# Max Barskih

Mykola Mykolaiovych Bortnyk (Ukrainian: Микола Миколайович Бортник, born 8 March 1990), better known by his stage name Max Barskih (Ukrainian: Макс Барських) and alter-ego Mickolai, is a Ukrainian singer and songwriter. He was raised in Kherson, Ukraine, and moved to Kyiv after his graduation. He has released six studio albums, one compilation album and one extended-play.

## Career

Max Barskih rose to fame in Ukraine and post-Soviet countries in 2008 as a participant of the Ukrainian talent show "Fabryka Zirok 2" (Star Factory 2).
In 2010, Max Barskih won his first big prize with being awarded "Best Ukrainian Act" at the MTV Europe Music Awards.
Max Barskih also had his acting debut in 2010, when he starred in Lara Fabian's musical feature film Mademoiselle Zhivago (that was published in 2013).
In 2012, Barskih entered the Eurovision Song Contest Auditions for Ukraine with the English version of his song "Dance", but narrowly lost to Gaitana who represented Ukraine in Baku with her song "Be My Guest".
Max Barskih has won numerous awards, including "Singer of the Year" Awards at the Baltic Music Awards 2011, the "Crystal Microphone" Awards 2011, the M1 Music Awards 2017, the GQ Men of the Year Awards 2018, the New Radio Awards 2019, the Love Radio Awards 2019 and at the Top Hit Music Awards 2020.
Forbes Magazine USA and Vogue Ukraine called Barskih "the internationally most successful Russian language singer".
Throughout his career, Barskih has worked closely with Alan Badoev, who is his producer and has also directed most of his music videos. Barskih's videos have gained popularity in the CIS nations. The director likes to use a variety of visual effects for many of his videos, such as in the music videos for "Теряю тебя" ("Lost in Love") which was released in 3D format in the CIS nations.
Barskih composes the music and writes the lyrics of his songs himself (and was e.g. nominated at the 2019 Russian National Music Awards for "Lyricist of the Year"), and partly also does the producing. Most of his songs are in Russian, but he has also sung in Ukrainian (e.g. "Небо" and "Двоє") and in English (e.g. "Z.Dance" (partly in English) and "Silence" (entirely in English)).
During the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine Barskih joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
In summer 2023, he started a world tour in support of Ukraine from Lisbon.

## Other ventures
### Songwriting

Barskih writes his songs himself and occasionally also works as a songwriter for other artists.
Selected list of songs written by Max Barskih for other artists :
| Year | Artist | Title | Remarks |
| 2010 | Svetlana Loboda | «Сердце бьётся» («Serdtse b'yotsya»/«Heart Beats») | |
| 2012 | Misha Romanova | «Невесомая» («Nevesomaya»/«Weightless») | |
| 2012 | Misha Romanova | «Не верь мне» («Ne ver' mne»/«Don't Believe Me») | |
| 2014 | Tina Karol | «Любила» («Lyubila»/«Loved») | |
| 2015 | Natalia Mohylevska | «Всё хорошо» («Vso khorosho»/«Things are good») | |
| 2016 | Kristina Orbakaitė | «Ты мой» («Ty moy»/«You are My») | |
| 2016 | Ani Lorak | «Удержи мое сердце» («Uderzhi moye serdtse»/«Hold my Heart») | Won New Radio "Major League" Award and Golden Gramophone Award |
| 2017 | Tayanna | «I Love You» | Barskih also produced the song |
| 2019 | Misha Romanova | «MAKEUP» | Barskih also produced the song and directed and produced the music video |
| 2019 | Misha Romanova | «Лунная» («Lunnaya»/«Lunar» ) | Barskih also produced the song |
| 2019 | Misha Romanova | «Помада» («Pomada»/«Pomade») | Barskih also produced the song |
| 2019 | Misha Romanova | «MAXIM» | Barskih also produced the song and directed and produced the music video |
| 2019 | Misha Romanova | «Зачем?» («Zachem?»/«What for?») | Barskih also produced the song |
| 2020 | Misha Romanova | «Кино» («Kino»/«Movie» ) | Barskih also produced the song |
| 2020 | Misha Romanova | «Ты» («Ty»/«You» ) | Barskih also produced the song |
| 2021 | | Tequila Sunrise | |

### Acting

Barskih has starred as an actor in two musical feature films.

