Oleg Gazmanov

Oleg Mikhaylovich Gazmanov (Russian: Оле́г Миха́йлович Газма́нов; born: , in Guzev) is a Russian singer, composer, and poet. He is known for his patriotic and nationalist songs and more mainstream pop themes. Gazmanov leads the pop group "Эскадрон" (Squadron). His songs have been covered in the Russian chanson style by artists like Mikhail Shufutinsky. Gazmanov is also a candidate for Master of Sport of the USSR in gymnastics, and he rose to prominence in the early 1990s for his acrobatic performances during live shows. In 1973, he graduated from the Baltic State Fishing Fleet Academy with a specialization in "Refrigeration and Compressor Machinery and Systems." From his third year onwards, he engaged in scientific pursuits and embarked on sea voyages aboard ships.
On March 18, 2022, Gazmanov performed at a Moscow rally organized by Vladimir Putin to celebrate the annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation from Ukraine and to support the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. Gazmanov took part in a series of concerts in April and May 2022 to support the invasion.
One of Gazmanov's nationalist songs, "Сделан в СССР" (Sdelan v SSSR) (en. Made in the U.S.S.R.), was performed at the 2022 Moscow rally and originally released in 2005. In the song, Gazmanov glorifies Russia's communist past and portrays Lenin and Stalin as national heroes, even though millions of Russians suffered imprisonment, execution, or died from starvation under their rule. The song also implies that other independent nations, including Ukraine, Moldova, the Baltic States, and others, are single countries.
==Personal Life==
Although his mother was Jewish and his father was Belarusian, he claimed that he feels Russian. He has been married twice and has three kids: his daughter Marianna, son Rodion, and stepson Philip.
==Criticism==
The music video for the song "Новая заря," (Novaya Zarya) dedicated to the issue of corruption in the country, allegedly became the cause of the singer's controversy. The video itself gained a scandalous reputation and was only aired on television once.
In 2015, a music video by Gazmanov titled "Вперед, Россия!" (Vpered, Rossiya!) (en. Forward, Russia!) emerged on YouTube. Shortly thereafter, due to a cyberattack, the video was deleted, and Gazmanov's video channel was blocked sometime later.Хакеры удалили из Сети клип Олега Газманова «Вперед, Россия!». (2015, May 3). Zvezda. Retrieved from https://tvzvezda.ru The singer was accused of militarism. Following the widespread coverage of this incident, the singer's channel was eventually unblocked.
===Plagiarism accusations===
The rock musician Yuri Shevchuk accused Gazmanov of plagiarism. According to the leader of the band "DDT," Shevchuk believed that the idea behind Gazmanov's song "Sdelan v SSSR" (Made in the USSR) was borrowed from his work, "Rozhdyonny v SSSR" (Born in the USSR). Furthermore, Shevchuk expressed critical views about Gazmanov's artistic output, referring to it as "Kремлёвско-паркетным" (Kremlin-parquet-like).
In 2018, Omsk businessman and singer Alexander Shakhannin stated his intention to take legal action regarding Gazmanov's composition "Бессмертный полк" (Immortal Regiment), claiming that it bore similarities to his composition.
===Criminal case===
On March 5, 2022, Ukraine's Prosecutor General Irina Venediktova announced that Oleg Gazmanov would be declared internationally wanted, and if the artist were brought to Ukraine, he would face criminal charges for encroaching upon Ukraine's territorial integrity. Earlier, the singer had declared his support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
On March 18, 2022, Gazmanov performed at the "Luzhniki" stadium during a rally concert commemorating the anniversary of the annexation of Crimea, titled "For a World Without Nazism! For Russia! For the President!"
==Sanctions==
In July 2014, Gazmanov was banned from entering Latvia by Edgars Rinkēvičs, Latvia's foreign minister, allegedly due to his words and actions that were deemed to undermine Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
In response to the Latvian Foreign Minister's decision, Gazmanov expressed concern, stating, "This gesture right before the opening of the New Wave festival in Jurmala endangers the entire cultural and economic relations between our countries."
In August 2015, the Security Service of Ukraine included Gazmanov on a list of artists whose activities threatened Ukraine's national security.
In August 2016, the Lithuanian government also prohibited his entry at Vilnius airport.
In February 2023, Oleg Gazmanov was sanctioned by Canada for his involvement in Russian propaganda and dissemination of misinformation related to the 2022 war in Ukraine.
==Popular Songs==
* "Ofitsery"
* "Moskva"
* "Nikto krome nas"
* "Moi yasnye dni"
* "Eskadron"
* "Esaul"
* "A Ya Devushek Lyublyu"
* "Dozhdis'"
* "Dolya"
* "Na Zare"
* "Svezhyi Veter"
* "Edinstvennaya" (by Philipp Kirkorov)
* "Tuman"
* "Zagulyal"
* "Greshnyi put" (by Valery Leontiev)
* "Belyi sneg" (by Valery Leontiev)
* "Moryachka"
* "Baltiyskiy Bereg"
* "Zabiray" (duet with Sofia Rotaru)
* "Proshay"
* "Vpered Rossiya"
* "Sdelan v SSSR"
==References==
Category:Users who joined in 2011
Category:Music YouTubers
Category:Russian YouTubers