“Aigel” phenomenon

Contents:

• Prison Story
• What Else Does "Aigel" Read and Sing About?

Prison story

Aigel Gaysina, a poet and voice actress, met Ilya Baramiya, a beatmaker, when she decided to create a musical performance based on her collection of poems, "Court." In 2015, she turned to Baramiya for help with the musical accompaniment of her production. By then, Ilya had already established himself as a legend in the Russian underground, creating beats for bands like "Yolochnye Igrushki," "2H Company," and "Samoe Bolshoe Prime Chislo," among others. Upon hearing Aigel's unique voice, Ilya was impressed and invited her to collaborate. Thus, the "Aigel" project was born.

The duo's success came in 2017 with the release of the album "1190", which is based on Gaysina's personal story. In 2015, her boyfriend Temur Khadyrov became involved in a conflict with her ex-husband, which led to charges of attempted murder and a three-year prison sentence. During this difficult period, Aigul awaited his return. These feelings of anticipation and devotion are reflected in the album: the song "Aria of the Judge" tells the story of a verdict in a humorous and fairy-tale manner, the track "1190" describes a date in a prison cell, and the composition "Bride" tells of a meeting in the zone. The album became not only a musical work, but also a frank expression of deep human emotions.

The album includes the breakout hit "Tatarin," which became especially popular thanks to Ilya Solovyov's expressive music video. The song tells the story of Aigul's life while waiting for her boyfriend. In it, she promises Temur that she will not pursue relationships with others while he is serving time in prison. At the same time, she does not hesitate to rebuff those who show interest in her, threatening them with a possible meeting with her "evil boyfriend": "And my boyfriend is a Tatar, / An authority in love, / He has a bullet in his gun for your skull." This song stands out not only for its lyrics but also for its atmosphere, reflecting the dedication and strength of the main character, making it one of the most memorable on the album.

We recommend checking out the interview with Gosha Bergal, the lead actor in the video. This talented photographer shares his views on art and creativity, making his interview especially interesting for fans of photography and music.

In Russian musical culture, the topic of loved ones and relatives of prison inmates and the accompanying life situations is rarely explored, especially in indie music. Songs about prison life typically focus on the conditions of imprisonment themselves and originated from the chanson genre, which popularizes prison morals. This has created a significant generational gap: young people are often uninterested in such music. Unlike the traditional approach, "Aigel" offers hip-hop that is aimed at people on the outside and touches on their experiences and emotions. This explains why the duo quickly gained popularity among a young audience, and their video for the track "Tatar" has garnered more than 110 million views in six years.

The duo "Aigel" attracts listeners not only with their sincere and daring lyrics, but also with their unique musical style, which combines modern and experimental elements. The music of "Aigel" is reminiscent of the sound of 2H Company, where heavy hip-hop beats harmoniously intertwine with electronic sounds. The rhythmic pattern of the tracks is distinguished by slight chaos and counterintuitiveness, creating a unique atmosphere. Fast and emotionally charged recitative occupies almost the entire space of the composition, which makes it dynamic and memorable. These tracks are practically devoid of traditional choruses with pure singing, and the volume of lyrics per unit of time is off the charts, which emphasizes the skill of the performers and their desire for innovation in the art of music.

Gaysina's delivery in Russian hip-hop is unique and unparalleled. She masterfully combines technical rapping, expressive recitation of poetry and vocals. The transitions between these styles appear natural and organic, which makes her work especially attractive to listeners.

After the release of the album "Aigel", the group attracted the attention of leading publications covering the Russian music scene, including the independent one. Among them are The Flow and Afisha. The popularity of the track "Tatarin" led to the group's performance on the program "Evening Urgant", which presents not only pop artists, but also new Russian indie. "Aigel" stood out among the freshmen: while "Komsomolsk" sings about love and the Moscow metro, and Monetochka's "Every Time" plays nearby, Aigel, in a tracksuit, bends over and raps about life in the prison zone, sometimes using the Tatar language. In the video, she interacts with the actor playing her partner, who at this moment is struggling with air, creating an interesting contrast.

In an interview with Yuri Dud, Ilya Baramia shared that James Blake is one of the key inspirations behind Aigel's production. This talented singer is known for his unique style, which fuses R&B with complex electronic production, as well as elements of dubstep, future garage, and other trends in the British electronic underground. Blake's influence on Aigel highlights the importance of genre blending in contemporary music and shows how a variety of sounds can enrich the musical landscape.

