Sergey Zhukov (musician)

Zhukov was born on 22 May 1976, in a Russian-Tatar family. At school, he was an excellent student and liked the humanities, but later became passionate about music and began playing in bands. At the age of 14, he started singing in the Dimitrovgrad band "Vasya" (), named after its leader Vasily Kutlubaev. In 1991, the band "Vasya" won the song contest Province 91, and Sergey was invited for an interview on Dimitrovgrad television. In 1993, he graduated from school and moved to Samara. In June 1993, he began working at the radio station Europa Plus Samara and hosted the dance music program Hit Hour. At the radio station that same year, he met Aleksey Potekhin, with whom he created the group Uncle Ray and Company (named after Ray Slijngaard of the group 2 Unlimited), whose music combined elements of eurodance and techno. In 1993, he entered the . He lived in the institute's dormitory for half a year. In 1999, he graduated with a degree as a "director of show programs, organizer of cultural and leisure activities for youth". In December 1994, together with Aleksey Potekhin, he moved to Tolyatti, where they tried to record songs in a studio, while continuing to travel to Samara for radio broadcasts on Europa Plus. While living in Tolyatti, Sergey Zhukov began dating his first wife, Elena Dobyndo, the daughter of the then vice-president of AvtoVAZ. Their romance did not begin immediately — after some time, Zhukov moved to Moscow, Elena also ended up in Moscow, and after another date there, they decided never to part again. Shortly after the wedding, their daughter Alexandra was born. However, their family life did not work out, quarrels increasingly arose, and four years later Elena decided to file for divorce. The divorce was very difficult for Zhukov — he fell into depression and made several attempts to reconcile with his wife, but was unable to restore the family. Soon after the divorce, Elena moved to the United States with their daughter. Sergey regained his emotional balance thanks to meeting Regina Burd, a member of the group Slivki. After a marriage proposal made by Sergey during a yacht trip, Regina agreed to marry him. In 2023, Zhukov served as showrunner, general and music producer, as well as scriptwriter of the musical drama "Crybaby" (), produced by "Ruki Vverh!" production (commissioned by STS channel). The lead role in the series was played by his daughter Nika. In 2024, he became a mentor and producer of the show New Star Factory on the TNT channel. == Ruki Vverh! ==

Sergey Zhukov considers the beginning of his career to be 1 May 1995, when he arrived in Moscow. In Moscow, he worked as a DJ at the radio stations Roks and Maximum. The name "Ruki Vverh" was given on radio Maximum at the end of 1996. Producer Andrey Malikov became interested in the group, leading to concerts and tours. == Solo career ==

In 2002, Sergey Zhukov released his first solo album, "Territory" (). In 2004, the album "Territory. Tenderness" () was released. After the breakup of "Ruki Vverh!" in 2006, Sergey recorded the album "In Search of Tenderness" (). In the summer of 2012, a clip for the joint song with the band USB, "Say, Why?" (), was released. On 16 September 2013, a music video with singer "Wings" (), was also released. Other • On 30 October 2014, a new song was released with former wards of Sergei Zhukov , , and Timur Vagapov — "Be Silent" (). • In 2017, Sergey Zhukov took under his management the women's football team "Ruki Vverh!". • In 2018, the group Little Big together with Sergey Zhukov filmed a music video for the song "The slamming boys" (). In the song, Sergey Zhukov performs the chorus, and in the video he plays a key role. • Gayazovs Brothers and the group "Ruki Vverh!" released the joint track "For the Dance Floor" (). The single premiered online on 19 March 2021. In it, the musicians sing that they go on stage "for the dance floor, dad, mom, and you," and call on everyone dancing with them to throw depression out of their minds. • In November 2021, Sergey Zhukov, together with his son Angel, released a song entitled "Boom-Boom!", which became the soundtrack to the animated film "" . == Discography ==

Solo albums • 2002: Territory () • 2004: Territory. Tenderness () Singles • 2021: For the Dance Floor () (feat. Gayazovs Brothers) == Controversy ==

He performed at the pro-Putin and pro-war 2022 Moscow rally. He is currently banned from performing in the EU and the Ukraine. == References ==