Little Big
{{short description|Russian rave band}}
{{other uses}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Little Big
| image = Little Big Kaliningrad 2019 (cropped).jpg
| landscape = yes
| caption = Little Big in 2019
| origin = Saint Petersburg, Russia
| genre = {{flatlist|
}}
| years_active = {{start date|2013}}–present
| label = {{Flatlist|
- Little Big Family
- Warner
}}
| associated_acts = {{flatlist|
}}
| website = {{URL|littlebig.band}}
| current_members = * Ilya "Ilich" Prusikin
| past_members = * Olympia Ivleva
- Anna Kast
- Sergey "Gokk" Makarov
- {{interlanguage link|Anton "Boo" Lissov|ru|Лиссов, Антон Сергеевич}}
}}
Little Big is a Russian rave band founded in Saint Petersburg in 2013 and currently based in Los Angeles, California, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.{{Cite web |title=Little Big Homepage |url=https://littlebig.band/ |access-date=15 October 2022 |website=Little Big Band Website}}[https://soundcloud.com/littlebigrussia Official page of the group Little Big] on SoundCloud "Little Big – Russian pop group, founded in 2013 in St. Petersburg" The band currently consists of Ilya "Ilich" Prusikin and Sonya Tayurskaya.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcRZUZ0yAuU LISSOV VLOG – Backstage LITTLE BIG April 2 STEREO HALL (MSCs)] «ANTHONY LISSOV (LISSOFF) Voice of JANE AIR, Clown from LITTLE BIG» Their first full-length album, With Russia from Love, was released on 17 March 2014.{{cite web|url=https://weirdestbandintheworld.com/tag/russian-pop/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190406215437/https://weirdestbandintheworld.com/tag/russian-pop/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2019-04-06|title=russian pop – The Weirdest Band in the World|website=Weirdestbandintheworld.com|access-date=15 March 2020|date=2014}}
History
The band was formed by musician Ilya Prusikin and videomaker Alina Pasok and made their debut on 1 April 2013, releasing their first video "Every Day I'm Drinking".[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrU1hZxSEXQ LITTLE BIG – Everyday I'm drinking] They made their first public appearance on 2 July 2013 at the club A2,{{cite web|url=http://www.sobaka.ru/city/music/17254|title=Интервью с Little Big|website=Sobaka.ru|date=25 June 2013 |access-date=2 December 2018}} opening for Die Antwoord.{{cite web|url=http://www.sobaka.ru/city/music/33035|title=Die Antwoord vs Little Big|website=Sobaka.ru|date=29 January 2015 |access-date=2 December 2018}} They have toured in Europe, Russia, and North America.[http://rockcult.ru/interview-ilya-prusikin-2016 Interview | Ilya Prusikin: «Little Big – a musical reflection of society»] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160727010557/http://rockcult.ru/interview-ilya-prusikin-2016 |date=2016-07-27 }} Rock Cult{{Cite web |url=http://www.thelittlebig.com/tour/ |title=LITTLE BIG TOUR |access-date=2016-10-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160523145202/http://www.thelittlebig.com/tour/ |archive-date=2016-05-23 |url-status=dead }} "This music is really in demand. We have not invested a single penny, just shot video, and became known in Europe", Prusikin said in an interview with UTV.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGrwxdFkYk8|title=Настоящая Музыка – Интервью с группой Little Big|last=Настоящая Музыка на UTV|date=19 February 2016|access-date=2 December 2018|publisher=YouTube}}* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75oX6mszDMQ Little Big Interview] in Couvre Feu 2015 – Samedi 22 Aout by Radio Fest (a broadcast of Stefline radio).
