Black Star Mafia is an independent Russian music label that consists of many artists with different musical styles ranging from hip hop to rap to r&b to pop. The group was founded in 2007 by Timur Yunusov, a music producer and performer who goes by the stage name Timati. There are over 15 artists on this label, and they frequently collaborate with each other. Black Star Mafia has attempted to "westernize" music in Russia.
Similar to western music label collectives, such as YMCMB (Young Money Cash Money Billionaires), the content of the music focuses on promoting the image of the music label and of their monetary gains. Frequently boasting about their expensive cars, jewelry, clothes, and gorgeous girlfriends through titles such as, "это понты" by Timati, the artists of Black Star Mafia are shameless when boasting about their self-worth. Black Star Mafia is more than just a music label. In a time when money is the key to success in Russia, Black Star Mafia is an incarnate version of the idea that having money is everything.
In another attempt to copy western music, Black Star Mafia has signed Russian artists that have an uncanny resemblance to famous western artists. For example, Egor Krid, who was recently signed in 2012, is a 21 year old handsome blond with many tattoos-- who bears a shocking resemblance to Justin Bieber.
As Russian music evolves, it is evident that it is heading in the same direction as western music. However, boasting about Moscow and Russia as a whole still separates Black Star Mafia from the western music label collectives. Perhaps Black Star Mafia is branding and selling their image in an attempt to appeal to Russian young adults who could be swayed by western music.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYnI6VKwYmM
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