Wikipedia

Morgenshtern

Alisher Tagirovich Morgenshtern[a] (né Valeyev;[b]; born 17 February 1998), known professionally as Morgenshtern, is a Russian rapper, singer-songwriter, and record producer. In June 2026, he legally changed his name to Israel Yehuda Morgenshtern[c] following his conversion to Judaism.

Morgenshtern
Моргенштерн
Morgenshtern in 2024
Morgenshtern in 2024
Background information
Also known as
  • 1st July
  • MamaVirgin
  • DeeneS MC
Born
Alisher Tagirovich Valeyev

(1998-02-17) 17 February 1998 (age 28)
Ufa, Bashkortostan, Russia
Genres
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • singer
  • songwriter
  • musician
  • YouTuber
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
Years active2015–present
Labels

He first gained fame in 2017 through parodies of popular music artists of the time, which he published on YouTube.[1] In 2018, he abandoned this format to release original music, building his subsequent career on his own material. His work is often accompanied by eccentric PR campaigns, and his public persona, performances, and controversial stunts have frequently attracted attention from the media and government officials.

In addition to his music career, Morgenshtern co-founded the Moscow restaurants "Kaif Provenance" and "Kaif Burger" (both of which closed in 2022), and established the Telegram-based media outlet "Not Morgenshtern".[2]

Biography

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Alisher Tagirovich Valeyev was born on 17 February 1998, in Ufa; he legally took his mother's surname, Morgenshtern, as a teenager. His mother, Marina Morgenshtern, is of Russian-Jewish descent and ran a flower shop business in Ufa, while his father, Tagir Valeyev, was a businessman of Bashkir descent.[3] His parents divorced when he was young, and when Alisher turned 11, his father died of liver cirrhosis following a severe struggle with depression and alcoholism.[4]

He developed an interest in music during childhood.[5] As a teenager, he filmed skateboarding videos with his friends under the name "Others Crew" and, under the early pseudonym DeeneS MC, released his first music video, "My vyshe oblakov" (We Are Above the Clouds), in 2010 featuring Bely Ap.[6]

He attended the Bashkir State Pedagogical University but was expelled due to his controversial YouTube activities. He later enrolled in the Ufa State Aviation Technical University to study computer science, but was also expelled shortly after starting.[7]

Morgenshtern also worked as a street musician,[8] and was the frontman of the rock band MMD Crew (short for "My Mother the Virgin Crew"), with whom he collaborated on a track with the Russian rapper Face and recorded under the aliases MamaVirgin and 1st July. He also provided post-production for Face's early music videos.[9]

Morgenshtern performing at Vidfest 2018, Moscow, Russia

He is best known for his YouTube show "#EasyRap".[1]

In April 2021, Morgenshtern donated ₽666,666 to the "Our Children" orphan support fund in Bashkortostan, representing the largest private donation to the non-governmental organization at the time.[10]

In May 2022, the Russian Ministry of Justice designated Morgenshtern a foreign agent, citing funding from the Israeli multi-channel network Yoola Labs and his public remarks questioning the celebrations of Victory Day. Morgenshtern later apologized for his comments on his Telegram channel but unsuccessfully appealed the designation in court.[11][12]

Conversion to Judaism

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In June 2026, Morgenshtern officially completed giyur (the process of conversion to Judaism) under a rabbinical court (Beit Din) in Israel. He underwent the ritual immersion in a mikveh and adopted the Hebrew name Israel Yehuda Morgenshtern (ישראל יהודה מורגנשטרן).[13][14] This followed a period of spiritual reflection after his rehabilitation in 2025.[13] In late 2025, he delivered a public lecture titled "How I Returned to God" at a synagogue in Vienna. Throughout late 2025 and 2026, he began studying Jewish scriptures, conducting public lectures on the Torah and religion, and incorporating these themes into his public communications, such as keeping kashrut and observing Shabbat.[15]

