Бумбокс (Boombox) is a Ukrainian funk-rock, hip-hop and reggae band formed in Kyiv in the summer of 2004. The group emerged almost by accident: vocalist Andriy Khlyvnyuk and guitarist Andriy "Mukha" Samoilo — both then members of the band Tartak — began jamming together for fun in a shared apartment. A month later DJ Valentyn "Valik" Matiuk joined them, and the trio recorded their debut album "Melomania" in just 19 hours. It was released in April 2005 and immediately conquered Ukrainian radio.
Their second album "Family Biznes" (2006) achieved Gold status in Ukraine and Platinum in Russia. The track "Vakhteram" became one of the defining anthems of Ukrainian pop-culture, while "Ta4to" from the mini-album "Trymay" (2007) repeated that success with countless cover versions. Over the following decade the band released eight more albums — "III" (2008), "Vse Vklyucheno" (2010), "Seredniy Vik" (2011), "Terminal B" (2013), "Liudy" (2016), "Holyi Korol" (2017) and the two-part "Tayemnyi Kod: Rubikon" (2019) — each one cementing their status as one of the most beloved and versatile acts in Ukrainian music.
The band's sound is notoriously hard to categorise: funk, jazz, pop, rock, hip-hop and reggae coexist naturally in their music, and their lyrics — primarily in Ukrainian — tackle everything from social satire to deeply personal reflection. Frontman Andriy Khlyvnyuk has been awarded the Order of Courage III degree for his service, and in March 2025 the Ukrainian Ministry of Culture designated Boombox as critically important to the country's cultural and economic life.
When Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Boombox cancelled their planned North American tour and all members joined the Ukrainian Territorial Defence Forces. Their touring formula since has been extraordinary: weeks of international concerts across the USA, Canada, Europe and the UK — raising funds for the Ukrainian Armed Forces — followed by a return to Ukraine where members rotate between frontline service, volunteering and the Andriy Khlyvnyuk Foundation. Boombox are not just a band; they are a symbol of Ukrainian resilience.
