Alsou is a Russian singer. She was born on June 27, 1983 in a small town Bugulma in Tatarstan ( Russia ) to a large Moslem family. Her full name is Alsou Safina. “Alsou” in Tatarian language means “Rose Water”.

At age 9, she moved with her parents to Moscow, Russia. Shortly after, she and her brother moved to London, England.

At just 5 years old, Alsou pleaded for a piano on the condition that she would attend music school to learn it. A fiercely independent soul even at that young age, she would walk the half hour trek across town by herself to get to her music lessons. By 10, having moved first to Moscow when her father started to grow his business, then later to New York to go to school, she had started entertaining friends with her singing as well, after hearing and mimicking a Mariah Carey song.

The follow-up album named Alsou urged everyone to realize: a new star appeared in Russia. In December 1999 was the first tour by Alsou to the Ukraine and Byelorussia. It was a real challenge for her.

Alsou was sponsored by The Megapol producing center, and so she was the first Russian singer to conclude a long-term contract with the popular Universal record company. Its manager believes Alsou's execution is the ideal way for the Russian singers to pave a path to the western audience.

In 2000 Alsou recorded her first English language single. After that she was entered into the Eurovision Song Contest, eventually coming second overall. The song “Solo” went on to sell 100,000 copies and became the biggest selling single of all time in Russia.

Soon Alsou has recorded her vocal parts for a duet with Enrique Iglesias. The song "You're My №1" turned to be very good for Alsou's voice. The duet was performed by Alsou and Enrique on his Moscow concerts (September 2000). This fact has caused hysteria in Russian mass media. In November the single was released in Russia, and Alsou continued to prepare English material for international release.

Tim Royce, the well-known director, has made a video for the first single, "Before You Love Me". In the video Alsou has appeared in untypical image for her - sexy dancing, open stomach & black leather...

In March 2001 the promo-campain began in UK.

The song "Before You Love Me" took the first places in prestige foreign charts. Alsou's posters were on London streets. But nevertheless, the single didn't become a bestseller.
In May Alsou went to Monte-Carlo to pick up the "World Music Award" as the Best Selling Russian Artist of 2000.

Having passed the exams in college, Alsou decided to take a year-off and devote it to her international career. She visited Moscow to celebrate her 18th birthday and to present her debut English album.

In August 2001 the video for "He Loves Me" appeared on Russian TV, MTV-Hits and MTV-Nordic. In November Alsou took the MTV Europe Music Award as the Best Russian Artist in Frankfurt (Germany).

Spring 2002 the new Russian single of Alsou called "Vsyo Ravno" ("Anyway") became one of the greatest hits. In April "Real Records" released the special edition of Alsou's first album with the new design and five new songs.

Summer 2002 Alsou was improving her vocal mastery during the new concert tour. Her new video for "Letyashchaya Nad Oblakami" ("Flying Over The Clouds") was shown in Russian cinemas before Russian love story "Atlantida", because Alsou has recorded two songs for the movie.

January 2003 released her new Russian album called "19". The CD was favoured by critics, and to April 2003 the sales have attained 500 thousand copies. Alsou couldn't be left without attention, and she was nominated to First National Music Award "Muz-TV". Having arrived in Moscow after the work in foreign studios, Alsou unexpectedly for herself became the winner in "Best Female Artist" nomination.

In July, 2003 the video for "Perviy Raz" ("First Time") was premiered.

Alsou was working on her debut international album "Inspired" almost for two years. This album was recorded in London and Los-Angeles. The album is more guitars flavored than Alsou's previous works. It will include the smash catchy pop-hits, R'n'B, beautiful ballads and songs with rock-sounding.

The video for The first single, "Always On My Mind", written by Alsou and Morten Schjolin was shooted May 2004 by well-known director Joseph Kahn.

"Inspired" was released April 2005.

www.alsou.ru