Who is Oxxxymiron? Russian rapper announces anti-war concerts to raise money for Ukrainian refugees

Popular Russian hip-hop artist and rapper Oxxxymiron has announced a series of charity concerts which he has termed RAW, or Russians Against War.

The development comes weeks after the artist canceled six shows in Russia, some of which were even sold out, in the backdrop of the ongoing Ukraine crisis. The sold-out shows were to take place in Moscow and St. Petersburg.

Speaking to the New York Times, he said:

"I cannot entertain you when Russian missiles are falling on Ukraine. When residents of Kyiv are forced to hide in basements and in the metro, while people are dying.”

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Oxxxymiron says charity concerts to be held outside Russia

Oxxxymiron, also known as Miron Fyodorov, noted that the upcoming charity concerts will be held outside Russia because of censorship, and that the proceeds will go towards helping refugees. This was the first time the artist canceled his first headlining tour shortly before announcing new shows outside of Russia.

In a video announcing the concerts, the Russian rapper said:

“Right now, it’s impossible to organize an anti-war concert in Russia, because, as insane as it may sound, everything anti-war is illegal these days. Total censorship has been implemented, and anyone who speaks out against the war in any way becomes a potential target for criminal prosecution.”

He further noted that the concerts will also be streamed live on YouTube, Instagram, and Twitch, and viewers will have the option to donate, saying:

“If you are against this war, against the war in Ukraine and against repressions in Russia, then come to Twitch and the other streams, come to the show. See you there, peace!”

The upcoming RAW concert is slated for March 15, 2022 and will start at 9:30 pm local time in Istanbul, Turkey at the Kadıköy Sahne club.

Oxxxymiron is one of the most influential and prominent hip-hop performers in Russia; his albums The Eternal Jew and Gorgorod are considered some of the most significant rap works by the Russian rap community. He is also a co-founder and former member of the record label Vagabund.

He published a 10-minute-long music video titled Who killed Mark? on November 1, 2021. On November 12, 2021, Fyodorov's third mixtape, miXXXtape III: Time of Troubles, was released, and it was followed on December 2021 by his third album, Beauty & Ugliness, which included 22 new songs.