Blab Politics
Pussy Riots Nadya Tolokonnikova Releases Protest Album CYKA Amid Venice Biennale Clash
Nadya Tolokonnikova, co‑founder of the Russian feminist protest group Pussy Riot, announced the release of her first full‑length album, CYKA, on June 12, 2026. The 14‑track record includes the single “Candy Dopamine” featuring the heavy‑metal band Avenged Sevenfold and a track titled “Utopia” that features singer‑songwriter Salem Ilese.
The album was unveiled after a May 6 protest outside the Russian pavilion at the 61st Venice Biennale. Fifty Pussy Riot members, joined by the Ukrainian performance group FEMEN, used pink smoke grenades to block the pavilion’s entrance. The demonstration was filmed by Taisiya Krugovykh and Vasily Bogatov, who also shot the accompanying music video for the track “Disobey.” The protest was aimed at the inclusion of Russia in the Biennale’s program and at what the activists called the “whitewashing” of Russia’s war in Ukraine.
In a statement released with the album announcement, Tolokonnikova said the record is a response to several contemporary crises. She cited the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, the rise of right‑wing parties such as Germany’s AfD, and the perceived erosion of democratic norms in the United States. She also referenced her own experience as a political prisoner, her placement on Russia’s foreign‑agent list in 2021, and her inclusion on the country’s wanted list in 2023.
The album’s production involved the producer duo Gold Glove. In addition to Avenged Sevenfold, the record features B‑Real of the rap group Cypress Hill and samples of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s voice, though no royalties are paid to the former. Other tracks address specific events: “Faceless Pigs” was written after Tolokonnikova’s participation in a 2025 protest against the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, and “Gore” discusses her family’s experiences with imprisonment.
According to reports, the album was written during a two‑month period when Tolokonnikova isolated herself in her bedroom following the staging of the performance piece POLICE STATE at Los Angeles’ Museum of Contemporary Art in 2025. The piece was disrupted by the National Guard and ICE officers.
The Venice Biennale protest also drew attention to the presence of Russian journalist Ksenia Sobchak, who the activists described as a “propagandist” and alleged goddaughter of Putin. The protest was part of a broader movement that has seen more than 100 artists threaten legal action against the Biennale over the inclusion of Russian and Israeli works.
Tolokonnikova has said that the album is both a therapeutic project and a means of building community. She stated that while she does not expect the music to change the course of history, she believes it can affect the lives of a few dozen people.
The album’s release follows the announcement of the single “Candy Dopamine” on June 1, 2026, which was accompanied by a music video featuring Avenged Sevenfold. The video was released on platforms such as YouTube and was described by the group as a “protest video” rather than a traditional music video.
The album’s title, CYKA, is a Russian word that translates to “bitch.” The record’s cover art and tracklist reflect the group’s long‑standing use of provocative imagery and direct political messaging.
The release comes at a time when the war in Ukraine has entered its fifth year, with Russian forces occupying roughly 20% of Ukrainian territory. The conflict has generated a large refugee crisis and has led to widespread international condemnation, including sanctions against Russia and investigations by the International Criminal Court.
As of the time of writing, the album is available for streaming on major platforms and for purchase in physical formats. No official statement has been issued by the Venice Biennale regarding the protest or the album.
The release of CYKA marks a significant moment in Tolokonnikova’s career, blending her history of performance art and activism with a full‑length musical statement that addresses contemporary geopolitical tensions and domestic authoritarianism.
The album’s impact remains to be seen, but it underscores the continued use of art as a form of protest and solidarity amid ongoing global conflicts.
The album was unveiled after a May 6 protest outside the Russian pavilion at the 61st Venice Biennale. Fifty Pussy Riot members, joined by the Ukrainian performance group FEMEN, used pink smoke grenades to block the pavilion’s entrance. The demonstration was filmed by Taisiya Krugovykh and Vasily Bogatov, who also shot the accompanying music video for the track “Disobey.” The protest was aimed at the inclusion of Russia in the Biennale’s program and at what the activists called the “whitewashing” of Russia’s war in Ukraine.
In a statement released with the album announcement, Tolokonnikova said the record is a response to several contemporary crises. She cited the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, the rise of right‑wing parties such as Germany’s AfD, and the perceived erosion of democratic norms in the United States. She also referenced her own experience as a political prisoner, her placement on Russia’s foreign‑agent list in 2021, and her inclusion on the country’s wanted list in 2023.
The album’s production involved the producer duo Gold Glove. In addition to Avenged Sevenfold, the record features B‑Real of the rap group Cypress Hill and samples of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s voice, though no royalties are paid to the former. Other tracks address specific events: “Faceless Pigs” was written after Tolokonnikova’s participation in a 2025 protest against the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, and “Gore” discusses her family’s experiences with imprisonment.
According to reports, the album was written during a two‑month period when Tolokonnikova isolated herself in her bedroom following the staging of the performance piece POLICE STATE at Los Angeles’ Museum of Contemporary Art in 2025. The piece was disrupted by the National Guard and ICE officers.
The Venice Biennale protest also drew attention to the presence of Russian journalist Ksenia Sobchak, who the activists described as a “propagandist” and alleged goddaughter of Putin. The protest was part of a broader movement that has seen more than 100 artists threaten legal action against the Biennale over the inclusion of Russian and Israeli works.
Tolokonnikova has said that the album is both a therapeutic project and a means of building community. She stated that while she does not expect the music to change the course of history, she believes it can affect the lives of a few dozen people.
The album’s release follows the announcement of the single “Candy Dopamine” on June 1, 2026, which was accompanied by a music video featuring Avenged Sevenfold. The video was released on platforms such as YouTube and was described by the group as a “protest video” rather than a traditional music video.
The album’s title, CYKA, is a Russian word that translates to “bitch.” The record’s cover art and tracklist reflect the group’s long‑standing use of provocative imagery and direct political messaging.
The release comes at a time when the war in Ukraine has entered its fifth year, with Russian forces occupying roughly 20% of Ukrainian territory. The conflict has generated a large refugee crisis and has led to widespread international condemnation, including sanctions against Russia and investigations by the International Criminal Court.
As of the time of writing, the album is available for streaming on major platforms and for purchase in physical formats. No official statement has been issued by the Venice Biennale regarding the protest or the album.
The release of CYKA marks a significant moment in Tolokonnikova’s career, blending her history of performance art and activism with a full‑length musical statement that addresses contemporary geopolitical tensions and domestic authoritarianism.
The album’s impact remains to be seen, but it underscores the continued use of art as a form of protest and solidarity amid ongoing global conflicts.
