Nigativ

☆ Save On Wikipedia ↗
Nigativ
Нигатив
Vladimir Afanasyev in May 2021
Vladimir Afanasyev in May 2021
Background information
Also known asNigativ, Galaktik, Egor aka Egorka
Born
Vladimir Vladimirovich Afanasyev

(1981-12-04) 4 December 1981
Uspenskaya, Beloglinsky District, Krasnodar Krai, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union
OriginKrasnodar, Russia
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • songwriter
  • actor
Years active1999–present

Vladimir Vladimirovich Afanasyev (Russian: Владимир Владимирович Афанасьев; born 4 December 1981), known professionally as Nigativ (Russian: Нигатив), is a Russian rapper, songwriter and actor. He is best known as a former member of the Krasnodar rap group Triada, and since 2010 he has also appeared in films and television series.[1]

Early life

Afanasyev was born on 4 December 1981 in the stanitsa of Uspenskaya in Beloglinsky District, Krasnodar Krai, into the family of a physics teacher and an artist. He finished school with a medal in 1997 and in 2002 graduated from the physics and technology faculty of Kuban State University, where he specialized in quantum electronics. Until 2005 he worked for the Russian aerospace agency, and he later became a mobile communications engineer. From the age of six to sixteen he sang in a Cossack choir.[2]

He began listening to rap in 1995 and writing his own lyrics in 1996. He learned to play the bayan, trumpet, balalaika and guitar, though by his own account he never truly mastered any of them.[2]

Afanasyev is also interested in literature, naming Anton Chekhov, Alexander Pushkin, Sergei Yesenin, Edgar Allan Poe, Homer, Aeschylus, Dante Alighieri and William Shakespeare among his favorite authors.[3] In 2010 he published a book, Astrologicheskiy sud ("The Astrological Court"), in the genre of mystical detective fiction, and has spoken of plans for a further, more classical novel.[4][5]

Career

Early groups

In 1997 Afanasyev formed his first group, Triple V, together with a collaborator nicknamed Maugli, in which they attempted to write and rap in English. In the winter of 1998 he met the young Krasnodar rapper Skato, then a newly enrolled art student, and the two founded the project B.D.X. Because of disagreements within the group, the project broke up after its very first performance.[2]

Triada

From 1999 to 2018 Nigativ was a member of the Krasnodar rap group Triada.[2][6] With the group he recorded a series of albums, beginning with Protivoyadie ("Antidote") in 2004 and Orion in 2005, and continuing through records such as Avgust ("August", 2007), Shestoe chuvstvo ("The Sixth Sense", 2009), Istok ("Source", 2013) and Tretye dykhanie ("Third Wind", 2015).[7][8]

Solo work

Alongside his work with Triada, Afanasyev released several solo albums. In June 2006 he put out the album Tochka Rosy ("Dew Point") as a double CD, which is described as the first double album in the history of Russian rap.[9] His second solo work was released in two parts: Tochka Opory. Belyy Tom ("Fulcrum. White Volume") on 1 October 2010, and Tochka Opory. Chyornyy Tom ("Fulcrum. Black Volume") on 17 February 2011.[10] He followed these with the EP Prostoy in early 2013, the album NIX ET NOX in 2016, and ZHAMEVYU on 26 October 2018.[5]

The stage name "Nigativ" did not originate with him. According to the rapper, the name came from a friend, Lev Paddington: during his university years he was given the nickname "Negr" ("Black man"), and when he once arrived at an exam dressed entirely in black, his friend joked that he looked like a black man in a white suit, as though he were a photographic negative. The word "negativ" later evolved into the stage name.[5]

TP "Barada"

In 2013 Afanasyev organized a parody trio project called "Barada", in which he performs under the name Egor aka Egorka alongside Revansh (as Nich) and Bulat aka One-bula (as Tisha). The project released several works the same year.[5]

Acting

Since 2010 Afanasyev has worked as a film and television actor, building up a substantial list of supporting roles.[1] His screen credits include the series Realnye patsany (2018), the film Na rayone (2018), and Tobol (2018), as well as roles in series such as Patriot (2020), Khrustalnyy (2021) and Vampiry sredney polosy ("Vampires of the Middle Belt", 2021).[1] He has continued to appear regularly on screen, including in Pleylist volontyora ("Volunteer's Playlist", 2023) and Avgust (2025).[1]

Personal life

Afanasyev is married to Svetlana Afanasyeva, and the couple has a daughter, Alisa.[11] He is also a drifting enthusiast and takes part in competitions in his BMW 3 Series E36.[12]

Recognition

In 2006 Nigativ was named among the ten most promising rappers in the country in a ranking by the website Rap.ru.[13] In 2015 he served as a member of the jury of a Ukrainian rap battle called "Pit Bull Battle".

