Friday 10 April 2009

Lev Prav Zvuk - Russian Reggae Hip Hop Record Label/Studio

So when people ask me about reggae in Russia, and wonder if it really exists there, I just have to mention the legendary studio/record label "Lev Prav Zvuk" - the one and only full circle operation record label specializing in reggae and true hip hop. Every year about 100 artists get established there. At fist a wave of roots reggae emerged in Russia with live bands playing across Russia from Moscow to Novossibirsk, a few years ago a dancehall reggae movement started to develop. Even though there is no support of reggae music from the mainstream media or major record companies there, it stays completely underground and develops in it's own right. "Lev Prav Zvuk" is a one stop point where all Russian reggae artists meet and connect at some point. However, it's also about real hip hop with it's social awareness, lyrical content deeper than Shakespear texts, as well as unity of next generation of musician who don't want to trapped in the "mincing machine" of Russian music business, commercial falseness of people who have nothing to do with music at all. You can choose one or the other, true artists choose to stay on the creative side, relevant, although in the underground of little bars, clubs around Russia. That's what young people there believe in being "true art". I was at "Lev Prav Zvuk" studio around 2005-2006 and it was a great experience.

1 comment:

  1. Hello Jahna,
    i am going to write an article about reggae in russia for www.houseofreggae.de. Do you have any contacts to Lev Prav Zvuk? Hard to find them on the internet.

    Thanks a lot

    Nils
    www.houseofreggae.de

    ReplyDelete