Russian pop star Dima Nova was found dead from drowning on Sunday after criticizing Russian President Vladimir Putin. He was 34.
Born Dmitry Svirgunov, Nova founded the popular electronic group Cream Soda — whose song “Aqua Disco” became an anthem for anti-war protests in Russia, Newsweek reported.
In the song, the pop group called out Putin over his alleged $1.3 billion mansion. The song was commonly heard at protests against the country both before and after Russia’s invasion into Ukraine. These protests became known as “Aqua Disco Parties.”
According to the song’s lyrics, “[Aqua disco]” is a wild hedonistic pool party for one,” Calvertjournal.com reported. One of the lyrics read, “The king of leisure,/ I will feel super here.” Another read, “Aqua Disco,/ Here I am by the word super,/ Add duper.”
The report cited an article in a Russian news website People Talk that said Nova fell through the ice while crossing the Volga river in the Yaroslavl region,…