Jerry Heil - Biography and discography, all albums and songs | Pages: 4

Jerry Heil (real name — Yana Olehivna Shemaieva; born October 21, 1995, Vasylkiv, Kyiv Oblast) is a Ukrainian singer, songwriter, blogger, and music producer. One of the brightest artists of the new Ukrainian pop scene, she first gained wide recognition thanks to YouTube cover videos and viral hits, and then moved on to creating original material in Ukrainian. Her style is marked by an experimental sound, an indie-pop aesthetic, satirical lyrics, and a powerful voice with a signature emotional delivery.

Jerry Heil is part of the generation of artists who made Ukrainian pop competitive on the international stage. She actively uses social media, meme culture, and contemporary electronic production aesthetics.

Early years

Yana Shemaieva was born in the town of Vasylkiv, Kyiv Oblast, in a family not connected to music. From an early age, she studied vocals and took part in school concerts and local competitions. As a teenager, she learned guitar and began writing her first songs.

In the early 2010s, she launched her own YouTube channel, where she uploaded covers of popular songs. This brought her her first views and significantly expanded her audience. Gradually, Yana moved to original material and started working as an independent artist.

Career beginnings and first releases (2012–2018)

Since 2012, Jerry Heil has actively run her YouTube channel, gaining millions of views. She became one of the first Ukrainian artists to turn the YouTube format into a full-fledged music career.

In 2017–2018 she released her first original EPs and singles, among which early tracks in the genres of indie pop, acoustic music, and electronic pop stand out.

Jerry Heil’s content is formed at the intersection of:

• ironic urban lyrics,

• meme culture,

• light folk-pop,

• a DIY approach to music production.

Step by step, she became a noticeable figure in the Ukrainian media space.

Breakthrough: «Okhrana, otmеna» (2019)

In 2019, the viral hit «Охрана, отмєна» (“Okhrana, otmena”) was released, bringing Jerry Heil massive recognition across the entire post-Soviet space. The track instantly became a meme, entered the charts, and cemented her image as a talented, bold, and unconventional artist.

The success of the song allowed Yana to go beyond the YouTube scene and firmly establish herself as a professional performer.

That same year, her debut studio album «#ЯЯНА» (#YAYANA) was released, where she first demonstrated a mature author’s approach and a clear conceptual vision.

Status consolidation and artistic evolution (2020–2022)

The 2020s became a period of shaping Jerry Heil’s new musical identity: a full switch to the Ukrainian language, a focus on socially significant themes, and the development of her signature sound.

Key tracks from this time include:

• «Вільна каса» (“Vilna kasa”)

• «Папіроска» (“Papiroska”)

• «Бомба-ракета» (“Bomba-raketa”)

• «Губи колишнього» (“Huby kolyshnoho” / “Ex’s Lips”)

Jerry Heil actively collaborates with a number of Ukrainian producers and artists, including alyona alyona, which helps her reach new audiences and broaden her stylistic palette — from pop music to art-pop and alternative.

New stage: international recognition and Eurovision success (2023–2024)

In 2023–2024, Jerry Heil formed a duo with alyona alyona, and together they created the track «Teresa & Maria». The song won Ukraine’s national selection for Eurovision 2024.

At the contest, the duo represented Ukraine, showcasing:

• ethno-pop elements,

• powerful vocals,

• deep social and spiritual symbolism,

• a vivid, well-crafted stage performance.

The song received high marks and attracted the attention of the international press, strengthening Jerry Heil’s position as an artist of European calibre.

Musical style and influence

Jerry Heil combines elements of:

• alternative pop,

• indie pop,

• electropop,

• folk-inspired aesthetics,

• post-meme culture,

• social commentary.

Her work is characterized by:

• a unique, emotionally charged vocal delivery,

• subtle irony,

• a strong authorial poetic voice,

• fresh, contemporary production,

• the ability to create viral hits.

Jerry Heil has become one of the symbols of the new Ukrainian pop music wave, organically combining national elements with a modern global aesthetic.

Jerry Heil discography

Studio albums

1. #ЯЯНА (#YAYANA) (2019)

2. Особисте (Osobyste / “Personal”) (2021)

Collaborative projects

• Teresa & Maria (with alyona alyona) — EP (2024)

EPs

• Deconstruction (2018)

• 111 (2020)

• Renaissance Girl (2022)

Selected singles

• «Охрана, отмєна» (“Okhrana, otmena”) (2019)

• «Вільна каса» (“Vilna kasa”)

• «Папіроска» (“Papiroska”)

• «Губи колишнього» (“Huby kolyshnoho”)

• «Вальсую» (“Valsuiu”)

• «Бомба-ракета» (“Bomba-raketa”)

• When God Shut The Door

• Teresa & Maria (feat. alyona alyona)

• «Мох» (“Mokh”)

• «Мрія» (“Mriia”)

Collaborations

• alyona alyona

• KOLA

• Kristina Soloviy

• Wellboy

• Kalush Orchestra (guest projects)

Interesting facts

• Jerry Heil completed formal music education, studying vocals and music theory.

• She became one of the first Ukrainian artists whose professional career started on YouTube.

• She is actively involved in charitable and social initiatives and supports the Ukrainian cultural sector.

• She creates viral videos and trends, influencing TikTok culture.

• She writes songs not only for herself but also for other artists.

Conclusion

Jerry Heil is an important voice of the new Ukrainian pop scene, combining Gen Z creativity with a mature authorial approach. Her songs become cultural phenomena, and her style serves as a reference point for young performers. She holds a strong position in the landscape of contemporary Ukrainian music and continues to develop her own creative platform.