Personal life

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Relationship with Dilara

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Beginning in 2017, he dated Dilara Zinatullina, but the couple separated in October 2019 after Alisher proposed an open relationship. They reconciled in the summer of 2020 and married in Moscow on 31 August 2021.[16] He had proposed to her in July 2021 during the filming of his "Nominalo" music video.[17][18] On 8 April 2022, the single Selyavi was released, hinting at a separation. On 9 April, Dilara posted a YouTube video confirming their divorce.[19]

Treatment for alcoholism

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Morgenshtern has struggled with alcoholism and chronic insomnia, which he frequently self-medicated with alcohol and other substances. In January 2025, he checked into the "Phoenix Rehab" clinic in Rishon LeZion, Israel, to undergo a comprehensive treatment program for addiction.[20][21] He completed a five-month course of rehabilitation, leaving the clinic in late May 2025 to commit to a sober lifestyle.[22]

Bipolar disorder and depression

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Morgenshtern has been diagnosed with bipolar affective disorder and depression, both of which he has discussed openly in his music and interviews as major influences on his behavior and artistic periods.[23]

Music career

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On 17 January 2020, he released the album Legendarnaja pyl', which was recorded in one week during a series of live streams. The album became the most successful of his career up to that point, gaining one million streams on VK within the first half-hour of its release and five million streams in eleven hours.[24] Within the first two days, the album accumulated over 21 million streams on VK, setting a record for the platform.[25] On 30 January 2020, he appeared as a guest on the Evening Urgant show.[26]

On 5 March 2020, he released the track "Malyshka", a collaboration with Sharlot.[27] On 5 June 2020, he released the single "Pososi".[28] The official music video for "Pososi" became the most disliked YouTube video in Russia.[29] On 9 June 2020, he released the single "Cadillac", in collaboration with Eldzhey.[30] On 31 July 2020, he released "Ice",[31] which went viral on TikTok.[32]

On 3 November 2020, Morgenshtern was interviewed by Yury Dud in an episode that lasted nearly three hours.[33]

In July 2021, Spotify named Morgenshtern the most-streamed artist from Russia.[34]

In November 2021, the head of the Investigative Committee of Russia, Alexander Bastrykin, publicly accused Morgenshtern of "effectively selling drugs on social media." Consequently, the artist left Russia and settled in Dubai, UAE, resulting in the cancellation of his remaining Russian concerts.[35] On 10 December, he released the single "Domoy", addressing his forced emigration.[36]

On 14 February 2025, Morgenshtern released his seventh EP, Alisher, which marked a transition to a raw, Russian-rock-influenced style. Recorded prior to his rehabilitation, the five-track EP details his struggles with mental illness, loneliness, and substance abuse.

On 13 February 2026, to mark his first year of sobriety, he released the acoustic live album Dead Sea Live, recorded on a salt island in the Dead Sea.

Business

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In June 2020, Alisher Morgenshtern and Eduard Popov (better known as the autoblogger Yanis Grek and a member of the YouTube channel "Team A") registered the private limited company "KAIF".[2] In October 2020, Morgenshtern opened the restaurant "Kaif Provenance" in an office building on Bolshaya Dmitrovka Street in Moscow.[37] In September 2021, he opened a second establishment, the "Kaif Burger" restaurant, on Nikolskaya Street.

In June 2022, Morgenshtern announced the closure of "Kaif Provenance" due to constant legal pressure, inspections, and fines;[38] the "Kaif Burger" restaurant on Nikolskaya Street was also subsequently closed in October 2022.[39]

In March 2021, Morgenshtern was appointed "youth director" of Alfa-Bank. While promoted as formal employment, the bank later clarified that it was a marketing campaign targeting younger audiences.[40]

Political views

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Morgenshtern opposed the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.[41] His 2022 single 12 was dedicated to this stance, with lyrics condemning political and military leaders who send young soldiers to the front lines.[42] Following his anti-war stances, he was officially designated a foreign agent in Russia in May 2022.

