Zemfira Ramazanova is a Russian singer, musician, and songwriter. Born on August 26, 1976, in Ufa, Bashkir ASSR. She rose to fame in 1998 and has since gained widespread popularity in Russia, Ukraine, and other post-Soviet countries.
Photo: Zemfira and Boris Grebenshchikov came to support Oxxxymiron's anti-war concert in London
On April 2, 2020, she was added to the "Myrotvorets" database for denial of Russian aggression and manipulation of socially significant information.
On February 10, 2023, she was designated a "foreign agent" by the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation.
On May 31, she admitted on her Instagram that she pays taxes in the Russian Federation.
The artist collaborates with Russian record labels, whose tax payments go into the Russian state budget, indirectly financing the war in Ukraine.
! Listening to this artist's tracks on Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube Music, and social networks helps sponsor the war.
Zemfira's stance on the war in Ukraine
On February 24, 2022, the singer posted a publication with the text "No to War" on her Instagram, but nevertheless performed two previously scheduled concerts in Moscow (on February 24), where she performed her song "Don't Shoot".
On May 25, 2022, she released the single "Meat" (Myaso), dedicated to the war in Ukraine: "Look at me, surrender / or stay human and die / wife waits for a baby / waits for me and sneakers / spring on the calendar, but in reality / trenches and precision missiles / long range / midnight in Mariupol."
On March 5, 2022, Zemfira decided to remove all previous videos from her YouTube channel and replaced them with a performance from a 2008 Kyiv concert, where she performed the song "Vidpusty" by the band Okean Elzy. Subsequently, it became known that Zemfira, together with her friend Renata Litvinova, left Russia.
In March 2022, Zemfira presented a music video for the anti-war song "Don't Shoot". The video paired footage of the devastating consequences of the military invasion across Ukrainian cities with scenes of detentions of Russian citizens during anti-war protests.
In Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, authorities created a "patriotic mural" on a transformer substation, painting over graffiti depicting Zemfira.
Zemfira* chose the path of betrayal and left the country. Proactive residents suggested painting over her image, which was done. Together we then decided that a new art object could be created here that matches the spirit of the times. The promise made to the residents was kept«, — stated United Russia party member Sharifullin.
According to unofficial reports, Zemfira along with her nephews donated musical instruments to a music school in Borodyanka that was devastated by Russian troops.
What Zemfira says about the war in Ukraine: quotes
Today is the 228th day of the war. The 228th day of hell that has become reality. All this time I have thought a lot, talked to myself about it. I don't like and don't know how to give speeches from the stage, but every single day I pray for the war to stop. For my country to stop this war« (spoken during a concert in Cyprus before singing »Don't Shoot«).
Today is the 253rd day of the war that was unleashed by my country... I want to express support for Ukraine... Right now a war is going on. Absolutely senseless and cruel. And right now my country is destroying Ukraine and destroying itself. I want peace so much» (anti-war speech by Zemfira during a concert in London). Later during the song's performance, Zemfira invited a spectator onto the stage who unfurled a Ukrainian flag.
Zemfira's social media posts on the war in Ukraine
Celebrities on Zemfira's stance
There are several stars and artists I grew up on, whose positions I worried a bit about. It doesn't matter what they say or do. What matters is how quickly it happens and how convincingly. I lost one artist I adored — that's Zemfira. I grew up listening to her songs; each of my life stages was linked to her songs. I thought with people like her and Tsoi you expect everything immediately, but when you see someone looking for a soft cushion to land on...
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