Dutch electronic music label Clone Distribution announced on April 29, 2022 that it had parted ways with Russian musician Nina Kraviz. Initially, the label did not comment in detail on the reasons for ending the collaboration. Recently, however, Serge Verschuur, the head of sales at Clone Distribution, gave in detailed statement away. In this he criticizes that Nina Kraviz has not positioned herself on the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine and has even made positive references to Putin in the past.
The statement states, among other things:
“By refusing to take a stand and by remaining silent, Nina is able to go on with her lifestyle and life as a musician as if nothing had happened while the looting, raping, murdering and destruction of a country at the hands of her fellow countrymen continues. This is in stark contrast to other situations where she showed herself to be an opinionated person who was always interested in a conversation.”
In his statement, Verschuur also emphasized that Nina Kraviz would not primarily live in Russia, but rather “touring the world and enjoying the perks of western freedom” would. He also specifically accuses her of sharing pictures that are friendly to Putin, among other things memes with the sentence: “Don’t underestimate a Russki”.
Nina Kraviz comments on the allegations
Now Nina Kraviz herself has spoken out and emphasized that she is not a political person and would stand for music and peace. The statement states, among other things:
“I don’t understand politics and the social processes that produce it. So I think it’s wrong to talk about these events on social media. In my opinion, this can only increase the level of this all-consuming hatred and does not contribute to mutual understanding. According to Seneca, a Roman Stoic, statesman, and playwright, if one side refuses to fuel it, the feud will die out by itself.”
Nina Kraviz is one of the biggest stars of the international techno scene and is also extremely well known in Russia. The announcement that Clone Distribution has separated from the musician caused an international response. Among other things, the American TIME Magazine reported on the affair.