, including high-profile performances at venues like Adrenaline Stadium in Moscow, where fans noted the intensity of his packed schedule.[37][38][39] By late 2018, Eldzhey had earned widespread recognition in the Russian hip-hop landscape, with media outlets like Afisha Daily frequently covering his releases and cultural impact, such as his inclusion in Apple Music's top-streamed artists of the year. His popularity peaked during this period, evidenced by millions of streams across platforms and a growing fanbase that positioned him as a leading figure in contemporary Russian pop-rap.[40][41]Later career and controversies
In the early 2020s, Eldzhey continued releasing music amid shifting personal and professional circumstances, beginning with the remix album Destructive Version on November 30, 2020, which featured seven reworked tracks from his earlier catalog produced by artists like G-Pol and Gosha.[42][43] This project emphasized experimental electronic and hip-hop elements, marking a transitional phase in his discography focused on reinterpreting past hits for digital platforms. By 2023, he returned with the full-length album Sayonara bоль, released on March 3, which included 15 tracks blending introspective themes with his signature trap influences.[44][45] That same year, Eldzhey issued the single "Drake" on September 22, a track sampling Canadian rapper Drake's "Massive" and exploring romantic and anti-violence motifs through bilingual lyrics.[46][47] In 2024, he released SHAR on October 4. The following year, on July 9, 2025, Eldzhey released the album COMPLEX полноценности, further exploring his alternative hip-hop style. He also announced a tour titled "Верните деньги за билеты" for 2025/2026.[6][48] Eldzhey's career faced significant controversies starting in 2021, primarily centered on allegations of promoting drug use in his music videos, which led to multiple concert cancellations across Russia. Prosecutors in Moscow initiated an administrative case against him for disseminating content that glorified narcotics, resulting in a 100,000-ruble fine imposed by the Zuyzinsky District Court on December 3, 2021, specifically tied to a clip featuring explicit references to substance use.[49][50] This scrutiny echoed earlier complaints from activists and officials, who cited his lyrics and visuals as encouraging asocial behavior, prompting organizers in cities like Yakutsk and Chelyabinsk to cancel shows due to public pressure and legal risks.[51] In March 2023, another dispute arose when fellow rapper Feduk filed a pre-trial claim against Eldzhey for 5 million rubles, accusing him of unauthorized release of their collaborative track "Punks Not Dead" on the Sayonara bоль album without crediting or obtaining Feduk's consent, despite the latter contributing the chorus and a verse.[52][53] This conflict stemmed from their prior successful partnership on hits like "Розовое вино," highlighting tensions over creative control and royalties in the Russian hip-hop scene. Following the 2021 fine and subsequent legal battles, Eldzhey significantly reduced live touring and relocated abroad in subsequent years amid ongoing restrictions, shifting emphasis toward digital-only releases accessible via streaming services. His activities remained focused on studio work and streaming. In response to these challenges, Eldzhey expressed intent to appeal the 2021 drug promotion fine through his legal team, framing it as an overreach on artistic expression, while successfully suing concert organizers for 702,000 rubles in compensation for canceled 2021 shows.[54][55] The Feduk dispute drew limited public comment from Eldzhey, but it amplified discussions on collaboration ethics in hip-hop, with fans divided between support for his bold style and criticism of perceived opportunism. Overall, these events strained his industry standing, polarizing his fanbase—loyal supporters praised his resilience and thematic depth, while detractors viewed the controversies as self-inflicted, contributing to a more niche audience amid broader Russian rap commercialization.[56]Artistry
Musical style
Eldzhey's music primarily fuses hip-hop and pop elements, incorporating heavy use of autotune to create a signature sound within the Russian rap scene. His work blends trap rhythms with electronic and house influences, as evident in tracks like "Rozovoye vino," which popularized a house-rap hybrid and contributed to the genre's rise in Russia. This genre fusion draws from alternative hip-hop and mainstream pop, producing infectious beats that resonate with urban audiences.[4][57][58] In terms of production, Eldzhey relies on digital effects, sampling, and minimalist beats to craft his tracks, evolving from rawer rap deliveries in his 2015 releases to more polished pop-rap by the 2020s. For instance, his 2023 single "Drake" samples Drake's "Massive," layering it over sparse instrumentation to emphasize melodic hooks. This shift highlights a move toward avant-garde hip-hop production, blending rap with electronic textures for broader accessibility, as seen in his 2025 album COMPLEX полноценности, which features experimental tracks like "GAMEBOY" and continues themes of personal introspection.