- FOR YOUR GRAMMY® CONSIDERATION -
“This album was born under the sound of sirens, but sings like a prayer.”

– Assia Ahhatt


Ukrainian-born, internationally renowned violinist, producer, and musical innovator Assia Ahhatt proudly presents her deeply personal, timely, and globally resonant new album, Born in Kyiv, created in collaboration with Grammy-winning producer Lonnie Park, for your Grammy® consideration as Best Global Album.


Born in Kyiv is a powerful fusion of traditional Ukrainian folk elements, classical sensibilities, and contemporary global soundscapes. Conceived during the turbulence of war and brought to life across two continents — Ukraine and the United States — Born in Kyiv is both a tribute to cultural resilience and a prayer for peace. The music carries the soul of a nation through ethnic vocals, indigenous instruments, and stirring melodies woven together with modern arrangements and global awareness.


ARTIST'S STATEMENT

My album is called Born in Kyiv. I’m a violinist, a composer, and I was born in Kyiv. This music doesn’t speak directly about the war — but it was born in a city that is living through it. Every note carries my roots, my pain, my tenderness, and my strength. It is a reflection of my homeland’s spirit, of our pain and beauty, of our sorrow and hope.

Created with extraordinary musicians from both Ukraine and the U.S., Born in Kyiv is my peace offering to the world — a reminder that music can unite us, heal us, and inspire change.”

I created this music to remind the world that Ukrainians are about more than sorrow
and tragedy. We still feel joy, we still love, we still create. We strive to be happy, and we still believe in beauty — even when everything around us is broken. It is about the light that doesn’t go out. About femininity that holds its shape in chaos. About a prayer that speaks without words — through violin, through voice, through the rhythms of many cultures coming together as one world.


“Creating this album was one of the most profound experiences of my life. While I did my work in NY, bombings were shaking the ground in Kyiv, and some musicians were being called to serve between recording sessions. Despite the unimaginable circumstances, every day we made incredible strides and the music that rose up resonated deeply to my core. The resilience and passion of these artists told a story that transcended the studio. This album isn’t just beautiful and powerful music—it’s a testament to the unbreakable soul of Kyiv and its people.”
– Lonnie Park, 3x GRAMMY® Award Winner & Producer of Born in Kyiv
More Listening Options
WATCH THE MUSIC VIDEO

Shot in Kyiv, the dramatic video of "I Dance For Gods" serves as a love letter to Ukraine’s diversity and an emotional experience in itself— a moving portrayal of the vibrant spirit that persists in the face of adversity and death. “It’s as if I journeyed to every corner of my country, wandering through our ancient villages and bustling cities, collecting the sounds of each diverse community along the way.” The song invites listeners into Assia’s signature world of endless intrigue, enlisting celebrated musicians who dare to create even in the darkest of times.

“We dance for the gods,” Ahhatt declares, “but we live for the people.”

Watching Ukraine’s citizens stand together as one in this beautifully wrapped act of rebellion makes it clear that love, art, and humanity will triumph. When Ahhatt reveals that many of her cast and crew took “one day off from the battlefield” to participate, she’s not speaking metaphorically. Roman, the featured master of traditional woodwind instruments, was granted a single day by his commander to join the production before returning to the front lines, “Even as air raid sirens echoed in the distance, “...we kept going.”

PRODUCERS

Assia Ahhatt, Lonnie Park

SONGWRITERS

Assia Ahhatt, Zhan Bolotov, Andrii Yakymenko

ARRANGEMENT

Zhan Bolotov, Lonnie Park

MIX & MASTERING ENGINEER

Gennady Pugachev

UKRAINIAN MUSICIANS/INSTRUMENTS

Assia Ahhatt - Violin, Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals
Roman Soluk – Folk Wind Instruments
Marina Pkhidenko – Bandura
Natalia Terashkevych (Nomad Guru) – Ethnic Vocals, Vargan (Drimba)
Violetta Lytvynenko (Vi Talli) – Ethnic Vocals
Polina Nikitina – Backing Vocals

USA MUSICIANS/INSTRUMENTS

Lonnie Park - Keyboards, Backing Vocals
Darlene Koldenhoven - Lead Vocals
LC Powell - Lead Vocals
Connor Chee - Piano
Gera Clark - Native Flutes, Singing Bowls, Tingsha
Dale Edward Chung – Percussion
Nate Horton – Drums
Vito Gregoli – Bandura, Bass, Electric Guitar
Brian Sargent – Mandolin
Premik Tubbs – Bansuri
Prem Murti – Melodica
Jody Quine – Backing Vocals
Jenn Longbine – Backing Vocals
Jody Park – Backing Vocals

LOCATIONS

Kyiv, Ukraine
Los Angeles, US
New York, US
Miami, US