By Tomiris Bilyal, Alilya Narikbayeva
Published on
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In this episode of Voices from Central Asia, we meet Madi Toktarov, the Kazakh singer and music producer known as M’Dee.
M’Dee gained wider recognition through his trilogy of albums, most notably Almaty Jazz. In his latest release, he revived songs by late Kazakh musical legend Batyrkhan Shukenov, working with original recordings to preserve their spirit.
His concerts now draw thousands, and his influence is growing far beyond the stage.
One of M’Dee’s most impactful contributions is the founding of Zakrytyi Club, a music label supporting emerging artists across Central Asia. This platform allows him to lift up a new generation of Kazakh musicians – including rising talents like Ayau, Rusha and Abdur.
Through his music and initiatives, M’Dee is shaping a new wave of Central Asia’s musical identity – authentic, modern and grounded in cultural depth.