- [http://rockcult.ru/interview-ilya-prusikin-2016] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160727010557/http://rockcult.ru/interview-ilya-prusikin-2016|date=2016-07-27}} Interview | Ilya Prusikin: "Little Big – a musical reflection of society" Rock Cult
- {{cite web |last=On Stage |date=22 July 2015 |title=[ON STAGE #15] with Little Big – "Everyday I'm drinking" |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6j83bFwiWI |access-date=2 December 2018 |publisher=YouTube}}
- {{cite web |last=Georgy Glau |date=28 December 2015 |title=LITTLE BIG – Live in Moscow 2015 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OQvtiUANSg |access-date=2 December 2018 |publisher=YouTube}} On 19 December 2015, the band released their second album, Funeral Rave. It was 8th on the Russian iTunes chart for the 52nd week of 2015. On 21 May 2016, videos for the songs "Give Me Your Money" and "Big Dick" received a prize at the Berlin Music Video Awards 2016.*{{cite web|url=http://www.berlinmva.com/winners-2016/|title=Berlin Music Video Awards|first=Berlin Music Video|last=Awards|website=Berlinmva.com|access-date=2 December 2018}}
- {{cite web|url=http://www.berlinmva.com/main/meet-the-nominees/|title=Berlin Music Video Awards|first=Berlin Music Video|last=Awards|website=Berlinmva.com|access-date=2 December 2018}} "Big Dick" won Most Trashy,*[https://www.facebook.com/berlinmva/posts/902061443253822 Berlin Music Video Awards on facebook] List of FINALISTS
- {{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/berlinmva/posts/902390806554219|title=Berlin Music Video Awards|website=Facebook.com|access-date=2 December 2018}} and "Give Me Your Money" won third place for Best Performer.{{cite web|url=https://vk.com/littlebigband?w=wall-55072656_20882|title=Wall|website=Vk.com|access-date=2 December 2018}} "Big Dick", with over 70 million views,[https://vk.com/littlebigband?w=wall-55072656_20479 LITTLE BIG – BIG DICK scored 10,000,000 views on YouTube] is full of sexual imagery and overtones.{{cite news|url=http://www.deathandtaxesmag.com/280783/big-dick-is-the-song-and-super-nsfw-video-of-2016|title='Big Dick' is the song and super NSFW video of 2016|first=Jordan |last=Freiman|work=Death and Taxes Magazine|date=February 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170120035756/http://www.deathandtaxesmag.com/280783/big-dick-is-the-song-and-super-nsfw-video-of-2016|archive-date=January 20, 2017|url-status=dead}} "We just want to show people that they own their lives. Countries and governments are not as important as they think, a person can deal with what he wants", said frontman Ilya Prusikin on the purpose of the band in an interview with Noisey.{{cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/i-found-the-russian-die-antwoord/|title=I Found the Russian Die Antwoord|date=5 December 2013|website=Noisey.vice.com|access-date=2 December 2018}} The band has its own label "Little Big Family", which includes Little Big (2016–present), The Hatters (2016–present), Tatarka (2016–present), {{ill|Khleb (band)|lt=Khleb|ru|Хлеб (группа)}} (2017–present), and {{ill|Lizer|ru|LIZER}} (2018–present).[https://vk.com/photo-150575394_456243311?rev=1 Текущий состав «Little Big Family»]
File:Little Big (9) на VK Fest 5.jpg
In April 2018, Olympia Ivleva decided to leave the band.{{cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/BhCIJLBDbPV/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/BhCIJLBDbPV |archive-date=2021-12-26 |url-access=registration|title=Olympiya_ on Instagram: "В этот прекрасный день я хочу поздравить команду #LittleBig с днём рождения и пожелать ей дальнейшего продвижения и успехов в следующих…"|website=Instagram|access-date=2 December 2018}}{{cbignore}} Later that year, she stated her "burnout after five years of doing the same job", combined with intention to start her own non-musical businesses (chocolate paste and lingerie), were the reasons behind her exit.{{cite web |title=Почему она УШЛА ИЗ LITTLE BIG? ОЛИМПИЯ|trans-title=Why did she left LITTLE BIG? OLYMPIA |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQeUMiZ50PU&t=1675s |website=Nezyny Redaktor |publisher=YouTube |access-date=17 March 2020 |language=ru |date=June 21, 2018}} Little Big achieved viral success with the release of the video for "Skibidi" on 5 October 2018. The video features a dance that became popular when others tried to imitate it as part of the "Skibidi Challenge".{{cite web|url=https://www.dailydot.com/unclick/skibidi-challenge/|title=The internet is going bonkers over the Macarena-like #skibidichallenge|date=15 October 2018|website=Dailydot.com|access-date=2 December 2018}} Little Big took the first prize in the Most Trashy category at the 2018 Berlin Music Video Awards for their music video
In March 2020, Little Big were announced as Russia's entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2020, where they would have performed "Uno".{{cite web|title=Russia's Eurovision act Little Big drops epic video for their amazing entry song|date=13 March 2020|url=https://metro.co.uk/2020/03/13/russias-eurovision-little-big-uno-video-12394385|publisher=Metro |access-date=11 May 2020 |language=en}} The music video for the song, released at the same time, features Yuri Muzychenko from The Hatters and Florida Chanturia from Leningrad, both of whom were to join the band on stage during the contest.{{cite web |trans-title=Little Big in expanded edition will perform at Eurovision 2020|title=Little Big выступит на "Евровидении-2020" в расширенном составе |date=12 March 2020 |url=https://iz.ru/986194/2020-03-12/little-big-vystupit-na-evrovidenii-2020-v-rasshirennom-sostave |publisher=Izvestia |access-date=17 March 2020 |language=ru}} However, on 18 March 2020, the event was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, the band won the Most Trashy category with their video
