Andrei Shirman (Андрей Ширман), also known as “Smash”, is a successful Russian electronic and house DJ. He performs in Russian and English, generally favoring English and occasionally mixing the languages in one song.
Shirman was born May 23, 1982 in Perm, Russia.Both of his parents had a love for music. His father was a jazz musician and his mother was a professor of music. They made sure that he started his musical education early and had him playing the piano by age six. When Shirman was eight years old, he began composing his own music. By the time he was fourteen, he had released his first album, which sold over 500 copies.
The album was played at a local nightclub in Perm called Apocalypsis, and Shirman was offered a job there shortly afterwards due to the popularity of the album. He accepted the offer, adopted the stage name “Smash,” and began performing. Eventually, he transferred to Moscow and dove into the club scene, becoming popular for as he shifted his style to retro house music.
In 2006, at age twenty-three, Shirman received the Russia Night Life Award, becoming its youngest holder in history. Later in 2006, he released his first #1 hit “Moscow Never Sleeps.” His first studio album, IDDQD, was released in 2008 and quickly reached platinum status. The album won him the Debut of the Year award and the Best Dance Album award later in 2008. Shirman also won the prestigious Golden Gramophone award in 2009, which is the Russian equivalent of the Grammy.
From 2010 to 2012, Shirman spent much of his time touring and playing sets in famous clubs throughout Europe. At the same time, he opened a restaurant in Moscow and formed a live band so that he could branch out of DJing. The New World (Новый мир), his third studio album, was released in 2013 and achieved platinum status. The album also won him the MUZ TV music award, which completed his collection of every prestigious award in Russia’s music and show business industries.
In 2014, Shirman branched out from Europe and played several sets in the New York City night club scene. He also released his fourth album, which was relatively successful but only reached #9 on the Russian charts. From 2015 onwards, Shirman has released several new singles. One such single, “Lovers 2 Lovers,” has been considered political commentary on Russia’s current treatment of same-sex couples. The song lyrics mention both heterosexual and homosexual couples, and the song’s music video includes lesbian couples. The comment section of the YouTube version of the song features heated debates on the topic.
Today Shirman is considered to be one of the most successful and highest paid Russian DJs. He currently continues to tour and produce music. He also co-owns and manages a network of 12 clubs and restaurants in Moscow and Sochi.
Here is his break out single, “Moscow Never Sleeps:”
Lyrics for “Moscow Never Sleeps”
Moscow never sleeps
Я люблю тебя, Москва, люблю тебя
Moscow never sleeps
Moscow never sleeps
Я люблю тебя, Москва, люблю тебя
Moscow never sleeps
Moscow never sleeps
Moscow never sleeps
Я люблю тебя, Москва, люблю тебя
Moscow never sleeps
Moscow never sleeps
Я люблю тебя, Москва, люблю тебя
Moscow never sleeps
And here is his controversial “Lovers 2 Lovers:”
Lyrics for “Lovers 2 Lovers:”
From lovers to lovers.
From lovers to lovers.
From lovers to lovers.
From lovers to lovers.
From boys to girls,
From these girls to boys,
From boys to girls,
From lovers to lovers.
From lovers to lovers.
From lovers to lovers.
From lovers to lovers.
From lovers to lovers.
Can stare as the place’s charmed,
The sky is golden, the ocean’s blue.
A thousand lovers and there is one
That’s made for you.
From boys to girls
There’s a magic touch,
You feel it in the air.
From girls to boys
An electric rush
Strips our bodies down.
From boys to girls,
From girls to boys,
From boys to girls,
From girls to boys,
From boys to boys,
From girls to girls,
From boys to girls,
From lovers to lovers.
From lovers to lovers
From lovers to lovers
From lovers to lovers
From lovers to lovers
From lovers to lovers
From lovers to lovers
From lovers to lovers
From lovers to lovers
From lovers to lovers
From lovers to lovers
This entry written by SRAS student Jack Fischer
Jack Fischer is majoring in Physics with Russian and Economics minors at Iowa State University of Science and Technology in Ames, Iowa. He is studying Russian as a Second Language with SRAS over the summer of 2016 to improve his command of the Russian language. In the future, he’d like to work for himself and run a business.
