Ex members are Titus Vadon (drums, vocals / ex-member from drahdiwaberl & das balaton combo), Zebo Adam (guitar, vocals / ex-member from hallucination company), Antonia-Alexa Georgiew (violin, vocals), Werner Köck (guitar), Manfred Franzmeier (saxophone / member from hot pants road club, ex-member from madrid de los austrias) and Christoph Schödl (drums).
Their music is a rousing mixture of russian folkmusic and ska / ska-punk.
"Russkaja is the exact opposite of Easy Listening music, Russkaja - terror of terrors of all Russian folk music societies - stands for fat Austrian Polka beats. The group members are the most illustrious musicians of the Alpine region, who possess a colourful mix of cultural backgrounds. They pour these various cultural influences into a postmodern version of Russian folk and spread their distinctive music all over Europe. It is sweaty and shouts out loud: Dance Dance Dance! It is a clash of trash metal, world jazz, funky stuff and Frank Zappa-esque Rock. All these things signify: Get down to business!"
There is a word play in the name of the band: RUSSKAJA means 'russian' on russian language, but it also stands for: 'Rus' = Russia - 'Ska' = style of music - 'Ja' = German for: Yes.
Discography:
2006 Dawai, Dawai (EP)
2007 Dope Shit (Single)
2008 Kasatchok Superstar (Album)
2008 More (Single)
2009 Kasatchok Superstar the Song (Single)
2010 Russian Voodoo (Album)
2010 Hammer Drive (Download Single)
www.russkaja.com
www.myspace.com/russkaja
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Russkaja/187544649772
Hey Stoj
Russkaja Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I take a look at my life and realize there's nuttin left
Cause I've been blastin and laughin so long that
Even my mama thinks that my mind is gone
But I ain't never crossed a man that didn't deserve it
Me be treated like a punk, you know that's unheard of
You better watch how you talkin, and where you walkin
Or you and your homies might be lined in chalk
As they croak I see myself in the pistol smoke, fool
I'm the kinda G the little homies wanna be like
On my knees in the night
Sayin prayers in the street light
*L.V.*
We've been spending most our lives
Living in the Gangsta's Paradise
We've been spending most our lives
Living in the Gangsta's Paradise
We keep spending most our lives
Living in the Gangsta's Paraside
We keep spending most our lives
Living in the Gangsta's Paraside
Look at the situation, they got me facin
I can't live a normal life, I was raised by the strict
So I gotta be down with the hood team
Too much television watchin got me chasin dreams
I'm a educated fool with money on my mind
Got my ten in my hand and a gleam in my eye
I'm a loc'ed out gangsta, set-trippin banger
And my homies is down, so don't arouse my anger, fool
Death ain't nuthin but a heart beat away
I'm livin life do-or-die-a, what can I say?
I'm twenty-three now, but will I live to see twenty-fo'?
The way things is goin I dunno
*L.V.*
Tell me why are we -- so blind to see
That the ones we hurt -- are you and me
We keep spending most our lives
Living in the Gangsta's Paraside
Power and the money, money and the power
Minute after minute, hour after hour
Everybody's runnin, but half of them ain't lookin
It's goin on in the kitchen, but I dont know what's cookin
They say I got ta learn, but nobody's here to teach me
If they cant understand it, how can they reach me?
I guess they cain't -- I guess they won't
I guess they front; that's why I know my life is outta luck, fool
Tell me why are we -- so blind to see
That the ones we hurt -- are you and me
Tell me why are we -- so blind to see
That the ones we hurt -- are you and me
Tell me why are we -- so blind to see
That the ones we hurt -- are you and me
Tell me why are we -- so blind to see
That the ones we hurt -- are you and me
The lyrics of Russkaja's song Hey Stoj are actually from the popular song Gangsta's Paradise by Coolio featuring L.V. The song talks about the life of a gangster and the harsh realities that come along with it. The lyrics are written in the first-person perspective of a gangster who is reflecting on his life and the consequences of his actions. The first verse talks about how the gangster has become desensitized to violence and how his actions have caused people to think he is crazy. However, he is not sorry for what he has done because he only targets people who deserve it. He warns others to not cross him or they will face the same fate.
