AMAZING 10 OF KAZAKHS

Kazakh show business and sports do not stand still. Who glorifies Kazakhstan and flaunts the flag of his country? Who creates the cultural image of the country? Let’s get acquainted with the popularizers of the domestic product.

TIMUR BEKMAMBETOV

Timur Bekmambetov is one of the most famous directors of modern Kazakhstan and the whole CIS. His films are successfully broadcast both in Eastern Europe and in the countries of the Western world. The main roles in many of Bekmambetov’s films are performed by the first stars of the world cinema, which makes the citizens of Atyrau proud of their countryman.

• The film “Пешавальский Вальс” (“Peshaval vals”) in 1993. Got prizes at the festival in Karlovy Vary and Kinotavr.
• The film “Gladiathrix” in 1998. To work in the film, he was invited by producer Roger Karman.
• Films “Ночной Дозор” (“Nochnoy Dozor”) and “Дневной Дозор” (“Dnevnoy Dozor”) in 2004-2005.
• Since 2005 he works in Hollywood. Work on Fox projects.
• An advertising video for “Kyivstar” with Gerard Depardieu in 2006.
• The film “Ирония Судьбы. Продолжение” (“Ironiya sudby. Prodolzheniye”) in 2007.
• The film “Особо Опасен” (“Wanted”) with Angelina Jolie, James McEvoy, Morgan Freeman, Chris Pratt and others in 2008.
• Producing a cartoon “9” together with Tim Burton.
• The film “Черная Молния” (“Chernaya Molniya”) in 2009.
• The film “Авраам Линкольн : Охотник на вампиров” (“Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter”), in 2012.
• Producing the movie “Приключения Алисы. Пленники трёх планет ” (“Prikluycheniya Alisy. Plenniki treh planet”) in 2012.
• The film “Бен-Гур ”(“Ben-Hur”) in 2016.
• Production of the film “Взломать блогеров” (“Vzlomat blogerov”) in 2016.

Bekmambetov considers himself more a Kazakh film director than a Russian filmmaker, as most of his creative reality was influenced by relatives from his father’s side and his Kazakh roots.

“When creating my films, I was most inspired by Kazakh stories and legends. I have always tried to translate some of these stories into my cinematography. I wanted the whole world to know that there is such people – Kazakhs ” – Timur Bekmambetov

DIMASH KUDAYBERGEN

Dinmuhammed Kanatuly Kudaibergen, b. May 24, 1994 in Aktyubinsk – the Kazakh singer. The winner of the Grand Prix of the contest “Славянский базар 2015” in Vitebsk, the winner of the National Prize “The People’s Favorite”, was awarded with the Certificate of Honor of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan “For a worthy contribution to strengthening the unity of the people of Kazakhstan”, participant of the international festival ABU TV song.

On October 28, 2015 in Istanbul, Dimash firstly represented Kazakhstan at the international Asia-Pacific television festival “ABU Song Festivals”. He was given the opportunity to perform with world performers, such as CNBLUE, Scandal and Murat Dalkılıç on the same stage.

In 2016, Dimash was awarded a state scholarship of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan – the Leader of the Nation in the field of culture.

On January 22, 2017, Dimash Kudaibergen made his first appearance in the Chinese program “Singer 2017”, which is an adaptation of the South Korean reality show “I Am a Singer”, in which exclusively professional singers compete. Dimash conquered the Chinese public with his wide range, unique style and won the first round, having performed the song “S.O.S. d’un terrien en détresse “. In a short time, the singer became a new hit in the vastness of Weibo. A week later, on the second round of the program, Dimash performed Vitas’ song “Opera No. 2” and won first place.

On March 27, 2017, Dimash Kudaibergen won the Top Chinese Music Award, having won the nomination “The Most Popular Singer in Asia”. This award is analogous of  the famous Grammy Award, but in China. At the awards ceremony, in Shanghai, the singer performed the song “SOS d’un terrien en détresse”.

