Imanbek
Biography
Imanbek Maratuly Zeikenov, known professionally as Imanbek, is a Kazakh DJ and record producer born on October 21, 2000, in Aksu, Kazakhstan. He started playing the guitar at the age of 8 and began producing music in 2017. Before his international success, he studied railway engineering and worked at a local train station.
Career Breakthrough with "Roses" Remix
In 2019, Imanbek gained international fame for his remix of Saint Jhn's 2016 song "Roses". He created the remix without any involvement from Saint Jhn, after his attempts to contact the rapper on Instagram went unanswered. The unofficial remix was posted on Russian social media and quickly went viral, especially on TikTok. The track's success led to an official release by the Russian label Effective Records. The remix topped the charts in numerous countries, including the United Kingdom, and reached the top 5 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
Awards and Recognition
Imanbek's remix of "Roses" earned him a Grammy Award for Best Remixed Recording in 2021, making him the first Grammy recipient from Kazakhstan. That same year, he also won a Billboard Music Award for Top Dance/Electronic Song. The remix has accumulated over 1.5 billion streams on Spotify.
Post-"Roses" Career and Collaborations
Following the massive success of his breakout hit, Imanbek has established himself as a prominent artist in the electronic dance music scene. He has collaborated with a wide range of international artists, including Rita Ora on the 2021 EP "Bang," which also featured David Guetta and Gunna. Other notable collaborations include work with Usher, Marshmello, Tory Lanez, Sean Paul, Afrojack, and Alan Walker.
Musical Style and Subsequent Releases
Imanbek is known for his slap house genre productions. He has continued to release music at a prolific rate, including singles like "Sweet Dreams" with Alan Walker, "Hey Baby" with Afrojack, and "Too Much" with Usher and Marshmello. His work has proven that he is not a one-hit wonder, as his subsequent releases have also gathered hundreds of millions of streams.