Grigory Leps reported the highest income of all singers in Russia in 2013 with 15 million dollars, followed by earnings of 12 million dollars in 2014 and 12.2 million dollars in 2015. Born in 1962 in Sochi, he emerged as a Russian singer-songwriter of Georgian origin, evolving his musical style from early Russian chanson to contemporary soft rock compositions.
Early Career and Personal Struggles
Born Grigory Lepsveridze, he completed music school focusing on percussion instruments. Following military service, he performed in several rock bands and worked as a singer in various restaurants. During this period, he faced significant personal challenges, including alcoholism and drug addiction. He moved to Moscow to separate himself from this lifestyle and continued singing in restaurant settings until securing a record deal.
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His debut album, May God Keep You, was released in 1995, featuring the hit song Natali. His second album, A Whole Life, arrived in 1997. By 2000, with the release of Thank You People, his style shifted away from chanson toward rock music. He continued this trajectory with the 2002 album On Strings of Rain, which included the track Rumka vodki na stole. His later discography includes numerous studio albums such as Waterfall, Pince-nez, Full speed ahead!, Gangster #1, and the 2025 project titled Y smekh y grekh.
Public Appearances and Political Alignment
Leps has participated in state-sponsored events, including rallies in Moscow on 18 March 2022 and 22 February 2023. These appearances led to professional consequences, such as the cancellation of his concerts in the Almaty Region of Kazakhstan in June 2023. Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan also canceled a music festival scheduled for 2023 where he was slated to perform, following public pressure regarding his support for the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Awards and Professional Recognition
His career has been marked by various honors, including the title of Merited Artist of Russia in 2011 and the Russian National Music Award in 2017. He received the Medal to Participant in Military Operations in Syria in 2017 and was recognized with the Through Art – to Peace and Understanding award in 2024. Additionally, he earned multiple Chanson of the Year accolades in 2004, 2016, 2018, and 2021.
Fast facts
- Born: 1962, Sochi
- Citizenship: Russia and Soviet Union
- Primary Occupations: Composer, singer, producer
- Merited Artist of Russia: 2011
- Vocal Range: Low, strong baritone
- Language: Russian
Questions readers ask
What is Grigory Leps' musical style?
He is known for a low, strong baritone voice and a style that transitioned from Russian chanson to soft rock, pop, and rock music.
Has he received state honors?
Yes, he was named a Merited Artist of Russia in 2011 and received the Medal to Participant in Military Operations in Syria in 2017.
Achievements
- Medal of the Order "For Merit to the Fatherland", 2nd class without swords — 2017
- Medal to Participant in Military Operations in Syria — 2017
- Instruments: percussion instrument, drum machine and voice
- Genres: Russian chanson, Russian post-chanson and estrada
