Vitas
Vitaly Vladasovich Grachev (Russian: Виталий Владасович Грачёв; born 19 February 1979), known professionally as Vitas (Russian: Витас, IPA: [ˈvʲitəs]), is a Ukrainian singer and actor. He is known for his unique falsetto which he displays when performing his "turkey call" in "The 7th Element" and his trademark falsetto choruses. His eclectic musical style incorporates elements of techno, dance, classical, jazz, and folk music. His song "Opera #2" and the music video for "The 7th Element"[1] became popular on various social networks, accounting for much of his worldwide recognition.
Vitas | |
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 Vitas in 2003 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Vitaly Vladasovich Grachev |
| Also known as | Vitalik, Vitas |
| Born | 19 February 1979 Daugavpils, Latvian SSR, Soviet Union |
| Origin | Odessa, Ukraine |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) |
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| Instruments |
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| Years active | 2000–present |
| Labels |
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| Website | vitas |
He also designs his own stage costumes.[2] DIVA is the name of the band that accompanies him during his concerts.[3] Vitas has achieved prominence through Russian television, and since 2005, his career has developed in Asian markets.[4]
He has sung with entertainment labels such as Universal Music Group, which distributes his music in Taiwan, and has toured extensively in China[5] and several other countries.[4]
Biography
Early life
Vitas was born in Daugavpils, Latvian SSR,[6] but was raised in Odessa in southern Ukraine. He showed an interest in music from an early age. He taught himself to play the accordion at the age of 5. The first song he had ever composed was 'Rain in Tbilisi', which was written when he was 6. At the age of 12, the number of songs that he had composed amounted to 1000 pieces. He attended an art school in Odessa since he was 7, and appeared in various theatrical productions as a teenager.[7] Vitas was hailed as 'a gift from God' by his Dean at the art school in Odessa.
Rise to fame and early career
Vitas came to public attention in Russia in December 2000 with the song "Opera #2", which was notable for his surprisingly high-pitched and energetic vocals. In the music video, Vitas portrays an eccentric lonely man with fish gills who lives in a bathtub with jars of fish and plays the accordion naked.
In 2001, he released "The 7th Element", which would become popular on the Internet.
In February 2001, he held his first concert, "Opera #...", at the "Russia" Concert Hall in Moscow, and presented his first concert tour, Philosophy of Miracle, which ended in early 2003.[8]
Vitas received an invitation from Lucio Dalla, the composer who created "Caruso", to perform this song together with the author at the "San Remo in Moscow" concert in the State Kremlin Palace in 2003. Mr. Dalla then invited Vitas to come to Rome to take part in the rehearsals of "Toska", a modern version of Puccini's opera.
In dedication to his mother who died in 2001, Vitas released two albums, "The Songs of My Mother" and "Mama".[9] "The Songs of My Mother" included classic Russian songs which are sometimes considered to be the "gold reserves" of Russian pop-music. In November 2003, Vitas presented his second tour program, "The Songs of My Mother" in the Russia Concert Hall in Moscow. Compared to the flamboyant nature of his previous "Philosophy of Miracle" tour, "The Songs of My Mother" was more conservative, drawing on classic Russian songs. From 2004 to 2006, Vitas' management, the "Pudovkin" Production Center continued "The Songs of My Mother" tour in Russia and the United States, Germany, Kazakhstan, Israel and the Baltic states.[4]
In addition to his singing career, Vitas also starred in a murder mystery television series called "Сволочь ненаглядная" ("Beloved Scoundrel"), in which he played a pop singer with an unusually high voice.[10] He also starred in a comedy called Crazy Day.[11]
Development of music and image
In June 2006, Vitas was invited by China Central Television to take part in a grand event entitled "The Year of Russia in China" in Beijing. Vitas performed two songs, "The Star" and "Opera #2" during the event, marking the beginning of his popularity in China.
Vitas' "Return Home" tour, beginning in 2006, had a conservative atmosphere similar to the "Songs of My Mother" tour. The concert performed in Saint Petersburg on 4 March 2007 was later released on DVD on Vitas' website, as well as officially in some countries, albeit with many songs removed. The full concert in Moscow was later released on DVD.
In October 2007, Vitas was signed with now-defunct American label Gemini Sun Records. Gemini Sun released the Audio Visual Connect Series Vitas compilation CD + DVD set featuring eight music videos with the corresponding songs also on audio CD, in addition to a bonus audio track.[12] In 2008, Vitas also released "Light of A New Day", a 40-minute track of non-lyrical vocalization and instrumentation. The song is available as a free download on his website.
