Mykhailo Shyian

Mykhailo Shyian (born September 14, 1977, Haivoron, Kirovohrads’ka Oblast, Ukraine) is a Ukrainian music producer and entrepreneur, known for his work with various artists and music projects. He founded the music label Sound United and has produced multiple albums and singles across genres including hip-hop, pop, R&B, and rock.

Early life and education

Shyian was born in Haivoron, Kirovohrads'ka Oblast, Ukraine, on September 14, 1977. In 2001, he graduated from the Institute of Advocacy at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, earning a degree in law.

Career

Early career

In 2002, Shyian began organizing concerts in Kyiv for several punk-rock and alternative bands, including Ne Boysya Masha, Oleg Garkusha’s project Auktsyon, Djeff, Pyatky, Vodolechebnitsa, and Boney' NEM. The same year, he founded the music label Sound United.

2003 – 2010: Work with Seryoga and Bianca

At the end of 2003, Shyian became the producer of Belarussian rapper Seryoga, and in 2005 launched the project Bianca with Seryoga's backing vocalist Tatyana Lipnitskaya. Both of the Belarussian artists gained widespread popularity across Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and the Caucasus and Baltic countries thanks to the promoting efforts of the label and Mykhailo Shyian personally.

With Seryoga Mykhailo Shyian released the albums “Moy Dvor. Svadba i Pokhorony” (“Moy Dvor: Sportivnye Chastushki” in Russia) and “Discomalaria” and the tracks “Vozle Doma Tvoyego” and “Chyorniy Boomer”. Both the track and the video “Chyorniy Boomer” won at the MTV Russian Music Awards for Best Debut of the Year, Best Hip-Hop Project of the Year and Best Ringtone of the Year, and Muz-TV award for Best Ringtone of the Year in 2005. For Bianca Mykhailo Shyian produced her debut album “Russkiy Narodny R'n'B” (2006), including the singles “Byli Tantsy” and “Neschastlivaya Lyubov”, followed by its reissue with additional track “Pro Leto” (2007) and the album “38 Zamkov” (2008). “Byli Tanci” earned 38 platinum certifications and Bianca was recognized as Best Hip-Hop Project by MTV in 2007.

2011 – 2021: Ukrainian period

Since 2011, Mykhailo Shyian and his Sound United have focused on Ukrainian talents. The list of those with whom Mr. Shyian and his label Sound United collaborated at various periods included Na vidminu vid, Belayev, Dead Boy’s Girlfriend, Mama Abama, Lyopa, Cherokey, Drugies, Sheens (“Hey you”), Amnesiac Dream, Emerday, Tareq, Allie Kay Lash, LaLa, Kalashnikova, Young Human, Banzay, Sollar (“Cheat Code”), Oleynik & STOBOY, Zheka Bayanist.  

Under Mykhailo Shyian’s production, the Ukrainian rap group Na Vidminu Vid recorded a song “2012” and filmed a video, which caused some controversy among fans. The group later released a satirical follow-up, Prodalis’ Moskalyam, also accompanied by a video. The collaboration helped the group to reach a wider audience and refine their visual and musical style under Shyian’s guidance. Later Shyian produced solo-project for Andriy Belyaev (Belayev) – member of the group, releasing successful tracks such as “Smotrimnemore” (featured in the “Ray Donovan” Hollywood series) and “Rock-Zvezda”. Among others Shyian also released several singles and videos for female project Allie Kay Lash, including “Like I Want It”, “Nazlo”, “Privet”, and “V Leto”, which was included in the soundtrack of the “Policeyskiy s Rublyovki” TV series in 2017.

Estradarada

In 2016-2018, Shyian and Sound United label collaborated with the Ukrainian project Estradarada and boosted another hit – “Vitye nado vyiti”, which achieved nearly 135 million views on YouTube and recognition across Ukrainian and Russian-speaking markets in 2017, earning awards including "Breakthrough of the Year" (Muz-TV) and "Best Start" (RU.TV), as well as the Russian Song of the Year and the Victoria National Music Award.

Oleg Kenzov

In 2018, Sound United of Mykhailo Shyian signed Ukrainian singer Oleg Kenzov, and produced releases including “#raketabombapetarda“, “Prosto Poteryaisya” in collaboration with Zheka Bayanist (another Sound United artist), “Po Kayfu” gaining millions of digital streams and views on YouTube and other digital platforms. Subsequent releases helped establish Kenzov as a prominent artist in Ukraine's contemporary music scene, winning Top Hit Music Awards (2020) and Yuna Award for Best Pop Hit (2021) for “Po Kayfu” and “Best Song-2021” award of Ukrainian Musical Platform for “Prosto Poteryaisya”. The collaboration also includes music video production, digital promotion and distribution.

2021 – current: International expansion

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Sound United of Shyian adapted its operations to the digital market including partnership with the world digital distributor Believe. By 2021 the label relocated to Europe, expanding its list of artists from Germany, Poland, Israel, and Moldova: Mr.Niki from Germany, Tina Chris from Poland, Zvika Band from Israel, Rafa from Moldova and others.

Support for emerging Ukrainian artists

Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Mykhailo Shyian shifted his focus toward supporting emerging Ukrainian artists and developing new projects despite major disruptions in the live music market. Among his new artists: Drevo, Olyaska, 100boy, Electro-Geograph, Gentle.

Drevo

In 2023 Sound United by Mykhailo Shyian became the producer of Ukrainian artist Drevo. Over the next two years, Shiyan produced a series of releases with the artist, including multiple tracks and music videos. The collaboration also included Drevo’s participation in the Ukrainian national selection for Eurovision 2024 and track “Terpy, kozak” involving Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk. In 2024, Shyian and Drevo also released the album “Pershyi Time”.

In June 2025, Drevo’s single “Smarahdove Nebo” achieved major commercial success in Ukraine, charting prominently throughout 2025. It was followed by another successful release, “Enkarapista”, which in 2026 held the Top position of Ukrainian charts.

Olyaska

In late 2025, Sound United of Shyian signed the Ukrainian artist Olyaska. By early 2026 two joint tracks had been released by this collaboration: “Sanya” and “Bitch from Beverly Hills”.

Selected discography and productions

• Seryoga – Svadba i Pokhorony, Discomalaria
• Bianca – Russkiy Narodny R'n'B, 38 Zamkov
• Estradarada – Vite Nado Vyyti
• Oleg Kenzov – Po Kayfu, #RaketaBombaPetarda, Otvechayu, Oy, Kak Khorosho, Prosto Poteryaysya
• Drevo – Smarahdove Nebo, Enkarapista