Vladmir Gennadievich Yevtushenko, who goes by the stage name Cali Ken, doesn’t seem like the typical New York City rapper. And he’s not: Born and raised in the Crimean Peninsula, Yevtushenko became a viral internet sensation in Ukraine and Russia before moving to New York in 2017..
Now, he’s bringing his distinctive style of Russian-accented hip-hop and hard-hitting lyrics about his life to the streets of New York..
‘I’m a Ukrainian rapper who ended up in Crimea and ended up in the United States. Now I’m an American-Ukrainian-Russian rapper,’ Yevtushenko said with a grin during a recent interview with Coffee or Die Magazine..
Yevtushenko, 27, is from Sevastopol, a city in Crimea that is home to the Russian Black Sea Fleet. In 2014, Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine, a move that has been widely condemned by the international community..
Yevtushenko was 18 at the time of the annexation. He said he was initially supportive of Russia’s actions, but his views have since changed..
‘I was young and stupid,’ he said. ‘I thought Russia was coming to save us from the Nazis.’.
Yevtushenko said he began to realize the truth about Russia’s intentions when he saw Russian soldiers harassing and intimidating Crimean Tatars, a Muslim minority group that has long faced discrimination in Crimea..
‘I saw how they were treating the Crimean Tatars, and I realized that Russia was not here to help us,’ he said..
Yevtushenko’s disillusionment with Russia deepened after he was arrested and beaten by Russian police for participating in a pro-Ukrainian demonstration..
‘I was just holding a Ukrainian flag,’ he said. ‘But the police didn’t care. They beat me up and threw me in jail.’.
After his release from jail, Yevtushenko decided to leave Crimea. He moved to Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital, where he began his rap career..
In 2017, Yevtushenko released his debut album, ‘Krim Tataryn.’ The album was a critical and commercial success in Ukraine and Russia, and it helped to raise awareness of the plight of the Crimean Tatars..
In 2019, Yevtushenko moved to New York City, where he has continued to make music and perform. He has released two albums since moving to the United States, ‘Don’t Be Scared’ and ‘Get Rich or Die Tryin’.’.
Yevtushenko’s music is often political, and he frequently raps about his experiences in Crimea and his opposition to Russian aggression. However, he also raps about more personal topics, such as love, loss, and the immigrant experience..
‘I want my music to be a voice for the voiceless,’ Yevtushenko said. ‘I want to use my platform to speak out against injustice and oppression.’.
Yevtushenko is one of a growing number of rappers who are using their music to speak out against political and social issues. In the United States, rappers such as Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole have used their platforms to address issues such as police brutality and racial inequality..
‘Hip-hop is a powerful tool for social change,’ Yevtushenko said. ‘I believe that rappers have a responsibility to use their voices to speak out against injustice.’.
Yevtushenko is a talented rapper with a unique story to tell. He is an inspiration to others who are fighting for freedom and justice, and his music is a powerful force for change..
