London-based rapper, Ashnikko, immerses herself into being true to herself at a rate of 24-7. No lie. She is about F-U-N, fluid thought, making fantasy come to life and female empowerment. Just off the release of her powerful new single,”Invitation,” featuring rising rapper Kodie Shane and production by fellow OddChild artist and producer CallMeTheKidd, Ashnikko took time out of her crazy schedule to let us know what’s going on in her life and art.
The new single (below!) is from her upcoming EP, Unlikeable, soon dropping on Parlophone Records.
![Ashnikko [feat. Kodie Shane] - Invitation (Official Video)](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/o7RLSJLtu-g/hqdefault.jpg)
About her recent track, Ashnikko explained the inspiration: “There’s always a sense of panic when a man is inappropriate and harassing you in public because the situation might escalate. Whenever I have to walk an alternate route home to avoid the group of guys who are harassing me I get so frustrated. I want to regain my power the only way I know how, which is through music. Our bodies are not invitations for objectification and harassment.”
We learned that the video was directed by illustrator Venus Libido (known for taking on social issues through visual outputs), shared her thoughts on the creative process with Ashnikko: “Working with Ashnikko on this animation has been the highlight of my year. This song is not only fun and catchy but it also has an important message and making something that is going to connect with so many women is just so amazing.”
Ashnikko has been hopping around the globe for a minute now. Born and raised in North Carolina, she ended up living abroad at a young age. Travel and different languages no doubt shaped her outlook on life, art and how one experiences the world around them. Ashnikko gave us a bunch of things to think about after the interview. Below is a peek into the whirlwind that has been her creative adventures thus far.
I N T E R V I E W
++ What are your earliest memories of music and/or gravitating towards it? When did you just “know” this was going to be your focus?
I think I’ve always known that this is what I wanted to do. I did anything that put me into the spotlight as a kid: musical theatre, talent shows, rhythmic gymnastics, etc. I used to make my whole family crowd around me as I sang Aretha Franklin’s “R-E-S-P-E-C-T” off-key when I was like 10 years old. I was a show-off. I’m still a show-off. I do have one super clear memory of my auntie downloading M.I.A.’s “Bucky Done Gun” onto my brand new pink iPod nano when I was 11. That song blew my little brain. That was probably when I knew music was the one.
++ Do you think being uprooted (as a teenager!) from North Carolina to Estonia and then Latvia made any lasting impacts on your artistic voice/writing style?
Moving around the globe was quite isolating for my extroverted self. Living abroad gave me the proper amount of teenage angst that forced me to find a creative outlet in music. It has had a huge impact on the lyrical themes in my music.
++ We can’t lie. It’s so dope you found a creative escape MCing in London and working open mic nights! What was that like as a young, talented female MC just trying to get her voice out there?
Moving to London by myself was scary as fuck. Eighteen year old me was dauntless. Took a few years for people to stop treating me like a little girl and actually treat me how I deserve to be treated. I know my shit. I’ve worked really hard.
++ At a very young age, you linked up with creatives at Oddchild Music. How did that set the tone for what was to come?
I always knew I wanted to do music, but Oddchild taught me how to be an artist, how to actually craft what I wanted to say into a song. I will always be grateful to them for that. Everyone there is so fucking talented its illegal. They nurtured my weird ass self.
++ Can you talk a little bit about your creative process? How does an idea typically form for you and how do you see it through?
I have the Mother of All Google Docs that I’m constantly adding loads of nonsense to throughout the day; words I like, phrases I overhear, weird encounters I have, etc. I use all of that for inspiration when I’m in studio sessions. I’m also very much the girl who writes about all her exes, putting every aspect of the relationship on blast. I write about my sex life in great detail because sex positivity is very important to me. I also write about what makes me angry, and right now, that is the motherfucking patriarchy. Let it burn.
++ Where do you get your inspiration from and how do you keep it flowing? Any strong influences?
It doesn’t always flow. Sometimes it dries up a bit and I am a sad heap of flesh for a few days. I write about my female experience and coming to terms with my own mental health and sexuality. I take a lot of inspiration from particularly unapologetic women, both in the public eye and women I meet in my daily life. It takes a lot of guts to be an unapologetic woman. Big inspo.
++ How did the concept for your latest EP come to life?
“Unlikeable” is basically me finally coming into my own and coming to terms with the fact that I can’t please everyone. I’m nasty, I’m sexual, I’m flawed, I’m tumultuous, I’m hairy as fuck, I’m never ever going please everyone. I would rather be “unlikeable” than nice and well behaved. I’ve really fallen in love with myself this year. It’s so much fun. Wedding date TBA.
++ Your latest video, “Nice Girl,” was super unapologetically “out there” & fun. We were feeling a little bit of a dope M.I.A. vibe. How fun was that to make?
DON’T YOU DARE COMPARE ME TO MY IDOL OR MY HEAD WILL INFLATE TO THE SIZE OF A PLANET! HJGASKJHGASKLHFLAKG. “Nice Girl” was so much fun to shoot. I did all the creative with my best friend, Tia4U. She’s a legendary woman. There was so much homemade sugar blood involved. I was just dousing myself with it in the forest, it was so sticky and cold and disgusting but I loved every second of it. If anyone would have come across us in the park that night they would have called the police.
++ What aspects of the industry have been the most challenging and rewarding for you?
The most challenging bit is getting a room full of men to treat me the same as my male counterparts. The most rewarding bits are making the music and talking to the beautiful people who really fuck with my music.
++ What’s the one misconception people might have about your art and/or artistic voice? Have you ever felt misunderstood?
I don’t even understand myself lol. People can interpret my songs however they want.
++ What insights and/or advice would you give to someone wanting to be where you are today?
Don’t give yourself a Plan B.
++ If you could collaborate with any artist/in any genre, who and what would it be? Living and past, please.
There are too many to name! M.I.A. and SOPHIE would be a dream come true. Dolly Parton! Rico Nasty! Brockhampton!
++ What music are you enjoying at the moment?
Been bumping the new Brockhampton project. Rico Nasty everyday like a ritual. Loooads of pop music because pop music is my religion.
++ Where can our readers learn more about you and your works? Give us the deets on any upcoming dates and/or releases!
I’m @ashnikko everywhere. My new single ‘Invitation” featuring Kodie Shane is out now. My first headline gig is on November 7th in London.
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