Ukrainian singer and hitmaker Nikita Kiselyov has released his new single, Kryla Leleky (“Stork Wings”), a track that began attracting attention long before its official debut. The conversation stemmed from an earlier demo version that appeared on Kalush’s TikTok account, prompting widespread discussion across social media.
Following the release, some listeners questioned the song’s ownership, as the demo remained publicly available even after Kiselyov had officially acquired the rights to the track. The artist emphasizes that Kryla Leleky is his official release, developed into its final form with a distinct narrative, refined production, and a fully realized artistic vision.
According to Kiselyov, the song resonated with him from the moment he first heard it. He subsequently reached out to acclaimed songwriter and producer DNK, whose work currently ranks among Ukraine’s most successful chart releases. Kiselyov later expanded the composition by writing additional verses and shaping the final version that audiences hear today.
“When people see a demo associated with one artist and an official release by another, it naturally raises questions,” Kiselyov says. “But this is a common practice in the music industry. Songs often go through a long creative journey before they find the artist they ultimately belong with.”
The singer also clarified that the members of Kalush are not involved in the official release of the track and make no claim to it.
Another notable aspect of the project is its use of emerging technology. Kiselyov revealed that one of the song’s early demos incorporated AI-assisted creative tools. However, the final version was completely reimagined and recorded live.
“Artificial intelligence can help shape an idea, a mood, or a creative direction, but it cannot replace genuine emotion,” the artist explains. “For the final release, we removed the AI-generated choir and recorded new vocal parts with the folk ensemble Lada. We also reworked the arrangement and recorded live instruments and vocals.”
The music video stars Viktoriia Rosushchan in the lead role. At the same time, the creative team continued exploring new technologies by integrating selected AI-generated visual elements into the video. According to the creators, the combination of live storytelling and digital innovation is intended to reinforce the song’s central message: even during life’s most challenging moments, people can find the strength to rise and move forward.
Kryla Leleky is now available on all major streaming platforms.