Timur Ildarovich Yunusov, who goes by the stage name Timati, is a well-known Russian rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, actor, and business owner. Timati was born in Moscow on August 15, 1983. He is now a well-known figure in Russia and beyond, combining music, business, and a controversial public image. He has been in the music business for more than 20 years and has built a huge business empire under the name Black Star. He has also changed the Russian hip-hop scene. His loud political views and extravagant way of life have made him both loved and hated.
Early Life and Background
Timati’s family was rich and had people from many different ethnic groups in it. His mother, Simona Yakovlevna Yunusova, is Jewish, and his father, Ildar Vakhitovich Yunusov, is Tatar. Artyom is Timati’s younger brother. He grew up on Mira Avenue in Moscow, where he had a lot of advantages. He has often said that his father taught him a strong work ethic, which kept him “never spoiled.”
Timati was creative from a young age. His grandfather made him study the violin for four years, and he went to the Higher School of Economics in Moscow for a short time before quitting to pursue a career in music. His early exposure to the arts and the three years he spent living in Los Angeles had a big impact on his musical tastes, which were mostly American hip-hop and R&B.
Star Factory and Early Music Career: How He Became Famous
Star Factory 4 (Fabrika Zvezd), a popular Russian TV talent show like American Idol, made Timati famous in 2004. Even though he didn’t win, the attention he got made him famous. He started the rap group Banda (which means “Gang” in Russian) with other contestants on the show and worked with singer Alexa, with whom he had a very public relationship.
Timati worked with Russian rapper Detsl and was in the group VIP77 before Star Factory. These were the first steps in his career. His first solo album, Black Star, came out in 2006. This album also gave its name to his record label and production company, which had a big impact. His early songs were heavily influenced by American R&B and gangsta rap. For example, “Dirty Whores” sounds a lot like 50 Cent’s “Candy Shop.” This brave, shocking style helped him stand out in Russia’s new hip-hop scene.
Timati’s big break in the world came when he worked with well-known Western artists. His 2009 song “Groove On” with Snoop Dogg and his 2011 song “Welcome to St. Tropez” with DJ Antoine and Kalenna Harper were both big hits in Europe, reaching the top 10 in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. These partnerships, which were made possible by his UK producer Michael “Mike” David, helped him become more well-known around the world.
Black Star Empire: Food, Fashion, and Music
Timati is a smart businessperson who has built a diverse brand under the Black Star name. Black Star Inc. is a record label that has helped artists like Egor Kreed, L’One, and Mot grow since it was started in 2006. Kreed is often called the “Russian Justin Timberlake.” The label has been a major player in Russian music, but some artists, like Kreed, have had problems with who owns their stage names after they leave.
Timati is an entrepreneur in more than just music. His Black Star Wear clothing line, which he started in 2007, first got attention for making military-style clothes with the Russian Army. However, there was a lot of controversy when fans found out that some of the items were almost exactly the same as things sold on AliExpress, but with new names and higher prices. Later, Timati worked with AliExpress to make a rap video that praised the site’s deals and fast delivery.
Timati started Black Star Burger in 2016. The chain has since grown to more than 30 locations in Russia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, and, according to reports, occupied territories in Ukraine. The chain did very well, especially with young people in Russia, so they made plans to open stores all over the world, including in the U.S. and the UAE. He also bought up old Starbucks stores in Russia and changed their names to Stars Coffee after the company left because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Timati also owns 13 by Black Star, a tattoo shop and barbershop in Moscow.
Political Views and Issues
Timati’s open support for Russian President Vladimir Putin has made him a controversial figure. In 2015, he put out “My Best Friend is Vladimir Putin,” which called the president a “superhero.” His 2019 song “Moscow,” which he made with rapper Guf, praised Moscow’s mayor Sergei Sobyanin and criticized protesters against the government. It got a record-breaking 1.48 million dislikes on YouTube, making it the most-disliked Russian video at the time. Timati took down the video after getting a lot of negative feedback. He said it was because of a “wave of negativity,” but he denied that the government paid for it.
During the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, he became more politically aligned. Timati openly backed the invasion, saying it was a “forced measure” brought on by Ukraine’s leaders. He also played at propaganda concerts in Crimea, which was occupied by Russia. He also wore clothes with the “Z” symbol on them, which is linked to Russian military aggression. In June 2025, Ukraine’s Security Service sent him a notice of suspicion for breaking Ukraine’s territorial integrity and supporting Russian propaganda.
People have also looked into Timati’s connections to Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov. People say that Timati is getting benefits from his connections to the Kremlin because of their friendship, which is said to be based on money. In 2024, he was against the merger of the Russian store Wildberries with Russ Group. This was in line with Kadyrov’s opposition to what was called a “hostile takeover.”
Life at Home
Timati’s personal life has been just as well-known as his work life. During Star Factory, he dated singer Alexa. They broke up in 2007. He later dated model Alena Shishkova, and they have a daughter named Alisa who was born in 2014. He has been with model Anastasia Reshetova since 2015, and they had a son named Ratmir in 2019. His relationships with famous Russian women, like the rumors about a scandalous video with socialite Ksenia Sobchak, have kept him in the news.
Criticism and Cultural Impact
There is no doubt that Timati has had an impact on Russian pop culture. His Black Star brand has changed the way lifestyle brands work in Russia by combining music-style food with fashion to appeal to younger people. His work with international stars like Snoop Dogg, Fat Joe, and Timbaland has made Russian hip-hop more well-known around the world. In 2017, the Russian Orthodox Church even hired him to read classic Russian poems to young people to get them interested in reading.
Some people, though, say that Timati’s music and personality aren’t real. Some Russians call him a “media personality” instead of a real rapper on sites like Reddit. They say this is because he comes from a wealthy family and doesn’t have as much of an impact on culture as artists like Detsl or Kasta. His support for the Kremlin has made some young Russians even more angry, and they are increasingly backing opposition groups.
Net Worth and Legacy
Forbes says that Timati is one of the richest celebrities in Russia under 40, with a net worth of $20 million. His music, Black Star ventures, and smart partnerships have made him rich.
Timati’s legacy is a complicated mix of business success, musical creativity, and political issues. He has definitely changed Russian hip-hop by making it popular around the world and creating a brand that goes beyond music. But his ties to the Kremlin and controversial public image make sure he stays a divisive figure. Timati’s story shows how culture, business, and power all come together in modern Russia as he builds his empire and deals with the country’s unstable politics.
