Legalize - musician, author of soundtracks for the films "Taras Bulba", "Bastards", "Stone". He became famous as the founder and member of the underground association D.O.B. Community, as well as rap groups "Bad B. Alliance", "Legal Bizne$$", Bad Balance, "P-13" and "YAROST Inc."
Today is engaged solo career and production activities.
Childhood and youth
Andrei Vladimirovich Menshikov (real name of the rapper) was born on July 30, 1977 in Moscow. Parents future star least of all expected that their offspring would become famous as hip hop artist. Legalize's father is a chemistry professor who planned son will go in his footsteps and connect his life with science.
Andrey grew up active child. It is known that in childhood he was engaged in karate. martial arts the boy devoted seven years and achieved some success - he won prizes at regional competitions. But Menshikov did not work out with sports due to the fact that his whole being was drawn to illusory world sounds that captivated him almost from the cradle.
In conversations with media representatives, the artist has repeatedly said that while his peers were chasing a ball in the yard, he mastered programs for creating samples and beats.
After school, at the insistence of his parents, the young man applied to the Institute of Chemical Technology. True, graduate educational institution the talented rapper never succeeded. Four years later, he realized that the technical specialty was not for him and that he did not want to do anything other than music.
After Andrei heard the American band N.W.A. in 1990, his life changed dramatically. Inspired by the work of the Californians, Menshikov set about trying to create something similar in Russian realities.
In 1993, thanks to a strange coincidence, the young man met the Moscow MC Ladjak. Together the guys created a project called Slingshot. Colleagues wrote songs in English, since Russian rap was not popular at that time.
At some point, it was even about a contract with an American label, but it did not work out. It is known that within the framework of this project, Legalize managed to record the album “Salut From Russia”, but released it only in 2015.
Music
In 1994, Legalize, along with Slaves of the Lamp, Just Da Enemy and Beat Point, entered the hip-hop formation D.O.B. community. This year Andrey participated in the recording of the D.O.B. and helped Slaves of the Lamp with songwriting.
In 1996, the artist left for the Congo, where he began to rap on French as part of the AERO Skwadra group. AT new country Andrei's worldview has changed dramatically, and he realized that recitative is not a memorized text, but pure improvisation that comes from the soul. A year later, the artist left the country, as the Congo began Civil War. Together with his wife, he was deported to his homeland as a foreigner.
Upon returning to Russia, Legalize made every effort to change the style and direct the minds of the guys in a different, new direction, because they still recorded rap under the label D. O. B.
The period from 1998 to 2000 proved to be extremely fruitful for Menshikov. The artist was in full view all the time - he worked on the disc "Legal Business $$", sang in the Bad Balance group and collaborated with. In 2000, the album "Legal Business $$" - "Rhythmomafia" was released. The record turned out to be strong, clearly demonstrating to the listeners that Andrey puts not only emotions, but also meaning into the texts of the compositions.
Legalize - "Life"In 2005, the artist attracted the attention of the distributor label Monolith Records. In the same year, he became the most touring rapper in the country. On the eve of May 9, 2005, Legalize released a video clip for the song "First Squad" (rap to the tune of the tango "Tired Sun").
Legalize - "First Squad"For domestic show business, this format was new. The video was created in anime style and directed by Daisuke Nakayama. According to the plot, Soviet pioneers are fighting the Nazis with swords, and T-34 tanks are fighting German fantastic robots.
2006 is the year that divided Legalize's career into before and after. During this period, he became popular even outside the rap scene. The youth series "Club" was released on the screens, the soundtrack to which was the composition of Legalize "Future Mothers". The artist appeared in the tape as a cameo. The song quickly became a hit, it broke the established patterns and was incredibly frank.
Legalize - "Future Moms"By the way, the old fans did not understand such a change of course, but thanks to "Moms" Legalize sounded on the radio, flashed on TV, and his tracks appeared on the lists of the most downloaded ringtones. At the same time, his debut solo album "XL" was released.
