Lama becomes the first Ukrainian artist to be honored at MTC EMA
I don’t know about you, but it came as a surprise to me when I learned that none other than the band Lama was named best Ukrainian Act at the MTV Europe Music Awards ceremony, held in Munich Nov.1. In fact, Lama became the first Ukrainian artist to be honored at MTV in history, since the MTV Ukraine music channel went on air just this year, enabling Ukrainian musicians to participate in the MTV European Awards.
Lama was named winner according to the votes cast by the viewers of MTV Ukraine, beating the other nominees, which included Gaytana, Esthetic Education, Okean Elzy and Vopli Vidoplyasova. Now I don’t feel that strongly about Gaytana, but the other three constituted very strong rivals for Lama – Esthetic Education being a truly European act, and Okean Elzy and VV being absolute favorites with Ukrainian audiences. However, apparently Esthetic Education’s melancholic rock was far too indie for MTV viewers, and they have gotten way too tired of Okean Elzy, whose latest album is rather weak, and VV have been around for too long to excite anyone, especially considering that they haven’t released any really new material in a while.
Lama, on the other hand was a new face, impersonated in the looks of its soloist Nataliya Dzenkiv, who maintains an Indian-style image. A debutant on the Ukrainian music scene, Lama released its first album “Meni Tak Treba” (“I Need It This Way”) just last year, along with a few videos that went in rotation showing an exotic-looking Ukrainian lady performing very feminine, melodious instrumental pop. To my hearing, Lama’s songs appeared too simplistic to be remembered, but apparently that was exactly what the local listeners were starving for – something simple, edible and unpretentious. Considering other similar appearances on the Ukrainian stage, such as Alyona Vinnytska, who calls herself a rock singer and performs wearing next to nothing, Lama, which honestly admits its music is pop, looks like a decent Ukrainian act.
