Bad Balance facts for kids

Bad Balance is a famous Russian rap group. Many people think they were one of the very first rap bands in the USSR. Throughout the 1990s, they had many loyal fans who loved their unique sound. The group helped hip-hop music grow a lot in Russia and other countries that used to be part of the USSR. SHEFF, who started Bad Balance and has always been a member, is often seen as a pioneer of hip-hop culture in Russia. For many years, he has been a leader in Russian old-school hip-hop.

The Story of Bad Balance

How Bad Balance Started

Bad Balance began in the 1980s in Saint Petersburg, Russia. It started as a breakdance group. Two students from Donetsk, Vlad Valov (known as SHEFF) and Sergey Krutikov (known as Mikhey), formed the group. Later, they started rapping instead of just breakdancing. In 1989, they released their first album. It was called "Vishe Zakona" (which means "Above the Law").

The Classic Era of Bad Balance

During the 1990s, the band became very popular. They traveled all over Russia, Europe, and even the USA. They performed more than 500 shows around the world. No other Russian rap band has been able to achieve that much popularity since then.

The Bad B. Alliance Years

After a while, Mikhey decided to leave the band. He wanted to start his own career as a reggae and soul singer. Meanwhile, SHEFF formed a new group called "Bad B. Alliance." Both Mikhey and SHEFF's new project became very popular.

In 2001, Bad Balance released a highly anticipated album. It was called "Kamenniy les" (meaning "Stone Wood"). This album was special because it was recorded in New York City. It featured many international artists like Rad Roc, B. Ricks, and T.R. Love. "Kamenniy les" helped introduce Russian hip-hop music to the rest of the world. Many fans and music critics still believe it is the best Russian-language hip-hop album ever made.

On September 16, 2016, Bad Balance released their 12th studio album. It was titled "Politics".