[4][59][60] Lyrically, Eldzhey explores themes of hedonism, romantic relationships, and the struggles of urban youth, often portraying carefree escapism amid everyday pressures. His songs, such as "Rozovoye vino," celebrate living in the moment with references to alcohol and relaxation, while others like "Hey, Guys" emphasize self-confidence and joy. Predominantly in Russian, his lyrics incorporate occasional English phrases, like "Sayonara Boy," to enhance international appeal without diluting cultural specificity. His vocal delivery features a heavily autotuned style, often described as slick and immersive, akin to contemporary trap artists like Travis Scott. This nasal-tinged, processed approach—drowned in effects—adds emotional depth to his storytelling, transitioning seamlessly between rapping and melodic singing in pieces like "Lollipop."[4]Influences and collaborations
Eldzhey's music draws significant inspiration from Western trap artists, particularly in his adoption of autotune and atmospheric production techniques. He has been likened to Travis Scott by fellow musician Tommy Cash, who described him as "the Russian Travis Scott," highlighting similarities in psychedelic trap elements and high-energy delivery.[61] Additionally, Eldzhey's track titled "Drake" reflects the influence of Canadian rapper Drake's melodic rap style and emotional introspection, which permeates his own blend of hip-hop and pop.[62] These Western influences helped shape his signature sound during the mid-2010s Russian trap wave, where he emerged as a key figure popularizing autotuned vocals and catchy melodies in the domestic scene.[63] Domestically, Eldzhey was influenced by early 2010s Moscow hip-hop acts, contributing to his roots in the evolving Russian underground. His work builds on the groundwork laid by predecessors in the local rap community, incorporating trap beats and electronic fusions that resonated with urban youth culture.[63] Key collaborations have defined pivotal moments in Eldzhey's career, expanding his reach within Russia's hip-hop landscape. His 2017 partnership with Feduk on "Rozovoye vino" became a breakout hit, blending pop-rap hooks and marking a commercial turning point, though it initially strained their relationship due to disputes over billing and promotion; the two later reconciled as of 2024.[58][4][64] In 2020, he teamed up with Morgenshtern for "Cadillac," a high-profile track that fused aggressive trap flows and boosted his visibility among younger audiences through shared electronic and bass-heavy aesthetics.[4] These partnerships amplified his fanbase.Other activities
Endorsements and media appearances
Eldzhey has made limited forays into acting, most notably providing the voice for the character Spamley in the Russian dub of the Disney animated film Ralph Breaks the Internet released in 2018. This role marked his debut in voice acting, aligning with his rising profile in the entertainment industry following the success of his 2017 hit "Rozovoye vino." No major film or television roles have been reported for him since then. His media presence includes interviews in prominent Russian publications, such as a 2018 feature in Afisha Daily where he discussed his rapid ascent to fame, live performances, and personal philosophy on success and creative process. Eldzhey has not been featured in extensive international media interviews, though his work contributes to broader discussions of the Russian hip-hop scene in global outlets. Eldzhey actively builds his public image through social media, leveraging platforms like Instagram and VK to share personal updates, promotional content, and behind-the-scenes glimpses into his lifestyle and music production. As of 2025, his Instagram account (@sayonaraboy) boasts over 4 million followers, while his official VK community has more than 1.6 million subscribers. This digital branding emphasizes his distinctive aesthetic, blending hip-hop culture with fashion-forward visuals to engage a young, urban audience.Sports and business ventures
In April 2023, Eldzhey founded the Sayonara Boys Club basketball team, which competes in Russia's Media Basket league, a prominent amateur competition featuring celebrities and influencers.[65] The team, trained by two-time Russian 3x3 basketball champion Denis Bergmann, consists of a mix of professional athletes, content creators, and Eldzhey's associates, including players like Cherocky and members from affiliated music circles.[66] In its debut season during spring 2023, Sayonara Boys finished second in the regular season standings and advanced to the final, where they were defeated by GOATS with a score of 57:44.[67] The team's performance improved markedly in subsequent seasons, culminating in an undefeated championship run during the third season in spring 2024. Sayonara Boys secured the title by defeating Underground B1ZNE$ 57:44 in the final, earning the team a trophy and championship rings without a single loss in the playoff stage.