t.A.T.u.
Biography
t.A.T.u. was a Russian pop duo formed in Moscow in 1999, consisting of Lena Katina and Julia Volkova. The members knew each other from the children's musical group Neposedy before being selected for the project by manager and director Ivan Shapovalov. The name "t.A.T.u." is a shortened version of the Russian phrase "Та любит ту" (Ta lyubit tu), which means "This [girl] loves that [girl]".
Rise to Global Stardom
t.A.T.u.'s debut album, "200 Po Vstrechnoy" (200 Po Vstrechnoy), was released in 2001 and achieved great success in Eastern Europe. This led to a contract with Interscope Records for an English-language version of the album. In 2002, they released "200 km/h in the Wrong Lane," which became a worldwide success, largely due to the controversial and immensely popular single "All the Things She Said." The song topped the charts in numerous countries, including the United Kingdom, Germany, and Australia. The album sold over a million copies in Europe, earning a platinum certification from the IFPI, and also achieved gold status in the United States. The duo represented Russia in the 2003 Eurovision Song Contest with the song "Ne ver', ne boysia," finishing in third place.
Image and Controversies
The duo's image was heavily centered on a supposed lesbian relationship between the two members, a concept developed by their manager Ivan Shapovalov. This was prominently featured in the music video for "All the Things She Said," where Katina and Volkova, dressed as schoolgirls, kiss in the rain. This imagery generated significant controversy and media attention. In 2003, a documentary titled "Anatomy of t.A.T.u." aired, revealing that the lesbian image was a marketing ploy and that the singers were not in a relationship. The duo also garnered attention for protesting the Iraq War during an appearance on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" by wearing shirts with an anti-war slogan.
Later Career and Disbandment
In 2004, t.A.T.u. officially broke their contract with Ivan Shapovalov. They released their second international album, "Dangerous and Moving," in 2005, along with its Russian counterpart, "Lyudi Invalidy." The lead single, "All About Us," became an international hit. The group continued with further projects, including their own production company, T.A. Music, and the film "You and I" (2008). Their final albums were "Vesyolye Ulybki" (2008) and its English version, "Waste Management" (2009). In March 2011, t.A.T.u.'s management officially announced that the duo had disbanded, with both Katina and Volkova pursuing solo careers. Reasons cited for the split included creative differences and a desire to work separately. Despite the breakup, they have reunited for special performances, including the opening ceremony of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.
Solo Careers
Lena Katina
After the split, Lena Katina began her solo career. She released her debut single "Never Forget" in 2011, which was successful in Russia and reached number one on the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart. Her first solo album, "This Is Who I Am," was released in 2014, followed by a Spanish version, "Esta Soy Yo," in 2016. She has since released another album, "Mono" (2019), and several EPs.
Julia Volkova
Julia Volkova also embarked on a solo career, signing with Gala Records in 2011. She released her debut single "All Because of You" and its Russian version "Сдвину мир" (I'll Change the World) that same year. Volkova has released several singles since but has not yet released a full studio album. In 2012, she was diagnosed with thyroid cancer, and a subsequent surgery to remove the tumor damaged her vocal nerve, impacting her singing voice.