Nasyrов gained popularity in the mid-90s with the hit "The Boy Wants to Go to Tambov." Many took notice of him back then, including Alla Pugacheva, who predicted a bright future for the simple guy from Almaty, Kazakhstan. Unfortunately, this prediction did not come true. The young singer lacked the tenacity to build a stellar career. Ahead of the anniversary, his friends and colleagues shared their memories of him with "MK."
One of Murat Nasyrов's closest friends was the current leader of the A’Studio group, Baigali Serkebaev. The musicians called each other brothers, having met not in their native Kazakhstan, but in the capital, at one of the clubs. "Murat and I immediately became friends and started visiting each other. Murat participated in our projects, and we participated in his. We have a segment in our concerts where other artists perform A’Studio songs. In 1994, one of the first such concerts, 'Soldiers of Love in Russia,' took place in the concert hall 'Rossiya,' which no longer exists. Murat Nasyrов, Vladimir Presnyakov, and Kristina Orbakaite performed there. Murat was an incredibly talented musician, wrote poetry, painted beautifully, and had a passion for photography. He was a multifaceted individual. Unfortunately, he left this world too soon. No one knows how or why. Many questions remain after his departure."
According to Natalia, Murat Nasyrов's civil wife, the singer began experiencing problems in 2000. He started complaining about constant anxiety, inexplicable fears, and insomnia. Doctors attributed this condition to his busy work schedule and prescribed medication. Nasyrов himself sought answers within, turning to the Quran and beginning to attend mosque.
A significant blow, according to friends and colleagues, was the death in a car accident of A’Studio's soloist Baglan Sadvakasov. The musician died in 2006. Murat's friends shared that after this tragedy, the singer fell into a deep depression, constantly speaking about Baglan and mentioning that he allegedly "saw the ghost" of his deceased friend. He confessed that Baglan Sadvakasov appeared in his dreams almost every night and "called him to join."
Kazakhstan composer and songwriter Polat Izimov met Murat Nasyrов in 2000: "That year, Murat was deeply affected by his father's death. The head of their large family played many musical instruments. After his father's passing, Murat flew to visit his mother every month. We would meet and work on music, often staying up until morning."
— Did Murat miss Moscow while in Kazakhstan?
— Perhaps. He cherished his children, Lia and Akim, and loved his wife, Natasha Boyko. They both graduated from the Gnesin Music School. She traveled with him on tours and sang backup for him. She was a backing vocalist for Batyrkhan Shukenov and Kristina Orbakaite. For Murat's 50th birthday, we held a concert featuring Kazakh stars in Almaty. Natasha came with the children, and Anton Makarsky and Victoria Morozova flew in from Moscow to perform Nasyrов's songs.
— Did he have favorite spots and a circle of friends in Almaty?
— Oh, definitely! He had four classmates he constantly met with, and I joined them. They joked together; one was nicknamed Gopher, another Boar, and they affectionately called Murat "Fatty." He loved to play billiards. We would go out into nature, to Medeo, or up the mountains on Navoi. Relatives often invited him over.
His close friend was Baglan Sadvakasov from A’Studio. They understood each other with half a word and constantly exchanged messages. Once, he jokingly said, "Look at what Baga wrote to me. 'Let's go to the morgue.' If you read it backward, it spells 'morg'..."
— Do you remember Murat Nasyrов's favorite dishes?
— He loved his mother's cooking. She made delicious lagman and manti. His sisters, Marita and Farida, also cook excellently. He managed to gain weight here, but in Moscow, he would go on a diet.
— Do you know if the artist ever made it to Tambov?
— I know for sure that he did. Once, after a concert in Chundzha, we got into a car, and a crowd of fans tried to overturn it. I was scared, but he laughed and said, "Don’t worry, I've already been flipped during tours in Tambov."
— In conversations with you, did Murat recall his years in the army, as that’s where his talent blossomed?
— He had a passion for music since childhood, but before being drafted, he worked as a loader at TsUM. Murat served in Turkmenistan, like his older brother Najat, an officer (now a retired colonel). In the division, he became interested in amateur performances. He sang and played the guitar. Soldiers would cover songs by Western artists. There he became friends with fellow soldier Andrey Merkulov, who suggested Murat move to Moscow. He told him he was talented and needed to develop and break through in the capital. Murat did just that—he completed his service, visited his parents for a week, and then rushed to Moscow. Initially, he lived with Merkulov in Podolsk before finding a job. Together they formed an ensemble and prepared for the All-Union television competition for young performers of Soviet pop music "Yalta-91." But they needed a solo number, so Murat went alone. He won and woke up famous. (In the program "Our Truth," in the episode "10 Years Without Murat," his sister Marita mentioned that the Grand Prix came with a car, but backstage, Murat was asked to give up the car in favor of the first prize winner. — Ed.)
— Baigali Serkebaev noted that the singer was a good artist...
— Yes, I noticed that he often made sketches. Sitting in a café, he could draw his conversation partner. He was a hyperactive guy. He never sat idle. Once, he recalled that Alla Pugacheva invited him to collaborate on "Star Factory," and he drew someone there too. He loved photography, always carried a camera, and developed his own film.
— How did he feel about clothing?
— Selectively. I remember he flew in for Baglan Sadvakasov's funeral, the former soloist of A’Studio. It was very cold in Moscow, while it was hot here, so he decided to buy something urgently to change. We went to some expensive boutique in the city center. I even said that everything was cheaper in "Eden," but he replied that he couldn’t wear that. Murat dressed stylishly.
— Everyone who knew Murat Nasyrов said he was always positive. What troubled him?
— He had plenty of work in Moscow—clubs invited him. He toured in Uzbekistan and Bishkek, but they didn’t feature him on television concerts, nor did "Russian Radio" rotate his songs—this specifically offended him, as he knew his worth... And everyone recognized his worth, as the audience received him wonderfully. He sang live in both concert halls and clubs. Not every artist can do that, which is why many tried to perform before him. Murat said he couldn't open up under a backing track. By the way, he took care of his voice and didn’t smoke at all.
— Was the singer interested in politics?
— Rather, politicians were interested in him. I know he received an award from one of the parties in Russia. I remember an imam in Moscow contacted him. He was friends with Alexandra Burataeva—a former television presenter. During the elections, he supported her and traveled to Buryatia. Murat was supposed to have a solo concert in Almaty, but he passed away. Forty days later, we organized a concert in his memory. A’Studio, Alena Apina, Marina Khlebnikova, Pascal participated, and the host of this concert was Alexandra Burataeva.
— A beautiful monument has been erected at Murat Nasyrов's grave...
— It was funded by the people. Various sketches were considered at the Uyghur Cultural Center. Murat's mother expressed her wishes while the monument was being created and provided valuable advice to the sculptors.
It's sad when the idols of millions tragically leave this world at a young age. But creators live on as long as people remember and honor their work. Such recognition is not given to everyone, but Murat deserved it.
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