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With a glittering double-headed eagle on his back, Russian pop star Shaman takes the stage and sends the audience crazy. For years he failed to make a breakthrough. But a year ago he found the recipe for success: he sings about Russia, fallen soldiers and recycles songs from the Soviet Union – and has become an important pop figure for Russian President Vladimir Putin (70).
The young man with the platinum blonde hair is now referred to as the “voice of special operations”. Jaroslaw Dronow (31), who calls himself Shaman, used the war to launch his career. His patriotic songs resonate across the country, but he goes further. Dronow met wounded soldiers in the war zone and gave concerts in annexed Kherson. In gratitude, the soldiers fired into the air. And: He was already on stage with Putin and sang the Russian national anthem.
There is no room left at a concert in Moscow in March. The audience is a colorful mix: girls in sweatpants, older men in suits, tattooed youths, well-groomed women with hair up – Putin’s pop star brings them all together. Russian flags are distributed to the crowd for free, the “FAZ” writes.
Shaman sings Putin’s patriotic propaganda
Dronov preaches Putin’s main propaganda: Home is the family, which must be defended. He released his most famous song “Let’s Get Up” just a day before the Russian invasion. “The heroes of Russia will remain in our hearts – until the end,” it says. The text was actually dedicated to the soldiers in World War II, but Russia’s attack on Ukraine suddenly makes the text more relevant than ever.
Dronow made his breakthrough with this ballad. Since then, patriotic lyrics and war symbolism have played a major role in his songs. In November, a new version of “Let’s Get Up” was released – accompanied by scenes from Ukraine, tanks with Z symbols and monuments commemorating the deceased. With this, Dronow once again makes his political position clear.
Dronov’s song “I am Russian” is now part of patriotic education in Russia and is sometimes sung in class. There is also an instruction to put your right fist in the air.
“I am Russian” was met with criticism
That is precisely why the song is not well received by everyone. Jelena Affnaseva, a member of the Council of the Russian Federation, asked for the song to be revised due to suspicion of extremism. Dronow was also accused of inciting the song to “ethnic hatred”. So far there are no consequences.
Dronow managed to earn a lot of money from his patriotic performances. The young man, who groaned for fame and popularity for many years, achieved fame by exploiting the war.
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
