Super Alisa

This weekend my friend Inge, who studies Russian in Kyiv, came to visit Crimea with a few friends.  While she was here, she gave me some music by Super Alisa, a singer from Tatarstan who has apparently already won over the hearts of hipsters worldwide regardless of their Russian or Tatar speaking abilities.


Note for my readers:  Super Alisa is from Tatarstan in Russia - she is not a Crimean Tatar.  Many understandably confuse Crimean Tatars with other Tatar groups, especially Volga Tatars.  While Tatars have a shared history and all speak a Turkic language, their languages and recent histories are quite different.

This song - Tatarstan super good - is incredibly catchy and fun...

I thought I'd translate the lyrics of this second one because it was pretty simple, but of course it was difficult to  make it come out right - give it a listen if you read the lyrics.

I'm Super Alica, a Tatar singer

Dance if you're not sitting down

I'm going to sing you some useful advice

Don't drink alcohol or eat pork

Remember while you are dancing to always think of the great god

Look, don't avoid the correct road

Think all the time about the one and only god

The only thing not cool about this video is that she seems to be playing air guitar on an actual guitar

And the best for last...how could I not include "Aquatic Robot," sung in Russian and Tatar:




Here is Google's translation of a review on Obshestvennoe Mnenie

The most joyous release of the last time. And with a completely unexpected side. Kazan girl Alice about 18 recorded an album at home and distribute it via the Internet. "Electroclash", adapted to the conditions of the Tatars. Funny and cheerful Muzychka in these still-trendy nostalgic style with Russian-Tatar texts. In music, as it should be, reflection on the theme of dance hits of the 80's - early 90's, wrapped in modern electronic wrapper. Texts, again, as expected, about space, robots and genetics. But that adds a sizeable color, about God and about the fact that you can not eat pork. And all this with a thin girlish voice. Plus some places male rap in the Tatar language. There are, of course, and several remixes. Head hit album - No Limit from the repertoire of 2 Unlimited, referred to here as "Cosmos". Sound quality, though quite average, but the atmosphere is compensated.

What exactly is her deal?  That is a question You Tube users seem to be battling out in the comments.  Under one video, a user asked if she was "for real" or a sort of joke.  Another user responded by asking of Verka Serduchka - the popular cross-dressing, surzhyk (a mix of Russian and Ukrainian) speaking famous and singer - was "for real."  See her in this video - "Jump, Jump!" - dancing around in traditional Ukrainian clothes at a traditional Ukrainian dinner.

Both of there performers are quite interesting - they both incorporate and challenge the traditions and images of their cultures in their music.  Any readers reminded of other boundary-crossing performers form the former Soviet Union?  I'd love to hear about them!