---
title: "Max Barskih, KOLA, OTOY: What Ukrainian Artists Are Actually Named"
description: "Find out the real names of popular Ukrainian artists hiding behind bright pseudonyms: from Max Barskih and KOLA to OTOY and the legendary Kuzma Skryabin."
date: 2026-09-29T05:28:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/what-ukrainian-artists-are-actually-named
tags: [ukrainian-artists, show-biz, max-barskih, kola, otoy, kuzma-skryabin]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Max Barskih, KOLA, OTOY: What Ukrainian Artists Are Actually Named

![Ukrainian artists Max Barskih, KOLA and OTOY](https://xab.info/media/2026/09/29/kak-na-samom-dele-zovut-ukrainskih-artistov/kak-na-samom-dele-zovut-ukrainskih-artistov-1.webp)

## 🎯 Key Points

- Max Barskih's passport name is Mykola Bortnyk
- Singer KOLA hides the name Anastasiia Prudius
- Legendary Kuzma Skryabin was actually named Andrii Kuzmenko
- Rapper OTOY performs under the name Viacheslav Drofa

Most Ukrainian stars are known to the general public by their bright stage names, but few fans guess what the artists are actually called. Some of these celebrities have merged so organically with their pseudonyms that they officially secured them in documents, turning their creative persona into a real name. Such transformations help not only build a recognizable brand on the music scene, but also create a certain alter ego for confident performances in front of a million-dollar audience.

### Real Names of Popular Performers

A striking example of creating such a stage image is Max Barskih, whose real name is Mykola Bortnyk. The artist presented his 'new name' back in 2008 during his participation in the Star Factory TV project, later explaining that Max's image became a more confident version of himself. A similar story applies to singer KOLA, whose real name is Anastasiia Prudius, and whose soulful compositions now play on radio stations across the country. Meanwhile, Mika Newton, famous for her performance at Eurovision 2011, is Oksana Hrytsai by passport, and popular performer Lama bears the name Natalia Dzenkiv.

### Rappers and Stage Legends: Behind the Pseudonyms

Equally interesting are the origin stories of names belonging to modern rap scene representatives and cult musicians. For instance, rapper OTOY performs under the name Viacheslav Drofa, explaining his choice of pseudonym with a popular Lviv region phrase 'Nu otoy' (Well, that one), used when someone forgets another person's name. The performer Skofka hides Volodymyr Samoliuk, whose work is closely associated with contemporary Ukrainian-language culture. A special place in the hearts of Ukrainians is held by Andrii Kuzmenko, whom the whole country knew and continues to remember as the legendary Kuzma Skryabin — the frontman of the Skryabin band, whose songs became a true national heritage.

### Evolution of Images and Stage Identity

The tradition of taking pseudonyms in Ukrainian show business has deep roots and serves various purposes: from finding a catchy marketing solution to protecting the performer's personal space. Former member of the popular VIA Gra group Misha Romanova is actually named Natalia Mohylenets, under which she started her creative path. Separating a real personality and a stage alter ego allows artists to maintain a balance between public popularity and private life, leaving fans the opportunity to enjoy their immortal hits regardless of what passport data is listed in the idols' official documents.

## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification

- [Макс Барских, KOLA, OTOY: как на самом деле зовут украинских артистов](https://styler.rbc.ua/ukr/people/maks-barskih-kola-otoy-k-naspravdi-zvut-ukrayinskih-1790596950.html) - Основной материал-источник о настоящих именах звезд.
- [Не Макс Барских, Дантес и Джамала: как на самом деле зовут известных украинских артистов](https://tsn.ua/ru/glamur/ne-maks-barskih-dantes-i-dzhamala-kak-na-samom-dele-zovut-izvestnyh-ukrainskih-artistov-3171029.html) - Дополнительное подтверждение смены имен украинских исполнителей.
- [РИА Новости: певец Макс Барских может иметь проблемы со въездом в РФ](https://www.m24.ru/news/06082025/819658) - Подтверждено по источнику m24.ru
- [Мало кто знает: настоящие фамилии украинских звезд, о которых все забыли из-за псевдонимов](https://www.obozrevatel.com/shou-oboz/malo-kto-znaet-nastoyaschie-familii-ukrainskih-zvezd-o-kotoryih-vse-zabyili-iz-za-psevdonimov.htm) - Справочные данные по псевдонимам украинских знаменитостей.

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