Artist Mumiy Troll

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Mumiy Troll

What, exactly, is “rockapops?” If you’re Ilia Lagutenko, lead vocalist and mastermind behind the Russian rock group Mumiy Troll, it’s a made-up term invented for the sole purpose of removing yourself from the endless Russian debate about the difference between the two musical genres. You can’t blame the frontman for wanting to avoid controversy: Before rock music became acceptable in the Soviet Union, Mumiy Troll spent its fair share of nights in jail for illegal performances. Since then, Lagutenko has served stints in the Russian army and starred in the vampire flick Night Watch. Mumiy Troll made its first foray into American ears with 2008’s solid Comrade Ambassador, and followed with its first all-English work, the Paradise Ahead EP, and a rarities collection, Redkie Zemli.

Updated 08/24/2010