VYSHEL POKURIT

Prince of sad rap. One of the most influential and enigmatic figures in the Ukrainian alternative rap scene, his career path is as unique as his sound. Here, we offer a rare and intimate glimpse into his life through a collection of Polaroids.

Portrait of VYSHEL POKURIT, a leading figure in Ukrainian sad rap and dark hip-hop.

EDITIONS ↆ

0.

GOTIKA VINYL

Check out the first-ever vinyl released by Voices Archive.

MATERIALS ↆ

The gradual transformation of the melancholic vyshel pokurit aesthetic in the early tracks into a more mystical and reserved style is closely connected to the use of Polaroids. Beginning with the EP kult (“cult”) (1), the turning point of this evolution, and continuing through singles like tsvety zla (“flowers of evil”) (2–3), blesk (“shine”) (4), and later releases, Polaroids became the visual foundation for most of his subsequent cover art.

POLAROIDS

1.

PLAYLIST

SICK PSYCHE (2015)

2.

Mexican visual artist Monica Loya created this artwork of a woman with a striking eye condition in 2012. After going viral on Tumblr, it reached the post-Soviet online community, where it gained renewed popularity around 2015. Its resurgence was further amplified by its use as the cover art for the EP bolnaya psikhika (“sick psyche”).

COVER ART

PLAYLIST

3.

Fan art has always played an important role in the development of a music scene. However, it is far more unusual when professional or semi-professional artists contribute independently. Dimitrieva K. M. brought her own perspective to the evolving aesthetic of vyshel pokurit, reflecting her understanding of the transition between the albums izvini (“sorry”) and krematsiya (“cremation”).

VYSHEL POKURIT PAINTING (2024)

PLAYLIST