While "Aigel" has its own unique sound, Blake's influence on Baramia's music is undeniable. His slow, cold electronic style creates an atmosphere that immerses the listener in the deep space of the track. Dark synthesizer melodies and reverberant drums give the compositions a special expressiveness. A striking example of this is the track "Bride", in which the gloomy bassline refers to underground British dubstep, similar to the composition "Skeng" by The Bug & Flowdan. Blake's influence in Baramia's music creates a unique sound that draws attention and engages listeners.

Baramiya is fascinated by the hip-hop duo Run the Jewels, which includes experienced underground rappers Killer Mike and El-P. Their music is distinguished by brutal electronic production, which attracts the attention of many listeners. Ilya shared with Eigel a collection of RTJ instrumentals, to which she experimented with lyrics in the early stages of songwriting. Baramiya notes that he is impressed by how Run the Jewels combines old-school rhythm and dynamism with modern production solutions, while avoiding standard clichés. This makes their music fresh and relevant in the world of hip-hop.

In an interview with the Save the Night project, Ilya shared his main goal - to showcase all the nuances of Eigel's voice using a minimal number of instruments. He believes that complex production can distract attention from the band's main asset - their vocals. To emphasize Eigel's voice and add volume to it, Ilya actively uses reverb. Instead of computer plugins, he records the reverb on a separate track and adjusts its intensity, which allows for a more natural and rich sound. This approach helps create a unique atmosphere and focus the listener's attention on the vocals, which is the key to a successful piece of music.

What else does "Aigel" rap and sing about?

The public perception of the duet "Aigel" is often associated with the themes of prison, law enforcement, and legal proceedings. This image is actively supported by the group itself: as Aigel notes, she writes only about what she has experienced herself, which explains the presence of prison-related themes in their songs. The track "Chyotkiy" (Clear) features techno, reflecting the atmosphere of a rowdy boy drinking and dancing in a restaurant. The song "Two Weeks" tells the story of a guy's wait to get out of prison, which ended in December 2017, when Temur was released on parole. The composition "Prince on White" reveals the story of the relationship between a policeman and a criminal. The themes they explore in their work continue to resonate with listeners, highlighting life's complex realities and emotional experiences.

This is only a small part of the problem. In an interview with Dudyu, Aigel said that the song "Tatarin" differs significantly from the general direction of the duo's work. In a conversation with the channel "Talking Heads", she emphasized that thanks to "Tatarin", many casual listeners were attracted to the group. These people did not quite understand the musical style of "Aigel" and expressed a negative opinion of the group when they listened to the album and realized that most of the tracks had nothing to do with criminal romance.

Some listeners avoid the duet because of its "au" themes. The first song of the "Aigel" project was the composition "Bride". Aigul recalls that when she sent the song to Ilya, he expressed doubt, noting that he didn't know how to work with it and predicted strong rejection. Nevertheless, this very fact became the impetus for the creation of the track.

Multiple reviews of the duet express the opinion: "The music is excellent, but the lyrics leave much to be desired." This statement highlights the gap between the melody and the lyrics, which becomes a subject of discussion among listeners. Despite the attractive musical compositions, many note that the lyrics do not always correspond to the high level of the music, which can negatively affect the perception of the duo's work.

The song in question is formally dedicated to letters to the prison zone, but in a deeper sense, it touches on the theme of the asociality of Aigul's character. The girl openly declares her dislike of face-to-face communication, phone conversations, and video calls. Interestingly, Eigel and Ilya first met only at a rehearsal before their debut concert at the Moscow club "Archeology," and the entire album was created exclusively through correspondence. Eigel doesn't even aspire to perform on stage. Her fear of the world fuels her desire to create, hoping that her music will be heard and understood. Correspondence can be a real challenge. It often requires time and effort to clearly express thoughts and feelings. Miscommunication or ambiguity in messages can lead to misunderstandings. It's important to remember that every word matters, and choosing the right tone can significantly influence perception. Effective correspondence requires skills such as listening and interpreting information correctly. Improving these skills will help avoid conflicts and establish more productive communication. Being walled in, when you're in a concrete environment, you feel isolated and deprived of freedom. Concrete walls create a sense of limitation, suppressing the desire to expand beyond the familiar. This state reminds us of the importance of finding ways to overcome limitations, whether in physical space or in life in general. Understanding your surroundings can help you find paths to freedom and self-expression, even when you feel trapped within concrete boundaries.

