From Eminem to Kazakh kuis: how Zhaksylyk Mukhametzhanov changes perceptions of the dombra
National Dombra Day is more than just a celebration of one of the main symbols of Kazakh culture. It's an opportunity to once again hear how vibrant, diverse, and modern the voice of this two-stringed instrument can be. For centuries, the dombra has conveyed the people's memories, resonating in kuis, songs, and family traditions, and today, it's increasingly reaching beyond its traditional stage—into social media, digital platforms, and the global music scene.For a new generation, the dombra is no longer just a relic of the past. It resonates alongside pop music, rap, electronic arrangements, and cinematic videos. Its timbre is recognizable to audiences who might previously have known nothing about Kazakh culture, and a short video featuring the national instrument can travel around the world in just a few days.One of the musicians who has brought the dombra to an international audience in a new language is Zhaksylyk Mukhametzhanov, creator of the ZhakSoul Dombra project. His cover of American rapper Eminem's "Mockingbird" went viral on social media, garnering millions of views and becoming an example of how a national instrument can sound organic in a completely unexpected musical context.But for Zhaksylyk himself, the dombra is more than just a striking format for viral videos. It's an instrument through which he speaks about Kazakhstan, its culture, nature, and the contemporary sound of national art. In an interview with Qazaq Culture, the musician discussed his journey, the influence of Asylbek Ensepov, his original compositions, his academic education, creative experiments, and his dream of holding his first major solo concert in Astana.How did you begin your musical journey, and why did you choose the dombra as your primary instrument?My musical journey began at the Akkol District Children's Music School. I later continued my professional education and graduated with a degree in composition from the Kulyash Baiseitova Kazakh National University of Arts.As a child, I was greatly influenced by the work of Asylbek Ensepov. His music, performance, and approach to the dombra were truly inspiring. Years later, about 15 years later, I picked up the dombra again – and it was with it that I began to actively develop my social media following, primarily on TikTok and Instagram.Everything about the dombra appeals to me: its uniqueness, its sound, its character, and people's reactions to it. People often tell me that my sounds are calming and even healing. This is very valuable to me. Through music, I feel I'm contributing to society and understand that the dombra can not only sound beautiful but also influence a person's inner state.– Performing Eminem's "Mockingbird" on the dombra brought you widespread fame. How did the idea of combining world hits with a national instrument come about, and did you expect such a response?– The Eminem cover "Mockingbird" has truly become one of the key works in my career. It has spread far beyond Kazakhstan and introduced the dombra to a wide range of audiences.For a musician, reimagining famous compositions is a natural creative process. But it's important not just to take a popular song. You need to feel how it will sound organic on the dombra, find the right intonation, create a high-quality video, and convey the composition through your own performance style.To be honest, I didn't expect such a massive response. But you can't fool an audience: when you play sincerely, from the heart, they feel it.It was especially gratifying to see the reaction not only of Kazakhstanis but also of audiences from different countries. Many of our compatriots living abroad wrote that through these compositions they once again felt a connection with their native culture and Kazakhstan. For me, this is one of the most valuable reactions.– You perform compositions of a wide variety of genres on the dombra, from pop to rap. How difficult is it to adapt modern hits to the sound of a national instrument?– My repertoire truly spans various genres, from pop to rap. I select compositions that will be interesting to people and at the same time reveal hemselves in a new way through the sound of the dombra.Adapting hits isn't particularly difficult for me, because music and experimenting with sound have been with me since childhood. I've always been interested in reimagining melodies, searching for new intonations, and choosing a performance that makes a composition sound natural on a national instrument.Now, my experience in sound engineering and studio work is a great help. Thanks to this, I can create not just a cover, but a complete musical work—with high-quality sound, atmosphere, and a modern feel.How important is it for young musicians to have an academic education?I believe an academic education is very important. It provides a foundation, discipline, and an understanding of musical theory and the professional environment.But it's important to understand that this path isn't always easy. For example, I only got into a music academy on my third try. So I know well that professional education requires patience and persistence.In my opinion, a musician needs basic knowledge, but natural talent, the ability to feel music with one's heart, and the ability to improvise are equally important. Sometimes musicians without an academic education have fewer internal constraints and are freer to experiment. However, it can also be more difficult for them to gain official recognition in the professional community.For example, I haven't won many international competitions or prizes. Despite the project's wide audience and international recognition, I continue to strive for professional recognition and government support for cultural initiatives.– Today, you not only perform covers but also create your own music. What is closer to your heart as an artist? What ideas do you strive to convey through your compositions?– In recent years, I have increasingly developed the original direction of the ZhakSoul Dombra project. My repertoire has included original works – Turan," "Shanyraq," "Nomad," "Samal," and "Kazakhstanym." In them, I strive to combine the traditional sound of the dombra with a modern musical language.The composition "Kazakhstanym" occupies a special place. The video for the song was filmed in Turkestan, at Lake Kaindy, in the Bozzhyra tract, and in Borovoye. I wanted not only to create a musical work but also to showcase the beauty of our country.As a result, the video has garnered over 18 million views on TikTok. This has become a great motivation for me to continue developing my own creative direction.I'm still interested in covers, but today, my own music is becoming increasingly important. Through the compositions and visuals of the project, I want to introduce people to the cultural heritage, nature, and tourism potential of Kazakhstan. I want our country to be recognized not only by its landscapes, but also through the contemporary sound of its national music.— If you had the opportunity to record a collaboration with any international musician, who would you choose and why?— First of all, I would be interested in working with Dimash Kudaibergen, Eminem, and Yiruma. Each of them inspires me in their own way and is a true example in their genre.I relate to their creativity, their approach to music, and their ability to convey emotion. I think it would be very interesting to combine their style with the sound of the dombra and demonstrate how this national instrument can harmoniously resonate in completely different musical styles.I'm confident such a creative experiment could open the dombra to an even wider international audience.In recent years, you have become one of the most recognizable promoters of the dombra in the digital space. How do you envision the future of this instrument in contemporary culture, and what creative goals do you set for yourself in the coming years?The project is already recognizable, but I see this as only the beginning of a creative journey. I'm confident that the dombra will become even more popular in the future—not only in Kazakhstan but also beyond its borders.At the same time, it's important to understand that developing such projects requires not only the love of the audience but also systematic support. Creating high-quality content requires significant investment—time, equipment, a team, and resources.My main goal for the coming years is to continue introducing the world to the Kazakh dombra and its modern sound. I want to hold my first major solo concert in Astana, continue developing my blog, release my original melodies on digital platforms, and demonstrate that the dombra can sound relevant, powerful, and engaging to a wide range of audiences.A few years ago, Zhaksylyk Mukhametzhanov was simply experimenting with the sound of the dombra on social media. Today, his music is listened to far beyond Kazakhstan's borders. And perhaps the main result of these experiments is already evident: it demonstrates that the dombra can be featured in both a Kazakh kuy and a global hit, while remaining the voice of national culture.