April 15, 2017 Dimash Kudaibergenov took second place in the competition “I am a Singer” in China. Dimash in his final performance sang a duet with the popular Chinese singer Shang Wenzhe. In the final, Dimash sang Michael Jackson’s songs: ”Dangerous”,” Billie Jean”, “The Way You Make Me Feel” and “Earth song”. The first place was taken by the Chinese woman Sandy Lam. Despite the second place at the contest, admirers of the creative work of Dimash recognized him as the winner.

Famous music critics and professional singers celebrate the unique voice of Kudaibergen, which sounds in the range of five octaves. The teacher of the singer Marat Aitimov says that Dimash is able to take the upper bass and flute register. In addition, the peculiarity of a young star is the possession of bel canto – a rare technique of vocals.

After the “Славянский базар” in 2015, the well-known Azerbaijani pop singer Polad Bulbul-ogly said: “A guy from Kazakhstan is a unique person. He sings as if he had three voices in one, including the rarest Altino. I am sure that we are facing the future star”.

JAH KHALIB

Jah Khalib – real name Bakhtiyar Mamedov – born September 29, 1993 – Kazakh Russian-speaking rapper, singer, bitmaker and producer.

Bakhtiyar Mamedov was born on September 29, 1993 in Almaty. Father is Azerbaijani, mother is Kazakh. He fond of rap music since his childhood. Bakhtiyar studied at a music school in saxophone class. He graduated from the Faculty of Musicology and Management of the Kazakh National Conservatory named after Kurmangazy.

As a bitmaker and sound producer he worked with many Kazakhstan rappers, PR’OXY, Santos, Antrax, Hirosima and others are among them. Starting his solo career, he took himself the stage name Jah Khalib. According to him, Khalib is an imaginary name, and Jah is the name of God in Rastafarianism. He gained wide popularity through social networks, where his tracks were distributed. Among his first works the most popular were “Tvoi sonnyie glaza”(“Твои сонные глаза”), “SnD”, “Szhigaya dotla”(“Сжигая дотла”) and “Ty dlya menya”(“Ты для меня”). Jah Khalib soon became known not only in Kazakhstan, but also in other post-Soviet countries.

In 2016 he released a full-fledged solo album “Esli che, ya Baha”(“Если че, я Баха”). In spring of 2017, he made a video for the song “Leila”.

In 2015 and 2016 he was on the list of the stars of show business and sports of the magazine “Forbes Kazakhstan”. On June 2017 he won the Muz-TV Award 2017 in the category “Breakthrough of the Year”.

“I need only one label – this is my Kazakhstan” – Jah Khalib

SCRIPTONITE

Adil Oralbekovich Zhalelov born. June 3, 1990, the city of Lenin. Better known under the stage name Scryptonite is a Kazakh rap singer and bitmaker, a member of the creative association Gazgolder. For the first time he presented himself in 2013 with a video for the song “VBVVCTND”, two years later he released his debut album “Dom s normalnymi yavleniyami”, which became one of the most successful Russian-language rap albums of 2015.

Scriptonite positions his work as a “Kazakh rap” and does not approve of those who call it “the Russian performer” doing “Russian rap”. His first texts were devoted to children’s problems and school, then came a short period of the so-called “Rap about rap” and the current topics he began to raise in the early 2010’s. In his songs, unlike other Russian-speaking rappers who experiment with “profound” texts, Scriptonite focuses on the musical component, which is often dealt with personally.

A peculiar pronunciation, which is jokingly called “Yeltsin-flow”, and “half-drunk” voice gave a unique sound for his debut album. In order to avoid someone else’s influence, Scriptonite practically does not listen to songs in Russian, including the works of other rap artists.

After the release of the album “Dom s normalnymi yavleniyami” he received positive feedback from the famous rapper Oxxxymiron, noting the high level of “musical complexity and originality”.

“I’m from Kazakhstan. This is Kazakh rap. I do not like being told that I’m a Russian singer, I’m doing Russian rap” – Scriptonite

A’STUDIO

A’Studio is a Soviet, Kazakh and Russian musical pop group.

The composition of the group has changed many times. The group was created by the Kazakh musician Baigali Serkebaev, son of the famous opera singer Yermek Serkebayev. Until 1987 the band accompanied Rosa Rymbaeva. Currently, five people participate in the team: Baigali Serkebaev, Vladimir Miklosich, Keti Topuria (soloist), Evgeni Dalsky (drums) and Sergei Kumin (guitarist).

