The Kazka group is a unique creation of Ukrainian show business. Experimental pop, electro-folk or indie pop – it’s difficult to define a single style in which they perform. The members of the group are so original that it is impossible not to notice them against the background of other performers. An original voice, multi-instrumentation, professional arrangement and direction, the use of little-known Transcarpathian instruments - all together create an incredible ensemble. And even despite the principled position of the band members to sing exclusively in Ukrainian, they blow up the world ratings and release one single after another.
The Kazka group consists of three members, each of whom brings a special note:
Alexandra Zaritskaya
Vocalist of the group. Born on August 3, 1993 in Kyiv into a family of lawyers. From an early age, she willingly danced and loved to sing, but never dreamed of being a singer. One incident changed everything: at a school celebration in the 10th grade, having overcome fear, embarrassment and uncertainty, she performed a Shakira song. The audience was delighted and gave a standing ovation. And then young Sasha realized that singing was her calling. Nevertheless, she decided to enroll in law school.
During her student years, Alexandra worked part-time in karaoke bars and clubs. She lived in Odessa for some time, but then returned to the capital again to thoroughly immerse herself in music. That's when she met Nikita, with whom they created the group Kazka.
Nikita Budash
Little is known about the biography of this band member. He is originally from Kyiv, graduated from the National Academy of Management Personnel of Culture and Arts, and became a professional sound engineer. For some time he worked and gained experience in the Komora recording studio. Then he created his own. In 2011 he was a member of the group Dead Boys Girlfriend.
Dmitry Mazuryak
The performer who joined the team last, in 2018. He had a passion for instruments since childhood. His first teacher was a rural musician, then he graduated from a local music school and entered the Kiev Pedagogical Institute (Faculty of Arts). His love for folk instruments has grown into something more - today he has already mastered more than 50 of them. Mostly these are unique and little-known Transcarpathian instruments, including the sopilka, trembita, cymbals and others. As a student, he tried in every possible way to earn a living - he performed in underground passages. At the same time, he periodically gave lectures on instruments. At one of these he met Alexandra and Nikita, who at that time had already formed a group.
Almost nothing is known about the personal lives of the participants. They always laugh it off and don’t admit whether they have soul mates. And let us note that they do it very gracefully. The composition of the group has not changed in two years.
The path to creating Kazka as we know it
The first serious achievement of vocalist Alexandra Zaritskaya was participation in the television project “Voice of the Country”. This stage of life taught her a lot, opened paths to development, and instilled confidence in her abilities.
4 months after the creation of the team in 2017, Alexandra and Nikita launched their first hit “Svyata”. And he immediately blew up all the radio stations. And after Sergei Tkachenko directed and helped film the video, the Kazka group instantly “scattered” across all TV channels and topped almost all ratings.
The next important stage was the participation of the already formed group in the television project “X-Factor”. They successfully passed all the castings and ended up in the team of the talented Andrey Danilok. They lasted five broadcasts, showed all their strengths, and won the hearts of many fans. But unfortunately, the victory was never won.
Immediately after leaving the project, the team presented a new song “Diva”. Success was not long in coming. Already on the day of its premiere, this single soared to first position in the top iTunes chart.
For two years in a row (2018 and 2019), the Kazka group participated in the national selections for Eurovision. At the first they took 6th place, at the second – 3rd. But, despite this, due to the scandal that broke out during the selection, the team was still offered to represent their country at the international competition. Having made a joint decision, they refused.
The history of the formation of the Kazka group is very complex. Luck was not as smiling on them as they would have liked. But they were able to overcome all the difficulties and unpleasant moments. Nothing can affect their creative development, because enthusiasm, energy and desire to create a high-quality Ukrainian product are higher than this.
Achievements and awards
To date, the music group has existed for more than two years. In such a short period of time, no Ukrainian performer has ever managed to achieve such victories.
Getting to the top of iTunes was the first, but not the only achievement of the group. According to the Karabas Live magazine and the Kraina FM radio station, the team was recognized as the “Best Debut of the Year.” The song "Svyata" was named "Best Song by a Pop Group." The composition “Crying” received the “Hit of the Year” statuette, and the group itself was repeatedly awarded the title “Breakthrough of the Year”
. You should also add awards to this list:
YUNA – “Discovery of the Year”, “Best Pop Group”, “Best Album”, “Best Song”, “Best Video Clip”;
“Gold Firebird” - “New Names”, “Breakthrough of the Year”, “Hit of the Year”, “Clip of the Year”, “Pop Group”;
M1 Music Awards - “Hit of the Year”.
The popularity of “Kazka” owes much to the YouTube channel: a record number of views and likes allowed it to enter the “Top 100 best clips on YouTube.”
The group's highest achievement was getting into one of the most prestigious world charts, Top 10 Global Shazam. Before this, none of the Ukrainian performers had been recorded there.
World fame came after the release of the song “Crying”. It was a real explosion: millions of views, first places in the ratings not only of the native country, but also near and far abroad, participation in several categories of the most prestigious world charts at once!
Today, the Ukrainian group continues to move forward without losing ground in its popularity. They have talent, zeal, opportunity and boundless love from fans. We are confident that a great future awaits them. You can keep up with the latest events and plans of performers in the artist directory on the website kontramarka.de.
Discography:
2018 – album KARMA
"Karma"
"Holy"
"Ignore"
"Diva"
"Herself"
"Cried"
"Nobody"
"Movchati"
"Dance"
"Vin"
Clips:
2017 – “Saints”
2018 – “Diva”
2018 – “Crying”
