Oxxxymiron: Anti-war rapper headlines Russians Against War gig at O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire

One of Russia’s most influential musicians is set to headline a charity concert in aid of Ukrainian refugees impacted by the Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Oxxxymiron, hip hop artist and outspoken Putin critic, will headline the Russians Against War (RAW) charity concert at the O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire on Thursday evening.

This comes after the rapper cancelled his six sold out shows in Moscow and St Petersburg saying he couldn’t perform for Russians while missiles fell on Ukrainians.

Last week, the 37-year-old artist performed the first of his RAW concerts in Istanbul, which has a large Russian diaspora consisting of people who left the country in protest of the invasion.

During the show, which was also being live-streamed, the rapper paused the music to make an impassioned plea to Russians who are in favour of the war, challenging them to question the narrative they are being fed by the country’s government.

The London gig will be Oxxxymiron’s first in the English capital for six years, and will be live-streamed on Twitch, YouTube and Instagram.

Proceeds from the show and online donations will be handled by the Saint Nicholas Foundation, a Polish organisation aiding Ukrainian refugees arriving in the country.

Oxxxymiron was born Miron Yanovich Fyodorov in St Petersburg (then called Leningrad) in 1985.

He moved to the UK aged 15 and went on to get a degree from the University of Oxford, all while keeping up a career as a rapper and songwriter.

He became known for taking part in rap battles, becoming one of the most-watched battle rappers in the entire world.

Other Russian musicians including Kasta, Shym, Vladi, Khamil, Zmey and Noize MC have all condemned Putin’s invasion, too.

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