Russian rap legend Basta performs at the Royale on December 19, 2019. Born into an army officer's family. He studied at the local musical college, but didn't graduate. He is married and has two children. Vasiliy Mikhaylovich Vakulenko, better known by stage name Basta, began to write and read rap at the age of 15-16. In 1997 he joined the group Psycholyric, which later became known as Kasta. At 1998 he recorded his first solo single "Моя Игра" (Moya Igra/My Game). Basta then assembled his own band, "Уличные Звуки" (Ulichnye Zvuki/Street Sounds). In 2004 he was noticed by Bogdan Titomir, who offered to bring him to Moscow. In Moscow, Basta met other performers Smoky Mo and Guf (future founder of the Centr). Basta was given the opportunity to participate in recording Guf's album "Город дорог" (Gorod Dorog/City of roads). In 2008 Basta created "Noggano," a new parody stage name and "alter-ego", and recorded two albums "Ноггано первый" (Noggano. The First) and "Ноггано теплый" (Noggano. Warm). The name "Noggano" is an allusion to the legendary revolver. In 2017, Basta was banned for 3 years from entering Ukraine because of performing in Crimea after the 2014 Russian annexation of Crimea. Since 2006, Basta and his business partner Yevgeny Antimoniy have owned the Gazgolder label, which includes music record label, the night club, producing center, management agency, talent agency, clothes shops, pubs, restaurants, vape shops, and a jewelry company.