Levan Gorozia is L’One. A rapper who defines a creative generation that has blossomed in Russia, he is a former basketball player who saw injury cut his career short, only for him to go on to take a different game by storm. He is an emphatic Lokomotiv Moscow fan and as we head pitchside with him, he shares his take on the World Cup, his connection to the game and what it was like to be part of Virgil Abloh’s football team. Enjoy a snippet from his interview in SoccerBible Magazine Issue 11...
Levan Gorozia is L’One. A rapper who defines a creative generation that has blossomed in Russia, he is a former basketball player who saw injury cut his career short, only for him to go on to take a different game by storm. He is an emphatic Lokomotiv Moscow fan and as we head pitchside with him, he shares his take on the World Cup, his connection to the game and what it was like to be part of Virgil Abloh’s football team. Enjoy a snippet from his interview in SoccerBible Magazine Issue 11...
Tell me about the first time you ever saw a football match, on TV or live. How did it make you feel?
"The brightest memories from my childhood would be a match between France and Russia, when our national team won 3-2 after losing 0-2, at the Stade de France. I was still living in Yakutsk at the time and could only dream of going to the actual stadium, but this game has stayed with me forever."
If you could describe the atmosphere of Russian football to the world, how would you explain it?
"Football fans cheering and supporting players from the first until the very last minute - that’s the main highlight of the Russian football atmosphere."
What does this World Cup mean to you? Having it in your country must be hard to process because it’s a bit of a dream isn’t it?
"Oh yes, this is something we will be telling stories about generations to come. The arrival of the top superstar athletes, the celebration of the cultures from around the globe. This is everything one could dream of, and you don’t need to go far, so this is definitely a plus. This also brings a lot of responsibility in front of the whole world but I am convinced that everything will be handled at the top level. This is an opportunity for us to show how open our country is and that we are always glad when guests are visiting our country. It is also an opportunity to just immerse yourself into a collective celebration of football."
How much of a party will it be for you?
"Oh, trust me, this is going to be my party. Make sure you print this: if any of the losing national teams need a good farewell party, my phone number is not hard to find."
Will it give you a chance to show people from outside Russia around various cities?
"Not only our cities, but the country as a whole. I have visited almost every city in Russia, definitely all of the FIFA18 cities due to the nature of my profession, and I can say for certain that the fans will be thrilled. There is an absolutely different vibe in each one."
Are you doing anything musically to mark the tournament?
"I’ve got enough songs in my arsenal directly or indirectly connected to sport, so I’ve been prepared for a while now. Right now I am writing a new album and the theme of sport will not be ignored."
Tell me about previous World Cup memories. What was it like to watch the tournament as a kid in Russia?
"Because of the time difference, matches would start really late or super early, but it didn’t matter what time it was, we would always be glued to a TV set, with all of our “masculine” side of the family. Carlos’ free kick, Owen across the whole field, Zidane against Brazil, I can go on forever."
How much do you enjoy seeing all these different teams and players going toe to toe?
"I am a former sportsman (basketball) and I know from my personal experience how it is being on the court, experiencing the pressure, taking responsibility for the result and being soaked with adrenaline and a desire for victory. It’s a theatre without a scripted scenario, and that’s what is amazing about it."
Music and football are crossing over in such a good way right now. Is that something you’ve been able to see first-hand?
"Of course, I possess some insider information. I know about everything that is happening backstage. I know what some of the players are thinking about, how they are getting ready for the game, how they feel. Sometimes I am thinking that despite not having a career of a professional athlete, because of the music, I am living as one."
How exciting is it for you to see creative cultures blending with one another?
"Music is able to inspire, and that thought is what drives my creativity. Just from that thought, that a champion can find something personal to them in my songs before the match makes me feel better. Look at any athlete arriving to the game, all of them are wearing headphones. Music is always with them. This means that we are also taking part in their process. Music and sport are the best things that could have ever happened to me."
You can read the full interview with L'One in Issue 11 of the SoccerBible Magazine. Pick it up as a bundle with World Cup Special '32/12' here.
Photography by Yana Davydova for SoccerBible