You can only write "kiss" in a postcard.

Dubstep in Ableton: Creating a Unique Sound

Dubstep is a genre of electronic music that attracts attention with its deep bassline and complex rhythms. Using Ableton Live for dubstep production provides many opportunities for realizing creative ideas.

With Ableton, you can easily work with audio files and MIDI, allowing you to create unique tracks. Use built-in instruments and effects to add character and depth to your sound. Experiment with different synthesizers and samples to find the perfect sounds for your dubstep.

Furthermore, Ableton offers a convenient interface for organizing sessions, which simplifies the music production process. You can easily edit your tracks, add new elements, and adjust the mix. This makes Ableton the ideal choice for producers striving to achieve a professional dubstep sound.

Don't forget the importance of arrangement and dynamics in your track. Use various techniques, such as drops and builds, to keep the listener's attention. With Ableton, you can create a truly unforgettable dubstep track that will stand out from the crowd.

Ultimately, working with dubstep in the Ableton editor opens up a wide range of possibilities for experimentation and self-expression in electronic music.

The composition reveals a new side of Eigel; her poems are difficult to relate to reality. It's a love story, but it's unclear with whom exactly—with a person or with a spirit. The track has a hint of esotericism that fascinates with pagan and occult motifs. A similar track, "Body," is a body-positive statement about the difficulties of accepting one's own body, as well as a declaration of rejection of the physical form of human existence. These works emphasize the depth of the inner world and the contradictions that every person experiences.

The dark mood and mysterious lyrics make the group "Aigel" popular among both connoisseurs of experimental hip-hop and fans of gothic aesthetics. "Aigel" collaborated with Velial Squad, a horror hip-hop group known for their aggressive rap with an occult aesthetic. Aigel's sepulchral whispers are reminiscent of the style of IC3PEAK, a group that shares a similar atmosphere to "Velials". This combination of unique musical styles attracts the attention of listeners, creating a special atmosphere that is memorable and arouses interest in the group's work.

The dark side of the group "Aigel" is most clearly revealed in the soundtrack to the TV series "Topi." This project is a folk thriller in which young and fashionable residents of the capital find themselves in the northern village of Topi, encountering an unwelcoming atmosphere. Gloomy landscapes and forest psychedelia create psychological tension for the characters. The musical style of "Aigel"'s first albums would hardly fit into such a dark and tense plot - their music is distinguished by energy, an abundance of lyrics, and an emotional presentation. The soundtrack to "The Mire" showcases darker, more atmospheric soundscapes, making it ideal for capturing the spirit of this work.

Ilya has changed his approach to beat programming: they have become slower and lighter, featuring more atmospheric textures and beautiful background synthesizers. Aigel has largely stopped rapping and instead began singing languidly and mysteriously. The prison aesthetic is gone, replaced by abstract imagery and joyless, crumpled feelings. This new sound reflects inner experiences and creates a unique atmosphere capable of immersing the listener in a world of emotion and reflection.

The group "Aigel" is known for its rich repertoire of songs about love and relationships, but the emotions are often veiled in multi-layered imagery. Despite the complexity of interpretation, the heroine's feelings are clearly perceived - she clearly lacks joy. Aigel openly states that her work is largely based on pain and suffering, and the creation of joyful melodies is rare. In love compositions, you can hear lines like in the song "I See the Earth": "Text messages scratched by you bleed, / At night on my vicious heart." "Tears of Your Girl" describes how "Your girl is crying, waiting for love," while "There's lead in a boy's heart, he carried it out / After his shift at the foundry." In "My Love," Aigul "dances under the gun" while love eludes her. This combination of tragedy and beauty makes her music deeply resonate with audiences, highlighting the artist's uniqueness and talent.

The title song, "Pyyala" (translated as "Glass"), was written in 2020 for the soundtrack to the TV series "Topya." However, the project's creators didn't appreciate the composition. As a result, "Pyyala" was included on the album of the same name, recorded in Tatar. Tatar lyrics had previously appeared in the duo's songs. Aigel, in an interview with Dud, noted that the Tatar language is ideal for creating dance music. Short and dynamic words easily fit into dance rhythms, making it similar to English. Unlike Russian, where longer and more complex words fit into a fast beat, Tatar allows for more energetic and memorable melodies.

