A trailblazing musical polymath, NikNak has carved a niche for herself in the music industry with her distinctive turntablism, immersive compositions, and captivating improvised performances. Heralded by the likes of DJ Mag, Clash, The Wire and Resident Advisor, her debut album Bashi garnered critical acclaim, positioning her as one to watch in the experimental electronic music scene. Now she is preparing to release Ireti, her fourth studio album via Matthew Herbert’s Accidental Records.
Embracing her identity as a self-proclaimed nerd and advocate for diversity, NikNak’s forthcoming album, delves into Afrofuturism and explores the intersection of humanity and technology. Inspired by iconic films and video games like ‘Blade Runner’ and ‘Cyberpunk 2077,’ the album follows a dystopian narrative, centred around the journey of reclaiming humanity from the grasp of machines.
FACTS
1. I’m the same height as Missy Elliott
2. I’m from London but I’m based in Leeds
3. A crocodile cannot stick its tongue out
1. What is the biggest inspiration for your music?
That’s tricky as there’s many
2. How and when did you get into making music?
By playing video games like Music 2000 on the PS1 when I was around 7 or 8…. Many moons ago
3. What are 5 of your favourite albums of all time?
Burial – Untrue
DJ Shadow – Entroducing
Cut Chemist – The Audience’s Listening
Busta Rhymes – The Coming
Missy Elliot – Miss E….So Addictive
4. What do you associate with Berlin?
A vibrant, diverse and supportive electronic scene, racing scooters in Templehof, and Club Mate
5. What’s your favourite place in your town?
Wharf Chambers, Tribe Records or OK Comics
6. If there was no music in the world, what would you do instead?
Athletics probably
7. What was the last record/music you bought or listen?
Akoma by Jlin
8. Who would you most like to collaborate with?
Moor Mother
9. What was your best gig (as performer or spectator)?
As a performer in recent times, it’s between my DJ set at Deep Medi in the Trinity Center in Bristol, performing with seed, Cassie Kinoshi and LCO at Southbank Centre, my ambient DJ set at Berghain and my Ireti set in Plymouth.
10. How important is technology to your creative process?
Fairly important but the first instance has to be what sounds have I heard and recorded? And if they’re telling a story all on it’s own, do I need to manipulate it or add anything to it?
11.Please tell us a little bit about your new album “Ireti”.
Ireti is basically the soundtrack to a cyberpunk, dystopian noir detective film in an afrofuturistic world that is on the same scale as Black Panther and doesn’t exist yet, but absolutely should by now.