In June 2023, the government of Kyrgyzstan canceled his scheduled performance at the Alga Fest music festival in Bishkek, citing his "bad influence" on youth, which media observers attributed to the Kyrgyz government's alignment with Russian political pressure.[43]

He supported the 2024 Bashkortostan protests, publishing images of the Bashkir national hero Salawat Yulayev on social media in solidarity with the protesters.[44]

In 2024, his concerts in the United Arab Emirates were canceled, and he was subsequently denied re-entry to Dubai after Russian authorities pressured UAE officials to enforce restrictions against him as a "foreign agent." Following his exclusion from the UAE, he made Israel his primary place of residence.[45]

In April 2026, he successfully challenged a 10-year ban on entering Lithuania. The Supreme Administrative Court of Lithuania ruled that the Lithuanian migration authorities' ban, originally imposed in November 2025 on national security grounds, was based on subjective opinions and lacked objective evidence.[46][47]

Scandals

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On 6 May 2022, the Ministry of Justice of Russia added Morgenshtern to its registry of "foreign agents".[48] His legal team filed lawsuits to appeal the designation, arguing that the artist's activities were purely creative and entertainment-focused rather than political; however, Russian courts repeatedly rejected his appeals.[49]

Throughout 2023 and 2024, the Savelovsky District Court of Moscow repeatedly fined Morgenshtern for failing to include the mandatory "foreign agent" warning labels on his social media and advertising posts, or for failing to submit financial reporting to the Ministry of Justice.[49]

Criminal case and conviction

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In September 2024, the Investigative Committee of Russia initiated a criminal case against Morgenshtern under Part 2 of Article 330.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation for deliberate evasion of duties imposed by the foreign agent legislation.[50][51] In January 2025, he was officially placed on Russia's federal wanted list, and a Moscow court subsequently ordered the seizure of his remaining Russian real estate, including his Podmoskovye estate and three office buildings in Moscow.[52]

On 20 April 2026, a Moscow court convicted Morgenshtern in absentia, sentencing him to a fine of ₽7 million. His defense team subsequently appealed the verdict, contesting the legal validity of the prosecution.[53][54]

Discography

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Studio albums

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Live albums

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  • Dead Sea Live (2026)

Remix albums

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  • Golden Hits (2023)
  • Golden Hits, Vol. 2 (2023)

EPs

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Singles

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  • "Kopy na khvoste" (with Timurka Bits) (2018)
  • "Vot tak" (2018)
  • "Otpuskayu" (2018)
  • "Turn It On!" (with PALC) (2019)
  • "Guerra" (2019)
  • "Novyy merin" (2019)
  • "Igrovoy computer" (with EQT_Albert) (2019)
  • "Mne pokh" (with Klava Koka) (2019)
  • "Yung Hefner" (2019)
  • "Sad Song" (with Thrill Pill and Egor Kreed) (2019)
  • "Mne pokh (Acoustic Version)" (with Klava Koka) (2020)
  • "Malyshka" (with Sharlot) (2020)
  • "Pososi" (2020)
  • "Cadillac" (with Eldzhey) (2020)
  • "Ice" (2020)
  • "Lollipop" (with Eldzhey) (2020)
  • "El Problemá" (with Timati) (2020)
  • "Watafuk?!" (with Lil Pump) (2020)
  • "Klip za 10 lyamov" (2020)
  • "Cristal & МОЁТ" (2020)
  • "Degenerat (Deluxe)" (with Dzharakhov) (2021)
  • "Rozovoye vino 2" (with Yung Trappa) (2021)
  • "Family" (with Yung Trappa) (2021)
  • "Novaya volna" (with DJ Smash) (2021)
  • "Leck" (with Imanbek and Fetty Wap featuring KDDK) (2021)
  • "Dulo" (2021)
  • "Cristal & МОЁТ (Remix)" (with Soda Luv, OG Buda, blago white and MAYOT) (2021)
  • "Show" (2021)
  • "Ya ne znayu" (with Slava Marlow) (2021)
  • "Home" (2021)
  • "Pochemu?" (2022)
  • "12" (2022)
  • "Selyavi" (2022)
  • "Nomer" (2022)
  • "Izvestnym" (with The Limba) (2022)
  • "Daleko" (with Aarne) (2022)
  • "5:00 am" (with LSP) (2022)
  • "Skolko stoi lubov" (with The Limba, Niletto and BoombI4) (2022)
  • "Priton" (with Vacío) (2022)
  • "Bugatti" (with Arut) (2022)
  • "Ya ubil Marka" (Oxxxymiron Diss) (2022)
  • "Double Cup" (with Kizary) (2022)
  • "Tsveti" (with Lida) (2022)
  • "Grustno" (with Magic Man) (2023)
  • "Ne Prada" (with Arut and Eldzhey) (2023)
  • "Poydet" (2023)
  • "Ratatatata (MØRFI Remix)" (with Vitya AK) (2023)
  • "If I Ever" (with Onative and Rich the Kid) (2023)
  • "Chernyy Russkiy" (2023)
  • "Schitalochka" (2023)
  • "Poslednyaya Lyubov" (2024)

