Ligalize
| Ligalize | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Andrey Vladimirovich Menshikov |
| Also known as | Liga |
| Born | June 30, 1977 |
| Origin | Moscow, Soviet Union |
| Genres | R&B, Hip hop |
| Years active | 1993–present |
| Labels | Intelligentny khuligan Productions |
| Associated acts | D.O.B Community, AERO Skwadra, Legal Busine$$, Bad Balance |
Andrey Vladimirovich Menshikov (Russian: Андре́й Влади́мирович Ме́ньшиков, born 30 June 1977, in Moscow), mostly known under his stage name Ligalize (Russian: Лигалайз), is a Russian hip hop artist and a former leader of the Legal Busine$$ band. Ligalize was also a member of D.O.B. and Bad Balance.
Menshikov was born July 30, 1977 in Moscow. Hip-hop came in 1993: Legalize and Ladjack organized the project "Slingshot". He called himself "Legalize" because that was the name of his first group. Slingshot was a more serious project. They began by rapping in English, as the Russian language did not seem appropriate for rap, and recorded their first underground album.
Slingshot was the main part of the "Department Of Bastards" (D.O.B.). The founder of this group is Sir-J, whose background included the experience of living in neighborhoods of the Bronx. Legalize participated in D.O.B.'s recording "Rushun Roolet", an English-language rap with a hard underground sound.
In 1996 Legalize went to the Congo. Africa became his home after a year there. There Legalize worked with the French-speaking hip-hop group AERO Skwadra. According to him, life in the Congo and communication with local rappers were enriching experiences that broadened his views on what could be rap. A year later, civil war broke out in the Congo. Foreigners were evacuated, leading Legalize to return to Moscow.
In Moscow Legalize completed work on the album "Мастера Слова" ("Masters of Words"). For this album, Legalize rapped in Russian. The album featured his easily recognizable voice and unique style, rich in imagery and vivid metaphors. Legalize quickly became a leader in the Russian hip-hip scene. Currently, his prominence in underground hip-hop has begun to flourish in the mainstream.
The breakdance team Jam Style & Da Boogie used his a capella rapping for two tracks, "Вы Хотели Party" ("You wanted a party") and "Все Вместе На Месте" ("All together on the spot"). The first of these was a real hit, used in rotation on video channels and topping the MTV hit parade. This success attracted the attention of producer Alexander Tolmatsky, who created the record label and concert agency Miksmedia Mediastar. This was the first hip-hop company in Russia.
Project "Legal Busine$$" (Легальный Бизне$$) with N'Pans seemed more attractive than just a solo MC Legalize. In general terms, the project looked like this: a talented Russian MC (Legalize), colorful black MC (N'Pans) and capable DJ (DJ Ton1k). The group launched the hit "Пачка Сигарет" ("A pack of cigarettes"). Using a track chorus Victor Tsoi, led to intense opposition from some fans of the deceased singer, but the hit turned out a hundred-percent level. As for the borrowing - Puff Daddy used refrain from Sting's song for his track "I'll Be Missing You ", and all reacted to this with full understanding.
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