The "Sleepless Night" tour included concerts in China and more elaborate presentations than the more conservative "Return Home" program. Vitas performed his "Return Home" concert in Bucharest, Romania on 25 February 2009. The concert was broadcast on the Romanian TVR2 and TVRi television networks, achieving their highest ratings in twelve months.[13] A benefit concert, with Vitas performing "The Star", was held on 12 May 2009 in Sichuan province in memory of the victims of the previous year's earthquake there; a song known as "Mommy and Son" was released in late October 2009 in remembrance of the victims. It was the very first title track of the "Mommy and Son" album (released 1 September 2011), which included new songs, such as "C'est La Vie" (French for "Such is life"), "Once More", "Let the Father Teach!", "Young Rook" and others.[1]
Vitas played the role of Gude in the Chinese film "Mulan", which premiered in Beijing on 16 November 2009.[14] He recorded music for the film's soundtrack.[4][15]
In early 2011, Vitas performed a series of seven "Sleepless Night" concerts in New York City, Toronto, Chicago, Miami, Vancouver, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. Vitas also appeared in the 2011 Chinese film "The Founding of a Party", playing the role of Grigori Voitinsky. He also starred with Huang Shengyi in the musical One Night To Be Star.
In March 2011, Vitas' concert tour "Mommy and Son" started in several cities of Russia. His large-scale concert at the Palace of Arts "Ukraina" in Kyiv in March 2012 was broadcast in Ukraine's main TV channels and later released in DVD. In 2013 he brought the tour to Germany, performing in several cities.
In June 2015, Vitas' 2001 music video "The 7th Element" became popular after his video was posted on Reddit.[16]
In 2017, Vitas' song "Smile" became especially popular in Brazil, where Facebook pages such as "South America Memes" were responsible for memes using footage from his performance of the song at the "Songs of My Mother" tour. On 5 October, he thanked the pages for his popularity.[17]
In August 2020, Vitas' 20th anniversary EP "OPERA20" was released in China.[18] The album contained songs in English, Russian and Chinese, as well as a collaboration with Chinese singer Elvis Wang. A limited edition of 1000 vinyl copies was issued.[19]
Personal life
Vitas has been known to be secretive about his personal life and has frequently declined interviews about it. He married his wife, Svetlana, in 2006. They have a daughter and a son.
In January 2012, Vitas and his family were interviewed on the talk show "Let Them Talk". In 2007, appearing on the Russian television show "Everybody Is At Home", Vitas discussed his personal history as well as his development as an artist. In March of that year, a distraught Vitas appeared on the talk show again to confront the allegations of a man who claimed that he was Vitas' biological father. After much backlash from Vitas' friends and family and the man's admission of lying, the DNA results proved he was not Vitas' father even though Vitas claimed it. As a show of forgiveness to the man's family, Vitas sang and danced with the man's mother.
Vitas was arrested on 10 May 2013 for hitting a cyclist with his car. Russian TV channels Russia-1[20] and Channel One Russia[21] reported widely on the accident. These and other TV channels displayed Vitas' driving license with his personal data, which had been presented to journalists by a police officer.[22][23] The incident took place northeast of Moscow near the VVC Exhibition Centre. The cyclist was uninjured and proceeded to film the scene with police afterward. The video depicts an unshaven and unsteady Vitas being held by authorities. Concerts planned in China that year were cancelled.
Backing band
Current members
- Aleksandr Gruzdev – guitar, saxophone, backing vocals (2001–present)
- Maxim Musatov – keyboards, backing vocals (2019–present)
- Aleksandr Illin – bass guitar, backing vocals (2016–present)
- Yaroslav Andrey – drums (2012–present)
Former members
- [unknown] – guitar, backing vocals (2014–2015)
- Vasiliy Musatov – keyboards (2004–2019)
- Ilya "G.I.L.V." Grebenyuk – keyboards (2001–2003)
