Oleksiy Andriyovich Potapenko (Ukrainian: Олексій Андрійович Потапенко; born 8 May 1981), known professionally as Potap is a Ukrainian singer, rapper, songwriter, and producer. He has been involved as a performer and/or producer of such iconic music acts as Potap I Nastya, Vremya I Steklo, MOZGI, and many more, releasing over 300 songs, the vast majority of which became international hits.
Biography
Oleksiy Potapenko was born on 8 May 1981 in Kyiv. His father, Andriy Potapenko (born 1956), served in the military. His mother, Lyudmila Potapenko (born 1958) is a world-fin swimming race champion. Oleksii has been practicing swimming and water polo, where he received the title of Master of Sports.
Between 2000 and 2006, Potapenko was performing as a part of a rap band called "VuZV" (Vhid u Zminnomu Vzutti – Re-shoe upon Entry). The song written by Potap "Na Svoey Volne" ("On its own") became the official soundtrack to the movie "Odin za vseh" ("One for all") while his other song co-written in collaboration with bands New'Z'Cool and XS became a main theme for an iconic horror movie produced in Ukraine, "Shtolna" ("The Adit").
In 2006, the artist teamed up with NK to create the duo "Potap & Nastya" where Oleksii acted as a producer, performer, songwriter, composer, video director, and scriptwriter. The duo debuted with the song "Ne Para" ("Don't Match") [2] which turned into an international hit. In 2008, the duo released their debut album with the same title.
The artists released their second album titled "Ne Lubi Mne Mozgii" ("Don't Love my Brain")[3] that included songs "Na Rayone" ("Down the neighborhood"),[4] "Novii God" ("New Year"),[5] "Chipsi, Chicksi, Lavandos" ("Chips, Chicks and Money").[6] The most popular song on the album though was a hit with the name "Chumachechaya Vesna" ("Krazy Spring").[7]
The duo kept moving towards new accomplishments, literally collecting wards one by one. A few years after its creation, the artist was already renowned with every single award in post-Soviet territories including: "Zolotoi Gramophon" ("Gold Gramophone Awards"), "Pesnya Goda" ("Song of the Year"), "RU.TV", "Premia Muz-TV" ("Muz TV Awards") and many more. Songs "Esli Vdrug tebya ne stanet" ("If you're suddenly gone")[8] and "Mi Otmenyaem Konets Sveta" ("We Cancel the Apocalypse")[9] played in the TV show "Dnevnik Doctora Zaytsevoy" (The Diary of Zaytseva M.D.").
In 2013, Potap & Nastya produced the third album "Vse Puchkom" ("Everything's Cool"). The song with the same title [10] received the "Gold Gramophone" award and remained for a while on top of the most highly rated charts across countries along with another track from the album "Udi Udi" ("Udi-Udi").[11]
The duo created by Oleksii and NK was officially the most popular touring duo in the country. The joint activity of the artists was followed by incredible success and achievements as well as setting bars as high as no one have done it before. "Potap & Nastya" became awardees of various international music festivals owing over 50 rewards that include: "M1 Music Awards", "Song of the Year", "Gold Gramophone", "Muz TV Award", "Sharmanka" ("Music Box") and "RU.TV". In 2017, the duo was recognized for its "Contribution to the development of the National Scene".[by whom?]
In 2014, Oleksii launches the band MOZGI, where he acts as a producer, performer, songwriter, composer, director, and scriptwriter till the current day. Between 2015 and 2018, MOZGI was 5 times nominated for Yearly Ukrainian National Awards and 4 for M1 Music Awards winning twice in the latter one.
In 2014, Potap and Kamenskih were criticized in Ukraine for continuing to attend award ceremonies in Russia, while many Ukrainians believed their country was a victim of Russian aggression.[12] On this, they responded: "It's a shame that we have to collect the journalists to tell them that we are from Ukraine and love our country!"[13] In 2016, "Potap and Nastya" concerts were disrupted in Ukraine in protest of them continuing to tour in Russia.[14]
Potap in 2017
In 2017, one of the most popular duos among Russian-speaking communities worldwide announced the pause of their activity to start solo projects: PTP and NK respectively. The first solo album by PTP "Spelie Slivi EP" ("Ripe Plums EP") was released on 3 November 2017.[15] Yet, Oleksii and Nastya's collaborative work wasn't over. Potap kept on writing songs for NK. With support from his side NK presented such hits as "#etomoyanoch" ("#thatmytypeofnight"),[16] co-written Ukrainian song "Trimay" ("Hold it"),[17] "Dai Mne" ("Gimme"),[18] international hit in Spanish and English "Peligroso" ("Dangerous"),[19] LOMALA[20] and "Popa Kak U Kim" ("Ass Like Kim's").[21] "Hold it" has taken over national top charts remaining on top for over the year and being recognized at YUNA Awards 2019 as a Pop Hit of the Year while Peligroso for 6 weeks remained in Billboard top charts under Tropical Songs ranking.[22]
Production
Today Potap is the head of "MOZGI Entertainment" – the label he established himself that is responsible for managing bands MOZGI, Vremia I Steklo (Time and Glass), singers Michelle Andrade and Ingret.
