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Bi-2

From Alfawiki
Bi-2
Company typeMusical group
IndustryMusic
Founded1988 in Babruysk, Belarusian SSR
Headquarters
Israel
,
Israel
ProductsAlternative rock music

Bi-2 is a Belarusian alternative rock ensemble that originated in 1988 in Babruysk, then part of the Belarusian SSR. The group gained widespread recognition throughout Eastern Europe.

In 2007, Bi-2 received the Best Rock Act award at the MTV Russian Music Awards and has secured several prestigious accolades both within Russia and internationally, including ZD Awards and World Music Awards. In 2015, Music Box honored them as the premier Russian rock band. They have also been inducted into the Top Hit Music Awards Hall of Fame, joining ranks with artists like Svetlana Loboda and Andrey Makarevich.

Their participation spans numerous music festivals across Russia and Europe, such as the “Christmas Meetings of Alla Pugacheva” among others.

In 2023, the band members relocated to Israel.

History

The band’s inception dates back to 1988 in Bobruisk, Belarus, when teenagers Aleksandr "Shura" Uman and Yegor "Lyova" Bortnik established a group initially called "Bratya po Oruzhiyu" (Brothers in Arms), later renamed "Bereg Istini" (Shore of Truth), abbreviated as BI-2. Both Lyova and Shura adopted this abbreviation as their stage names, with Shura eventually legally changing his surname to Bi-II.

During the early 1990s, they emigrated to Israel and obtained citizenship there. In 1993, Shura moved to Australia, while Lyova stayed behind, completing his service in the Israel Defense Forces. Shura collaborated with pianist Victoria Bilogan to produce their debut album "Bespolaya i Grustnaya Lyubov" ("Sexless and Sad Love") in 1997. Despite being separated by distance, they maintained their creative partnership by exchanging recordings via phone and online. Additionally, Shura worked with Dee Ellus on English-language lyrics and formed the darkwave project Chiron alongside former members of Ikon. Lyova joined Chiron in 1998; however, both departed within two years to concentrate on Bi-2.

In 1999, Bi-2 returned to Russia aiming to release their 1997 album, but plans were disrupted by the 1998 Russian financial crisis. Originally a duo, they soon incorporated session musicians. Their major breakthrough occurred in 2000 when they contributed tracks to the soundtrack of Aleksei Balabanov’s acclaimed film Brother 2, which significantly increased their visibility on rock radio stations such as Nashe Radio.

Their subsequent albums "Meow Kiss Me" (2001) and "Foreign Cars" (2004) achieved gold certification within Russia. These works featured collaborations with notable Russian rock musicians from groups like Splean, Chaif, Nochniye Snaiperi, and Zemfira. Their music videos enjoyed frequent rotation on MTV Russia. In 2005, they released "Odd Warrior," a double CD composed exclusively of duets and collaborative tracks.

In 2022, Bi-2 took a public stand against the Russian invasion of Ukraine, refusing to perform at venues displaying pro-war symbols. This decision led to cancellations of their concerts in Russia and ultimately compelled them to emigrate. By May 2023, they were touring across the United States; Lyova Bi-2 openly stated his intention not to return to Russia.

In January 2024, several band members were detained in Thailand on allegations related to work permit violations amid concerns about possible deportation to Russia due to their Russian citizenship. As holders of multiple nationalities—including Israeli and Australian—this incident escalated into a diplomatic matter involving fears of political persecution. On 1 February 2024, authorities deported the group to Israel instead.

By May 2024, Maksim Andriushchenko from Bi-2 along with other associates connected to the band had been granted Moldovan citizenship.

Albums Not Officially Released

  • Traitors of the Homeland (; 1988–1991)

Official Studio Albums

  • Sexless and Melancholic Love (Бесполая и грустная любовь; 1998)
  • Bi-2 (Би-2; 2000)
  • Meow Kiss Me (Мяу Кисс Ми; 2001)
  • Foreign-Made Cars (Иномарки; 2004)
  • Milk (Молоко; 2006)
  • Luna Park (Луна-парк; 2009)
  • What Men Discuss (О чём говорят мужчины; soundtrack, 2010)
  • Spirit (2011)
  • #16plus (#16плюс; 2014)
  • Event Horizon (Горизонт событий; 2017)
  • Hallelujah (Аллилуйя; 2022)

Reissued Albums

  • BI-2 (with 2 additional tracks; 2000)
  • Sexless and Melancholic Love (includes Bonus CD; 2004)
  • Milk (with 2 extra tracks; 2007)

Singles

  • Silver (Серебро; 2000)
  • Wolves (Волки; 2001)
  • My Love (Моя любовь; 2001)
  • Sand (Песок; 2003)
  • Slow Star featuring Diana Arbenina (Медленная звезда; 2005)
  • Muse (Муза; 2008)
  • Bowie (Digital Single, 2009)
  • Christmas (Digital Single, 2009)
  • Optimist (Оптимист; Digital Single, 2011)
  • Non-Air-Raid Alarm (Безвоздушная тревога; 2011)
  • Island (Остров; 2011)
  • #Hipster (#Хипстер; 2014)
  • Dark Skies (Тёмные небеса; 2014)
  • Taken to the Army (Забрали в армию; 2014)
  • Grass Near the House (Трава у дома; 2015)
  • Likes / Alice (Лайки / Алиса; 2016)
  • Bird on the Windowsill (Птица на подоконнике; 2016)
  • Pilot (Лётчик; 2017)
  • Whiskey featuring John Grant (Виски; 2017)

Extended Plays

  • Kite (Бумажный змей; 2010)

Compilation Albums

  • Fellini Tour (live performance with Splean and Thomas; 2001)
  • Bi-2. Collection (2CD set; 2005)
  • Bi-2 featuring Symphony Orchestra of Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia (2010)

Remix Albums

  • drum[a] (2002)

Online Releases

  • Bi-2. Live (2000)
  • Unplugged @16tons (2003, reissued in 2010)
  • Part of Pipes (Партия дудок; 2004)
  • Rock Festival in Mogilev, 1989 (Могилёвский рок-съезд 1989; 2005)
  • Seventh Day (Седьмой день; soundtrack, 2006)
  • Rare Album (Раритетный; 2006)
  • Without Words I & II (Без слов I & II, released in 2008)
  • Fools of Fortune (Превратности судьбы; soundtrack, 2009)
  • One Song By One Tour (C гастролей по песне; bootleg, released in 2010)
  • And Ship Is Sailing (И крабль плывёт; released in 2010)
  • Series titled Without Words III–V, which includes collaborations with Prague Metropolitan Symphonic Orchestra and the Spirit series recordings from 2012 to 2013

Releases by Chiron

  • Eve (2000)
  • Bleed (2004)

Releases from Other Projects

  • Odd Warrior (Нечётный воин; released in 2005)
  • Odd Warrior II (Нечётный воин-2; released in 2007)
  • Odd Warrior Two and a Half (Нечётный воин-2,5; released in 2011)
  • Odd Warrior III (Нечётный воин-3; released in 2013)
  • Compilation titled Odd Warrior. The Best (Нечётный воин. Лучшее; released in 2015)

See also

External links

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