Kalush is a Ukrainan rap group created in 2019 and consisting of rapper Oleh Psiuk, multi-instrumentalist Ihor Didenchuk, and breakdancer MC KylymMen.
As Kalush Orchestranote , the group is best known for representing Ukraine in the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 with the song "Stefania", which would ultimately win the competition amid the Russian invasion of the nation that had begun just months prior. The group's win was widely considered a major sign of international support for Ukraine in their ongoing war efforts, using their newfound notoriety following the contest to raise moral and financial support.
Band member Ihor Didenchuk is also a member of the group Go_A, who had previously represented Ukraine in Eurovision a year earlier.
Discography:
- Hotin (2021)
- Yo-yo (2021)
Kalush provides examples of:
- Cool Mask / The Faceless: Vlad Kurochka is only ever seen in ever seen in a floral print facekini.
- Dance Battler: Permanent group member Vlad Kurochka is a breakdancer.
- Disqualification-Induced Victory / The Runner-Up Takes It All: Kalush Orchestra placed second in the 2022 Ukranian national final, 'Vidbir', to actual winner Alina Pash, but were selected to represent Ukraine at Eurovision when Pash withdrew her candidacy following a scandal involving an unsanctioned trip to Russian-occupied/annexed Crima years earlier.
- Dreadlock Rasta: In most live performances of "Stefania", several members of the Orchestra are depicted in costumes that resemble head-to-toe dreadlocks, serving as visual representations of the titular mother character but also their rebellion against their oppressors.
- Nations as People: Although "Stefania" was not written as such originally (it was written by Oleh Psiuk for his mother, its namesake), the song took on a new meaning amid the Russo-Ukraine war as a symbol for the people of the nation and could easily be interpreted as an ode to Ukraine resilience.
- Signature Headgear: Frontman Oleh Psiuk is rarely seen without his signature hot pink beanie.
- The Squadette: The "Stefania" video follows various female soldiers carrying out heroic actions,
filmed on-site in Ukraine in actual active battlegrounds.