The chorus, sung by L.V., repeats "We've been spending most our lives living in the Gangsta's Paradise." This refers to how the gangster's life is full of danger and chaos, but he has become accustomed to it. The second verse talks about how the gangster has been shaped by his upbringing, which was full of tough love and strict rules. He desires to be part of a group, and he finds that in his gang. However, this life has taken a toll on him, and he is unsure if he will live to see his 24th birthday.
Overall, the song is a commentary on the realities of gang life and how it can consume even the strongest of individuals. It shows the consequences of violence and the toll it can take on one's life, as well as the cycle of violence that it perpetuates.
Line by Line Meaning
As I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
I am in a dangerous and gloomy place
I take a look at my life and realize there's nuttin left
I reflect on my life and recognize how empty it is
Cause I've been blastin and laughin so long that
I have been living recklessly for such a long time that
Even my mama thinks that my mind is gone
Even my own mother worries that I have lost my sanity
But I ain't never crossed a man that didn't deserve it
I have only taken revenge on those who deserved it
Me be treated like a punk, you know that's unheard of
No one can treat me like a coward because I am not one
You better watch how you talkin, and where you walkin
Be careful with how you speak to me and where you go
Or you and your homies might be lined in chalk
Otherwise, you and your friends could end up dead
I really hate to trip, but I gotta loc
I don't like to lose control, but sometimes I get violent
As they croak I see myself in the pistol smoke, fool
When they die, I see myself and my actions in the gun smoke
I'm the kinda G the little homies wanna be like
I am the type of gangster that young boys aspire to become
On my knees in the night
I pray on my knees at night
Sayin prayers in the street light
I pray under the streetlights
We've been spending most our lives
We have dedicated most of our existence
Living in the Gangsta's Paradise
To live in a place of violence and danger
Look at the situation, they got me facin
I am facing a difficult situation
I can't live a normal life, I was raised by the strict
I cannot live a typical life because of my strict upbringing
So I gotta be down with the hood team
Therefore, I must join the gang
Too much television watchin got me chasin dreams
I watch too much TV and have unrealistic expectations
I'm a educated fool with money on my mind
I am an intelligent fool obsessed with wealth
Got my ten in my hand and a gleam in my eye
I hold a gun and have a greedy look in my eyes
I'm a loc'ed out gangsta, set-trippin banger
I am a crazy gang member who loves to start trouble
And my homies is down, so don't arouse my anger, fool
My friends are with me, so do not provoke me
Death ain't nuthin but a heart beat away
Death is always close
I'm livin life do-or-die-a, what can I say?
I live a dangerous life and have no choice
I'm twenty-three now, but will I live to see twenty-fo'?
I am 23, but I don't know if I will make it to 24
The way things is goin I dunno
Based on how things are, I do not know
Tell me why are we -- so blind to see
Why are we unaware
That the ones we hurt -- are you and me
That the victims of our actions include ourselves
Power and the money, money and the power
The desire for power and wealth
Minute after minute, hour after hour
Constantly, every minute and every hour
Everybody's runnin, but half of them ain't lookin
Everyone is running, but half of them are not paying attention
It's goin on in the kitchen, but I dont know what's cookin
Something is happening, but I don't know what it is
They say I got ta learn, but nobody's here to teach me
People claim that I need to learn, but no one is there to guide me
If they cant understand it, how can they reach me?
If they cannot understand my situation, how can they help me?
I guess they cain't -- I guess they won't
I suppose they are unable or unwilling
I guess they front; that's why I know my life is outta luck, fool
I think they pretend to help, so I know I am out of luck
Tell me why are we -- so blind to see
Why are we unaware
That the ones we hurt -- are you and me
That we hurt ourselves and others
Tell me why are we -- so blind to see
Why are we unaware
That the ones we hurt -- are you and me
That our actions harm both ourselves and others
Tell me why are we -- so blind to see
Why are we unaware
That the ones we hurt -- are you and me
That both ourselves and others are hurt by our actions
Tell me why are we -- so blind to see
Why do we continue to be unaware
That the ones we hurt -- are you and me
That our actions harm both ourselves and others
Contributed by Caden C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.