## Discography
### Studio albums

* 1:MAX BARSKIH (2009)
* Z.Dance (2012)
* По Фрейду (By Freud, 2014)
* Туманы (Mists, 2016)
* 7 (2019)
* 1990 (2020)

### Compilation albums

* Words (2015)

### EPs

* Mickolai – EP (2015)

### Singles

* 2009: S.L. (Suka Lyubov') [Love is a bitch]
* 2009: Пусто (Pusto) [Empty]
* 2009: DVD (with Natalia Mogilevskaya)
* 2010: Агония (Agoniya) [Agony]
* 2010: Сердце бьётся (Serdtse Byotsya) [Heart is Beating] (with Svetlana Loboda)
* 2010: Студент (Student)
* 2011: Lost in Love | Теряю тебя (Terayu Tebya) [Losing you]
* 2011: Белый ворон (Beliy Voron) [White Raven]
* 2011: Atoms | Глаза-убийцы (Glaza-ubiytsi) [Eyes of a Killer]
* 2011: Downtown
* 2011: Dance
* 2012: F**K OFF
* 2012: Higher
* 2012: Alive | Пылай (Pylay) [Blaze]
* 2012: I Wanna Run | Я болею тобой (Ya boleyu toboy) [I'm a fan of you]
* 2013: По Фрейду (By Freud)
* 2013: Какой была твоя любовь? (What was your love?)
* 2013: Hero_in
* 2013: Небо (Sky)
* 2014: Отпусти (Let Me Go)
* 2014: Всё серьёзно (Everything's Serious)
* 2015: Хочу танцевать (I Want To Dance)
* 2015: Подруга – Ночь (Night is my friend)
* 2016: Займёмся Любовью (Let's Make Love)
* 2016: Последний летний день (Last Day of Summer)
* 2016: Туманы (Mists)
* 2016: Неверная (Unfaithful)
* 2017: Моя любовь (My love)
* 2017: Февраль (February)
* 2018: Берега (Shores)
* 2019: Неслучайно (For a Reason)
* 2019: Лей, не жалей (Pour, Have No Regrets)
* 2020: Небо льёт дождем (Sky is Raining)
* 2020: ПО СЕКРЕТY (In Secret)
* 2020: Silence
* 2021: Bestseller (feat. Zivert)
* 2021: Tequila Sunrise
* 2022 Don’t Fuck With Ukraine

## Filmography

Acting roles in movies :
| Year | Production type | Title | Language | Role | Remarks |
| 2012 | Musical feature film | Z.Dance(ru) | Russian and English | Main role | Featured all songs of Barskih's «Z.Dance» album; Directed by Alan Badoev |
| 2013 | Musical feature film | Mademoiselle Zhivago | French and Russian | Supporting role (played Lara Fabian's lover) | Starring Lara Fabian in the main role; Featured all songs of Fabian's «Mademoiselle Zhivago» album; Filmed in 2010; Directed by Alan Badoev |
Appearances on TV shows :
| Year | English title | Original title | Production type | Role | Remarks |
| 2008 | "Star Factory" Ukraine (Season 2) | Ukrainian: «Фабрика зірок»/«Fabrika Zirok» | Singing talent show | Participant | Finished on 6th place (was disqualified after a scandal) |
| 2012 | "Star Factory" Russia (Season 9) | Russian: «Фабрика звёзд»/«Fabrika Zvyozd» | Singing talent show | Member of the "Ukrainian National Team" | Special season of the show in which the best graduates of the Russian and Ukrainian versions of "Star Factory" competed against each other in "national teams" |
| 2017 | "Dancing with the Stars" Ukraine (Season 5), Final | Ukrainian: «Танці з зірками»/«Tantsi z Zykarmi» | Celebrity dancing show | Guest appearance | Guest appearance in the 5th Season's Final |
| 2019 | X-Factor Ukraine (Season 10), Final | Ukrainian: «Ікс-Фактор»/«X-Factor» | Singing talent show | Guest performance | Guest performance in the 10th Season's Final; Performed his songs «Февраль» (in a duet with the show's finalist Maria Stopnyk) and «Лей, не жалей» |

