The group “Ruki Vverh!” emerged in early 1995, when Sergey Zhukov and Aleksei Potekhin, who met while working at the radio station “Europa Plus Samara,” decided to create a new dance project. Before their iconic name appeared, the musicians performed under other names — first as Mr. Ray Company, and later they considered the option “Hande Hoch”.
Between 1993 and 1995, Zhukov and Potekhin experimented with a sound inspired by Eurodance, dance-pop, and rap inserts. Their earliest recordings were made in Samara and Tolyatti; then in May 1995, the musicians moved to Moscow, continuing to search for their own signature style.
The name “Ruki Vverh!” stuck almost by accident. In late 1995, the musicians sent a demo cassette to Radio “Maximum,” accompanied by the note: “This music will make you raise your hands up.” The hosts introduced the track on air as a new release by the group “Ruki Vverh!” — and the name caught on instantly.
Formation of the lineup and first hits (1996–1997)
In 1996, the group began working with producers Andrey Malikov and Andrey Cherkasov. Around the same time, dancers and backing vocalists joined Zhukov and Potekhin — first Anastasia Kondrykinskaya, later Elizaveta Rodnyanskaya, whose vocals can be heard on several early hits.
This period produced the first breakthrough songs:
- “Malysh”
- “Student”
- “Dvigay telom”
- “Pesenka”
In spring 1997, the debut album “Dышите равномерно” (Breathe Evenly) was released. It cemented the duo’s success: songs entered radio charts, music videos appeared on television channels, and the band toured so extensively that they were rarely home.
Explosion of popularity and cult status (1998–2001)
From 1998 to 2000, “Ruki Vverh!” became the absolute leader of the Russian pop market. This period produced the era’s defining hits:
- “Kroshka moya”
- “Chuzhie guby”
- “18 mne uzhe”
- “Ai-yai-yai”
- “Nazovi ego kak menya”
- “Alyoshka”
The albums “Sdelay pogromche!” (1998) and “Bez tormozov” (1999) sold millions of copies — including huge pirate sales. In late 1999, the musicians parted ways with producer Andrey Malikov and founded their own label, “Plyashushchie chelovechki” (“Dancing Little Men”).
During these years, dancers Irina Yetoeva and Irina Tomilova joined the group at different times, and the stage shows became increasingly elaborate. The band toured actively and performed at major festivals and TV events.
Expansion and the Street Jazz era (2002–2005)
In the early 2000s, “Ruki Vverh!” began collaborating with the dance team Street Jazz. Joint choreography, new stage productions, and an updated show program became the group’s signature.
Albums released in this period:
- “Ne boysya, ya s toboy!” (2001)
- “Konets popse, tantsuyut vse!” (2002)
- “Mne s toboy khorosho” (2003)
- “A devochkam tak kholodno…” (2004)
- “Fuc*in' Rock'n'Roll” (2005)
Many songs were featured in films, TV series, and shows. Some music videos became hits regardless of radio airplay.
Hiatus and breakup of the duo (2006)
In 2006, “Ruki Vverh!” ceased operating as a duo due to exhaustion, disagreements, and increased competition in the music industry. A major farewell concert was planned but never materialized.
After the split:
- Sergey Zhukov launched a solo career, released albums, and filmed music videos;
- Aleksei Potekhin started the project “Potekhin Band” and worked as a producer.
The revival of the “Ruki Vverh!” brand by Sergey Zhukov (2007–2017)
Since 2007, Sergey Zhukov has used the name “Ruki Vverh!” for his solo work. He published a book, collaborated with new artists, continued writing music, and performed live.
In 2012, a new album titled “Otkroy mne dver!” was released, featuring new songs and concert hits.
In 2017, the large-scale stadium project “Ruki Vverh! Tour” began, becoming one of the biggest productions in modern Russian pop music.
2020s: concert brand, business, and film
From 2020 to 2024, “Ruki Vverh!” developed not only as a music project but also as a large brand. “Ruki Vverh! Bar” venues opened across various cities; Sergey launched culinary businesses and produced original series.
In 2023, production began on a feature film about the group. The premiere was scheduled for October 10, 2024.
Complete Discography
Studio Albums
1997 — “Dышите равномерно” (“Breathe Evenly”)
- Debut album that became a classic.
- Exists in three official versions:
- original (11 tracks)
- extended (1997 reissue)
- “Full version + 4 new songs”
1998 — “Ruki vverh, doktor Shlyager!”
- Dance-pop with schlager elements.
- Many radio hits.
1998 — “Sdelay pogromche!”
- One of the best-selling pop albums of the decade.
1999 — “Bez tormozov”
- Huge commercial success.
- Officially reissued multiple times.
