Pussy Riot Debut Album CYKA Turns Venice Biennale Protest Into Music Video

On June 12, Pussy Riot unveiled their inaugural album, CYKA, which translates to 'bitch' in Russian, on various streaming services. The album's lead single, 'DISOBEY,' lasting 90 seconds, is paired with a music video featuring scenes from the group's protest at the 61st Venice Biennale, where they donned pink balaclavas and activated smoke bombs near the Russian pavilion. Founder Nadya Tolokonnikova wrote, produced, and recorded the album in a home studio, with the finishing touches by the musical duo Gold Glove. She initiated the project immediately after her performance 'Police State' at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles last summer. The album tackles themes of prescription drug culture, rebellion, and state violence, featuring collaborations with rapper B Real, rock band Avenged Sevenfold, and TikTok sensation Salem Ilese, along with samples of insults from Vladimir Putin. Tolokonnikova has also challenged Putin to a fight at the UFC Freedom 250 event this summer at the White House, stipulating that Russia must withdraw from Ukraine if he is defeated. Pussy Riot will showcase their new music on June 20 at a mini music festival hosted by Beyond the Streets, which will also highlight Tolokonnikova's artwork in its Paris edition.