STORE MIX 114: iKEDA

Crowned the Phatboy Princess, ikeda is leading a new wave of London artists blending funky house with infectious pop hooks. Since the release of her breakout EP Pretty Little Problem, she’s become known for bold visuals, high-energy performances, and a growing catalogue of cult favourites like “Push My*”, “Ocean Nights”, and “Luv Drunk.” With a new EP on the horizon and her latest single “Ransom” already turning heads, ikeda is stepping further into the spotlight. Ahead of her autumn tour with frequent collaborator Babymorocco, she speaks to LN-CC for 114th Store Mix about her roots, her rise, and the sound she’s shaping along the way.

Let’s start at the beginning. What first pulled you into music, and when did you realise it could become your career?

I’ve always been a big music nerd and had a strong desire to make music somehow. I used to make mixes on SoundCloud just for fun, but I was never really consistent. I was always like, okay, I wanna be a DJ, but after putting out my first song and seeing the crazy reaction, I thought, okay, maybe I need to lock in… I didn’t anticipate how much I’d fall in love with making music or that people would really fuck with it.

Was there a particular moment or song that made you decide to become an artist?

Definitely Push My*, at first it was just fun to hop on a track as this little character, but I wasn’t really planning on putting out anything after that, to be honest. I was more focused on painting, as that’s always been something I’ve done. I used to think I had to choose one thing and perfect it. But then I started craving the feeling of being in the studio again, and it all took off from there.

Who were the key musical influences that helped shape your sound growing up?

It’s probably a mix of how I was raised and the stuff I found online myself. The club has been a big part of my life from a young age. My mum was friends with a lot of garage and jungle musicians, so I was raised with that sound. Female UK MCs like Ms. Dynamite and Lisa Maffia were always playing in my house. But I also had a crazy emo phase and got really into pop punk like Paramore, and crunkcore artists like Brokencyde, Medic Droid, etc. Artists like Santigold, M.I.A., Azealia Banks, and Lana Del Rey also played a huge role in shaping my sound growing up—and they still do.

Before the release of Pretty Little Problem, what was your journey like as a developing artist? How did you find your voice?

I used to be majorly self-aware and critical of myself, but over the past year I’ve been learning to tune that out. The sense of freedom I feel now is crazy. Music really is an outlet for me, I’m still finding my voice and trying new things.

How has living and working in London influenced your creativity and the music you make?

Living in London and not being rich or coming from money and being hungry has pushed me to go crazy with everything I do and motivates me to work really hard. Also, going out to raves and club nights and meeting so many people who share that craving for collaboration and creativity has been a huge influence.

Your aesthetic is instantly recognisable. Has fashion and visual identity always played a role in your artistic expression?

I like to stand out from other people, so what I wear and how I look plays a big part in that but it’s not something I try too hard to do. I just wear what I want, and usually that’s colourful and a lil sexy.

You’ve built strong creative relationships with artists like Babymorocco and Tailtiu. How did those collaborations come about?

Rocco has been my best friend for eight years, and throughout that time we’ve always created little worlds together, it’s always come naturally. He’s the most talented storyteller, and that’s translated into writing music together. Tailtiu and I met about three years ago through her making music with Rocco, and we immediately clicked and became friends. She’s such an amazing artist, and we love a lot of the same things, so making banging tracks is easy. Honestly, making Pretty Little Problem with Rocco and Tailtiu was crazy energy, we literally made the whole thing in one and a half days. I think it’s so cool that something born from just having fun with friends can turn into something other people outside of our bubble really connect with.

Looking back at earlier tracks like “Push My*” and “Luv Drunk”, how do you feel your sound has evolved leading up to “Ransom” and the new EP?

I feel like I’m more experimental now than when I first started. I’m not interested in fitting into one genre, I’m into so many, and I tend to get bored quickly.

For listeners who are discovering you for the first time, what do you hope they take away from your work?

That I am, in fact, a pretty little problem and to watch this space, because I’m only just getting started.the test of time.