Timur Mutsurayev

Timur Mutsurayev is a Chechen singer-songwriter and bard, known for his powerful and emotive songs that often focus on the conflict in Chechnya. Born on July 25, 1976, in Grozny, Mutsurayev's music career began in the mid-1990s, with his debut album *Welcome to Hell* released in 1995. This album and subsequent works like *Gelaevsky Special Forces* and *Jerusalem* reflect his experiences and perspectives on the Chechen Wars. His songs, mostly in Russian and occasionally in Chechen, have been influential in Muslim circles beyond the Caucasus. Mutsurayev's music also explores themes of Islamic identity and has been noted for its anti-Israel sentiments in songs like "Jerusalem," which gained significant attention for its inclusion in Aleksei Balabanov's film *War*. Many of his songs have been banned by the Russian government due to their perceived extremist content.

Mutsurayev's musical influences include Western rock bands like Metallica and Nirvana, which is evident in his energetic and emotive style. After the Second Chechen War, he lived in various countries, including Azerbaijan and Turkey. Despite the challenges and controversies surrounding his work, Mutsurayev remains a significant figure in Chechen music, known for his passionate advocacy of Chechen independence and his unique blend of traditional and modern musical themes.