In the same year, Alexander Atanesyan's film "Bastards" was shown on cinema screens. For this picture, the rapper wrote the soundtrack of the same name. With him, Legalize was nominated for the MTV Russia Movie Awards.
This was not his last work in the film industry. In 2012, the film "Stone" was released with leading role. Legalize composed the song "Time to collect stones" for the film.
Legalize - "Time to collect stones"In the middle of 2012, a mini-album of the musical group "Legal Bizne$$" - "Wu" was presented, in the recording of which, according to tradition, Menshikov also participated. Fans also saw popular artist in the project "Rage Inc", in which Legalize was assigned the role of producer.
In 2015, the artist shot a video for the song "Fight", which was recorded together with American group Onyx.
Legalize & Onyx - "Fight"In 2016 year Legalize released his second solo album "Alive". This disc has become a kind of return, or rather, a revival. These are almost two dozen tracks, and more than half of them were recorded in collaboration with prominent representatives of other genres - Ika and others. The album includes songs that have long been familiar to the listener, as well as previously unreleased compositions.
During his career, Legalize managed to work with singers (the song "Sky, fall asleep"), ("Melody of the Soul"), an artist ("Janaya"), rappers Decel ("God exists"), N "Pans ("Who are you") and the group "Velvet" ("I want to be with you").
Legalize & Dato - "Janaya"For some time, the artist did not give concerts, for which he repeatedly apologized to fans in in social networks. And in April 2017, Legalize presented the album “Live” at the Yota Space club, which appeared on the shelves back in 2016. Clips were shot for many songs from the disc (“Melody of the Soul”, “Ukroyu”, “Caravan”, “Karma”, “On the Day the War Ended”, “Gagarin”, “Fight”).
Personal life
Legalize tries not to advertise his personal life. But still, the journalists managed to find out that Menshikov was officially married to popular singer Simone Yori. The musicians were part of the same rap movement D. O. B. Community, and their romance developed rapidly, soon the lovers got married. At that time, Simone already had a child, Jacques-Anthony, whom Andrei Menshikov accepted as his own and even gave him his last name.
Unfortunately, over time, their relationship has exhausted itself, and the couple divorced. And then Jacques grew up and also decided to become a rap artist. And here the scandal erupted. Journalists vied with each other trumpeting that the son of Legalize did this, the son of Legalize did that. But at that time, Andrei and Jacques-Anthony did not communicate. In an interview, the musician says that it was a painful story, and today Jacques does not call himself his son, as, in principle, Menshikov - Jacques.
Thousands of questions from journalists rained down on Legalize, and the musician does not hide the fact that this greatly annoyed him. In his opinion, this is nothing more than an invasion of privacy. After all, today a man is happily married, he has a son who was born in 2008. But the rapper does not intend to talk about the current family with the press. This time he is even more closed from prying eyes.
In his "Instagram" for the most part, photos from concerts and posters of upcoming performances are posted, only occasionally flashes of joint shots with his son, and even less often with his wife. In July 2017, Legalize posted a photo of his sweetheart, which he affectionately captioned: “My love, my wife. 13 years together."
Legalize now
In 2017, Andrey and the singer recorded the single "Untouchables", which, according to the artist, was to be included in his next album. Fans have been looking forward to this event.
AT recent times many rappers are quite successful in fusing hip-hop with house. So Legalize decided to do something similar. In the fall of 2017, he recorded joint track with Moscow house duo Filatov & Karas. The video for the song "Another Day" was shot by Igor Voloshin, known for the films "Nirvana", "Olympius Inferno" and the TV series "Olga".
Filatov & Karas vs. Legalize - "One More Day"Home female role the video was performed by the athlete Angela Peresypkina. In the story, Legalize fights for survival in a post-apocalyptic world. He was accompanied by a dog, whom he treats with meat. The viewer liked this work, and in just 4 months the video gained 3 million views.
From the very beginning of 2018, the singer began to delight fans with new works. At the end of January, a clip of Legalize with Zdobsi Zdub and Loredana appeared on the Web. The song is called "Balkan Mom" and it sounds appropriate.
