"12" is a 2022 single by Russian rap artist Morgenshtern. The song was released on 14 March 2022 on social media platform Telegram after several unsuccessful attempts to release "12" on streaming platforms.[1]

"12"
The official cover for "12"
Single by Morgenshtern
Released14 March 2022
GenreHip hop
Length3:00
LabelIndependent
Songwriter(s)
  • Alisher Morgenshtern
  • Vladislav Palagin
Producer(s)Palagin
Morgenshtern singles chronology
"Pochemu?"
(2022)
"12"
(2022)
"Selyavi"
(2022)
Music video
"12" on YouTube

Background

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"12" is dedicated to Morgenshtern's younger brother. In addition, the song is named in honor of Morgenshtern's younger brother's birthday, who had turned 12 on 14 March 2022.[2][3] The song also speaks about the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, calling for peace and friendship between Russia and Ukraine, while also condemning the actions of Russia from the invasion.[4][5]

Composition

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The song starts off with words from Dmitry Gordon, a Ukrainian journalist, saying "get the fuck out of here, fucking motherfuckers!"[6] The song talks numerous situations, including the economic collapse of the ruble, the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine and Morgenshtern's own problems with the law.[7] During the chorus, Morgenshtern condemns Russian generals bringing Russian soldiers to the frontlines of the war, saying "Big bosses will send [you] to the slaughterhouse, [and] bosses never give a fuck'.[8] At the end of the song, a voice recording with a woman, who is later revealed as Ukrainian producer Vladislav Palagin's mother, speaks that she is safe in a bomb shelter after a bombing raid.[9] In the music video, the video ends with the caption "He is Ukrainian, I am Russian. We make music together. We want peace. We want friendship."[6]

References

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  1. ^ King, Jon (2022-03-14). "Putin losing grip as Russians turn on despot – Moscow-based rapper releases anti-war song". Express.co.uk. Retrieved 2022-06-01.
  2. ^ Arterbury, John (2022-03-17). "Russia's Biggest Rappers Are Going Hard Against Putin's War". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2022-06-01.
  3. ^ "Моргенштерн поздравил младшего брата песней о смерти". www.intermedia.ru (in Russian). 2022-03-14. Retrieved 2022-06-01.
  4. ^ "Новый клип Моргенштерна "12" — высказывание об Украине, свободе и страхе | RAP.RU". www.rap.ru. Retrieved 2022-06-01.
  5. ^ "Моргенштерн выпустил новый клип, в котором призвал мирно решить конфликт с Украиной: "Мы хотим мира. Мы хотим дружбы"". CT News (in Russian). Retrieved 2022-06-01.
  6. ^ a b "Beyond Pussy Riot – Rock, Pop, Rap and the Russian Invasion of Ukraine". The Journal of Music. Retrieved 2022-06-01.
  7. ^ "Моргенштерн выпустил новый клип на трек "12"". kulturomania.ru (in Russian). Retrieved 2022-06-01.
  8. ^ ""Большие дяди отправят на бойню" — Моргенштерн выпустил клип "12"". The-Flow.ru (in Russian). Retrieved 2022-06-01.
  9. ^ Ковальчук, Иван. "Моргенштерн выпустил клип "12". Там Алишер копирует Оксимирона". Палач | Гаджеты, скидки и медиа. Retrieved 2022-06-01.