Svetlana Loboda

Svetlana Loboda (Ukrainian: Св?тлана Лобода, born 18 October 1982 in Kiev, Ukrainian SSR) is a Ukrainian singer and composer. Loboda represented Ukraine in the Eurovision Song Contest 2009 and finished in 12th place with 76 points.

Loboda, as a young girl, studied piano, conducting, variety and jazz vocal, and grew to have the experience of composer, leading role actress in a musical, TV host, designer, photographer, singer in Ukraine's, Russia's and CIS most popular girls band and finally a solo artist. From an early age Loboda showed a tendency for music and acting, making home musicals for her parents and relatives on family holidays. Therefore, it was not a difficult decision for her mother as to what special courses to enrol her daughter in to study. In the specialized music school, Loboda studied piano and at the same time mastered the art of singing and conducting.

Having finished music school, Loboda continued with her music studies and entered the department of variety and jazz singing at the Kyiv Variety And Circus Academy. It was at this time she became a member of the band 'Cappuccino'. In 2003 she participated in the casting for the first ever Ukrainian professional musical "The Equator", where she received the leading role of "Mirana". On 28 December 2003, she started a new band - 'Catch'. Svetlane was the creator of the repertoire and stage costumes for the band. That was her first professional experience as composer and designer.

In 2004 Loboda auditioned for the casting for 'Nu Virgos' band, well known in Eastern Europe also having successful gigs in Japan . She won over nearly 500 rivals and became a new soloist of 'Nu Virgos' (Also known as ВИА ГРА in Russia and Ukraine). Svetlana's first appearance as a participant of the band was a performance in the contest show 'Star Factory' (the Ukrainian version of 'Star Academy').

At the end of November 2004, Loboda together with Alexander Shyrkov and their company 'S&A;music group Ltd' started her solo career and shot a music video 'Cherno-Belaya Zima' (Black-and-white Winter) and in a year, in November 2005, she released her début album 'Ty Ne Zabudesh' (You Won't Forget).

In 2005 Loboda's clips have got to rotation to Russia. All has begun with the city of Vladivostok, thanks to that the company 'S&A music group Ltd' has entered into the agreement with Koval Evgeniy, the representative of television channel 'TVC in Vladivostok'. Further in 2008 clips have got on channel "RU.TV".

Loboda's fourth single and video 'Cherny Angel' (Black Angel) with Nadezhda Granovskaja (Nadezhda Meyher), Svetlana's close friend and - incidentally - ex-participant of 'VIA Gra'. In 2006, she worked as the presenter of the TV program 'ShowMania' on the air of all-Ukrainian TV channel 'Novyi Kanal' and in 2007 becomes the host of 'Miss CIS' on 'TET' TV channel. At the same time the singer started a tourist agency of her own named 'Happy Vacations'. On October 2007, Loboda launched the exhibition of her own photo art-works dedicated to her trip to India.

In Spring 2008, she released the album Ne Macho ("Not macho"). April 2008 saw the launch of her own fashion line wearing the name F*ck the macho. The scandalous, as it may seem, idea became the popular trend and stylish concept, expressing social protest against false glamorous trends and sticky stereotypes. Later on, in Autumn 2008, she tried her hand as the script writer for the music video Za chto ("For what"). In December 2008 the video came up on the Russian music channel MUZ TV. At the end of 2008 Loboda together with DJ Lutique produce new club track "By your side". The single reached the top of national charts and was also played internationally.

In Spring 2009 'Be My Valentine' was presented on Ukraine's national pre-selection by Loboda in co-operation with 'S&A;Music Group Ltd.' and her partner Alexander Shyrkov.
On 8 March 2009 she received the highest points from both the viewers and professional jury and won the Ukrainian national final for the Eurovision Song Contest 2009 in Moscow, Russia.

On 18 March 2009 Svetlana Loboda presented clip Be My Valentine (Anti-crisis girl!) in Vladivostok. Spectators of television channel "PERSON (TVC)" the first have seen a new masterpiece of the scandalous Ukrainian singer in the program 'SMS the Chat'. Loboda competed in the second semi-final there and reached the final.

The song finished in 12th place, with 76 points.

Loboda stated that she wished to use her participation in the contest as a platform to speak out against domestic violence. She started the social initiative "No Family Crimes" and appeared in photographs with wounds and scars to highlight the issue of violence against women.

The cog system, or as Loboda refers to it "The Hell Machine" she danced on has been taken back to Ukraine. Svetlana has said that she did not want it to go to waste and it is apparently in her father's garage. "The pets play on it" She stated.

Loboda had expressed her interest in representing Ukraine at the Eurovision Song Contest 2010 which took place in Norway.

In January, Svetlana released her next solo single "Жить легко" (Live easy). In spring, she released "Сердце бьется" (Heart Is Beating...) with Max Barsky. In October 2010, Svetlana will release her latest hit single "Revolution". Svetlana said that "its a powerful song, with a powerful message. It was very emotional to make.".

Discography
Studio albums
- Ty ne zabudesh (2005)
- Ne Ma4o (2008)
- F*ck The Macho (Ne Ma4o reissue) (2008)
Compilation albums
- Cherniy angel. Remixes (2006)
- Postoy, muzhchina! (2006)
- Anti-Crisis Girl (2009)
Singles
Year Single
2004 "Черно-белая зима (Black and white winter) "
2005 "Я забуду тебя (I will forget) "
"Ты не забудешь (You will not forget) "
2006 "Черный ангел (Black Angel)"
"Постой, МуЩина! (Wait Man!)"
2007 "Мишка, гадкий мальчишка! (Mikkie, Bad Boy)"
"Счастье (Happiness)"
2008 "Не ма4о (Not Macho)"
"За что? (For What?)"
"By Your Side"
2009 "Be My Valentine! (Anti-Crisis Girl)"
2010 "Жить легко" (Live easy)
"Сердце бьется" (Heart Is beating...) feat. Max Barskih
"Революция" (Revolution)
2011 "Спасибо" (Thanks)

Based on the material from http://en.wikipedia.org