Nu Virgos (also known as ВІА Гра - an allusion to Via Gra due to first three
letters, which stand for vocal-instrumental band) is a Ukrainian/Russian girl group, that hit the charts in their country in September 2000 with their first single. Their first success in
Europe was in May 2004, with the single Stop! Stop! Stop!.
Albina Dzhanabayeva replaced Svetlana Loboda, singer who previously substituted Anna
Sedokova (Anya Sedakova) when the latter married FC Dynamo Kyiv football star
Valentin Belkevich and became pregnant. And Olga Korjagina replaced Christina
Katz-Gotlib, who have replaced Nadezhda Granovskaja after she left the group. One by one the new audio and video smashes
followed. After “Popytka No. 5” more videos were out on the screens: “Obnimi menya” (Hold me closer), “Bomba” (Bomb), “Ya ne
vernus” (I won’t be back). By the end of the year NU VIRGOS’ repertoire comprised 7 songs that was fairly enough to embark on a
tour. The group’s first ever live date took place in Dnepropetrovsk on the stage of the city’s Ledoviy Palace in front of some 4
000 spectators. Further shows were also hugely acclaimed. In order to capitalize on that the group’s management decided to
release the first full-length NU VIRGOS’ effort which, as expected, was entitled after their major smash “Popytka No. 5”. The
interest towards NU VIRGOS concentrated, thickened and almost materialized.
Within 2001 NU VIRGOS collected some of their first prestigious awards: “A Hundred Pood Hit”
from HIT FM Radio, “Golden Gramophone” from “Russian Radio” all in addition to winning the “Golden Firebird” prize at the
Ukrainian annual festival “Tavriyskiye Igry”. 2002 saw the group becoming a trio instead of being a duet and changing their
musical direction. In spring the ladies appeared in their new video “Stop! Stop! Stop!” whose success was so stunning that
enabled NU VIRGOS to take part in the “Ovation” Music Award Ceremony held at the Moscow’s State Central Concert Hall “Rossiya”.
In September a new video was out for public view – this time “Good morning, papa!”, and closer to that year’s end the ladies from
NU VIRGOS also displayed themselves as actresses having played the roles of crowned heads in a TV musical called “Zolyshka”
(Cinderella).
The beginning of 2003 coincided with a new phase of NU VIRGOS’ popularity following the release
of one of the group’s best efforts – marvelous and dramatic “Ne ostavlyay menya lyubibiy” (Don’t ever leave me love), complete
with an eponymously titled video tape containing a collection of NU VIRGOS’ videos. On April, 16,
2003 the ladies appeared at a press-conference dedicated mainly to the group’s new release “Stop!
Snyato!” (Stop! That’s a wrap!) which included four new songs along with several remixes. A few more reasons to meet with the
media were the prestigious Russian MUZ TV awards and the “Soundtrack” award all won by NU VIRGOS. In May the group astonished
(exactly so!) everyone with their new video “Ubey moyu podrugu” (Kill my girlfriend). Especially for the said video, which was
regarded by many as a burlesque to the pompous music festival “Song of the Year”, the sexy divas had added to their established
super-desired cutie image a dewy drop of irony having a good laugh, according to their own words, mostly at themselves.
With each and every new release NU VIRGOS were becoming better and better, climbing higher and higher, although at times it
seemed there was no more room upwards. By the end of 2003 their popularity reached such proportions that, having completed their
new “Biologiya” (Biology) album, they commenced taking international music heights by storm. Their first English-language album
“Stop! Stop! Stop!” saw the light of day in Israel, Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, Indonesia, Scandinavian countries instantly becoming
real sought-for items for all NU VIRGOS followers. More videos appeared on TV – melodically and lyrically strong “Okean I tri
reki” (Ocean and three rivers) and “Prityazhenya bolshe net” (No attraction anymore) (both in duet with singer Valeriy Meladze)
shortly followed by the sexually-provoking “Biologiya”. In summer of 2004 NU VIRGOS were awarded the Russia’s most prestigious
music award “MUZ TV 2004” and completed a widely hailed world tour spanning the territories like
South East Asia, Israel and America.
