As he prepares for his first solo concert at Madison Square Garden, Dimash sat down with journalists to share his reflections on his journey from Kazakhstan to the global stage, his mission as an international artist, and the limitless possibilities of the human voice.

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TMRW Magazine is an independent music and culture publication based in London, England, known for its distinctive approach to showcasing cultural phenomena.

How does it feel to be the first Kazakh artist headlining Madison Square Garden?

It turns out that I will be not only the first Kazakh artist, but also the very first musician from the post-Soviet space to perform a solo program at MSG. That is a huge responsibility, but instead of being intimidating, it inspires me to move forward. At the same time, we take on the role of cultural ambassadors, the first to have this unique chance to win the hearts of people on another continent on such a legendary stage.

Which languages or songs challenge you the most when performing live? 

I speak and sing fluently in Kazakh and Russian, and English doesn’t pose major difficulties either. Italian has been familiar to me since my “opera childhood,” so Romance languages are generally manageable in terms of phrasing. But Chinese… that’s a different story. It requires substantial help from native speakers. I began singing in Chinese in 2017, and while it has certainly become easier with time, it still demands a lot of hard work. Thankfully, I have my team to support me.

How do you choose collaborators across genres and cultures? 

There are no strict rules for this. Sometimes it’s a collective effort from the very beginning, involving various musicians, instrumentalists, and arrangers. Other times, as the song develops, it naturally acquires different stylistic elements. For example, in the title song of my Stranger tour, written by Igor Krutoy, we decided to incorporate the sound of the ancient Kazakh instrument, the kobyz. Later, in the Virtuosos project — where young instrumentalists compete — Hauser masterfully added a new cello part to the same piece.

Read full interview by the link:

https://www.tmrwmagazine.com/en/news/dimash-qudaibergen-redefining-boundaries

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Numéro Netherlands is the Dutch edition of the international fashion magazine Numéro, dedicated to fashion, art, and culture.

You’ve been called a cultural ambassador for Kazakhstan. How do you balance celebrating your Kazakh identity with connecting to audiences worldwide?

My fans are exactly what helps me maintain balance. Dears are a truly unique family, people who speak different languages, yet share an interest in Kazakh culture. They sing Kazakh songs, learn to play our traditional instruments, visit Kazakhstan, and explore its historical sites. I am deeply grateful to my fans for not only supporting my music but also for embracing and learning about our culture.

You’re preparing to launch an international talent search competition with Hunan TV. What excites you most about this project?

Just a few days ago, before flying to New York, we completed filming this project in Kazakhstan. It’s a reality show in collaboration with Hunan Broadcasting System, not just a talent competition. We tried to combine a vocal contest, featuring singers from China, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Italy, Serbia, and Kyrgyzstan, with a broad showcase of Kazakhstan’s history, geography, and culture. As the creator of the project, I was especially excited to see the beauty of our homeland through the eyes of international participants. At the same time, I sincerely hope that, thanks to Hunan TV’s multi-million audience, another international star will emerge from our own country.

You move seamlessly between Kazakh folk, classical, opera, and pop. How do you approach blending such different musical worlds?

To be honest, I don’t do anything particularly special, I just follow the inspiration that comes while working on a piece. Different ideas for the arrangement appear, the team suggests things, and I hear certain instruments in my head. For example, in the song ‘Smoke’, I immediately felt like adding the sound of the dombra. I was on a creative trip in Los Angeles at the time, and since I had the dombra with me, we could try the idea right away. 

I’ve always been drawn to neoclassical music, and I love exploring its emotional depth and versatility. Blending Kazakh folk, classical, opera, and pop comes naturally to me, because I approach each piece with the feeling it calls for.

Where do you see your music evolving in the next few years? Do you envision new genres, new languages, or even new art forms?

New forms of art, interesting. Does that mean starting to paint, creating sculptures, or walking a tightrope? I’ve jumped on a trampoline, flown under a dome. You can definitely think about trying something new.

And in music, so many things catch my interest. There’s so much new emerging things every minute that trying to predict several years ahead just doesn’t make sense. I think it’s actually exciting to observe yourself, to see where fate will take you next. What you’ll hear, see, or feel, what will influence your perception of the world, and maybe turn your creative thinking 180 degrees, or even a full 360. We’ll live and see.

Read full interview by the link:

https://www.numeronetherlands.com/in-conversation-with/in-conversation-with-dimash-qudaibergen