Mot (Matvey Melnikov) is a Russian musician and rapper. From March 1, 2013, to January 22, 2022, he was signed to the Black Star Inc. record label. Born on March 2, 1990, in Krymsk, Krasnodar Krai, Russian SFSR. Married to Maria Melnikova, who is originally from Lviv.
Listening to this artist's tracks on official streaming platforms, social media, and other services indirectly contributes to financing the war — through taxes paid to the budget of the Russian Federation.
In May 2017, Melnikov was entered into the «Myrotvorets» database for participating in propaganda events in Russian-occupied Crimea and participating in legitimizing Russian aggression and the annexation of Crimea.
In April 2018, Melnikov was banned from entering Ukraine for 3 years «due to repeated visits by the singer to annexed Crimea». On April 18, 2022, Ukrainian border guards barred Melnikov from entering the territory of the country.
On October 19, 2022, amidst Russia's invasion of Ukraine, he was included in Ukraine's sanctions list for «supporting Putin's regime».
Rapper Mot’s Position on the War in Ukraine
Mot chose not to speak out openly regarding Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. However, he highlighted his love for his homeland and faith in the president:
All I can do right now is continue making the music I love, which I hope you will soon hear; love my Motherland, because I was born here, and as we know from childhood, one does not choose one's homeland; have faith in the President and believe that peaceful times will come soon (source)
If Mot expresses such faith in his president, that implies his support for the so-called SMO as well.
Mot's remaining statements regarding the war have been purged from social networks, making them impossible to find.
Mot continues active creative and concert activities in Russia.
Celebrities on Mot’s Position
Mot is someone with whom we collaborated repeatedly. Frankly, an odd character to me. We met multiple times. If I'm not mistaken, the last time we saw each other was in Kyiv. He practically beat his chest and shouted to me that he was a Cossack, that he had Ukrainian roots. And then, about a week or two after the start of the war, I read a post by him about the «leader» and «neo-Nazis.