The year 2005 was marked by the launch of the Russian version of the legendary act’s official
web-site as well as by the release of three new videos: “Take you back”, “I don’t want a man” and “Brillianty” (Diamonds).
Additionally NU VIRGOS picked up their second in a row MUZ TV’s “The Best Pop Act” award.
In January 2006 Nu Virgos were officially represented as a participant at MIDEM 2006 – the
world’s largest music market held in Cannes, France. Despite the
heavy touring this year the group have offered two more publicly and critically acclaimed videos: “Obmani no ostansya” (Tell me
lie) and “L.M.L.” and completed a long-awaited new English album, their second after “Stop! Stop! Stop!”, which is due this
autumn.
September 2006 has marked the 6th anniversary of the sexiest act throughout the CIS. For years
the phenomenon of this extra-popular outfit cannot be discovered neither by critics, nor by the media, nor by the trio’s enormous
army of followers. Nevertheless the puzzle of their success is quite simple. Nu Virgos (a.k.a.V.I.A. «GRA» in Ukraine, Russia and
other ex-USSR territories) it’s the talent, beauty, amazing energy and magnetism of the vocalists Vera Brezhneva, Albina
Dzhanabayeva and Olga Koryagina, music, wonderful songs and gentle soul of composer Konstantin Meladze, high-precision estimation
of manager Dmitriy Kostiuk complete with professionalism, harmony and superb taste in everything from musical arrangements to
stage costumes. Just several ingredients have given life to the act that has no equal neither by external image, nor by musical
content. A second English language album "LML" was scheduled for release in November, 2006
. In early April 2007, due to unexpected pregnancy, Olga left the group, the English album project was broken so the label
decided to release it digitally. The fans can download the full second English album on iTunes.
In May 2007, Nu Virgos once again won Best Group at MuzTV Awards.
Singers
Albina Dzhanabaeva
Singer
Born April 9, 1979, Volgograd,
Russia. Completed the music school majoring in piano and the department of musical theatre actor
at the Gnesynikh Institute. Was contracted to work in Korea. In the musical named “Snowy White and the Seven Dwarves” sang the
part of the foreigner-Snowy White in Korean. Joined singer Valeriy Meladze as a back vocalist where stayed for two years and
displayed not only professional singing skills but also her kind and likeable nature. Finally the autumn of 2004 saw her entry in
NU VIRGOS following Valeriy’s recommendation. Easily joined in with the group and introduced a warm aura into it. Currently
resides in Moscow, brings up a son named Kostya.
Vera Brezhneva
Singer
Born February 3, 1982, Dniprodzerzhynsk Ukraine. Grew up in a large family in an environment
of her three sisters – the elder one and two younger twins. Since she was 14 she had been working after school hours as a
baby-sitter, a sales girl and a dish-washer at a café. After the school she entered the Economics Department of the Railway
Transport Engineering University, Dnepropetrovsk Ukraine. Gave birth to a daughter, Sonya, to
whom she is now a style icon. Joined the group owing to her own persistence and artistry, having performed with NU VIRGOS on the
Dnepropetrovsk city beach. She got noticed… With her entry the group reached their heyday. She recently left the group for
reasons unknown.
Meseda Bagaudinova
Singer
In April Olya left the group due to an unexpected pregnancy and was replaced by Meseda Bagaudinova.
Discography
See more at Nu Virgos Discography
Albums:
- Popytka No. 5 (Endeavor No. 5) – 2001 By Album
- Stop! Snyato! (Stop! That’s a wrap!) – 2003 By Album
- Biologiya (Biology) – 2004 By Album
- Stop! Stop! Stop! in english- 2004 By Album By Album
- Brillianty (Diamonds). The Best Of – 2005 By Album
- L.M.L. in english -2007 By Album By Album
See also
External links
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