From the moment the group was created, it was called “Almaty”, then “Almaty Studio”, but after the band entered the “Song Theater” A.B. Pugacheva, the name was changed to “A-Studio”, then – A Studio.

Until 2000, Batyrkhan Shukenov was the vocalist and face of the group; the most famous songs of that period – “Soldat Liubvi”(“Солдат Любви”), ”Julia” (“Джулия”), ”Neliubimaya”(“Нелюбимая”).  After him, the main vocalists in the group were girls: first – Pauline Griffis, now – Kathy Topuria. Throughout its existence the group has been cooperating with the Kazakh composer Erkesh Shakeev. Among the hits “A’Studio” his songs: “Нелюбимая” from the album of the same name in 1996, “Begu k tebe”(“Бегу к тебе”) and  “Душа” (“Dusha”) – from the album “905” in 2007, “Fashion Girl” – from the album “Волны” (“Volny”) in 2010.

In 2000, Batyrkhan Shukenov left the group.

On August 2, 2006, the composer, guitarist and soloist Baglan Sadvakasov, who had been part of the band for 17 years before, died in a car crash in Moscow.

On November 18, 2007, on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of A’Studio, the anniversary concert of the group took place in the Kremlin Palace in Moscow. Another anniversary concert took place in 2012 in the Kremlin for the band’s 25th anniversary.

In the summer of 2017, as part of the EXPO World exhibition, the group performed with a series of concerts in Astana, celebrating the thirtieth anniversary of the band.

GENNADY GOLOVKIN

Gennady Gennadievich Golovkin. April 8, 1982, Karaganda is an undefeated Kazakh professional boxer performing in the middle weight category. World champion among amateurs (2003). Vice-champion of the Olympic Games (2004). The world champion in WBA versions (2010-present), IBF (2015-present), WBC (2016-present), IBO (2011-present).

The best boxer, regardless of the weight category according to the version of The Ring (September 27, 2017 – present). The best boxer in 2017 by the WBA, WBC and the popular publication Boxingnews24.com. The owner of the longest running series of defenses of the combined title.

Golovkin is known as a powerful and technical puncher, who won most of his fights ahead of schedule. He won 23 wins by knockout in a row for 9 years from November 22, 2008 to March 18, 2017. At the moment he takes 2nd place in the number of defenses of the world title in middle weight – 17 (yielding only Bernard Hopkins – 20).

Golovkin did a lot for the country. His victories he rallied the majority of Kazakh in a single impulse, which covers us during the next fight. Everyone experiences the same emotions and feelings, being pride of him, of the country, excitement, joy – everything is being built into the “absolute”. The Kazakh is recognized almost everywhere. Tribunes in battles are chanting “Triple G”.

The flag of the country regularly accompanies his appearance in the ring. The state symbol always rises behind him, who Is thrown national chapan. He never gave any reason to doubt about his love for his country. As Gennady himself said: “Ал мен – қазақпын “!

“When people ask me about nationality, I say: My father is Russian, my mother is a Korean, and I am Kazakh! I dedicate all my victories to my country, my people, my president!” – GGG

NURLAN SABUROV

Nurlan Saburov is a young Kazakh humorist. In his student years he played in KVN, but he gained wide popularity, becoming a resident of the project Stand Up on the channel TNT.

A charismatic comedian jokes a lot about his nationality and family, delighting listeners with an unexpected viewpoint on utterly ordinary things.

Nurlan was born in the small town Stepnogorsk, in the north of Kazakhstan. According to him, all family members, including grandparents, were amazing jokers. The atmosphere of humor and fun always reigned in the house, which was absorbed by a small Nurlan.

In Yekaterinburg, the beginning comedian had new acquaintances who suggested that he try himself in a new comic genre – standup. Then he did not even suspect that in the future this occupation would become a matter of his entire life.

March 12, 2018 on the channel TNT appeared the release of the program “Gde logika?”(“Где логика?”) With the participation of Nurlan Saburov and Jah Khalib.

