Viktor Tsoy was a Russian rock musician born in Leningrad who gained popularity in the 1980s. He was interested in martial arts and netsuke carving as a youth. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Tsoy began playing guitar and recording albums that focused on themes of love and societal issues. Some of his most popular albums were released between 1985-1988. Tsoy tragically died in a high-speed car accident in 1990 at the age of 28, where he was unable to control the vehicle going 130 km/h. He is still considered one of the most influential Russian rock artists.