Filmography

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  • Posledniy trek (2021)
  • Ufaboyz (2025)

Awards and honors

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Year Award Nomination Result Source
2020 Topical Style Awards 2020 Woman of the Year Won [55]
2020 GQ Person of the Year 2020 Musician of the Year Won [56][57]
2025 Berlin Music Video Awards Best Director (for "Last Love") Nominated [58]

Notes

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  1. ↑
    • Russian: Алишер Тагирович Моргенштерн
    • Bashkir: Ғәлишер Таһир улы Моргенштерн, romanized: Alişer Tahir ulı Morgenştern
  2. ↑
    • Russian: Алишер Тагирович Валеев
    • Bashkir: Алишер Таһир улы Вәлиев, romanized: Alişer Tahir ulı Väliyev
  3. ↑
    • Russian: Исраэль Йегуда Моргенштерн
    • Hebrew: ישראל יהודה מורגנשטרן

References

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  1. 1 2 ""Изи фейм": Кто такой Моргенштерн и почему он уже едет в тур по стране". Афиша (in Russian). Archived from the original on 26 November 2018. Retrieved 25 November 2018.
  2. 1 2 "Моргенштерн зарегистрировал фирму-общепит". Афиша (in Russian). Archived from the original on 28 January 2021. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  3. ↑ "Моргенштерн в шоколаде: как родители эпатажного рэпера стали рублёвыми миллионерами, а он — долларовым". Life.ru (in Russian). 28 March 2021. Retrieved 13 June 2026.
  4. ↑ "Morgenshtern: Мой отец умер от цирроза печени на почве депрессии". ГОРДОН (in Russian). 5 September 2021. Retrieved 13 June 2026.
  5. ↑ "Самый свежий на YouTube: биография Моргенштерна" [Newest on YouTube: Morgenshtern's biography]. VSRAP (in Russian). 6 February 2018. Archived from the original on 14 December 2019. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  6. ↑ "Юный Morgenshtern — Мы выше облаков". YouTube. 25 December 2017. Archived from the original on 18 November 2021. Retrieved 12 February 2022.
  7. ↑ Гузенков, Сергей (18 December 2019). "Алишер Моргенштерн: биография, фото, личная жизнь". nur.kz (in Russian). Archived from the original on 26 July 2020. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
  8. ↑ MORGENSHTERN (23 November 2017). "КАК Я ПЫТАЛСЯ ЗАРАБОТАТЬ НА ЖИЗНЬ / СКОЛЬКО СЕЙЧАС ПРИНОСИТ КАНАЛ?". YouTube. Archived from the original on 30 November 2019. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
  9. ↑ "12 фактов про Morgenshtern — видеоблогера, пародирующего русский рэп". The-Flow.ru (in Russian). Archived from the original on 26 November 2018. Retrieved 25 November 2018.
  10. ↑ "Моргенштерн направил на поддержку детям-сиротам 666 666 рублей". Газета.Ru (in Russian). Archived from the original on 11 April 2021. Retrieved 11 April 2021.
  11. ↑ "Forced to speak? Morgenstern, recognized as a foreign agent in the Russian Federation, apologized for the words about May 9". Global Happenings. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
  12. ↑ Israel, David (23 May 2022). "Russian Rapper Morgenshtern Appeals Foreign Agent Designation over Ties with Israeli Media Group". Retrieved 10 March 2023.
  13. 1 2 "Моргенштерн шокировал поклонников сменой имени и религии". Zakon.kz (in Russian). 7 June 2026. Retrieved 13 June 2026.
  14. ↑ "Иноагент Моргенштерн принял иудаизм и сменил имя в Израиле". Spletnik (in Russian). 8 June 2026. Retrieved 13 June 2026.
  15. ↑ "Моргенштерн принял иудаизм — подробности гиюра". Фонтанка.ру (in Russian). 7 June 2026. Retrieved 13 June 2026.