In March, a joint track was released with the group "25/17" called "Destiny (Damned Rap)".
Legalize - "Don't Trust the Hype" (video premiere, 2018)And in April 2018, the musician presented his third solo work - the disc "Young King". It includes 11 tracks. In the same month, the musician shot the first video for this album - "Do not believe the hype."
In June 2018, he gave a big honest video interview to The Flow YouTube channel, in which he spoke about his successes and weaknesses, and also shared a critical attitude towards his actions. The rapper admits that he understands that he cannot return his former popularity, but now he is in the right creative tone. Legalize continues to tour and gather full houses.
Name:
Legalize
Zodiac sign:
Crayfish
Eastern horoscope:
Snake
Place of Birth:
Moscow city
Activity:
rapper
The weight:
83 kg
Growth:
175 cm
Biography of Legalize
Legalize (real name Andrei Menshikov) is not just a talented rap artist and the idol of millions of listeners, it is also creative producer and one of the first members of the underground label D. O. B. Community. It seemed that he gets everything he wants: popularity, big fees, many fans, but behind all this success there is a long and difficult work.
Famous rapper Legalize
Legalize's fame peaked in the early 2000s; it was then that his best tracks saw the light.
Childhood and the Legalize family
The future popular rap artist was born on June 30, 1977 in Moscow. FROM early age the boy was fond of music exclusively and always knew for sure what he would connect his future with. After completing his studies at school, the young man decided to apply to the Chemical-Technological Institute. Unfortunately, he only lasted 4 years, as he became convinced that the technical specialty was not for him.
Andrey Menshikov (Legalize)
He was more attracted to music and the stage, and that's all. free time the guy dedicated it to her. After Andrei Menshikov first heard the American rappers N.W.A. in 1990, his life changed dramatically. Inspired by their work, he wanted to create something similar in Russian realities.
The beginning of a musical career
In 1993, thanks to a strange coincidence, the young man met the Moscow MC Ladjak. Together, young people created a project called Slingshot. The songs were written in English, since Russian-language rap in those days was complete terra incognita. At some point, it was even about a contract with an American label, but it did not work out. As part of this project, Legalize released the only album(in 2015) - "Salut From Russia".
Young Legalize
In 1994, Legalize entered the hip-hop formation D.O.B. Community" ("Department of bastards"), along with the guys from "Slaves of the Lamp", "Just Da Enemy" and "Beat Point". During this period, he took part in the recording of the group's album "D.O.B." and helped Slaves of the Lamp with early art.
Andrey Menshikov took the pseudonym Legalize
In 1996, the rapper left for the Congo, where he began to rap in French as part of the AERO Skwadra group.
In a new country, Andrey's worldview has changed dramatically, and he finally realized that rap is not a memorized text, but pure improvisation that comes from the heart.
Life in the Congo changed Legalize
A year later, he was forced to leave the country, as a civil war broke out in the Congo. Together with his wife, he was deported as a foreigner.
Upon returning to Russia, Legalize did his best to change the guys who still recorded rap under the label “D. O.B." Most free time, the guy tried to change the style and direct the mind of the guys in a completely different direction.
Legalize and Bad B. Alliance
In 1999, Legalize, together with Vlad Valov, organized "Bad B. Alliance" and literally a year later released the album "Rhythmomafia". After that, the guy decided to go to Prague, where he recorded another album, Provocation, on his label.
In 2005, he managed to attract the attention of the distributor label Monolith Records. In the same year, he became the most touring rapper in the country. Just a year later, his debut solo album XL was released.
MakSim ft. Legalize - Sky fall asleep
Having succeeded in hip-hop, Legalize opened all doors for himself. Starting from 2007 and ending in 2011, he took an active part in the life of the domestic rap scene and worked on his second solo album, produced by The Alchemist.
Legalize's personal life
Legalize was married to famous singer Simone Yori. Unfortunately, over time, their relationship ran out of steam, and they were forced to divorce even though they had common child- Son of Jacques.