## Awards and nominations

| Year | Award | Country | Category | Work | Result |
| 2010 | MTV Europe Music Awards 2010 | Spain (international award) | Best Ukrainian Act | | Won |
| 2011 | MTV Europe Music Awards 2011 | Northern Ireland (international award) | Best Ukrainian Act | | Nominated |
| 2011 | Baltic Music Awards | Latvia (international award) | Best Male Singer of the Year | | Won |
| 2011 | Baltic Music Awards | Latvia (international award) | Best Song of the Year | «Теряю тебя» («Teryayu tebya»/«I'm Losing You») | Won |
| 2011 | Baltic Music Awards | Latvia (international award) | Best Baltic Music Video of the Year | «Теряю тебя» («Teryayu tebya»/«I'm Losing You»), directed by Alan Badoev | Won |
| 2011 | Baltic Music Awards | Latvia (international award) | Best Music Video of the Year World-Wide | «Теряю тебя» («Teryayu tebya»/«I'm Losing You»), directed by Alan Badoev | Nominated |
| 2011 | Baltic Music Awards | Latvia (international award) | Most Stylish Artist of the Year | | Nominated |
| 2011 | Europa Plus Live Festival | Russia (national award) | Newcomer of the Year | | Won |
| 2011 | Crystal Microphone Awards | Russia (national award) | Singer of the Year | | Won |
| 2011 | Crystal Microphone Awards | Russia (national award) | Special Prize: Pro-European Artist | | Won |
| 2011 | Golden Gramophone Awards | Ukraine (national award) | Golden Gramophone | «Агония» («Agoniya»/ «Аgony») | Won |
| 2011 | ZD Awards | Russia (national award) | Sexiest Male Singer of the Year | | Won |
| 2012 | YUNA Awards | Ukraine (national award) | Best Male Performer of the Year | | Nominated |
| 2012 | YUNA Awards | Ukraine (national award) | Best Music Video of the Year | «Z.Dance», directed by Alan Badoev | Nominated |
| 2012 | Muz-TV Awards | Russia (national award) | Breakthrough of the Year | | Won |
| 2012 | RU.TV Russian Music Awards | Russia (national award) | Creative Production of the Year | «Глаза-убийцы» («Glaza-ubiytsy»/«Killer Eyes») | Nominated |
| 2013 | YUNA Awards | Ukraine (national award) | Best Male Performer of the Year | | Nominated |
| 2013 | Pesnya Goda Gala | Russia (national award) | awarded one of the best songs of the year | «Небо» ( «Nebo»/«Sky») | Won |
| 2014 | YUNA Awards | Ukraine (national award) | Best Male Performer of the Year | | Nominated |
| 2014 | Inter TV Song of the Year Awards | Ukraine (national award) | Song of the Year | «Отпусти» («Otpusti»/«Let Me Go») | Won |
| 2015 | YUNA Awards | Ukraine (national award) | Best Solo Artist of the Year | | Nominated |
| 2015 | M1 Music Awards | Ukraine (national award) | Male Singer of the Year | | Won |
| 2016 | M1 Music Awards | Ukraine (national award) | Male Singer of the Year | | Nominated |
| 2016 | M1 Music Awards | Ukraine (national award) | Best Cinematography of the Year | «Последний летний день» («Posledniy letniy den'»/«Last Summer Day»), directed by Alan Badoev | Won |
| 2016 | M1 Music Awards | Ukraine (national award) | Best Music Video of the Year | «Последний летний день» («Posledniy letniy den'»/«Last Summer Day»), directed by Alan Badoev | Nominated |
| 2016 | YUNA Awards | Ukraine (national award) | Best Solo Artist of the Year | | Nominated |
| 2016 | YUNA Awards | Ukraine (national award) | Best Album of the Year | «Туманы» («Tumany»/«Mists») | Nominated |
| 2017 | RU.TV Russian Music Awards | Russia (national award) | Best Male Singer of the Year | | Nominated |
| 2017 | Fashion People Awards | Russia (national award) | Most Fashionable Male Star of the Year | | Won |
| 2017 | Fashion People Awards | Russia (national award) | Song of the Year | «Туманы» («Tumany»/«Mists») | Nominated |
| 2017 | Muz-TV Awards | Russia (national award) | Best Song of the Year | «Туманы» («Tumany»/«Mists») | Nominated |
