Bad Balance
Encyclopedia
Bad Balance is a Russia
n rap group considered to be one of the first rap acts in USSR. The group maintained a devoted underground following during the 1990s.
hip-hop and their music does sound much like typical American hip-hop from the 1990s, but with added influences from jazz
and rock
. While the group is now considered antiquated, at the time the government believed Bad Balance was politically subversive and accused them of spreading dangerous ideas and messages. This is because the group was not afraid to discuss political and social issues, like the increase in street violence
, issues they felt were important in their lives and in the lives of their listeners. The discussion of these issues presented negative images of the USSR to the Russian people and the world in general and thereby set the government further against hip-hop. Despite this, the group survived the fall of the communist government and began releasing albums and videos soon after.
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n rap group considered to be one of the first rap acts in USSR. The group maintained a devoted underground following during the 1990s.
Formation
Bad Balance was formed as a breakdance crew in the 1980s in Saint-Petersburg by students from Donetsk named Vlad Valov (SheFF) and Sergey Krutikov (Mikhey). Group switched to rapping and recorded the debut album Vishe Zakona in 1989 for Gala Records.Classic era
The band toured France and US. Classic Bad Balance albums Naletchiki Bad B. (1994), Chisto Pro (1996) and Gorod Jungley (1998) were released by Gala Records during this period.Bad B. Alliance era
Mikhey left the band to push solo career as a reggae/soul singer, while SheFF formed Bad B. Alliance. Both gained huge mainstream popularity Bad Balance itself has never seen. Ligalize joins Bad Balance. Long-awaited Kamenniy les released by Mixmedia in 2001.Later period
Bad B. Alliance disbanded following Ligalize's departure and conflicts with investors (Tolmatskiy). Mikhey dies of heart failure. Kuper (DA-108) and Al Solo (Beliye Bratya) join Bad Balance. Popularity declines. Malo-po-malu (2003) and Legendi gangsterov (2008) released by Valov's own record label 100PRO.Style and reception
The group was viewed as Russia’s hip-hop pioneers (Cocks, 2002) and their popularity exploded after the fall of the USSR. They are now seen as mimicking AmericanUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
hip-hop and their music does sound much like typical American hip-hop from the 1990s, but with added influences from jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
and rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
. While the group is now considered antiquated, at the time the government believed Bad Balance was politically subversive and accused them of spreading dangerous ideas and messages. This is because the group was not afraid to discuss political and social issues, like the increase in street violence
Violence
Violence is the use of physical force to apply a state to others contrary to their wishes. violence, while often a stand-alone issue, is often the culmination of other kinds of conflict, e.g...
, issues they felt were important in their lives and in the lives of their listeners. The discussion of these issues presented negative images of the USSR to the Russian people and the world in general and thereby set the government further against hip-hop. Despite this, the group survived the fall of the communist government and began releasing albums and videos soon after.
Discography
- Выше Закона (1990)
- Налётчики Bad B. (1994)
- Чисто PRO... (1996)
- Город Джунглей (1998)
- Каменный Лес (2001)
- Мало-По-Малу (2003)
- Легенды Гангстеров (2007)
- Семеро одного не ждут (2009)