Grandma's Smuzi

Founded – 2019
City – Odesa (Ukraine)
Language – Ukrainian, English
Genre – heavy metal

Members:

Tufan Çiğdem (Tufan Cigdem) – vocals;
Oleksii Apostolov – drums.

Band History

Grandma’s Smuzi is a rock band from sunny Odesa. The group was formed in 2019 and quickly gained recognition among Ukrainian fans of the heavy music scene. The idea behind the band was to give world-famous rock hits a new life in the Ukrainian language.

The band's founder is Tufan Çiğdem, a native of Türkiye who moved to Ukraine in 2004. Çiğdem studied medicine at Odesa I. I. Mechnykov National University. Although he had no formal musical education, singing had long been one of Tufan's passions. Ukraine won his heart so completely that the future leader of Grandma’s Smuzi eventually decided to stay in the country permanently.

Tufan often emphasizes that he has been a fan of heavy music since childhood. This genre has accompanied him throughout his life. Çiğdem considers heavy metal to be one of the most honest and emotionally authentic genres. The energy of heavy music inspires him to step onto the stage and share his creativity with the audience. Among the Ukrainian artists who made the greatest impression on the founder of Grandma’s Smuzi are Okean Elzy, Boombox, and the Hutsul metal band KARNA.

Creative Career

Today, Grandma’s Smuzi is no longer just a band but a true phenomenon of the Ukrainian music scene. The vibrant performers have become masters of Ukrainian-language adaptations of world-famous rock hits, audience favorites, and a powerful source of support for the morale of Ukraine's defenders.

However, the story of these stars of the modern music industry began with covers of legendary international rock songs. Just imagine: Metallica, System of a Down, Linkin Park, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rammstein, Disturbed, Five Finger Death Punch – all performed in Ukrainian! From time to time, the setlists also featured unexpected interpretations ranging from songs by Michael Jackson and Adele to the classic «Carol of the Bells». Yet everything was performed in Grandma’s Smuzi's own distinctive high-energy style.

Thanks to this unique repertoire, remarkable stage charisma, and powerful energy, the band quickly gained recognition and popularity. The musicians toured the country extensively. Grandma’s Smuzi became perhaps the only cover band in Ukraine to be regularly invited to major festivals, including Metalhead's Gathering, Rock Out, and many others.

The year 2022 became a milestone for the band. Grandma’s Smuzi reached a new level by releasing their first original song, «Shadows», along with its music video. Although the large-scale spring tour had to be postponed, the concerts eventually took place in the autumn. The following year, the band completed three major tours: «Tour of Resilience», Open Air Tour, and Orchestra Tour. Later, audiences heard new original songs: «Ammonia», «Descendant of the Night», and «Almost Here».

The Band's Style and Development

Grandma’s Smuzi has developed its own signature sound at the crossroads of heavy metal and classic rock. It can best be described as a combination of explosive energy and exceptional musicianship. In 2024, the band embarked on the «Spring Will Come» tour, which covered not only Ukraine but also Europe. Their music was performed in Kraków, Poznań, Berlin, Cologne, Hamburg, Prague, Vienna, Warsaw, and many other cities. At the same time, the band played concerts in 15 Ukrainian cities, confirming its status as a group that feels equally at home on both the Ukrainian and European stages.

Social Activities

Since the first months of Russia's full-scale invasion, Grandma’s Smuzi has actively supported Ukraine's defenders. During the «Spring Will Come» tour, the band raised more than 1,000,000 hryvnias for the Azov Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine. In the spring of 2025, the musicians organized another charity tour across Ukrainian cities to raise funds for the medical service of the 12th Azov Special Forces Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine.

Grandma’s Smuzi live performances have become more than just musical events—they have also become an important front in supporting Ukraine. They are an example of how the power of art can contribute to Victory.

Band Discography

In the summer of 2025, Grandma’s Smuzi announced an autumn tour covering 16 Ukrainian cities in support of their first original album, «Labyrinths of Souls». The album's ten original tracks reflect the emotions of Ukrainians during wartime. The musicians describe the release as an emotional chronicle of the past three years. It contains moments of inspiration, disappointment, bright hope, and profound sorrow experienced by the people together with their country.