Simone Yori - ex-wife Legalize
Having matured a little, the young man followed in the footsteps of his father and also began to write rap. Their relationship is rather tense, so they only communicate on social networks or send greetings through acquaintances.
Legalize, his wife and son
This does not bother Jacques at all, because he devotes all his free time to music. In one of the interviews, the guy admitted: “I’m sorry that we don’t communicate with my father, but it’s nice that he speaks flatteringly about my work.”
Legalize today
In the middle of 2012, the whole world saw the small album "Wu", and also fully enjoyed the participation famous artist in the project "Rage Inc", where Legalize was assigned the role of producer.
Legalize - Future Moms
In 2015, all his fans saw new clip for the song "Fight", which was recorded together with the famous American Onyx group. In the spring of 2016, another wonderful album "TBA" was released, which was approved by both fans and critics.
Legalize - I'll hide
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Born: 06/30/1977
Country Russia
Aliases: Ligalize, League
Bands: Slingshot, D.O.B. Community, AERO Skwadra, Legal Business$$, Bad Balance, Bad B. Alliance, P-13, AROST Inc.
Collaboration: D.O.B. Community", Sir-J, "Slaves of the Lamp", Slim, Jam Style & Da Boogie, N "Pans, Decl, "Casta", MC Young, "F.Y.P.M." (5Pluh, DJ Nik-One, Mezza Morta), Bogdan Titomir, Bi-2 MakSim Onyx
Legalize (Andrey Vladimirovich Menshikov) is a Russian rapper who became famous in hip-hop direction. On the this moment Ligazize is one of the best Moscow rappers.
His career begins in the distant 90s. After listening to N.W.A. "Straight Outta Compton", Andrey decides to take up rap music. His first project was called "Slingshot", which he organized together with another Moscow rapper - Ladjack. Few people at that time rapped in Russian, so the project was in English. Unfortunately, he did not bring much success. Then, in 1994, the League became the founder of an underground association called “D.O.B. Community” and one of the members of the group “D.O.B”, which also included the aforementioned Ladjack and Sir-J. Some time later, in 1996, Andrei (aka Legalize) decides to change his place of residence. So he moves to the Congo for whole year. But at this time, he does not leave his hobby - doing Hip-Hop. On the contrary, living in a new country, rapping in French, communicating with local rappers, all this helped him build new views on his hobby and gave him new ideas for an account of what the real style of Hip-Hop and rap should be.As the civil war begins in the Congo, the League has the opportunity to show their new skills in Russian rap.Here Andrey Menshikov begins a slightly different life.His vocals were sampled by one of the break dance– bands - Jam Style & Da Boogie.So their hit called "You wanted a party" reached good results on music TV channels, taking first place there.This event was one of his career breakthroughs.
The next event, which took place in 1998, was no less important in his life. I think you have already guessed what this event is. Of course, the creation of the Legal Business $$ group, together with the Afro-Russian rapper with the pseudonym N "Pans and DJ Tonik. Unlike previous projects, Legal Business $$ was originally designed for stage performances. The beginning became quite successful. Their first work - "Pack of Cigarettes" became a real hit. "Melody of my soul" became another song that also made positive impressions on the public. The end of the 90s was successful for Legalize: a lot of concerts, clips, recording an album in New York York ... after which Andrei disappears from their field of vision. He disappeared at the peak of his popularity. This again emphasizes its eccentricity, closeness. He commented on this situation something like this: At some point, I washed away from stress - I left for Prague to remember why I started making music at all
This trip brought tangible results. This can be seen in how anticipated his next project called “P-13” has become. After some time, Legalize returned to Russia: Without roots, without my listener, I also do not mean anything. All global plans are connected with Russia. Soon he opened his own label called “Intelligent Hooligan Productions”. After all this, Andrey became one of the most touring rappers and finally started working on his solo project.