On 1 March 2021, Little Big announced on Instagram that founding member Anna Kast had died.{{Cite web|author=Little Big|date=2021-03-01|title=Little Big history started almost 8 years ago with: Anya, Ilich and Olympia. (...)|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CL36MX7LKYH/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/CL36MX7LKYH |archive-date=2021-12-26 |url-access=registration|url-status=live|access-date=2021-03-01|website=Instagram}}{{cbignore}} On 8 March 2021, Little Big released a new single, "Sex Machine," along with a video which referenced the video to "Uno" the year prior. However, they subsequently posted on Instagram, "We are not going to Eurovision 2021. We think that Russia has many talented and unique artists, each one of them deserves the chance to be seen out there."url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CMKmqJcLfX3 Little Big was nominated for Best Art Director with their music video
Following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, the two leaders of the band, Prusikin and Tayurskaya, relocated to Los Angeles, California on 2 March of that same year.{{Cite web |title=Группа Little Big выпустила "антивоенный манифест" — песню "Generation Cancellation". И объявила, что уезжает из России |url=https://meduza.io/feature/2022/06/24/uchastniki-little-big-vypustili-antivoennuyu-pesnyu-generation-cancellation-i-ob-yavili-ob-ot-ezde-iz-rossii |access-date=2022-06-24 |website=Meduza |language=ru}}{{Cite web |date=2022-06-24 |title="Stop war in Ukraine" — Russia's Little Big release "Generation Cancellation" and leave the country |url=https://wiwibloggs.com/2022/06/24/little-big-criticise-russia-war-in-ukraine-generation-cancellation/272827/ |access-date=2022-06-24 |website=wiwibloggs |language=en-US}} They stated that they were on a government blacklist, and aren't allowed to perform any shows in Russia. When asked about a possible return to Russia, they stated that it will be possible "when Putin leaves".{{Cite web |last=BBC News |date=5 July 2022 |title=Little Big: The rave band who fled Russia – BBC Newsnight |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3kZfLeEqvs |website=YouTube}} On 24 June, the band released the single "Generation Cancellation", which carries a pacifist, anti-war message, characterizing it as a war of war profiteering old men, a chess game with soldiers as chess pieces to be sacrificed at will, with gloomy consequences on younger generations.{{cite web |url=https://en.chessbase.com/post/a-critical-video-generation-cancellation |title=Critical voice: "Little Big" and their song "Generation Cancellation" |first=André |last=Schulz |date=7 July 2022 |access-date=10 March 2023 |website=ChessBase 17}} After the release of the song, they condemned the actions of the Russian government and Russian war propaganda.{{cite news |title=Russian Pop Band Little Big Drops New Single Generation Cancellation – An Anti-War Manifesto |url=https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/russian-pop-band-little-big-drops-new-single-generation-cancellation-an-anti-war-manifesto-1031549453 |work=Business Insider |date=24 June 2022}} However, the song was regarded by some Ukrainians as rather anti-American and anti-West rather than anti-Russian.{{Cite web |last=Ukrainian Toronto Television |date=6 July 2022 |title=Little Big filmed "an anti-war manifesto". But it turned out about "the bad west" |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emznIk6BlOQ |website=YouTube}} A protest by Ukrainian activists caused their show in Kraków, that was supposed to take place 12 November, to be cancelled.{{Cite web |date=9 November 2022 |title=Kontrowersji wokół występu Little Big ciąg dalszy. Koncert odwołano! |url=https://krakow.naszemiasto.pl/kontrowersji-wokol-wystepu-little-big-ciag-dalszy-koncert/ar/c13-9081457 |website=Nasze Miasto}} In Russia, they were accused of being "traitors" by the government-controlled media.{{cite news |title=Exile, silence or arrest: Russian celebrities against Ukraine war have no good choices |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/russia-ukraine-little-big-ilya-prusikin-punk-rock-music-rcna36648 |work=NBC News |date=12 July 2022}} Prusikin was designated in Russia as a "foreign agent".{{Cite web |date=January 27, 2023 |title=Russian Justice Ministry names new 'foreign agents,' including Dalai Lama's envoy Telo Tulku Rinpoche and Little Big frontman Ilya Prusikin |url=https://meduza.io/en/news/2023/01/27/russian-justice-ministry-names-new-foreign-agents-including-the-dalai-lama-s-envoy-and-little-big-frontman-ilya-prusikin |website=Meduza}} The band planned to release a fifth studio album in 2022,{{Citation|title=Илья Прусикин и Соня Таюрская: "Изменила бы в Илье всё!" Встречаем Новый Год и обсуждаем прошедший|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbR9W9Or_o0|language=en|access-date=2022-01-17}} but did not end up doing so. Prusikin noted that "We are a band that likes to work in so many styles: pop, rave, punk and hardcore. And (now) we embody our ambition and love for different genres in the (new) album. It will be different".
