On December 28, Russian rapper MOT (Matvey Melnikov), one of the most recognizable artists on the contemporary Russian hip-hop scene, will perform on stage at the Ashgabat Winter Sports Complex. The Beginning Matvey Melnikov was born on March 2, 1990, in the small town of Krymsk in the Krasnodar Krai. As a child, the future artist was passionate about dance and studied at the Krasnodar branch of the renowned Todes studio. At 15, he moved to Moscow, where he began to explore hip-hop alongside his studies. His first major breakthrough came in 2009, when 19-year-old Matvey took part in the "Battle for Respect" competition and reached the top 40 out of two thousand applicants. It was then, on the advice of rapper Legalize, that he changed his complex stage name to something short and memorable: MOT. Career Takeoff In 2011, MOT released his debut album, "Remote," followed a year later by his second, "Remont." A turning point came in 2013, when the artist joined the label Black Star Inc., where he remained until January 2022. It was with Black Star that MOT recorded his biggest hits. In 2014, he released the songs "Mama, Ya v Dubai" and a duet with the group VIA Gra, "Kislorod." Other iconic tracks followed: "Soprano" with Ani Lorak, "Kapkan," "Day and Night" with Olga Buzova, and "Absolutely Everything" with Bianca. In 2016, he released the album "Naiznanku," followed by "92 Dney" and "Dobraya Muzyka Klyuch" in 2017. MOT has collaborated extensively with leading Russian artists, including Jah Khalib, Artem Pivovarov, Timati, and Yegor Creed. Solo Career In January 2022, his contract with Black Star expired, and he decided to pursue his career independently. In August 2024, MOT released his eighth studio album, "August Forever." Over the years, the artist has received numerous music awards, including Muz-TV awards for "Breakthrough of the Year" and "Best Duet." His concerts consistently sell out venues across the country. MOT is known for his lyrical compositions, which he often dedicates to his family. He has been married to Maria Gural since 2016; the couple have a son, Solomon. MOT's concert in Ashgabat will take place on December 28 at 6:00 PM. Tickets are available at the box office of the Winter Sports Complex.