- [unknown] – keyboards (2003–2004)
- Andrey Artemov – bass guitar, backing vocals (2007–2015)
- Rashit Kyamov – bass guitar, backing vocals (2001–2007, 2015–2016)
- Rushan Harryasov – drums (2001–2012)
Discography
Studio albums
| Russian[24] | English[1] | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Философия чуда | Philosophy of Miracle | 2001 |
| Улыбнись | Smile! | 2002 |
| Мама | Mama | 2003 |
| Песни моей мамы | The Songs of My Mother | 2003 |
| Поцелуй длиною в вечность | A Kiss as Long as Eternity | 2004 |
| Возвращение домой | Return Home | 2006 |
| Криком журавлиным. Возвращение домой, Часть 2 | Crane's Crying: Return Home, Part 2 | 2007 |
| Хиты ХХ века | 20th Century Hits | 2008 |
| ** | Audio Visual Connect Series: Vitas (CD + DVD)[5] | 2008 |
| Скажи, что ты любишь | Say You Love | 2009 |
| Шедевры трех веков | Masterpieces of Three Centuries | 2010 |
| Романсы | Romances | 2011 |
| Мама и Сын | Mother and Son | 2011 |
| Только ты. История моей любви, Часть 1 | Only You: My Love Story, Part 1 | 2013 |
| Я подарю тебе весь мир. История моей любви, Часть 2 | I'll Give You the World: My Love Story, Part 2 | 2014 |
| ** | Come Just For You! | 2016 |
| ** | Made in China | 2016 |
| Бит бомбит | Bit Bombit | 2019 |
DVDs
| Russian[24] | English[1] | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Витас в Кремле | Vitas at the Kremlin | 2002 |
| Песни моей мамы | The Songs Of My Mother | 2003 |
| Лучшее от Витаса на DVD | The Best from Vitas on DVD | 2007 |
| Возвращение Домой в Санкт-Петербурге | Return Home in Saint Petersburg | 2007 |
| Возвращение домой в Москва | Return Home in Moscow | 2007 |
| Бессонная ночь Петербург | Sleepless Night in Saint Petersburg | 2010 |
| Две столицы | Two Capitals | 2011 |
| Лучшее от Витаса на DVD (2) | The Best from Vitas on DVD (2) | 2011 |
| Мама и сын | Mommy and Son | 2013 |
| Лучшее от Витаса на DVD (3) | The Best from Vitas on DVD (3) | 2014 |
Singles/EPs
| Original[24] | English[1] | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Опера #2 | Opera#2 | 2001 |
| Good Bye | ** | 2001 |
| Свет Нового Дня | Light of a New Day | 2008 |
| 真童话 | Fairy Tale | 2010 |
| That Song (Remix of 7th Element by Drangabeats) | ** | 2015 |
| Делю любовь на доли | I Divide Love Into Shares | 2015 |
| Roll With The Beat | ** | 2018 |
| Opera #2 (HD) | ** | 2018 |
| Back to the Stars | ** | 2020 |
| За ней | After Her | 2020 |
| 无词歌 | Song Without Words | 2020 |
| 向着太阳
(with Elvis Wang) |
Towards the Sun | 2020 |
| "The King"[25] (with Timmy Trumpet) |
** | 2020 |
| OPERA20 | ** | 2020 |
Videos
| Original[26] | English[27] | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Опера No.2 | Opera #2 | 2000 |
| Опера No.1 | Opera #1 | 2001 |
| Дождь в Тбилиси | Rain in Tbilisi | 2001 |
| Блаженный Гуру | Blessed Guru | 2001 |
| Улыбнись | Smile | 2002 |
| Звезда | Star | 2003 |
| Мама | Mama | 2003 |
| Птица счастья | The Bird of Happiness | 2004 |
| Поцелуй длиною в вечность | Kiss As Long As Eternity | 2004 |
| Берега России | Shores of Russia | 2005 |
| Lucia Di Lammermoor | Lucia Di Lammermoor | 2006 |
| Криком журавлиным | Crane's Crying | 2006 |
| Ямайка | Jamaica | 2007 |
| La Donna è Mobile[28] | The woman is fickle | 2009 |
| Люби меня | Love Me | 2009 |
| Раз, два, три | One, Two, Three | 2011 |
| Фронтовики | War Veterans | 2012 |
| Мне бы в небо (Дуэт с Ксеноной) | I'd Like To Go Up To Sky (feat. Ksenona Ksenia) | 2012 |
| Я подарю тебе мир | I'll Give You The World | 2013 |
| Делю любовь на доли | I Divide Love Into Shares | 2015 |
| Made in China (feat. Sergey Pudovkin) | ** | 2016 |
| Roll With The Beat (feat. Nappy Roots) | ** | 2018 |
| Подари мне любовь | Give Me Love | 2018 |
| Симфоническая | Symphonic | 2018 |
| Делала | Did | 2019 |
| Back to the Stars | ** |
Concert programs
| Original | English | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Опера №... | Opera #... | 2001 |
| Философия чуда или Улыбнись | Philosophy of Miracle or Smile | 2002–2003 |
| Песни моей мамы | The Songs of My Mother | 2003–2006 |
| Возвращение домой | Return Home | 2006–2009 |
| Бессонная ночь | Sleepless Night | 2009–2012 |
| Мама и сын | Mommy and Son | 2011–2013 |