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A boy's word. Blood on the asphalt: memories of traumatic moments

The topic of memories of the past always evokes strong emotions. The phrase "A boy's word" While "Blood on the Asphalt" is associated with honesty and loyalty, it also symbolizes cruelty and loss. These images evoke nostalgia and make us reflect on how quickly time flies and how much people change. It's important to remember the difficult moments that shape our personality and outlook on life. Traumatic events leave a deep mark on our memories and influence our future path. The nostalgia associated with these memories reminds us how important it is to appreciate the present and learn from the past. For Aigul, switching to the Tatar language wasn't a political statement, but rather a creative one. The performer strove to express herself in her native language, which allowed her to convey her feelings and emotions more deeply through music. Using the Tatar language in her work helps draw attention to culture and traditions, making her songs more authentic and relatable to listeners. This decision also highlights the importance of preserving and developing the native language in a modern musical context.

I am proud of my native language and have a deep love for it. Since childhood, I attended a Tatar kindergarten and studied in a Tatar school until the fifth grade. Now, as my grandmothers get older, I try to spend more time with them and actively communicate in Tatar. This brings me great pleasure, as I see how this language is once again becoming a part of my life.

The title song, "Pyyala," is a combination of techno rhythm and melody, making it unique in its genre. Its structure is close to pop music, which helps it attract a wide audience. The lyrics touch on the theme of love filled with tension, which is a characteristic feature of Aigel's work. This emotional contrast emphasizes the depth of feelings and experiences inherent in modern relationships. "Pyyala" is not just a piece of music, but a reflection of the complex nature of love in modern times.

The glass of love that you throw, let it reflect feelings. This image personifies the complex emotions associated with love and relationships. Each shard can symbolize the experiences, joys, and disappointments we experience in the process of love. It is important to remember that love requires careful handling, because every action can leave a mark, like shards of glass. Take care of your feelings and the feelings of others to avoid unnecessary trauma. The glass of love is not only beautiful, but also fragile and worth protecting.

The glass of true happiness shatters into pieces when broken. Each shard symbolizes loss, disappointment, and pain. It is important to remember that even broken glass can reflect light, creating unique patterns. The path to restoration and finding new happiness begins with accepting these shards and understanding that something new can be created from them. Happiness may be temporary, but its perception and the ability to reassemble is what truly matters.

Eye to eye, eye to eye, eye to eye, the light of my eyes is ashamed. A look full of emotion and feeling can convey what words cannot express. Mutual understanding and sincerity reflected in the eyes create a unique atmosphere of intimacy and trust. Every moment when glances meet is filled with deep meaning, making hearts beat in unison. These moments are important for establishing strong connections and relationships based on honesty and openness.

Hand in hand, hand in hand, hand in hand, in hand - a shard of glass. This phrase symbolizes the fragility of human relationships and the emotional connection between people. The shard of glass can serve as a metaphor for the vulnerability and vulnerability that often accompany intimacy. It is important to realize that even in the strongest connections, there can be elements capable of causing pain. This idea emphasizes the need to treat feelings with care and maintain harmony in relationships.

Glass is a powerful metaphor for love, which has a dual nature: it can be both pure and transparent, and sharp and wounding. However, this song also has a second, deeper meaning related to the political situation. The lyrics, written by Aigul, draw inspiration from the protests in Belarus and the harsh government response to them. Glass also symbolizes the different forms of violence in society, manifested in various ways: by the state against citizens, by parents against children, by men against women, and by the strong against the weak. This song touches on important social issues and emphasizes the need to recognize and fight violence in all its forms.

Ilya Baramia does not speak Tatar and does not request translations of the lyrics. He focuses on the emotions and atmosphere of the works, rather than their literal meaning.

The Tatar language goes well with music, which is especially meaningful to Aigul. She is deeply attached to her linguistic heritage, singing, writing, and expressing her feelings in Tatar. This harmonious interplay between language and music allows her to convey her emotions and cultural traditions.

I enjoy working with different languages, especially given my passion for music. I listen to a lot of music in English, German, Tatar, Georgian, Ukrainian, Japanese, Spanish, and Portuguese, even if I don't understand it. This diversity allows me to immerse myself in different cultures and expand my horizons. Working with languages ​​and the music I listen to inspire me and enrich my knowledge.

The track "Onytyrmyn" perfectly illustrates this point, creating a unique atmosphere reminiscent of the whisper of a spider web. This composition immerses the listener in a world of subtle sensations and lightness, emphasizing the springiness of the sound space.