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Dmitrii Shilov
Favorite styles: Hip-hop/Rap, Pop
Producer, poet
Location: Russia, Moscow
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PR
2,2

Tracks

112 2:37    88 PR2,2 ▲
WAV
Hip-hop/Rap, Pop Rap
Cash Explorer
The project itself, in terms of being a “project,” is just starting to take shape. At first, music was just a hobby for me—it’s been with me since childhood, and I’m grateful for that. The alias COBRA existed even before I released my first tracks. Those early tracks were aimed at the West—their rappers, ideals, presidents, and idols. Even with my basic English at the time, I tried to provoke them, disrespect them, impose my conflict—because I saw myself as real, from the streets, while to me they looked like showbiz clowns.

Later, I experimented with music you could actually dance to, and that pulled me in—just like it pulled in some dancers, who later appeared in one of my first music videos. It was fun, and it helped me open up more—both to others and to myself.

But music came and went in my life, because I had to make a living, and everyday obligations often took over. I also tried mixing another hobby of mine—sports—with music, and released some tracks you could spar to or work out with. Eventually, I created a track for Russian boxer Yevgeny Terentyev, which he used for his walkout in France (though, unfortunately, he lost that fight).

I also made a song inspired by Vyacheslav Maksuta—a person I respect—and later flew to his city, where we shot the video for “Way Up” in one of his gyms.

Besides that, people started sending me YouTube reviews where bloggers used my tracks in their workout videos. That was when I first started thinking seriously about making music my career. But I still needed to figure out who my audience really was.

Thanks to a friend who runs a fitness-themed VK community, I discovered the music of a Russian rap artist who had passed away—SHOT (R.I.P. Shot). His work inspired me to create a tribute song named after him. It spread among his fanbase and was well received, especially in the sports community.

Then came another long break. I decided I needed to earn more money for future investments. I felt like a child swimming in an unfamiliar pool—sometimes recording at a studio in Dubai where artists like Ty Dolla $ign and Jason Derulo had worked, sometimes shooting high-budget videos, writing scripts myself, and collaborating with Denis Murzin, a Golden Gramophone winner and former sound producer for the group Infinity, which was quite popular in the 2000s.

Naturally, I thought I was getting closer to success—great arrangements, fresh lyrics, varied flows, professional shoots, models, luxury cars, high-end lifestyle—all the things that come with being a successful artist. I used all of that, but it never gave me the results I really wanted.

That’s when I started to question what I had missed. The inspiration was still there. So I began working on my positioning, trying to build my brand, and follow a new path based on experience. We’ll see soon what comes of it.

I realize I went off on a tangent here—got carried away.

Even though most of my music is in English, I still see how Russian-speaking audiences enjoy the sound. Maybe there’s some kind of Russian soul in it. I once tried a marketing campaign revealing that COBRA DS is actually Russian too—and people immediately started pointing out the accent, the shame, and other awkward things. I get it—it was a shock for them. ?

Today, I’m seeing analytics from barbershops, gyms, cafés, and hookah lounges showing that my music has its place—and that’s another reason to keep growing.

While I’m mostly a streaming artist, I’ve still had the chance to perform at beach parties, events, and clubs. The energy from live crowds is way more positive than what you get online.

Right now, I’m focusing on people in Russia who listen to Western music. Of course, the ultimate goal is to go global, share my values, and prove—to myself first and foremost—that it’s possible.
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