Dima Bilan

Dima Bilan / Дима Билан

Published: April 25, 2016

Dima Bilan was born in Karachay-Cherkessia, a republic in Russia’s Caucasus region. He entered a specialty musical school in the fifth grade, where he studied primarily the accordion. He also took part in several youth contests in Karachay-Cherkessia and in Moscow.

He entered the prestigious Gnessin Musical Academy in 2000. He met his future producer, Yuri Ajzenshpisom, when he arrived at Gnessin. His first MTV video was released that same year. After graduation, he completed studies at GITIS, a top theater school in Russia.

Bilan’s first hit came with “Я ночной хулиган” (“I’m a Night Hooligan”) in 2003. He released several more hits, won several prizes, and then was selected to represent Russia at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2005 and took second with “Nobody Hurt No One.” On the strength of his performance, we was selected to again represent Russia in 2006, singing “Never Gonna Let You Go.” He took only 13th place then, however. Both songs were sung in English.

In 2005, Bilan’s producer died and Bilan elected to break his contract with Ajzenshpisom’s company after the 2006 Eurovision contest. This began a major legal battle as Bilan’s real name is Viktor Belan. He adopted the pseudonym Dima Bilan under the advice of Ajzenshpisom, and his former company (now taken over by Ajzenshpisom’s widow), owned the rights to the name. Although his public profile dropped a time, under the advice of his new producer, Bilan simply had his name legally changed to Dima Bilan. As rights to a real name cannot be owned in Russia, the battle was ended in 2008.

That same year, Bilan returned to Eurovision, taking first place with “Believe,” again sung in English. He is still singing and releasing hits today, but is perhaps better known as a general celebrity, helping host The Voice, a new talent search show on TV, participating in Russia’s Stars on Ice, and acting in several films (including voicing Hans for the Russian release of Frozen).

Dima Bilan has also been active in politics, including being listed as a candidate for the nationalist LDPR party for the Belgorod Region Duma. He has also, however, voiced more moderate political and social views than many Russians, saying, for instance, on the issue of gay pride parades that there is no need to ban those “who are calling for love and celebration” and praising the Bolotnaya Protests of 2011. He has also, however, supported more conservative causes, actively supporting President Vladimir Putin, condemning foreign artists who raise issues of human rights in Russia, and he has participated in events celebrating Crimea’s annexation.

Find Dima on Amazon

One of Bilan’s early hits was “Ночной хулиган” (Night Hooligan)

Text for “Ночной хулиган”

Я ночной хулиган, у меня есть наган,
Я похож на маман и я вечно пьян.
Ну и что, ну и что сильный, смелый зато,
Загорелый зато и хожу в пальто.

Я к тебе прилечу, я за всё заплачу,
Тебя озолочу, я тебя хочу.
Я не самый плохой, просто я не святой,
И лишь только с тобой я найду покой.

Когда смотрю в твои глаза, я понимаю,
Мне без тебя никак нельзя, точно знаю.
Я ночной хулиган, у меня есть талант,
Я крутой музыкант и я вечно пьян.

Ты попала в капкан, а ключи у маман,
У меня лишь наган и хороший план.
Мы с тобой улетим куда захотим,
Дерева посадим и детей родим.

Будем вместе всегда дни, недели, года,
Не умрём никогда да-да-да да-да.
Когда смотрю в твои глаза, я понимаю,
Мне без тебя никак нельзя, точно знаю.

Я ночной хулиган, в деле я атаман,
А в постели гигант, просто ураган.
От меня не сбежишь, ты же мной дорожишь,
Очень часто звонишь, по ночам не спишь.

Я ночной хулиган, у меня есть наган,
Я похож на маман и я вечно пьян.
Ну и что, ну и что, сильный, смелый зато,
Загорелый зато и хожу в пальто.
Я ночной хулиган, я ночной хулиган.
Хулиган.

Find Dima on Amazon

One of his most popular songs on YouTube is “Невозможное возможно” (The Impossible Possible)

Text for “Невозможное возможно”

Я знаю точно – невозможное возможно
Сойти с ума, влюбиться так неосторожно
Найти тебя, не отпускать ни днем ни ночью
Все невозможное – возможно, знаю точно!

А где тебя искать, прошу ты мне ответь
В какие города, мне за тобой лететь
Я готов на край Земли, я все должен объяснить
Пойми что без тебя, я не умею жить

Я знаю точно – невозможное возможно
Сойти с ума, влюбиться так неосторожно
Найти тебя, не отпускать ни днем ни ночью
Все невозможное – возможно, знаю точно!

Все готов делить, с тобой я пополам
Ты только мне поверь, я сделал выбор сам
Дай же мне последний шанс, я все должен объяснить
Пойми, что без тебя я не умею жить

Я знаю точно – невозможное возможно
Сойти с ума, влюбиться так неосторожно
Найти тебя, не отпускать ни днем ни ночью
Все невозможное – возможно, знаю точно!

About the author

Josh Wilson

Josh has lived in Moscow since 2003, when he first arrived to study Russian with SRAS. He holds an M.A. in Theatre and a B.A. in History from Idaho State University, where his masters thesis was written on the political economy of Soviet-era censorship organs affecting the stage. At SRAS, Josh assists in program development and leads our Home and Abroad Programs. He is also the editor-in-chief for the SRAS newsletter, the SRAS Family of Sites, and Vestnik. He has previously served as Communications Director to Bellerage Alinga and has served as a consultant or translator to several businesses and organizations with interests in Russia.

Program attended: SRAS Staff Member

View all posts by: Josh Wilson