  16. ↑ Бакланов, Александр (1 September 2021). "Рэпер Моргенштерн и блогер Дилара Зинатуллина сыграли свадьбу. Под конец торжества к ним пришла полиция". Meduza. Archived from the original on 1 September 2021. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
  17. ↑ Виктория Калиниченко (9 July 2021). "Полуголый Моргенштерн сделал предложение своей девушке". Известия (in Russian). Известия. Archived from the original on 26 March 2022. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
  18. ↑ "Вот это кино! Моргенштерн сделал предложение возлюбленной прямо на съемках клипа" (in Russian). Grazia. 9 July 2021.
  19. ↑ ntv.ru. "Жена Моргенштерна заявила о расставании с рэпером". НТВ (in Russian). Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  20. ↑ "Иноагент Моргенштерн отправляется в рехаб из-за алкоголя и наркотиков". Российская газета. 11 January 2025.
  21. ↑ "Появился первый снимок Моргенштерна из рехаба: «Поднял последний бокальчик»". gazeta.ru. 17 January 2025.
  22. ↑ "«Пришел к себе»: рэпер Моргенштерн* вышел из рехаба спустя пять месяцев". Вёрстка (in Russian). 4 June 2025. Retrieved 13 June 2026.
  23. ↑ "СМИ раскрыли психиатрический диагноз 26-летнего Моргенштерна". gazeta.ru. 16 January 2025.
  24. ↑ "Morgenshtern выпустил экспресс-альбом "Легендарная пыль"" (in Russian). tntmusic.ru. Archived from the original on 1 February 2020. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
  25. ↑ "Как Моргенштерн выбесил всех и вылез в топы". Афиша. Archived from the original on 27 January 2020. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
  26. ↑ "Леонид Слуцкий и Моргенштерн придут в "Вечерний Ургант"". www.intermedia.ru. 27 January 2020. Archived from the original on 27 January 2020. Retrieved 4 February 2020.
  27. ↑ "Morgenshtern, Шарлот "Малышка"" (in Russian). The-Flow.ru. Archived from the original on 9 June 2020. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
  28. ↑ ""Пососи" — это новый клип Morgenshtern" (in Russian). The-Flow.ru. Archived from the original on 4 June 2020. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
  29. ↑ "Новое самое дизлайкнутое видео на российском ютьюбе — последний клип Моргенштерна". Афиша. Archived from the original on 9 June 2020. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
  30. ↑ "Morgenshtern и Элджей выпустили фит Cadillac". Собака.ru. 9 June 2020. Archived from the original on 10 June 2020. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  31. ↑ "Morgenshtern выпустил трек "Ice"". The-Flow.ru (in Russian). Archived from the original on 14 September 2020. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
  32. ↑ ""Эй, м, м, айс": американцы пытаются понять, что поет Моргенштерн в песне "Ice"". Archived from the original on 16 November 2020. Retrieved 15 November 2020.
  33. ↑ "Вышел "вДудь" с Моргенштерном". The-Flow.ru (in Russian). Archived from the original on 24 November 2021. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
  34. ↑ "В Spotify назвали самых прослушиваемых в России исполнителей". TASS (in Russian). Archived from the original on 7 September 2021. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
  35. ↑ "Бастрыкин обвинил Моргенштерна в торговле наркотиками". Archived from the original on 26 November 2021. Retrieved 3 December 2021.
  36. ↑ "Новый клип Моргенштерна собрал полтора миллиона просмотров за первые часы" [Morgenshtern's new music video garnered a million and a half views in the first hours]. RIA Novosti (in Russian). 10 December 2021. Archived from the original on 10 December 2021. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