DANIYAR ELEUSINOV

Daniyar Maratovich Eleusinov, born March 13, 1991, is a Kazakhstan amateur boxer, Honored Master of Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan. He is the champion of the Olympic Games in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro in weight to 69 kg. Has a title of World champion among fans of 2013, two-time champion of Asian Games 2010 and 2014.

• He was born in the West Kazakhstan region, Kaztalovsky district, the village of Berezino (Kayyndy).
• He started boxing from the age of 8.
• He graduated from the Economics Faculty of KazAU named after S. Seifullin.
• According to data for 2015, he studies at the Academy of Tourism and Sports in Almaty.
• He is an observant Muslim, as he has announced after winning the Olympic Games in 2016 in Rio.
• At the Olympic Games in 2016, Rio he was captain of the team.

On March 5, 2018 Eleusinov signed a three-year contract with the British promotion company Matchroom Boxing, which oversees 50 professional boxers. His business will be led by the famous British promoter Eddie Hearn. Yeleusinov’s debut battle in the pros is already scheduled for April 28 in New York at the Barclays Center arena on the undercard of the Daniel Jacobs fight, and on June 2, the second duel of the Kazakh in London is planned, where the main event of the boxing evening will be Anthony Joshua’s fight. Daniyar is declared in the pro light welterweight to 66.7 kg (147 pounds).

ELIZABET TURSYNBAYEVA

Elizabet Baytakovna Tursynbayeva – born February 14, 2000, Moscow, Russia – is a Kazakh figure skater performing in women’s singles. Bronze medalist of the II Winter Youth Olympic Games (2016), four-time champion of Kazakhstan (2014-2017), bronze medalist of the Winter Asian Games 2017.

On February 25, 2018 she takes 15th place in the rating of the International Skating Union (ISU).

On February 21, 2018 Elizabet Tursynbayeva performed in the short program at the 2018 Olympics in Pyeongchang with a score of 57.95 points and was given the right to perform in an arbitrary program.

“I would like to speak well, despite the trauma. Now it is very hard for me to train, I am constantly worried about the pain during the games and about the Game every four years, so I do not want bad memories left. I would like to surprise fans who are worried about me, to show an excellent performance and remember this Olympics as a triumph” – Elizabet Tursynbayeva

DENIS TEN

Denis Yurievich Ten – born June 13, 1993 in Almaty – is a Kazakh figure skater performing solo. Denis is an Honored Master of Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Bronze medalist of the 2014 Winter Olympics. Silver medalist of the World Figure Skating Championships 2013, World Championship bronze medalist of 2015, Champion of the Four Continents 2015, champion of the VII Winter Asian Games, multiple winner of various international tournaments under the auspices of ISU, five-time champion of Kazakhstan.

As of February 2017, it ranks 9th in the rating of the International Skating Union (ISU).

Denis Ten is the first and only sportsman in the history of independent Kazakhstan, who won the medals of the Olympic Games (2014), the World Championships (2013, 2015), the Continental Championship (2015), the Winter Universiade (2017), the Winter Asian Games (2011) Grand Prix of figure skating. Having won gold at the Grand Prix stage among juniors (2008), he became the first Kazakhstan figure skater to win the ISU tournament medal.

One of the few figure skaters-men performing a rotation bilman.

Ten represented Kazakhstan at the 2010 Olympics, where he was the youngest participant (16 years) in the men’s championship. He is also the first single skater from Kazakhstan, who managed to go to the final stage of the competition at the Olympics.

Ten served as the official ambassador in the Olympic campaign “Almaty 2022”.

Since 2013, he has been producing the ice show “Denis Ten and Friends”, in which world figure skating stars are participating. According to official information of the organizers, more than 500 tourists from abroad (mainly from Japan) come to the ice show every year to see the project live.

In order to strengthen the sport and art of Kazakhstan, the bronze medalist of the Sochi 2014 Olympics and the multiple prize-winner of various world championships in figure skating, Denis Ten performed at the Grand Prix in figure skating of the Rostelecom Cup in 2017 with “SOS d’un terrien en détresse” by Dimash Kudaibergen.

Kamila Chuzhenova