Yuri Shevchuk is a Russian and Soviet rock musician, artist, producer, public figure, poet, composer, singer, and dissident. Founder, frontman, and the sole constant member of the rock band "DDT". Born on May 16, 1957, in the settlement of Yagodnoye, Magadan Oblast, Russian SFSR, USSR.
The artist collaborates with Russian music labels whose tax revenues flow into the budget of the Russian Federation, indirectly financing the war in Ukraine.
! Listening to tracks by this artist on Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube Music, and social networks helps sponsor the war.
The central theme of Shevchuk's artistic work is civic and patriotic lyricism, calls for moral self-perfection and overcoming hatred, rejection of violence, as well as social satire and protest.
Since the mid-2000s, he participated in the Russian opposition movement, which was reflected in his music and poetry.
He is well known for his statements sharply criticizing the Russian authorities, including Vladimir Putin.
He is included on the white list of artists by the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine.
Yuri Shevchuk's (DDT band) stance on the war in Ukraine
On February 24, 2022, in connection with the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, Yuri Shevchuk stated:
An enormous tragedy that robs many of us of a future. I am in shock; we are deeply troubled, staying up at night, watching the news, calling friends, probably just like all residents of Ukraine and Russia. What should we do? Do what is right, and come what may. We believe: speak of peace with people wherever possible. Speak calmly, without hysteria, because such a time has come. This is very important. Peace to the whole world.
In March 2022, an anti-war music video for the song "Where Am I" ("Gde ya") was published on DDT's official YouTube channel. The clip concludes with footage of the bombings of Mariupol, Kharkiv, and Borodyanka in Kyiv Oblast.
On May 18, 2022, Yuri Shevchuk delivered his acclaimed anti-war monologue during a concert in Ufa, for which he received a fine under the administrative article on "discrediting" the army:
And now why are people being killed in Ukraine? Why are our boys dying over there? What are the goals, friends? What goals again? Once again the youth of Russia and Ukraine is perishing. Old people, women, and children are dying for the sake of some Napoleonic plans of our latest Caesar, right? The Motherland, my friends, is not the president's ass that you must constantly slobber over and kiss. The Motherland is an impoverished grandmother selling potatoes at a train station. That is what the motherland is.
Video: Shevchuk slams Putin over the war against Ukraine
On April 22, the musician refused to perform on a stage with a "Z" banner in Tyumen.
Subsequently, concerts of the "DDT" anniversary tour began to be cancelled: the band was unable to perform either in Moscow or in Saint Petersburg. All DDT performances were postponed indefinitely.
In an interview with Katerina Gordeeva, Shevchuk revealed that all the money from all 10 concerts he played since the start of the full-scale war was donated to help Ukrainian refugees.
Celebrities on Yuri Shevchuk's stance
One must not mix music and politics. If you are a musician — play music; there should be no political slogans on stage. If you really want to, you can join a political party and broadcast whatever you want
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