Ilya Igorevich Lagutenko was born on October 16, 1968 in Moscow. Soon his family moved to Vladivostok. Ilya sang in a children's chorus, with which he toured around many Russian cities. He graduated from the Far East State University majoring in oriental and African studies.
For some time he lived in China and then in Great Britain. In autumn 1983 Ilya Lagutenko founded the band Mummi Troll. 
Ilya Lagutenko is the frontman of the band Mummi Troll, vocalist, guitarist, and the author of music and lyrics. He is also the producer and ex-president of a sound recording company and a defender of Amur tigers.