Oleg Mikhaylovich Gazmanov (born 22 July 1951) is a Soviet and Russian singer, composer and poet, specializing in patriotic and nationalist songs, as well as songs which cover more conventional pop themes. Gazmanov is leader of pop group "Эскадрон" (Squadron). His songs have been covered by others in the Russian chanson style, such as Mikhail Shufutinsky. He is also a Candidate for Master of Sport of the USSR in gymnastics and is well known for his acrobatics performed during live shows, especially at the beginning of his musical career in the early 1990s. On 18 March 2022, Gazmanov sang at Vladimir Putin's Moscow rally celebrating the annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation from Ukraine and justifying the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. In April and May 2022, Gazmanov participated in a series of concerts organized in order to support the invasion.

Сделан в СССР

In the soviet-nostalgic song Сделан в СССР (Sdelan v SSSR) (en. Made in the U.S.S.R.), which was released originally in 2005, Gazmanov glorifies the past of the Soviet Union, presenting various personalities of the Tsarist and Soviet Past as being parts of the nation. New York Times claims he presented Lenin and Stalin as national heroes, which however is not supported by the text which only lists them as part of a "Soviet country". The text on the other hand also lists dark sides of Post-Soviet history like "oligarchs", "destitution". Furthermore, the song proclaims the post-Soviet countries (such as Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, and the Baltic states) as all part of the same country (that being the Soviet Union). It tells about "choking borders" where "(everything is) forbidden without visa" and urges for a feeling of community instead ("friends"), where "even Europe unified". In December 2013, Gazmanov was criticised by the Lithuanian Authorities for his performance of his own popular Song: "Made in USSR" (Сделан в СССР) in the 20th Anniversary of Russian Constitution and was threatened to be banned from his concert performance in Vilnius on 29 December. His performance of the song "Made in USSR" was cheered by audience. In August 2015, the Security Service of Ukraine added Gazmanov to the list of cultural figures whose activities pose a threat to the national security of Ukraine. With Gazmanov's participation, the song has since been abused as a nationalist rallying cry and was performed at the 2022 Moscow rally. Gazmanov later wrote other, nationalistic songs like "Вперёд Россия!" ("Forward Russia!"), which was answered by Nogu Svelo with the song "Назад, Россия!" ("Russia, go back!") to a popular football tune.

Personal life

He said that his father was Belarusian and his mother was Jewish, but he himself feels Russian. He is married twice and has three children, his son Rodion, his stepson Philip and his daughter Marianna.

Sanctions

In July 2014 Gazmanov was banned from entering Latvia by Latvia's foreign minister Edgars Rinkēvičs allegedly "through words and actions having contributed to the undermining of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity". Commenting on the Latvian Foreign Minister's decision, Gazmanov said, "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 placed Gazmanov on the list of artists whose activity posed a threat to Ukraine's national security. In August 2016, the Lithuanian government also denied his entry to Lithuania at Vilnius airport. In February 2023 Canada sanctioned Oleg Gazmanov for being involved in Russian propaganda and spreading misinformation, the Russian point of view, relating to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Popular songs

Awards

! colspan="3" style="background: cyan;" | World Music Awards