In 2005, the rapper Legalize can please us with his video “First Squad”, which was positively evaluated by many people. In addition, this video was nominated for MTV Russian Music Awards 2005. In the movie "Bastards" you probably heard the track "No Love, No Longing, No Pity", which belongs to Andrei Menshikov. Well, one more track that should be mentioned here - “Future Mothers”, this song was often played on radio stations at one time, and I think it fell to the soul of many. In 2006 Legalize gives us his solo album - "XL". He became very successful for Andrey. His release was very important, because the League had been going to this for at least 10 years of its solo career. In addition to the three above-mentioned tracks: “Future Mothers”, “Bastards” and “First Squad”, the album includes 9 more tracks. If you listen to all these songs, you will understand that he combined rap different directions: from lyrics to underground rap.
from English. legalise - legalization) - official recognition at the state level of marijuana as a legal, legal drug for sale. Partial L. - the exclusion of marijuana from the list of substances, the possession, sale and purchase of which entails criminal liability. The term gained currency during the peak of Bob Marley's songs, in particular his hit "Legalise it".
To date, complete L. has occurred in one country - the Kingdom of the Netherlands. There, marijuana is sold in special trading establishments - coffee shops. Prices vary depending on the variety. Anyone can buy a joint (joint in the Western style) or a certain amount of "grass" by weight. Marijuana festivals are held regularly.
In essence, the cannabis trade has grown into a thriving travel business and brings both entrepreneurs and the state a considerable profit. However, foreigners are warned that the export of marijuana outside the Kingdom is their personal risk: in the rest of the world, things are not so brilliant with L..
In the countries of the European Community, the attitude towards soft drugs is also very liberal. The maximum that threatens a person who is found to have marijuana (and in a significant amount) is either the confiscation of the potion or a fine. In Britain, they are already preparing for L. - there the grass was removed from the list of criminally prosecuted drugs and, as an experiment, was allowed to be sold in pharmacies for medicinal purposes. Significant legislative relaxations have been adopted in Germany and Denmark.
As for the United States and the countries of the former Eastern Bloc, the situation here is difficult. Most states maintain the strictest laws on all types of drugs, making absolutely no distinction between marijuana and heroin. In the Baltics, they tried to carry out a minimal L., mainly for the sake of tourists, but then the undertaking died out. Well, in the CIS for marijuana, they can still be imprisoned for several years, after having thrown more dangerous drugs.
The topic of L., of course, is discussed. But society is completely unprepared for a serious, fact-based conversation. There are many reasons for this. The main one, of course, is the conservative self-consciousness that has been insisting for centuries. The view of cannabis as a terrible drug, addictive almost after the first dose, cannot be changed.
so simple. The criticism by the supporters of L. of the manufacturers of tobacco and alcohol is not without meaning - the latter are not at all interested in the appearance on the market of legal cannabis, which can be a very serious competitor to alcohol and nicotine addiction. In addition, the preservation of the “marijuana” article allows law enforcement officers to imitate an active fight against crime, arresting young people caught with a “jamb” in batches, and opens up the widest opportunities for abuse by the punitive authorities.
For all that, such an attitude does not prevent politicians from using the theme of L. in their own interests. Thus, before the 1999 presidential elections in Ukraine, government PR agents distributed among students a leaflet “Kuchma chooses legalization - we choose Kuchma” (!).
A change in the state of things with L. seems to be in the distant future. This requires the transformation of the entire post-Soviet society. Whatever you say, L. is a luxury that only rich, stable democracies can afford. In a poor, corrupt state, where the level of freedom of an individual depends on proximity to power or the thickness of the wallet, a constantly existing multifaceted enemy is needed in the form of organized crime, drug mafia, etc. To legalize marijuana, you first need to legalize your own diversity - cultural, social, racial . And this is a matter of many, many years.
Legalize- Andrey Menshikov - was born on 06/30/1977 in Moscow. Studied at the "Russian Chemical-Technological University". After studying there for 4 years, he was convinced that it was very far from music, and not for him. He started like everyone else: one fine day he heard rap, which immediately captured him, his favorite group was always Run D.M.C.
