ARTIST

T.A.T.U.

Assembled by former TV-commercial producer Ivan Shapovalov after auditioning 100s of candidates at Moscow's Mostfilm studios, Tatu (aka Taty) comprised Julia Olegovna Volkova (aka Julia Volkova; born 1985) and Elena Sergeevna Katina (aka Lena Katina; born 1984). Named after an internationally fashionable word, the teen-pop duo delivered captivating melodies and controversial lyrics and Tatu signed up to Universal Music Russia on May 16, 2001.

Their debut single, "Ya Soshla s Uma," (I've Lost My Mind), became their first smash, gaining international exposure through MTV (Top Five on the most requested videos chart). After issuing a second single called "Nas Ne Dogoniat," (They Won't Catch Us), their album Po Ustrechnoi Driving 200 Miles in the Opposite Lane) was locally released.

Written by Drago Bonacich, All Music Guide