- 6:38 PM
- May 30, 2026
Bingkai Karya – Passion Vibe has officially announced an international collaboration with Katya Lel, the acclaimed Russian pop singer who was awarded the prestigious Merited Artist of the Russian Federation title by Vladimir Putin in February 2025, one of Russia’s highest state honors recognizing outstanding contributions to the nation’s culture and arts. This collaboration comes to life through a remix version of “Slatki Moi”, performed by Passion Vibe artist Kaleb J.
The award further solidifies Katya Lel’s status as one of the most influential figures in Russian pop music. Born Yekaterina Nikolayevna Chuprinina on September 20, 1974, in Nalchik, Kabardino-Balkaria, Katya Lel has built a remarkable career spanning more than two decades. Her breakthrough came in 2003 through a collaboration with producer Maxim Fadeev, resulting in the massive hit “Moy Marmeladny” (My Marmalade), which topped Russian music charts and earned her a Golden Gramophone Award. With ten studio albums, titles such as People’s Artist of Kabardino-Balkaria and People’s Artist of Chechnya, as well as a Silver Disc for sales achievements, Katya Lel’s impact on the Russian music industry is undeniable.
Now, Passion Vibe becomes the first Indonesian independent label to bring Katya Lel into Indonesia’s music landscape through Kaleb J’s signature R&B touch. Behind this collaboration stands Yoga Nugroho, CEO and Founder of Passion Vibe, whose long-standing connection with Russia played a pivotal role in making the project possible. Having lived in Moscow for nearly 15 years, building professional relationships and becoming fluent in Russian, Yoga’s experience has become a valuable bridge connecting the two music industries.
“The initial idea for this collaboration came directly from Yoga Nugroho. The negotiation process with Katya Lel’s team was incredibly warm, with enthusiasm coming from both sides. Support also came from RIA Novosti and Ruskiy Dom in Indonesia, which helped connect Passion Vibe with the artist,” said Yoga Nugroho. “This is an incredibly rare opportunity. The chance to collaborate with an international artist, especially a Russian artist who has received a national honor for her contributions to culture and the arts, is not something that comes easily. That’s why this collaboration holds a special sense of pride for Passion Vibe.”
He added, “We hope this collaboration will open doors to future music projects and partnerships that can be realized in the years to come.” On the musical side, Kaleb J, known for his warm and emotionally rich R&B style, was chosen to perform “Slatki Moi.” For him, the project represents a dream come true. “It feels exciting and surprising at the same time! I’m so happy to collaborate with the one and only Katya Lel. I’m truly honored and grateful for this opportunity. One of my biggest dreams in music has always been to work with artists from around the world, and I’m thrilled that it’s happening again at the beginning of 2026,” said Kaleb J enthusiastically.
The original version of “Slatki Moi” performed by Katya Lel is an energetic dance track that makes it almost impossible to stay still while listening. “It’s such a fun song! You just can’t help but dance when it comes on. I love all the elements that make ‘Slatki Moi’ so special. Even though I didn’t understand the meaning when I first heard it, I was instantly drawn into its vibe and energy,” Kaleb J shared. Rearranging the song came with its own challenges. Kaleb J was fully aware that he and Katya Lel come from very different musical backgrounds, but that contrast ultimately became one of the project’s greatest strengths. “We approached the creative process as freely and naturally as possible. We simply wanted to create something that we ourselves would love to listen to. Hopefully, that same energy reaches everyone who hears the song,” he explained.
Behind the scenes, Belanegara Abe, Producer and Co-Founder of Passion Vibe, played a crucial role in merging two distinct musical worlds: Katya Lel’s dance-pop sound and Kaleb J’s warm R&B style. “This was definitely a new experience for me, as it was my first time collaborating with a Russian artist,” said Belanegara Abe. “I believe music is a universal language. Before rearranging the song, our team took the time to study both the language and the meaning behind the lyrics so we could reinterpret it with a different emotional perspective while respecting the original.”
Bringing together two artists with contrasting vocal characteristics was no easy task, but it ultimately became part of the song’s magic. “Combining artists like Katya Lel and Kaleb J naturally creates something unique and fresh. Kaleb J’s R&B influence makes the song even more enjoyable to listen to,” he added. The arrangement itself originated from a casual conversation between Belanegara Abe and Kaleb J. “Kaleb J said, ‘If this song had a groovier beat and a slightly faster tempo, it would sound really cool.’ That’s where the idea came from, a simple, organic, and groovy arrangement that still highlights the distinct vocal styles of both Katya Lel and Kaleb J.”
Interestingly, Belanegara Abe intentionally took a different production approach for this project. “I wanted the arrangement to feel as organic as possible, without making it sound overly polished. We kept it simple with just a few instruments, drums, guitar, bass, and keyboards, while allowing their incredible vocals to become the centerpiece of the song.”
For this remix version, Kaleb J rewrote the second verse with his own lyrics and created new vocal arrangements together with Belanegara Abe. The refreshed beat and instrumentation breathe new life into the track while preserving the spirit of the original song. One particularly unique aspect of the project is that Kaleb J sings part of the song in Russian. The song’s main hook, “Slatki Moi,” means “my darling” when spoken by a woman to a man. Since Kaleb J performs the song from a male perspective, the phrase was adapted into “Slatkaya Maya,” which carries the same meaning but is addressed from a man to a woman. “Luckily, we have our beloved founder, Yoga Nugroho, who is fluent in Russian,” Kaleb J joked.
Katya Lel herself granted Passion Vibe’s team complete creative freedom throughout the project. “In fact, Katya Lel asked whether we planned to perform the song entirely in English or Indonesian. However, we felt that the Russian language carries its own authenticity and uniqueness,” said Yoga Nugroho. After hearing the final remix, Katya Lel was extremely pleased with the result, especially with Kaleb J’s interpretation of the song. “Hopefully, one day Kaleb J and Katya Lel will have the opportunity to perform together, either in Indonesia or perhaps even in Russia,” Yoga Nugroho concluded. The remix single “Slatki Moi” by Katya Lel and Kaleb J is now available on all major digital streaming platforms.
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