Bi-2 Explained

BI-2
Origin:Babruysk/Minsk, Belarus
Years Active:1988–1991, 1998–present
Current Members:Lyova Bi-2 (Egor Bortnik)
Shura Bi-2 (Alexandr Uman)
Andrey Zvonkov
Maxim Andrusschenko
Boris Lifshitz
Yanik Nikolenko
Associated Acts:Agatha Christie, Splean, Oxxxymiron, John Grant

Bi-2 (Russian: Би-2|Bi-dva) is a Belarusian alternative rock band, formed in 1988 in Babruysk, Belarusian SSR. During their career, Bi-2 achieved international success in Eastern Europe.[1] [2] [3]

Bi-2 was named the Best Rock Act at the MTV Russian Music Awards in 2007. They also received other Russian and international prizes, including ZD Awards[4] and World Music Awards.[5] In 2015, Bi-2 was named the best Russian rock band according to Music Box.[6] Included in the Top Hit Music Awards Hall of Fame, along with such performers as Svetlana Loboda and Andrey Makarevich.[7]

Participant of many Russian and European music festivals, including the festival “Christmas Meetings of Alla Pugacheva” and others.[8] [9]

In 2023, the band members emigrated to Israel.[10]

History

The band was formed in 1988 in Bobruisk, Belarus, by two teenagers, Aleksandr "Shura" Uman and Yegor "Lyova" Bortnik, who were amateur actors. Initially, the band's name was "Bratya po Oruzhiyu" (Brothers in Arms), which was formed in 1988, then "Bereg Istini" (Shore of Truth), which resulted in the abbreviation BI-2. Lyova and Shura began to use this moniker as their stage names, and Shura eventually changed his passport surname to Bi-II.

At the beginning of the 1990s the two moved to Israel and as Jews received citizenship, but in 1993 Shura moved to Australia while Lyova remained and served in the Israel Defense Forces. In 1994 Shura formed a romantic and professional relationship with pianist and artist Victoria Bilogan and in 1997 they recorded their first album "Bespolaya i Grustnaya Lyubov" ("Sexless and Sad Love"). During this time, Lyova and Shura continued to compose music together, exchanging their recordings and guitar tabs via Internet and phone. Before forming Chiron, Shura collaborated with Dee Ellus, his first English lyricist, in 1993 and 1994. Shura, together with Dino Molinaro and Michael Aliani, former members of Ikon, formed the darkwave band Chiron. In 1998 Lyova moved to Australia and joined Chiron as well, but the two left the project in less than two years to continue with their own band.

In 1999 Bi-2 moved to Russia, where the band had previously tried to release its 1997 album "Bespolaya i Grustnaya Lubov" ("Sexless and Sad Love," 1998), but those plans were ruined by the Russian financial crisis of 1998, which affected the record business. In 1999, the band consisted of only two men, but the lineup soon was increased by session musicians. The band gained popularity only in 2000 when it recorded the songs for the soundtrack to the popular Brother 2 movie by Aleksei Balabanov. Several score songs, included in the Bi-2 eponymous debut album, shook rock radio charts, including the influential Nashe Radio chart.

Bi-2 continued with "Meow Kiss Me" (2001) and "Foreign Cars" (2004), both achieving gold album status in Russia. Each of their albums included duet recordings with other rock musicians from such bands as Splean, Chaif, Nochniye Snaiperi, and Zemfira, among others. Videos for Bi-2 songs often appear on MTV Russia. In 2005 the double CD "Odd Warrior" was released, which consists completely of duets and collaborations.