The first attempt to create a group: Legalize - this is just the same originally the name of his first group. The guys never signed up, the group fell apart. Only Andrey remained from it, and this name - Legalize passed to him. The first active band was Slingshot, formed with a man like Ladjak. This group was part of the D.O.B. community. D.O.B. stands for Department Of Bustas - "Department of Hooligans". There used to be a group D.O.B., which included Ladjak and Sir-J, then Legalize and Ladjak united in the duet Slingshot and the name D.O.B. became the name of the party. Not just a name musical group, but the name of the party, which included several groups: Bust A.S!, Slingshot, Slaves of the Lamp, Just Da Enemy.
They recorded English-language rap, because they wanted to be original, and that was the trick - Slingshot were the only group that professionally (worthy) read in English. They were staunch underground, ie. went for it consciously and never set themselves the goal of becoming popular group. They did what only experts recognized. It can be summed up like this: rap is only for rappers. But then the League realized that he wanted something more, he wanted a larger audience. Still with English language the audience is very limited, not many can understand. He decided that he had something to say in Russian, something to convey to the ears of the listener, and he just wanted to be understood.
The League happened to live for more than a year in French colony in the African country of the Congo. - I saw a prospect there, there was an opportunity to earn good money. Of course, I would not become a musician there, but I would provide for my family. The colony had close ties with France, and in France, as you know, hip-hop is very developed. There, Legalize communicated with French MCs, with French rappers, worked in a group of four people. They worked in clubs, at private parties. Staying there turned his whole mind upside down. In the Congo, Andrei met with a completely different approach to rap: rap is improvisation, it comes from the soul, and not some memorized text that you chatter to the rhythm. And he brought this approach to Russia. The league has really changed a lot. He couldn't still work at D.O.B. Like before, tried to change it, pull the guys in new style but failed. Nothing happened, their paths diverged. And the League returned because the war broke out in the Congo, and he and his wife were evacuated as foreigners. There he had no real friends - despite the fact that he was well received, he was a stranger.
Andrei used to go in for sports, but did not set any special records. True, he often got into such stories when he had to dump quickly. So I learned to run, life forced me. He thinks that wide rapper pants are the most comfortable! Clothing in a denim-sports style does not hinder movement, in it you feel relaxed, calm. That's exactly right. And in general, he selects things according to the weather, and not according to the label. The older you get, the calmer. It is common for young people to go on the rampage. According to the League, all showdowns are a waste of time and effort, so he avoids them. - The strength of a man is manifested in the fact that he can resolve the situation in his favor, - he believes, - But when a conflict is inevitable, you have to fight. Music is not going to quit. Everything that he will do in the future will be related to show business: maybe producing musical groups, will write lyrics ... Legalize is the editor of the Hip-Hop Info magazine, writes articles for it, but now he is moving further and further away from him, because he wants to make music more. He loves all kinds of music, but rap is his business, his profession.
I'm trying to be original, in order to achieve respect for hip-hop culture. If he had not been engaged in "Legal business", then he would not have been engaged in illegal business, it is not in his nature. But there were many bandit friends in the yard, like everyone else. young man today. Before the eyes of the League, some classmates died from drugs, someone was killed. Someone dealt in drugs, there is, of course, crime, and there was the temptation of money, but somehow he did not get involved and does not regret it. He, thank God, had enough head. Many of his friends also started listening to hip-hop. Legalize was dragged out, and they went the other way. He says that in Russia there is no person yet who would invest in hip-hop. And you have to invest a lot of money. Maybe Tolmatsky (DeCl's father) is the first person in show business who decided to deal with hip-hop and saw the future in it. The lyrics are written mainly by the League. Pans is also a poet, but he needs help with the Russian language. And sometimes Legalize does not have the patience to edit the text written by Pans, and he prefers to rewrite it entirely, without infringing on its authorship, but simply trying to make it understandable to a Russian person.
Legalize participated in such bands as Slingshot, D.O.B. , AERO Skwadra , Legal Business$$, Bad Balance, Bad B. Alliance, P-13 (Czech Republic). Has its own label: Intelligent Hooligan Productions. In pretty bad relationship With famous Vlad Gross.
Legalize discography
Solo albums:
