XCHO

Xcho is one of the most prominent representatives of the new wave of Russian-language melodic hip-hop. Behind this stage name is Khachik Dunamalyan, a musician of Armenian origin who, in just a few years, has gone from his first independent recordings to millions of streams on major streaming platforms. His music combines elements of rap, lyrical pop, and atmospheric urban sound, which helps his songs resonate with a wide audience.

The future artist was born in Vanadzor and received a musical education in violin. Before entering the music scene, he was involved in sports, but after an injury, he decided to focus on creativity. His first songs appeared in the late 2010s, and soon Xcho began actively releasing tracks, gradually shaping his own recognizable style.

The early stage of his career is associated with songs such as I Can Fly, No Bro, “Volna”, “Naley”, and “Gangster”. These works helped the artist build his first audience, but his real breakthrough came with the releases “Vorony”, “Eskizy”, and “Ty i Ya”. These tracks established Xcho as one of the most talked-about young artists of his generation and helped him reach high positions on music charts.

The song “Vorony” holds a special place in his work. The track quickly went viral and spread widely across social media and streaming platforms. Music critics noted its combination of emotional delivery, romantic lyrics, and vivid imagery. Later, interest in the track was further supported by a music video filmed against the natural landscapes of the North Caucasus.

An important milestone was the release of the studio album Immigrant. The record attracted attention not only from fans but also from music platforms, with its tracks actively appearing on charts. The album’s title is connected to the artist’s personal story and reflects the theme of searching for one’s place in life and music.

Collaborations have played a noticeable role in the development of the project. Among the most well-known are joint works with MACAN, Ramil', ALEMOND, Pablo, and Mr Lambo. These releases helped Xcho expand his sound and attract a new audience. The song Only You, recorded together with Pablo and ALEMOND, became one of the popular tracks of the early 2020s, and further cooperation between the musicians continued in later releases.

Xcho’s music often revolves around themes of love, memories, loyalty, and personal emotions. Unlike many representatives of modern rap, he focuses not on aggressive delivery, but on emotion and melody. Thanks to this, his songs are regularly in demand not only among hip-hop fans, but also among a broader pop audience.

By the beginning of the second half of the decade, the artist had become one of the most recognizable performers of his generation. His tracks have gathered hundreds of millions of streams, while some songs have become popular far beyond the core audience of Russian-language music. In 2022, Xcho was recognized as one of the main musical discoveries of the year by VK Music, which became an important confirmation of the rapid growth of his popularity.

Today, Xcho continues to actively release new music, experiment with sound, and develop collaborations with artists from different genres. His story shows how quickly a young independent performer can go from first recordings to the status of one of the most in-demand representatives of the modern music scene.