Morgenshtern (born Alisher Tagirovich Valeyev on February 17, 1998, in Ufa, Russia) is a Russian rapper, producer and internet personality who broke through in 2018 with YouTube parodies before pivoting to chart-topping hip-hop. Known for provocative lyrics, an extravagant public image and a sharp instinct for viral content, he became one of the most-streamed artists in Russia - named Spotify's most-listened-to artist in the country for 2021. After leaving Russia following the start of the full-scale war in Ukraine, he has continued releasing music abroad, with his 2025 EP "Alisher" marking a shift toward live-band alternative rock.
On June 15, 2026, a Moscow court increased Morgenshtern's fine on appeal from 7 million to 8.2 million rubles in a case related to failing to label social media posts with the required 'foreign agent' marking, and added a three-year ban on administering websites.
On June 7, 2026, Morgenshtern completed a formal conversion to Judaism (giyur), taking the name Israel Yehuda Morgenshtern.
On April 20, 2026, a Moscow magistrate's court convicted Morgenshtern in absentia under Article 330.1 of the Russian Criminal Code (evading foreign-agent obligations) and sentenced him to a 7 million ruble fine; the sentence was later toughened on appeal.
In June 2025, Morgenshtern completed five months of rehabilitation treatment in Israel and publicly announced he had chosen sobriety.
On February 14, 2025, Morgenshtern released the five-track EP "Alisher", recorded with a live band in Georgia, marking a departure from his earlier trap-rap sound toward alternative rock.
Russian rapper Morgenshtern brings the second leg of his Mercury Tour to Warsaw - a show built around personal experience rather than his former shock-value image.
Morgenshtern brings the second leg of Mercury Tour to Kraków - a show where the Russian rapper trades provocation for personal honesty and raw storytelling.
Russian rapper Morgenshtern brings the second leg of his Mercury Tour to Leipzig - a show built around personal experience rather than provocation.
Morgenshtern brings the second leg of his Mercury Tour to Cologne - a show where personal experience and candour take centre stage over his former provocateur image.
Russian rapper Morgenshtern brings the second leg of his Mercury Tour to Munich - a show that trades his former shock-value image for personal storytelling and raw honesty.