Musical style
File:Little Big YT Views in a Year by County.png views were from Russia, as of March 13, 2020.{{cite web|url=https://charts.youtube.com/artist/%2Fm%2F010s05zb?date_end=2020-03-13T00%3A00%3A00Z|title=Music Charts and Insgiht – Little Big – Worldwide – 12 months|publisher=YouTube Charts|date=2020-03-13|access-date=2020-03-15}}]]
The team calls itself a satirical art collaboration, which relies on the music, visuals, and the show. Little Big mocks various national stereotypes about Russia. All the videos are filmed by co-founder Alina Pasok.{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7291521/|title=Alina Pasok – IMDb|website=IMDb.com|date=2021-08-06|access-date=2021-08-06}} The band shoots and produces all of their music videos.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAozC_hdj7Q|title=Ильич и Гокк (LITTLE BIG) – Интервью (Тула 31 October 2014)|last=Роман Гогов|date=7 November 2014|access-date=2 December 2018|publisher=YouTube}}
Since the first concert took place as the opening act for Die Antwoord, the band was dubbed "The Russian Die Antwoord", and is often compared with this band.{{cite web|url=http://www.metatroniks.net/2013/12/12/little-big-from-russia/|title=Little Big from Russia|last=Metatroniks|date=12 December 2013|website=Metatronicks.net|access-date=2 December 2018}} Vice also called Little Big "a Russian mental patient's answer to Die Antwoord". Other critics point out that while Little Big has an identity of its own, it also exposes the listener to Russian folk songs and Russian culture.{{cite web|url=http://www.beatmashmagazine.com/los-die-antwoord-rusos-little-big|title=Los "Die Antwoord" rusos: Little Big – Beatmash Magazine|website=Beatmashmagazine.com|access-date=2 December 2018}}
The band was influenced by a variety of musicians including Cannibal Corpse, NOFX, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rammstein, and The Prodigy to Mozart and Vivaldi.{{cite web|url=http://www.theconcertinconcert.com/little-big-desde-rusia-en-barcelona-rave-funeral/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20160520085010/http://www.theconcertinconcert.com/little-big-desde-rusia-en-barcelona-rave-funeral/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=20 May 2016|title=LITTLE BIG (desde Rusia) en BARCELONA – Rave Funeral|website=Theconcertinconcert.com|access-date=2 December 2018}}
Band members
Current members
- Ilya "Ilich" Prusikin – frontman, vocals (2013–present)
- Sonya Tayurskaya – vocals (recording 2014–present; live 2016–present)
Former members
- Anna Kast – backing vocals (2013–2014; died 2021)
- Olympia Ivleva – vocals (2013–2018)
- Sergey "Gokk" Makarov – DJ, backing vocals (2013–2022)
- {{interlanguage link|Anton "Boo" Lissov|ru|Лиссов, Антон Сергеевич}} – vocals, guitar (2014–2022)
Touring members
- Danny Zuckerman – DJ, backing vocals (2023–present)
= Timeline =
ImageSize = width:500 height:200
PlotArea = left:185 bottom:75 top:0 right:50
Alignbars = justify
DateFormat = dd/mm/yyyy
Period = from:01/04/2013 till:01/01/2025
TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy
ScaleMajor = increment:1 start:2014
ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:2014
Colors =
id:1 value:red
id:2 value:green
id:3 value:blue
id:4 value:yellow
BarData =
bar:Ilich text:"Ilya Prusikin"
bar:Lipa text:"Olympia Ivleva"
bar:Anya text:"Anna Kast"
bar:Gokk text:"Sergey Makarov"
bar:Clown_2 text:"Anton Lissov"
bar:Sofa text:"Sonya Tayurskaya"
PlotData =
width:10 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(10,-4)
bar:Ilich from:01/04/2013 till:end color:3
bar:Lipa from:01/04/2013 till:01/04/2018 color:1
bar:Anya from:01/04/2013 till:17/01/2014 color:1
bar:Gokk from:01/05/2013 till:24/02/2022 color:2
bar:Clown_2 from:01/01/2014 till:24/02/2022 color:3
bar:Sofa from:01/01/2014 till:end color:1
Discography