2000 — “Zdravstvuy, eto ya…”
- More romantic, mellow, with many ballads.
2001 — “Ne boysya, ya s toboy!”
- One of the group’s most melodic albums.
2001 — “Malenkie devochki”
- A separate release with a new visual style.
2002 — “Konets popse, tantsuyut vse!”
- A highly dance-oriented, club-style album.
2003 — “Mne s toboy khorosho”
- New vibe of pop romance.
2004 — “A devochkam tak kholodno…”
- A mature lyrical-dance album.
2005 — “Fuc*in' Rock'n'Roll”
- Experiment with dance-rock sound.
2005 — “Natasha” (Made for Germany)
- Special German edition with unique versions.
2012 — “Otkroy mne dver!”
- Return of the “Ruki Vverh!” brand as Zhukov’s solo project.
Official Compilations
1999 — “Vashi lyubimye pesni” (Ultra double CD Box)
2000 — “Zvezdnaya kollektsiya. Part One”
2003 — “10 let! Best Songs 1994–1999”
2004 — “10 let! Best Songs 2000–2004”
2004 — “10 let! 1994–2004” (2-CD Box)
2004 — “Pozovi menya, ne goni menya…”
2006 — “Zolotoy albom”
2007 — “MP3. Part 1” (Monolit)
2007 — “MP3. Part 2” (Monolit)
2009 — “Best Songs. Part I”
2009 — “Best Songs. Part II”
2013 — “The Best”
2013 — “Medlyaki”
2018 — “The Best (Remastered)”
2021 — “Stars of the Dance Floors”
Live Albums
1999 — “Bez tormozov” (Presentation, VHS)
2000 — “Dышите равномерно” (VHS / later DVD)
2007 — “Sdelay pogromche!” (Concert + videos) DVD
2012 — “Ruki Vverh! 15 let” (DVD)
2012 — “Ruki Vverh! 3 chasa drayva” (DVD)
2012 — “Otkroy mne dver!” (Concert DVD + MP3)
Remix / Dance Releases
1999–2006 — “Diskoteka v stile Ruki Vverh!”
(Official licensed mix series under Jam Records)
2000 — “Bez tormozov + Bonus Hands Up Mix!”
2001 — “D&J Remixes”
2003 — “DJ Volumes / Remix Series”
2012 — “Ya tebya lyublyu — New Year Club Mix”
2021 — “Deep House” (All remixes included)
Official International & Rare Releases
Germany Edition (2005) — “Natasha”
Complete official localization for the German market with a different tracklist.
Promo CDs (rare official promo versions):
- 1996 — Love Story (Promo)
- 1997 — Malysh (Radio Edit)
- 1998 — Lish o tebe mechtaia (Promo)
- 1999 — Bez lyubvi (Promo Single)
- 2000 — Tak tebe i nado (Dance Mix promo)
- 2001 — Ne boysya, ya s toboy! (Promo advance CD)
- 2003 — Mne s toboy khorosho (Promo Club Edition)
These discs were distributed exclusively to radio stations and DJs.
All Key Official Singles
1996
- Love Story
1997
- Malysh
- Student
1998
- Kroshka moya
- Lish o tebe mechtaia
- Chuzhie guby
1999
- Nazovi ego kak menya (Synishka)
- Bez lyubvi
2000
- Alyoshka
- Ai-yai-yai
- Tak tebe i nado
2001
- 18 mne uzhe
- Devchonka
- Ya budu s toboy
- Malenkie devochki
2002
- Ukhodi
- On tebya tseluyet
- Nevesta (feat. Igor Nikolaev)
2003
- Mne s toboy khorosho
- Tantsuy
2004
- Ei, parni! (OST “Don't Even Think About It!”)
2005
- Natasha
2012
- Ya tebya lyublyu (club mix)
2013
- Krylia (feat. Bahh Tee)
2014
- Chto zhe ty nadelala
2015
- Koroleva krasoty
2016–2024
- Kogda my byli molodymi
- Zaberi klyuchi
- Plachesh v temnote
- Tantsy
- K chyortu etu gordost
- Slemitsya patsany (feat. Little Big)
- Ona menya tseluyet
- Ya bolnoy toboy
- Polechu za toboy (feat. Artik & Asti)
- Ukradi menya
- Rasskazhi mne
- Moskva ne verit slezam (feat. Artik & Asti)
- #Tanetspop
- Radi tantspola (feat. Gayazovs Brothers)
- Nakaut (feat. Klava Koka)
- Deep House
- Posledniy potseluy (feat. HammAli & Navai)
- Odinochka
- Nam 17
- Vspomni momenty
- Ottepel
- Chyornoe more
- Nedostatochno (feat. Zivert)
- Bezotvetno (feat. L. Uspenskaya)
- Alyoshka 2.0
- Student 2024
- Ya ne otdam tebya nikomu (feat. LYRIQ)
DVD / Official Video Releases
- 1999 — “Bez tormozov” (VHS)
- 2000 — “Dышите равномерно” (VHS/DVD)
- 2003 — “Sdelay pogromche!” (DVD)
- 2007 — “Sdelay pogromche! Film-concert”
- 2012 — “15 let. Anniversary Concert”
- 2012 — “3 chasa drayva”
- 2012 — “Otkroy mne dver!” (DVD)
Music Video History
Classical Era (1995–2001)
1996–1997
- “Malysh” — first official video clip.
