With the collapse of the Soviet Union and the restoration of Ukraine’s independence came a cultural boom that also reached the Ukrainian music scene. A notable phenomenon in this sphere was the emergence of thematic television programmes, such as the legendary Khit-Rik,which began airing in 1992 as the only Ukrainian show of its kind at the time featuring foreign music videos.

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Following the success of the first festival, Chervona Ruta became a biennial event held indifferent cities, such as Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, Simferopol and Sevastopol, Kharkiv, Kyiv, and Mariupol. The performers competed in three categories: rock, pop and original songs, with all compositions performed exclusively in Ukrainian. Chervona Ruta gave impetus to the successful careers of Oleksandr Ponomarov, El Kravchuk, Nataliia Mohylevska, Katya Chilly, Tanok na Maidani Kongo, Tartak, Motor’rolla and others.

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Oleksandr Ponomarov during a performance. December 1995

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In 1992, another large-scale music festival, Tavriiski Ihry [Tavrian Games], was founded in Kakhovka, Kherson region. Many famous Ukrainian artists performed on its stage over the years: Verka Serdiuchka, Nina Matviienko, Mykola Mozhovyi, Viktor Pavlik, Ruslana, Yurko Yurchenko, Okean Elzy, Druha Rika, Plach Yeremii,Tabula Rasa, Skriabin, etc. The festival existed for 16 years and was the greatest event in Ukraine’s musical landscape.

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Projects designed to find and develop young talents such as the television vocal and choreographic contest Krok do Zirok (since 1997) and the Chornomorski Ihry (Black Sea Games) children’s festival (since 1998, in Skadovsk, Kherson region) were also popular. These projects introduced Mika Newton, Yuliia Sanina, TinaKarol, DZIDZIO, and others to the Ukrainian music scene.  

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The most famous hit parade of the 1990s was the television programme Terytoriia A, which became a phenomenon in developing the new Ukrainian pop scene. The project featured artists like Iryna Bilyk, Olia Poliakova, Pavlo Zibrov, and bands such as Akva Vita,Turbo-Tekhno-Saund, Fantom-2, The VYO and other young Ukrainian artists. Terytoriia A gained wide recognition among Ukrainian listeners for its energetically charged songs that encouraged dancing while reflecting the feelings of instability — both financial and socio-political.

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The TV programme Terytoriia A became a pivotal moment in the evolution of modern Ukrainian show business, reflecting the attitudes of Ukrainians and changes in society.

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The first pop star of independent Ukraine was undoubtedly the singer Russya (Iryna Osaulenko), who captivated overcrowded stadiums with her synth-driven. At the height of her popularity, she immigrated to Canada. In the rock genre, bands like Braty Hadiukiny (Ukrainian punk), Vopli Vidopliasova (ethno-punk), and Komu Vnyz (industrial, gothic rock) achieved success.

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Serhii ‘Kuzia’ Kuzminskyi, vocalist of the Braty Hadiukiny band, during a performance

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Before the collapse of the USSR, Ukrainian listeners lived behind the ‘iron curtain’. In 1997, the band Scorpions performed at the Olimpiyskyi (Olympic) Stadium in Ukraine for the first time, marking the beginning of world-class tours in the country. This undoubtedly influenced the younger generation of Ukrainian musicians.

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The early years of independence also saw the emergence of Ukraine’s first private radiostations, including Gala Radio, Europa Plus, Radio Lux, Radio Roks Ukraine, Supernova, and Hit Radio.

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By the late 1990s, music management began to develop. In 1999, Producer Yurii Nikitin founded the Mamamusic production company. Subsequently, management became an integral part of the music industry, where mere talent was no longer enough for success and recognition.

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