Ленинград (Leningrad)

Leningrad is a Russian rock and ska-punk band formed in Saint Petersburg in 1997, built around frontman Sergey Shnurov, whose sharp, often profane lyrics and brass-heavy arrangements became the group's signature. Early releases blended punk energy with ska and cabaret influences, and the band quickly gained a cult following for its raucous live shows and unfiltered social commentary.

Leningrad broke into the mainstream in the 2000s and 2010s with tracks like «WWW» and «Кабриолет (Все идет по плану)», before reaching a new level of visibility with the viral hit «Экспонат», whose stylish music video brought the band international attention beyond Russian-speaking audiences. The group briefly disbanded in 2008 before reuniting in 2010 with renewed momentum.

Later singles such as «Вояж», «Жу-Жу» and «Не Париж» continued the band's formula of catchy pop-inflected hooks wrapped around biting, satirical lyrics about Russian life. Shnurov's persona as both provocateur and pop craftsman helped Leningrad become one of the most recognizable acts to emerge from post-Soviet Russian rock, influencing a generation of artists who mix folk, brass and electronic textures with irreverent storytelling.