[68] As of 2025, the team remains active in the league's ongoing seasons, participating in matches such as the fifth season's games against teams like DAWGS and LUGANG TEAM, though no major expansions into large-scale events or sponsorships have been reported beyond standard league affiliations.[69] Beyond sports, Eldzhey manages the independent record label 143, founded in 2018, through which he has self-released multiple albums including Sayonara Boy 143 and collaborated with artists like NXN and Sorta.[70] The label focuses on hip-hop and electronic music, distributing tracks via platforms like Yandex Music and handling production for Eldzhey's projects. Complementing this, Sayonara Boys has developed merchandise lines tied to the team's branding, featuring items such as team jerseys, long-sleeve shirts, and collectible basketballs that extend the "Sayonara" aesthetic from Eldzhey's music career.[71] These ventures represent Eldzhey's efforts to diversify income streams amid his evolving career, with the basketball initiative publicly positioned as a way to engage and promote youth involvement in sports.[69]Discography
Studio albums
Eldzhey's studio discography spans over 15 full-length albums as of November 2025, tracing an evolution from raw, experimental underground hip-hop to polished mainstream pop-rap and trap-infused productions that blend electronic elements with introspective lyricism.[6] His debut studio album, Бошки дымятся, released on May 28, 2014, consists of 15 tracks characterized by experimental hip-hop styles, including gritty trap beats and street-oriented narratives that resonated in Russia's nascent underground rap scene, building a regional fanbase through early online distribution and limited physical releases. The album's raw production and themes of urban life contributed to its cult following among hip-hop enthusiasts in Moscow and beyond, though commercial sales remained modest initially, focusing instead on grassroots impact via platforms like VK and SoundCloud.[72][73] The breakthrough came with Sayonara Boy in 2016, a 12-track effort released on October 7 that shifted toward pop-rap with catchy hooks, synth-driven beats, and multilingual influences, marking Eldzhey's transition to more accessible sounds. This album topped Russian iTunes charts shortly after release and amassed over 10,000 streaming equivalents in its debut year, propelled by singles like "Рваные джинсы" that crossed over from album tracks to standalone hits. Critical reception highlighted its commercial polish as a pivotal move from niche experimentation to broader appeal, solidifying his status in the Russian rap landscape.[74][75] Subsequent releases built on this momentum. Sayonara Boy 2 (stylized as Sayonara Boy ろ), dropped on June 15, 2017, with 11 tracks expanding the pop-rap formula through vibrant, dance-oriented production and collaborations, earning praise for its energetic vibe and continued chart success on domestic platforms. In 2020, Destructive Version arrived on November 30 as a 7-track remix project reworking earlier material with darker, electronic twists, receiving mixed but appreciative notes for its innovative deconstruction of past hits amid Eldzhey's evolving sound. The 2023 album Sayonara bоль, released March 3 with 11 tracks, delves into themes of personal pain, reflection, and resilience—evident in songs like "Психологи" and "Harakiri"—blending punk, drill, and hypertrap elements; it garnered positive user reviews averaging around 70/100 for its emotional depth and stylistic variety, marking a mature phase in his discography. Later releases include SHAR (October 4, 2024, collaborative with EIGHTEEN) and COMPLEX полноценности (July 9, 2025), further exploring experimental pop-rap and electronic fusions.[76][77][78][79][80][60]| Album Title | Release Date | Track Count | Key Themes/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Бошки дымятся | May 28, 2014 | 15 | Experimental hip-hop; underground regional impact[73] |
| Пушка | November 13, 2015 | 10 | Early trap influences; building underground buzz[81] |
| Катакомбы | June 24, 2016 | 12 | Dark, introspective hip-hop; transitional sound[82] |
| Sayonara Boy | October 7, 2016 | 12 | Pop-rap shift; strong iTunes performance in Russia[74] |
| Библиотека | October 28, 2016 | 8 | Experimental collection; niche appeal[83] |
| Sayonara Boy 2 (Sayonara Boy ろ) | June 15, 2017 | 11 | Energetic pop-rap expansion; chart continuation[84] |
| Sayonara Boy X | March 27, 2018 | 10 | Continued series; collaborations and hooks[85] |
| Sayonara Boy 143 | November 16, 2018 | 12 | Thematic depth in pop-rap[86] |
| Sayonara Boy Oral | February 28, 2020 | 12 | Homage to influences via flows and styles[87] |
| Guilty Pleasure | December 11, 2020 | 8 | Introspective electronic rap[88] |
| Destructive Version | November 30, 2020 | 7 | Remix-focused deconstruction; darker electronic edge[77] |
| Forrest Gump | November 18, 2022 | 10 | Narrative-driven tracks; reflection[89] |
| Sayonara bоль | March 3, 2023 | 11 | Pain and reflection; positive reception for variety[78] |
| SHAR (with EIGHTEEN) | October 4, 2024 | 1 (single album) | Hard trap collaboration; viral hit[80] |
| COMPLEX полноценности | July 9, 2025 | 13 | Modern pop-rap with electronic elements; recent flagship[60] |