SHAMANOV

Biography

Yaroslav Yuryevich Dronov, known professionally as SHAMAN, is a Russian singer, songwriter, and music producer. He was born on November 22, 1991, in Novomoskovsk, Tula Oblast, Russia. From a young age, Dronov was involved in music, attending a local children's vocal and pop group called "Assorti" at the age of four.

Early Life and Education

Dronov comes from a musical family; his father is a professional guitarist. He graduated from a music school with a focus on "Folk Singing" and later attended the Novomoskovsk College of Music, where he specialized in "Head of Folk Choir". In 2012, he moved to Moscow and enrolled in the Russian Academy of Music "Gnesin", graduating from the faculty of pop-jazz singing.

Career Beginnings

Before his solo career, Dronov was the lead singer of a cover band. He gained initial recognition through his participation in Russian televised singing competitions. In 2013, he was a contestant on Faktor A, the Russian version of The X Factor. The following year, in 2014, he competed on the Russian version of The Voice, where he was a finalist.

The Rise of SHAMAN

Dronov adopted the stage name SHAMAN in 2020. According to the singer, the name was suggested by his fans and he adopted it to separate his stage persona from his personal life. His popularity surged in 2022 with the release of patriotic songs like "Vstanem" ("Let's Stand Up") and "Ya russkiy" ("I'm Russian"). The music video for "Ya russkiy" garnered millions of views on YouTube shortly after its release. In a 2022 poll by the Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VTsIOM), SHAMAN was voted the second-best Russian singer. He was awarded the honorary title of Merited Artist of the Russian Federation in 2024.

Personal Life

From 2012 to 2016, Dronov was married to Marina Roshchupkina, a singing teacher. They have a daughter, Varvara, born in 2014. In 2017, he married Elena Martynova, a public relations specialist. In September 2024, Dronov announced their decision to divorce, citing busy work schedules. In March 2025, he announced he was in a relationship with Ekaterina Mizulina, the director of the Safe Internet League.