Mykhailo Shiyan
Mykhailo Shiyan (born September 14, 1977, Haivoron, Kirovohrad Oblast, Ukraine) is a Ukrainian music producer and entrepreneur, known for his work with various Ukrainian 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.[1]
Early life and education
Shiyan was born in Haivoron, Kirovohrad 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 2003, Shiyan 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.[2]
Work with Seryoga
At the end of 2003, Shiyan became the producer of Belarusian rapper Seryoga.[3] He released Seryoga's first two albums, Svadba i Pokhorony and Diskomalyaria. Initially focusing on the Ukrainian music market, Shiyan promoted Seryoga on various television channels. Later, the album Moi Dvor: Svadby i Pokhorony was released in Belarus under the title Moi Dvor: Sportivnye Chastushki.
In 2004, Shiyan produced the music video for Seryoga’s single "Chernyy Bumer", directed by Volodymyr Yakymenko.[4] The song and video became widely popular across Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and the Caucasus and Baltic countries. The track and video were nominated at the MTV Russian Music Awards for "Best Debut of the Year" and "Best Hip-Hop Project of the Year," while in 2005, the song won the Muz-TV award for Best Ringtone of the Year.
Work with Bianca
In 2004, Shiyan began collaborating with Seryoga's backing vocalist Tetyana Lipnytska, creating her solo project Bianca.[5] He produced her first album, Russkiy Narodny R'n'B, in 2006, and helped develop her image as the "Queen of Russian RnB." The singles Byli Tantsy (video directed by Volodymyr Yakymenko) and Neschastlivaya Lyubov (video directed by Ihor Ivanov) became her signature tracks.
Bianca's album was reissued with an additional track, Pro Leto, in 2007, which was also accompanied by a music video. That year, she was recognized as the "Best Hip-Hop Project" by MTV. Bianca’s subsequent album, 38 Zamkov, was released in 2008, followed by the music video for the single Za Toboy in 2009. Shiyan ended his professional relationship with Bianca in 2010.
Other projects
From 2011, Shiyan produced several other musical acts, including the band Mama Abama, which released humorous and satirical songs and music videos, such as Amerikano (directed by Ihor Ivanov).[6]
In 2012, Shiyan began working with the Ukrainian rap group V Otlichie Ot, which had released the song "2012" and an amateur music video at that time. Under his production, the group recorded a Russian-language version of the song and filmed a new video, which caused some controversy among fans. In response, the group released a satirical track titled "Prodalis’ Moskalyam," accompanied by its own music video.
In 2013, he launched the female project Allie Kay Lash, releasing several singles and videos, including Like I Want It, Nazlo, Privet, and V Leto, with the latter included in the soundtrack of the TV series “The Policeman from Rublyovka” in 2017.
In 2014, he produced solo projects for members of the group, including Andriy Belyaev, releasing successful tracks such as Smotrimnemore (featured in the Hollywood series Ray Donovan) and Rock-Zvezda.
Estradarada and further success
In 2016, Shiyan became the producer of the Ukrainian band Estradarada.[7] Their first major hit under his production was Vite Nado Vyyti, achieving nearly 100 million YouTube views and recognition across Ukrainian and Russian-speaking markets in 2017, earning awards such as "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.
In 2018, Shiyan signed Ukrainian singer Oleg Kenzov, releasing the hit single Po Kayfu, which received widespread acclaim and millions of YouTube views.[8] Subsequent releases helped establish Kenzov as a prominent figure in Ukraine's contemporary music scene, winning Top Hit Music Awards (2020) and Yuna Award for Best Pop Hit (2021).
Shiyan has also produced artists including Kalashnikova (2020) and Ukrainian rapper STOBOY (2022), launching successful tracks and lyric videos.
International expansion
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Shiyan’s label adapted to the digital music market and expanded internationally. By 2021, the label relocated to Europe, collaborating with artists from Germany, Poland, Israel, and Moldova, and partnering with the global digital distributor Believe.
Support for emerging Ukrainian artists
Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Shiyan shifted his focus toward supporting emerging Ukrainian artists and developing new projects despite major disruptions in the live music market. In 2023, he began working with the artist Drevo from Rivne Oblast. 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 work involving Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk.
In June 2025, Drevo’s single “Smarahdove Nebo” achieved major commercial success in Ukraine, charting prominently throughout 2025, followed by another successful release, “Enkarapista.”[9] In late 2025, Shiyan and Drevo also released the album Pershyi Taim (“First Half”).
In late 2025, Shiyan signed the Ukrainian artist Olyaska. By early 2026, the collaboration had resulted in the release of two joint tracks.
Selected discography and productions
- Seryoga – Svadba i Pokhorony, Diskomalyaria
- 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
References
- ↑ Drevo’s “Emerald Sky” named top Ukrainian song of 2025 Mezha. Accessed 2026-02-10.
- ↑ Sound United – official site of the music label Sound United. Accessed 2026‑02‑10.
- ↑ Seryoga — artist profile on Jarmarka.de Jarmarka.de. Accessed 2026‑02‑10.
- ↑ Seryoga — biography and career Academic Dictionaries and Encyclopedias. Accessed 2026‑02‑10.
- ↑ Bianka — artist profile on Kontramarka.de Kontramarka.de. Accessed 2026‑02‑10.
- ↑ “Американо” song on Shazam Shazam. Accessed 2026‑02‑10.
- ↑ Estradarada — biography of the group SalveMusic.com.ua. Accessed 2026‑02‑10.
- ↑ Oleg Kenzov — artist profile on Jarmarka.de Jarmarka.de. Accessed 2026‑02‑10.
- ↑ Apple Music names top songs Ukrainians listened to in 2025 112.ua. Accessed 2026‑02‑10.