| 2017 | Muz-TV Awards | Russia (national award) | Best Album of the Year | «Туманы» («Tumany»/«Mists») | Nominated |
| 2017 | M1 Music Awards | Ukraine (national award) | Best Singer of the Year | | Won |
| 2017 | M1 Music Awards | Ukraine (national award) | Hit of the Year | «Туманы» («Tumany»/«Mists») | Won |
| 2017 | M1 Music Awards | Ukraine (national award) | Best Music Video Director | Alan Badoev for inter alia Mists | Won |
| 2017 | M1 Music Awards | Ukraine (national award) | Best PR Management | Secret Service Entertainment Agency for their artists Max Barskih and Tayanna | Won |
| 2017 | Music Box Awards | Russia (national award) | Song of the Year | «Туманы» («Tumany»/«Mists») | Won |
| 2017 | MD Editors' Choice Awards | Russia (national award) | Most Popular Song of the Year | «Туманы» («Tumany»/«Mists») | Won |
| 2017 | Golden Gramophone Awards | Russia (national award) | Golden Gramophone | «Туманы» («Tumany»/«Mists») | Won |
| 2017 | VK Music Awards | Russia (international award) | was awarded as one of the most played songs of the year on the social network VK | «Туманы» («Tumany»/«Mists») | Won |
| 2017 | BelMuzTV Awards | Belarus (international award) | Creative of the Year | «Моя любовь» («Moya lyubov'»/«My Love») | Won |
| 2017 | Major League Awards | Russia (national award) | was awarded as one of the most popular songs of the year | «Моя любовь» («Moya lyubov'»/«My Love») | Won |
| 2017 | YUNA Awards | Ukraine (national award) | Best Concert of the Year | «Туманы» («Tumany»/«Mists») Concert | Nominated |
| 2017 | YUNA Awards | Ukraine (national award) | Best Music Video of the Year | «Моя любовь» («Moya lyubov'»/«My Love»), directed by Alan Badoev | Nominated |
| 2017 | Love Radio Awards | Ukraine (national award) | Best Music Video of the Year | «Моя любовь» («Moya lyubov'»/«My Love»), directed by Alan Badoev | Won |
| 2017 | Love Radio Awards | Ukraine (national award) | Best Male Singer of the Year | | Nominated |
| 2018 | RU.TV Russian Music Awards | Russia (national award) | Best Male Singer of the Year | | Nominated |
| 2018 | RU.TV Russian Music Awards | Russia (national award) | Best Music Video of the Year | «Моя любовь» («Moya lyubov'»/«My Love»), directed by Alan Badoev | Won |
| 2018 | Top Hit Music Awards | Russia (national award) | Most Successful Song on the Radio of the Year | «Туманы» («Tumany»/«Mists») | Won |
| 2018 | Major League Awards | Russia (national award) | was awarded as one of the most popular songs of the year | «Туманы» («Tumany»/«Mists») | Won |
| 2018 | Love Radio Awards | Russia (international award) | Best Male Singer of the Year | | Nominated |
| 2018 | Love Radio Awards | Russia (international award) | Best Concert of the Year | Solo concert in Megasport Arena | Nominated |
| 2018 | Love Radio Awards | Russia (international award) | Best Music Video of the Year | «БЕРЕГА» («BEREGA»/«SHORES»), directed by Alan Badoev | Nominated |
| 2018 | ZD Awards | Russia (national award) | Best Music Video of the Year | «БЕРЕГА» («BEREGA»/«SHORES»), directed by Alan Badoev | Nominated |
| 2018 | Fashion People Awards | Russia (national award) | Fashion Video of the Year | «БЕРЕГА» («BEREGA»/«SHORES»), directed by Alan Badoev | Nominated |
| 2018 | Fashion People Awards | Russia (national award) | Most Fashionable Male Singer of the Year | | Nominated |
| 2018 | Viva! Awards | Ukraine (national award) | Most Beautiful Man of the Year | | Nominated |
| 2018 | Music Box Awards | Russia (national award) | Singer of the Year | | Nominated |
| 2018 | YUNA Awards | Ukraine (national award) | Best Male Performer of the Year | | Nominated |
| 2018 | YUNA Awards | Ukraine (national award) | Best Foreign Language Song of the Year | «Сделай громче» («Sdelay gromche»/«Make it Louder») | Nominated |
