d billions story
D Billions founder and producer Ernist Umetaliev in his youth was a product of musical and artistic education at the National Children’s Choir “Ak-Shoola” which he attended from very young age and throughout secondary school. The choir was established and is managed by his mother, Gulmira Esengulova, to this day. Over thirty five years, the choir has given a foundation to thousands of kids, of whom many have become well known performers of arts in Kyrgyzstan and beyond.
After “Ak-Shoola”, Ernist formed a teenage band with his choir mates but quickly realized he liked being behind the curtains more, and turned from vocalist into the band's producer. In later years, Umetaliev found his passion for producing sound, going on to be the most demanded sound producer in the country. He worked with most prominent singers and bands in Kyrgyzstan and even produced an album with the President of Kyrgyzstan at the time, Almazbek Atambaev.
The idea to create content and art for a more global audience came around the time of forming a family and becoming a father. Being a big fish in a small market was not going to be enough anymore. That also influenced the decision to produce quality content for kids, as it seemed that there was an unmet need in that regard, while digital screens were taking over kids’ early education and formation. He knew the value of musical and creative education from his experience at “Ak-Shoola”, and sought to take his mother’s work to a wider audience.
Together with his long term friends they launched the studio called AWA Productions. D Billions was not the first concept that was tried. However, once they came to the idea, they knew this could be special. A musical band that performs for the youngest viewers, atop well composed original musical pieces was to be something very new on YouTube
