Kuzma Skryabin (real name — Andriy Viktorovych Kuzmenko; August 17, 1968, Sambir, Lviv region — February 2, 2015, Dnipropetrovsk region) was a Ukrainian singer, composer, producer, TV presenter, and writer. The legendary frontman of the band “Skryabin”, he was one of the most recognizable and beloved artists in Ukraine.
Childhood and Family
Andriy was born into a family of an engineer and a music school teacher. From an early age, he showed an interest in music: he studied piano and received his first “guitar” made of plywood at the age of three. His mother actively encouraged his musical pursuits despite his mischievous nature, instilling in him discipline and a love for creativity — something he would later often mention with gratitude.
At the age of 10, Andriy heard “Lady Madonna” by The Beatles, which inspired his first steps into music. Later, he became fascinated by Western pop and disco, listening to Boney M and collecting vinyl records.
School Years and First Bands
After the family moved to Novoyavorivsk, Andriy attended a school specializing in English. Due to the city’s proximity to Poland, he had access to Polish radio and television, which opened the world of modern Western music to him. He became interested in punk rock, drawing inspiration from bands like Exploited, The Cure, Ultravox, Depeche Mode, and Alphaville.
As a teenager, Andriy formed his first band, “Chain Reaction,” performing at school dances and discos. He wrote lyrics and sang in English, Russian, and Ukrainian, experimenting with genres from punk to new romantic.
Education and Military Service
After finishing school, Kuzma dreamed of becoming a doctor but failed to enroll in the Lviv Medical Institute. He studied for a year at the Kalush Medical College before being drafted into the army, where he served as a military paramedic. During his service, he met Volodymyr Shkonda, with whom he later began composing music.
Return to Lviv and Musical Formation
After completing his military service, Andriy returned to Lviv and enrolled in the Faculty of Dentistry. At the same time, he became increasingly active in music, writing songs in English and Ukrainian and participating in projects such as “Reanimatsiya,” “Death Time Boys,” “Uko,” and “Association of Gentlemen.” In 1987, he composed his first original pieces: “Lucky Now”, “Tak To Vzhe Ye”, and “Brother.”
Formation of the Band “Skryabin”
On June 30, 1989, Andriy recorded his first song under the name “Skryabin”. The early lineup changed frequently, but the band’s core solidified in the early 1990s. In 1991, the group performed at the “Chervona Ruta” festival in Zaporizhzhia, where Kuzma introduced his new sound — a fusion of electronic music, new romantic style, and Ukrainian lyrics.
Throughout the 1990s, “Skryabin” became one of Ukraine’s most popular bands. Albums such as “Mova Ryб” (1992), “Ptakhy” (1995), “Kazky” (1997), and “Khrobak” (1999) cemented their success. Songs like “Movchaty” (“To Be Silent”), “Spy Sobі Sama” (“Sleep On Your Own”), and “Tanets Pinhvina” (“Penguin Dance”) became classics.
2000s: Popularity and Television
In the early 2000s, Andriy Kuzmenko became not only a musician but also a media personality. He hosted TV shows such as “Sheikanemo”, “Shans” (together with Natalia Mogilevska), and “Hot Seven” on M1, presenting the top Ukrainian hits.
In 2006, Kuzma published his autobiographical book “Ya, Pobeda i Berlin” (“Me, Pobeda, and Berlin”), which became a bestseller. In 2008, he created the girl group “Poyushchiye Trusy” (“Singing Panties”) and later produced the popular band DZIDZIO.
Creative Growth and Outlook
Kuzma actively developed the Ukrainian music scene, producing young artists and writing songs and lyrics. His compositions stood out for their sincerity, satire, and deep reflections on life. He spoke openly on social issues, often using irony to critique authorities and society.
Personal Life
In 1994, he married Svitlana. In 1997, their daughter Mariya-Barbara was born. Kuzma often emphasized that his family was his main source of strength and inspiration.
Later Years and Tragic Death
In the 2010s, Kuzma continued to perform and release albums, remaining one of Ukraine’s most beloved artists thanks to his honesty and humor. On February 2, 2015, Andriy Kuzmenko died in a car accident in the Kryvyi Rih district of the Dnipropetrovsk region. His death was a national tragedy.
Legacy
After Kuzma’s death, several posthumous compilations were released, along with the book “Proza” (2017), the documentary “Kuzma. Misiya” (2021), and numerous tribute concerts. His songs continue to be played on the radio, and his quotes from interviews have become widely recognized aphorisms.
In 2019, a monument to Kuzma Skryabin was unveiled in Kyiv, and in 2020, he was included in the list of outstanding Ukrainians of the 20th–21st centuries.
Conclusion
Kuzma Skryabin is a symbol of Ukrainian music — a man with an open heart and an unbreakable sense of humor. His songs are a mirror of Ukrainian life, filled with kindness, irony, and faith in people. He will forever remain in the hearts of millions as an honest, sincere, and truly beloved national artist.
