Max Barskih rose to fame in Ukraine and
post-Soviet countries in 2008 as a participant of the Ukrainian talent show "
Fabryka Zirok 2" (Star Factory 2).
In 2010, Max Barskih was awarded "Best Ukrainian Act" at the
MTV Europe Music Awards, marking his first major award win. but narrowly lost to
Gaitana who represented Ukraine in
Baku with her song "Be My Guest". Max Barskih has won numerous awards, including "Singer of the Year" Awards at the Baltic Music Awards 2011, the
M1 Music Awards 2017, and at the
Top Hit Music Awards 2020. and has also directed most of his music videos. Barskih's videos have gained popularity in the
Commonwealth of Independent States. The director likes to use a variety of visual effects for many of his videos, such as in the music videos for "Теряю тебя" ("Lost in Love") which was released in 3D format in the CIS nations. Barskih composes the music Most of his songs are in Russian, but he has also sung in Ukrainian (e.g. "Небо" and "Двоє") and in English (e.g. "Z.Dance"
(partly in English) and "Silence"
(entirely in English)). During the
2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Barskih joined the
Armed Forces of Ukraine. In summer 2023, he started a world tour in support of Ukraine from Lisbon. ==Other ventures==