In 2022, the band opposed the Russian invasion of Ukraine and refused to sing at venues that had banners supporting the invasion. Their concerts in Russia were eventually canceled, and they were forced to emigrate. By May 2023, they were touring the United States and giving concerts. Lyova Bi-2 wrote on social media that he would not return to Russia.[11]

In January 2024, members of the group were arrested in Thailand for allegedly violating work permit regulations and faced possible deportation to Russia because five of its members have Russian citizenship.[12] As those members also have citizenship of other countries (Israel and Australia), the issue became a diplomatic concern involving several countries, also fueled by arguments that the Russian request is related to silencing political dissidents.[13] [14] [15] On 1 February 2024, the entire group was sent instead to Israel.[16] [17] [18]

At the end of May 2024, Maksim Andriushchenko of the band (with his son) and three other persons (alongside their families) associated with it, have been granted the citizenship of Moldova.[19]

Discography

Unreleased albums

Studio albums

Re-released albums

Singles

EPs (Extended Plays)

Compilations

Remixes

Internet-releases

Chiron's releases

Other projects' releases

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2020-01-24 . Би-2 выпустили LIVE-видео «Горизонт событий с оркестром» . 2024-07-22 . Music Box Russia . ru-RU.
  2. Web site: Би-2 - Группа - Музыка - Главная. . 2024-07-22 . Вокруг ТВ . en.
  3. Web site: 2020-04-23 . Рекордсменом по наградам ZD Awards-2019 стала Loboda . 2024-07-22 . www.mk.ru . ru.
  4. Web site: 2005-01-30 . Российские звёзды протоптали в Кремле "Звуковую дорожку" . 2024-07-22 . tophit.com . ru.
  5. Web site: 2021-02-02 . Сингл "Би-2" получил две премии на фестивале в Нью-Йорке . 2024-07-22 . РИА Новости . ru.
  6. Web site: 2019-07-27 . История Реальной Премии Music Box . 2024-07-23 . Music Box Russia . ru-RU.
  7. Web site: Top Hit Music Awards 2017 . 2024-07-22 . thma.tophit.live.
  8. Би-2 - Молитва. Рождественские встречи 2013 . 2013-01-08 . 2024-07-22 . YouTube.
  9. Web site: 2024-07-03 . Израильская группа Би-2 - хедлайнер второго дня фестиваля Laima Rendezvous Jūrmala . 2024-07-22 . TiTANIUM - International lifestyle magazine . ru-RU.
  10. Web site: «Я не вернусь в Россию»: Лёва Би-2 заявил, что концерт группы в «Лужниках» не состоится . 2024-07-22 . www.thevoicemag.ru . ru-RU.
  11. News: «Путинская Россия вызывает только омерзение и брезгливость». Лева Би-2 заявил, что не вернется в РФ . Meduza . 11 May 2023 . ru.
  12. News: Russian rockers opposed to Ukraine war face deportation home from Thailand as Kremlin aims to ‘frighten everyone living abroad’ . Fortune . January 28, 2024.
  13. News: Svetlova . Ksenia . Russia is intimidating its expat celebrities in an attempt to silence them . Times of Israel . 1 February 2024.
  14. News: 2024-01-28 . Warning to Exiled Putin Critics as Rockers Face Deportation Home . 2024-01-29 . Bloomberg.com . en.
  15. News: Bennetts . Marc . 2024-01-29 . Anti-war rock group at risk of deportation to Russia . The Times . 2024-01-29 . en . 0140-0460.
  16. News: Lidman . Melanie . 2024-02-01 . Dissident Russian rock band in Israel after deportation from Thailand under likely Kremlin pressure . Associated Press . 2024-02-01 . en.
  17. News: Rozovsky . Liza . Frontman of Bi-2 After Band's Release From Thai Prison: 'Israel Saved Us' . Haaretz . 1 February 2024.
  18. News: Sauer . Pjotr . Dissident rock band Bi-2 leave Thailand after Russia deportation fears . The Guardian . 1 February 2024.
  19. https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2024/05/28/moldova-grants-citizenship-to-members-of-russian-anti-war-rock-band-bi-2-a85238 Moldova Grants Citizenship to Members of Russian Anti-War Rock Band Bi-2
  20. https://www.discogs.com/master/511736 Sexless and Sad Love
  21. Web site: ru. Би-2 — О чём говорят мужчины.
  22. Web site: Мяу кисс ми. Александр Мурзак. 2002-01-01. zvuki.ru. 2011-01-24. ru. 2012-06-14. https://web.archive.org/web/20120614072747/http://www.zvuki.ru/M/P/22746/.

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