{{Main|Little Big discography}}
- With Russia From Love (2014)
- Funeral Rave (2015)
- Antipositive, Pt. 1 (2018)
- Antipositive, Pt. 2 (2018)
- Lobster Popstar (2024)
Awards and nominations
| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ !Year !Country !Prize !Category !Nominee !Result !Notes |
| 2015
|Wildfest 'Like 2015' |Like for music |Little Big |Nomination |
| rowspan="4" |2016
| rowspan="2" |Russia |Wildfest 'Like 2016' |Like for the song |Big Dick |Nomination |
| Alfa Future Awards
|TOP-100 best DJs in Russia |Little Big |89th place |{{Cite web|title=Best DJ award|url=http://alfafuturerating.ru/#b-4}} |
| rowspan="2" |Germany
| rowspan="2" |Berlin Music Video Awards |Most Trashy |Big Dick |Win |
| Best Performer
|Give Me Your Money |Nomination |
| rowspan="2" |2018
|USA |Global Film Festival Awards |Best Music Video | rowspan="2" |Lolly Bomb |Win |{{Cite web|title=GFF Awards Winners of Monthly Competitions|url=https://www.gffawards.com/feb2018|access-date=2022-01-17|website=gffawards|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Наш клип LollyBomb выиграл в номинации "Best.. {{!}} LITTLE BIG {{!}} VK|url=https://vk.com/wall-55072656_52558|access-date=2022-01-17|website=vk.com|language=en}} |
| Germany
|Most Trashy |Win |
| rowspan="10" |2019
|Ketnet The Gala of the Golden K's 2018 |Hype of the year | rowspan="2" |Skibidi |Win |
| rowspan="5" |Russia
|Chart Dozen |Clip |Win |
| rowspan="3" |Native Sound
|Best Pop | rowspan="2" |Little Big |Nomination |
| Best Meme
|Win |
| Best Clip of the Year
| rowspan="3" |Skibidi |Nomination |
| BraVo
|Music Video of the Year |Win |
| Germany
|Best Concept |Win |
| rowspan="3" |Russia
|RU.TV Award 2019 |Best Duet |Слэмятся пацаны |Nomination |
| rowspan="2" |TopHit Music Video Awards 2019
|Video Clip of the Year on YouTube in Russia (mixed voals) |Skibidi |Win | rowspan="2" |{{Cite web|title=Top Hit Music Awards 2019|url=https://thma.tophit.live/2019|access-date=2022-01-17|website=thma.tophit.live}} |
| Rise of the Year on YouTube in Russia
|Little Big |Win |
| rowspan="2" |2020
|Russia |New Radio Awards |Best Producer |Little Big Family |Win |
| Germany
|Most Trashy |Win |{{Cite web|title=Клип Little Big — "Go Bananas" одержал победу.. {{!}} LITTLE BIG {{!}} VK|url=https://vk.com/wall-55072656_114232|access-date=2022-01-17|website=vk.com|language=en}} |
| rowspan="2" |2021
|Russia |Muz-TV Award |The Best Group |Little Big |Win |
| Germany
|Best Art Director |S*CK MY D*CK 2020 |Nominated | |
| rowspan="3" |2023
|USA |WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival |Music Video – New Artist |Win |
| rowspan="2" |Germany
| rowspan="2" |Berlin Music Video Awards |Best Concept |GENERATION CANCELLATION |Nomination | |
| Best Director
|Pendejo |Nomination | |
| rowspan="2" |2024
| rowspan="2" |Germany | rowspan="2" |Berlin Music Video Awards |Best Narrative |It Happens |Nomination | |
| Best Trashy
|Boobs |Nomination | |
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|Little Big}}
- {{Official website}}
- [http://warnermusic.ru/artists/little_big/ Little Big] profile on Warner Music Russia
- {{YouTube|channel=UCu7TZ_ATWgjgD9IrNLdnYDA}}
{{s-start}}
{{s-ach}}
{{succession box
| before=Sergey Lazarev
with "Scream"
| title=Russia in the Eurovision Song Contest
| years={{escyr|2020}} (cancelled)
| after=Manizha
with "Russian Woman"
}}
{{s-end}}
{{Little Big}}
{{Russia in the Eurovision Song Contest |state=autocollapse}}
{{Eurovision Song Contest 2020 |state=autocollapse}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Musical groups established in 2013
Category:2013 establishments in Russia
Category:Russian electronic music groups
Category:Musical groups from Saint Petersburg
Category:Russian hip-hop groups
Category:English-language musical groups from Russia
Category:Russian National Music Award winners