Discography

Solo albums

  • Tochka Rosy (2006, 2 CD)
  • Tochka Opory. Belyy Tom (2010)
  • Tochka Opory. Chyornyy Tom (2011)
  • Prostoy (EP, 2013)
  • Chisla (EP, 2014)
  • NIX ET NOX (2016)
  • ZHAMEVYU (2018)
  • Klassika zhanra (EP, 2021)
  • Liberatta (2021)
  • Krizis srednego (2024)

With Triada

  • Protivoyadie (2004)
  • Orion (2005)
  • Avgust (2007)
  • Shestoe chuvstvo (2009)
  • 7 povodov (EP, 2011)
  • Moi glaza otkryty (2012)
  • Istok (2013)
  • Tretye dykhanie (2015)
  • 9 (2016)

With TP "Barada"

  • Dva khita i who'eta (2013)
  • Yo!Bannyy den (2013)
  • Cosh-Mosh (2013)

Filmography

TitleYearRole
Luchik2016Tractor driver
Chuzhaya krov2017Convict
Realnye patsany2018Sevych
Na rayone2018Shamil, gangster
Tobol2018Chonga's interpreter
Na Lune2019Zayats
Russkie gorki2019Prison guard
Patriot2020Gera
Spasite Kolyu!2020Sergei Petrovich
Khrustalnyy2021Ivashov
Vampiry sredney polosy2021Igor the Digger
Semeynyy byudzhet2021Debt collector
Mediator2021Musician
Mazhor v Sochi2022Security guard
Shpion2023Killer
Pleylist volontyora2023Demon
Tyani, Sunduk!2023Businessman
Bednye smeyutsya, bogatye plachut2024Valera
Avgust2025Yanko

References

  1. "Владимир Афанасьев" (in Russian). KinoPoisk. Retrieved 2 June 2026.
  2. "Интервью Нигатива (Триада)" (in Russian). Дети урбана. 16 December 2007. Retrieved 2 June 2026.
  3. "Нигатив (Триада) — Респект и известность" (in Russian). Rap.ru. 8 April 2006. Retrieved 2 June 2026.
  4. "Интервью с группой «Триада»" (in Russian). Nightparty.ru. Retrieved 2 June 2026.
  5. "Нигатив: «Рэп эфир переполнен безвкусицей, пошлостью, убогим копированием запада…»" (in Russian). HIPHOP.ru. Retrieved 2 June 2026.
  6. "Биография Триада" (in Russian). Rapland.net. Retrieved 2 June 2026.
  7. "Альбом Триады «Исток» выйдет 1 ноября" (in Russian). Rap.ru. Retrieved 2 June 2026.
  8. "ТРИАДА «ТРЕТЬЕ ДЫХАНИЕ»" (in Russian). Rap.ru. Retrieved 2 June 2026.
  9. "Триада. Нигатив — «Точка росы»" (in Russian). Nigativ.ru. Retrieved 2 June 2026.
  10. "Нигатив — «Точка опоры. Белый том»" (in Russian). Nigativ.ru. Retrieved 2 June 2026.
  11. "Интервью с Нигативом (Группа Триада)" (in Russian). Русский рэп. 2 May 2009. Retrieved 2 June 2026.
  12. "ТАЧКА ДЛЯ БЮДЖЕТНОГО ДРИФТА - строим машину для Нигатива из Триады, ч1" (in Russian). YouTube. Retrieved 2 June 2026.
  13. "10 самых перспективных рэперов страны. Версия Rap.ru" (in Russian). Rap.ru. 7 June 2006. Retrieved 2 June 2026.