A Russian pop band Vorovayiki was created by a chanson singer and producer Yuri Almazov in 1999. The music collective was conceived as the first-ever female band to perform in the genre of Russian Chanson. The creation and promotion of Vorovaiky followed the pattern of a classic pop band but the main stake had been made on the provocative appearance of band members and their songs praising jail romance and lifestyle. The idea paid off with the very first album which was entitled exactly «Первый альбом» (‘The First Album’), and the band found its audience. Although the band's line-up changed several times, it was almost always a trio. During their career, Vorovaiki performed more than a hundred songs. For more than two decades of activity, the style of performance and the topics of the songs have undergone a number of changes. However, the biggest hits from different years still remain «Хоп, мусорок» (‘Hey, Cop’), «Наколочка» (‘Tattoo’), «Держи вора» (‘Stop Thief’), and «Жизнь блатная» (‘Thieves' Life’). Being often criticized for the rudeness and the low quality of their songs, the band, though, remains popular among lovers of Russian Chanson.