In 2012, MOZGI Entertainment launched a new branch MOZGI Production. The company gathered the best specialists on the market who previously were involved in making videos for Potap's artists' development company. In 2019, a music video for the song "Polube" ("Anyway")[23] by MOZGI was nominated for the Berlin Music Video Awards.[24]
In 2015, music projects managed under MOZGI Entertainment participated in the following nominations: "Hit of the Year" (Vremya I Steklo – Imya 505 (Name 505) and Potap & Nastya – "Boomdiggibai" ("Boomdiggibai"), "Band of the Year" (Vremya I Steklo and Potap & Nastya), "Project of the Year": "MOZGI", Potap & Nastya feat. Bianca), "Music Video of the Year" (Vremya I Steklo – "Name 505", Potap & Nastya – "Boomdiggibai"). The awards were assigned the following way: "Hit of the Year" to Vremya I Steklo for "Name 505",[25] while "Band of the Year" with top charts awards "Gold Gramophone" and M1 were given to Potap & Nastya. Moreover, that year Oleksii was renowned as the Best Producer of the Year. The same year, director Dimitri Archipovich, who worked цшер MOZGI Production at that time was announced as the Best Director of the Cut.
Soundtracks
In 2011, Oleksii Potapenko wrote the main theme song for the movie "Vikrutasi" ("Monkey Business").[26] The track performed by "Potap & Nastya" became the key element of the promo campaign for the movie.
In 2014, NK and Oleksii were featured in an animated movie "The Seventh Dwarf". They also performed soundtracks to the movie as well. One of those "Ver' v svoi sily" ("Believe in yourself") was greatly welcomed by the audience and gained impressive airplay on the radio.
In 2018, ’the movie "Bezumnaya Svad'ba" ("Crazy Wedding") was released. Upon its release, the movie set the record for box office sales among all Ukrainian premieres by collecting ₴50,664,000.[citation needed] Oleksii Potapenko not only featured in the movie but wrote entirely and produced an original motion soundtrack album that included 2 songs nominated for M1 Music Awards. Those are "Naikrashii Den'" ("The Best Day")[27] performed together with Male Artist of the Year Oleg Vinnyk, and "Promin'" ("Gleam")[28] written and performed in collaboration with all MOZGI Production stars".
Personal life
Media and fans of the artist suggest that Oleksii is in love with his former duo partner NK.
On 23 May 2019, Potap and Nastya Kamenskih were married.[citation needed]
Television
TV carrier Oleksii Potapenko started with a show "Karaoke Against People" on the M1 Music Channel. For over ten years now Oleksii has actively participated in the most popular TV shows in Ukraine including The Voice of Ukraine and the comedy show Laughter League on the biggest channel in Ukraine 1+1. At both shows Potap is an honored judge and mentor who's been helping out a lot of emerging artists to unleash potential to the full.
The full list of shows, Oleksii has been involved at:
"Karaoke protiv naroda" (Karaoke Against People on M1) – TV host (2008–2009)
Guten Morgen (M1) – TV host (2009–2010)
Ya lublu Ukrainu (I Love Ukraine on 1+1) – TV host (2010)
Superzveda (Superstar o 1+1) – a judge (2010)
Telezvezda (TV-star on TRK Ukraine) – TV host (2010)
15th Anniversary of 1+1 – TV host (2010)
"GPU" (1+1) – TV host (2010–2011)
Zvezda + Zvezda (Star + Star on 1+1) – a judge (2010–2011)
The Voice. Kids – mentor (2015–2016)
Liga Smeha (The Laughter League) – coach (2015–2018)
The Voice – mentor (2015–2020, 2022-)
Filmography
2005 – Odin za vseh ("One for All")
2008 – Krasnaya Shapochka ("Little Red Riding Hood") – The Wolf
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