ЗАМАЙ Essentials

Ever since he issued his debut track—a pointed diss of a rap-battle opponent—ZAMAY has cemented his status. The lyricist from Bishkek, who studied microelectronics at Kyrgyz National University before moving to St. Petersburg, was introduced to hip-hop via era-defining albums from the likes of Nas and JAY-Z. This led him to test his lyrical chops in battles and create mixtapes under the moniker Strike. Then came a relentless stream of releases, each showcasing his proficiency at juxtaposing rich soundscapes with razor-sharp rhymes.