| Скажи, что ты любишь | Say You Love | 2011 |
| История моей любви | My Love Story | 2014–2017 |
| 15 лет с вами | 15 Years With You | |
| Come Just For You! | ** | 2016 |
| Подари мне любовь | Give Me Love | 2018–present |
| 20 | ** | 2019 |
| OPERA20 | ** | TBA |
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Сволочь ненаглядная | ** |
| 2005 | Сумасшедший день | ** |
| 2009 | Mulan (2009 film) | Gude |
| 2011 | The Founding of a Party | Grigori Voitinsky |
| 2012 | A Night to Be a Star | Himself |
Awards and achievements
| Year | Category | Recording |
|---|---|---|
| 2001, 2002, 2003 | Best selling single Russian Record Prize | "Opera #2" |
| 2001 | Komsomolskaya Pravda and Internet Survey "Forum 2001" Musical Discovery of the Year | — |
| 2000, 2001, 2002 | Three-time-laureate of the festivals "The Song of the Year" (2000, 2001, 2002) | — |
| 2001, 2002 | Two-time-laureate of the People Prize "Golden Gramophone" | "Opera #2", "Smile!" |
| 2001, 2002, 2003 | Three-time-laureate of the Musical Prize "PODIUM" for the most stylish achievements in pop music | — |
| 2001, 2002, 2003 | Russian "People's HIT" Prize | "Opera #2", "Smile!", "The Star" |
| 2001, 2003 | Radio station "HIT FM" Prize "100 Per Cent HIT" | — |
| 2002 | National Musical Prize "Ovation" Soloist of the Year | — |
| 2004 | Russian Internet portal AFISHA.COM | — |
| 2007 | Order of Service to the Arts | — |
| 2007 | Best Album – NewsMusic Poll[29] | "Crane's Crying" |
| 2011 | International Song Writers Contest Winner, 3rd place Music Video Category for "Opera #2". Also won second place in People's Choice vote.[30] | "Opera #2" |
References
- "Discography. Albums and singles. - Vitas' official website".
- Source: Shanghai Daily
- DIVA website (Russian)
- "Vitas' official site. Press release". Vitas.com.ru. Archived from the original on 3 September 2007. Retrieved 28 September 2010.
- "Gemini Sun Records Press Release". Vitas.com.ru. 29 January 2008. Archived from the original on 29 July 2013. Retrieved 28 September 2010.
- http://www.mega-stars.ru/music_stars/vitas.php
- "Biography of Vitas". Retrieved 8 October 2019.
- VITAS - Full Concert: "Opera #..." (Moscow, 2001), February 2001, retrieved 6 May 2018
- "Витас споет в Одессе в память о трагически погибшей матери". od.vgorode.ua (in Russian). Retrieved 22 July 2020.
- Beloved Scoundrel (Сволочь ненаглядная) - Part 1, December 2002, retrieved 6 May 2018
- Crazy Day, 2005, retrieved 6 May 2018
- "Vitas: Artist Who You Have Been Waiting For" Archived 28 September 2010 at the Wayback Machine
- "Vitas'official site. News". Vitas.com.ru. Archived from the original on 28 September 2010. Retrieved 28 September 2010.
- "《花木兰》电影官方网站". Mulan.ent.sina.com.cn. Retrieved 28 September 2010.
- "Vitas Guest Stars in 'Mulan' – AsianFanatics Forum". Asianfanatics.net. 20 April 2009. Retrieved 28 September 2010.
- "Reddit - Videos". www.reddit.com. Retrieved 20 November 2016.
- "Vitas". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 22 December 2017.
- "Announcement post of Vitas' anniversary EP "OPERA20" on Weibo".
- "Announcement post of the vinyl release of Vitas' anniversary EP "OPERA20"".
- TV news of Russia-1 about Vitas' incident on 10 May 2013 (Russian)
- TV news of Channel One Russia about Vitas' incident on 10 May 2013 (Russian)
- Russian television Channel One Russia shown Vitas' Ukrainian driving license after accident on 10 May 2013 with all personal data (Russian)
- Russian television Russia-1 shown Vitas' Ukrainian driving license after accident on 10 May 2013 with all personal data (Russian)
- Дискография. Альбомы и синглы. - Официальный сайт Витаса (in Russian). (Vitas discography)
- Meadow, Matthew (7 July 2020). "Timmy Trumpet & legendary Vitas finally release stunning Tomorrowland ID". Your EDM. Archived from the original on 8 July 2020. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
- Видеоклипы - Официальный сайт Витаса (in Russian). (Vitas official site: music videos)
- "Music Videos - Vitas' official website".
- Sung in Italian.
- "Победителем NEWSmusic Pop Top 2007 стал Витас". NEWSmuz.com. 28 December 2007.
- International Songwriting Competition Archived 1 May 2013 at the Wayback Machine