| 2018 | Golden Gramophone Awards | Russia (national award) | Golden Gramophone | «Моя любовь» («Moya lyubov'»/«My Love») | Won |
| 2018 | GQ Men of the Year Awards | Russia (national award) | Male Musician of the Year | | Won |
| 2018 | Muz-TV Awards | Russia (national award) | Best Male Music Video of the Year | «Моя любовь» («Moya lyubov'»/«My Love»), directed by Alan Badoev | Nominated |
| 2019 | New Radio Awards | Russia (national award) | Best Male Artist of the Year | | Won |
| 2019 | RU.TV Russian Music Awards | Russia (national award) | Best Male Singer of the Year | | Won |
| 2019 | RU.TV Russian Music Awards | Russia (national award) | Best Theme Song of the Year | «Полураздета» («Polurazdeta»/«Half-Dressed»; OST of Ukrainian cinema movie «Секс и ничего личного»/«Seks i nichego lichnogo»/«Sex And Nothing Personal») | Nominated |
| 2019 | RU.TV Russian Music Awards | Russia (national award) | Best Concert of the Year | «Туманы» («Tumany»/«Mists») Concert (Megasport Arena) | Nominated |
| 2019 | Love Radio Awards | Russia (national award) | Male Singer of the Year | | Won |
| 2019 | Top Hit Music Awards | Russia (national award) | Most Successful Male Singer on the Radio of the Year | | Nominated |
| 2019 | Muz-TV Awards | Russia (national award) | Best Male Performer of the Year | | Nominated |
| 2019 | Muz-TV Awards | Russia (national award) | Best Song of the Year | «БЕРЕГА» («BEREGA»/«SHORES») | Nominated |
| 2019 | Muz-TV Awards | Russia (national award) | Best Concert of the Year | «Туманы» («Tumany»/«Mists») Concert (Megasport Arena) | Nominated |
| 2019 | High Five Awards | Russia (national award) | Male Singer of the Year | | Nominated |
| 2019 | Russian National Music Awards (also known as "Victoria Awards") | Russia (national award) | Best Male Pop Singer of the Year | | Nominated |
| 2019 | Russian National Music Awards (also known as "Victoria Awards") | Russia (national award) | Best Music Video of the Year | «БЕРЕГА» («BEREGA»/«SHORES»), directed by Alan Badoev | Nominated |
| 2019 | Russian National Music Awards (also known as "Victoria Awards") | Russia (national award) | Best Dance Hit of the Year | «БЕРЕГА» («BEREGA»/«SHORES») | Nominated |
| 2019 | Russian National Music Awards (also known as "Victoria Awards") | Russia (national award) | Best Lyricist of the Year | «БЕРЕГА» («BEREGA»/«SHORES») | Nominated |
| 2019 | Golden Gramophone Awards | Russia (national award) | Golden Gramophone | «БЕРЕГА» («BEREGA»/«SHORES») | Won |
| 2019 | YUNA Awards | Ukraine (national award) | Best Male Performer of the Year | | Pending |
| 2019 | YUNA Awards | Ukraine (national award) | Best Foreign Language Song of the Year | «Неземная» («Nieziemnaja»/«Unearthly») | Pending |
| 2019 | YUNA Awards | Ukraine (national award) | Best Album of the Year | «7» | Pending |
| 2019 | YUNA Awards | Ukraine (national award) | Best Concert Show of the Year | «7» Concert | Pending |
| 2020 | New Radio Awards | Russia (national award) | Best Male Artist of the Year | | Nominated |
| 2020 | Golden Gramophone Awards | Russia (national award) | Grand Prix | «Лей, не жалей» («Ley, ne zhaley»/«Lei, don't have regrets»)| | Pending |
| 2020 | Top Hit Music Awards | Russia (national award) | Special Prize: Most Successful Song on the Radio of the Year and of the Decade | «Лей, не жалей» («Ley, ne zhaley»/«Lei, don't have regrets»)| | Won |
| 2020 | Top Hit Music Awards | Russia (national award) | Most Popular Singer on the Radio of the Year | | Won |
| 2020 | Top Hit Music Awards | Russia (national award) | Music Video of the Year | «БЕРЕГА» («BEREGA»/«SHORES»), directed by Alan Badoev | Won |
| 2020 | ZHARA Music Awards | Russia (national award) | Best Male Singer of the Year | | Pending |
| 2020 | ZHARA Music Awards | Russia (national award) | Best Album of the Year | «7» | Pending |