  37. ↑ "Каким получился ресторан Моргенштерна Kaif Provenance". Archived from the original on 28 January 2021. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  38. ↑ "Ресторан Kaif Provenance рэпера Моргенштерна закроется". Большой Город (in Russian). 17 June 2022. Retrieved 13 June 2026.
  39. ↑ "Kaif Burger Моргенштерна* закрылся". Москвич Mag (in Russian). 19 October 2022. Retrieved 13 June 2026.
  40. ↑ "Альфа-банк нанял на работу Моргенштерна" (in Russian). RBC. 15 March 2021. Archived from the original on 23 March 2021. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
  41. ↑ "Russia's Biggest Rappers Are Going Hard Against Putin's War". Rolling Stone. 17 March 2022.
  42. ↑ ""Большие дяди отправят на бойню" — Моргенштерн выпустил клип "12"". The-Flow.ru (in Russian). Retrieved 1 June 2022.
  43. ↑ "Russian Singers -- Whether For Or Against The War In Ukraine -- Unwelcome In Central Asia". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 23 June 2023.
  44. ↑ Протесты в Башкирии: стычки с ОМОНом, аресты и обвинения Украины | Новости России (in Russian), 18 January 2024, archived from the original on 26 January 2024, retrieved 21 January 2024
  45. ↑ Svetlova, Ksenia (1 February 2024). "Russia is intimidating its expat celebrities in an attempt to silence them". The Times of Israel.
  46. ↑ "Суд отменил запрет на въезд в Литву Моргенштерну. Рэперу присудили 34 евро судебных издержек". Meduza (in Russian). 15 April 2026. Retrieved 13 June 2026.
  47. ↑ "Суд в Литве отменил запрет на въезд в Литву российскому рэперу Алишеру Моргенштерну". Baltija.eu (in Russian). 16 April 2026. Retrieved 13 June 2026.
  48. ↑ "Рэпер Моргенштерн, Любовь Соболь, Леонид Гозман и еще четыре человека включены в реестр «иноагентов»". BBC. Archived from the original on 7 May 2022. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
  49. 1 2 Катя Загвоздкина (8 September 2024). "На Моргенштерна возбудили уголовное дело". Forbes.
  50. ↑ "В Москве возбуждено уголовное дело в отношении Алишера Моргенштерна". Столичный СК. 8 September 2024.
  51. ↑ "Против рэпера Моргенштерна возбуждено дело за уклонение от обязанностей иноагента". Интерфакс. 8 September 2024.
  52. ↑ "Суд арестовал недвижимость рэпера Моргенштерна по уголовному делу о неисполнении обязанностей "иностранного агента"". Настоящее Время (in Russian). 18 January 2025. Retrieved 13 June 2026.
  53. ↑ "Суд оштрафовал Моргенштерна на 7 млн рублей за нарушение закона об иноагенте". Vedomosti (in Russian). 20 April 2026. Retrieved 13 June 2026.
  54. ↑ "Признанного иноагентом Моргенштерна заочно оштрафовали на 7 млн рублей". Forbes Russia (in Russian). 20 April 2026. Retrieved 13 June 2026.
  55. ↑ ""Бабы перевелись": Моргенштерн признан "женщиной года"". Archived from the original on 23 March 2021. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  56. ↑ "Все победители премии «GQ Человек года» 2020". 12 November 2020. Archived from the original on 25 January 2021. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  57. ↑ "Моргенштерн, Богомолов и Ко: чем запомнилась премия "GQ Человек года"". РИА Новости. 13 November 2020. Archived from the original on 18 November 2020. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  58. ↑ "Best Director 2025 Nominees". Berlin Music Video Awards. Retrieved 27 March 2026.
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