- “Student” — early hit, early visual aesthetic.
1998
- “Kroshka moya” — one of the most iconic videos of the 90s.
- “Lish o tebe mechtaia” — romantic music video.
- “Chuzhie guby” — cult hit.
1999
- “Nazovi ego kak menya” — dramatic pop clip.
- “Bez lyubvi” — heavily rotated music video.
2000
- “Ai-yai-yai” — dynamic dance clip.
- “Alyoshka” — legendary video.
- “Tak tebe i nado” — club visual format.
2001
- “18 mne uzhe” — new style.
- “Devchonka” — romantic ballad.
- “Ya budu s toboy” — lyrical video.
- “Malenkie devochki” — TV hit.
Later Years (2002–2005)
2002
- “Ukhodi” — club visual.
- “On tebya tseluyet” — iconic video of the 2000s.
- “Nevesta” — official duet with Igor Nikolaev.
2003
- “Mne s toboy khorosho”
- “Tantsuy”
2004
- “Ei, parni!” (OST) — official film video.
2005
- “Natasha” — international English-language clip for Germany.
Break & Return (2010–2016)
2010
- “On menya tseluyet” — remake.
2011–2013
- “Ruki Vverh! 15 let” — concert video series.
Standalone music videos were not released, but many live videos appeared.
New Era of Zhukov (2016–2024)
(Official clips of the new “Ruki Vverh!”)
2016
- “Kogda my byli molodymi”
- “Nu gde zhe vy, devchonki?” (feat. Mitya Fomin)
- “Tantsy”
- “Zaberi klyuchi”
2017
- “Slemitsya patsany” (feat. Little Big)
- “Ona menya tseluyet”
2018
- “K chyortu etu gordost”
- “Plachesh v temnote”
2019
- “Koroleva krasoty”
- “Polechu za toboy” (feat. Artik & Asti)
2020
- “Ukradi menya”
- “Moskva ne verit slezam” (feat. Artik & Asti)
2021
- “Radi tantspola” (feat. Gayazovs Brothers)
- “Alyoshka 2.0”
- “Student 2021” / “Student 2.0”
2022
- “Posledniy potseluy” (feat. HammAli & Navai)
- “Nakaut” (feat. Klava Koka)
2023
- “Chyornoe more”
- “Nedostatochno” (feat. Zivert)
- “Odinochka”
2024
- “Vspomni momenty”
- “Ottepel”
- “Ya ne otdam tebya nikomu” (feat. LYRIQ)
Rare and Special Video Releases
Promo Video & TV Live (1997–2002)
- “Dышите равномерно” — TV live version
- “Sdelay pogromche!” — live fragments
- “Kroshka moya” — TV live
- “Ya budu s toboy” — Muz-TV live
Films & Video Collections
- “Bez tormozov” (VHS, 1999)
- “Dышите равномерно” (VHS/DVD, 2000)
- “Sdelay pogromche! Film-concert” (2003–2004)
Unique Official Rarities
- Promo Demo 1995–1996 — distributed to Radio Maximum and Europa Plus
- Pre-release CD-R editions (1997–2001) — test pressings for media
- “Hands Up Mix” Japan Edition — rare Japanese reissue
- “10 let! Best Songs” Limited Box — press-exclusive edition
- German Maxi Single “Natasha” (2005) — unique remixes
“Ruki Vverh!” long ago became more than just a music act — they are a cultural phenomenon that has survived generations and continues to shape the pop scene of the post-Soviet space. Their songs became markers of an era, lines quoted in everyday life, and musical symbols of the 1990s and 2000s. Their concerts today still gather tens of thousands of listeners who grew up with their melodies.
Over the years, the group has gone through rises, format changes, breakups, and comebacks — keeping the most important thing: sincerity, raw energy, and the ability to speak to people in a simple, warm, and heartfelt language. Thanks to this, “Ruki Vverh!” confidently remain one of the most important and enduring groups on the Russian pop scene, proving that real music truly knows no age and never loses its power.
