Artist Interview - Iniko

I had the opportunity to interview singer/songwriter Iniko. We discussed their recent single “The King’s Affirmation”, upcoming projects, rise in tik-tok popularity along with a host of other subjects. Below is my text conversation.

Ayesharp - First, how have you been? I initially discovered your music during your 2020 project "Both of Them." Your audience has grown since then, how has this growth in your fan base impacted your music?

Iniko - I've been busy! Tired, but since then my audience has grown, and it's impacted me in such a great way because the right folks are finally hearing me and that's all I have ever wanted.

Ayesharp - Your presence on platforms like TikTok have been astounding. How has that overall feedback been for you?

Iniko - The feedback overall is fantastic. TikTok is definitely one of those platforms that you have to use intentionally because it can become very easy to become frustrated with the always changing algorithm that also tends to be much more difficult for black people to navigate. I think all social platforms have their downfall, and even with this new age, it seems that many people want music fast and rushed and don't care much about the process anymore. So it can be hard navigating as a musician because that's not how making art works. But it's cool because I've been able to reach a lot of people who might have otherwise not seen or heard me .

Ayesharp - You've released your latest single "The King's Affirmation." It's sonically beautiful and well written. How did the entire process for the single come about?

Iniko - Yes! So since 2020, I've been doing this series on my social media where I take a popular song and completely reimagine it. So I reproduce, rewrite, and essentially remix it to the point where it doesn't even sound like the original. I am extremely intentional with each rewrite, meaning that my main goal is to approach the song as if it is my own, adding my own essence while still paying homage to the original art.

So The King's Affirmation started as a rewrite. I was given the idea by my manager to rewrite and rework Do We Have a Problem by Nicki Minaj and Lil Baby. I listened to the instrumental millions of times and was honestly at one point stumped because I wasn't sure where or how my voice could fit on this very hip hop and bass heavy record. I also started working on it not long after I posted about my identity (I'm genderless) and my post was reported and taken down for adult content, as well as receiving some really mean DMs about it as well. I was just really low and realized that I had never really written anything that didn't just make me feel empowered but REMINDED me of my power as we.

So I created the rewrite and posted it and it did some numbers, and a lot of people were saying to make it an actual song. I'm always skeptical of releasing my rewrites to be streamed everywhere because of copyright laws and just having respect for other artists' intellectual property.

Idk what compelled me to do what I did next, but I decided to film myself singing the 43 second rewrite Acapella. This video ended up going super viral like so viral to the point that I couldn't open my phone without there being an influx of notifications. This was what really moved me and my team to actually finish and complete this record.

Ayesharp - So as an artist, where do you find inspiration?

Iniko - I find inspiration in everything. I find it in my experiences and in people as they are experiences too. I find inspiration in the things I see, the things I watch, and what I listen to. I find inspiration in the state of the world. I find it everywhere.

Ayesharp - And speaking of inspiration, who are some of your musical influences?

Iniko - This is unfortunately my least favorite question because the list goes on and on and it's hard remembering everyone but I'll do my best to focus on the key ones :) biggest musical influence was definitely film scores. I spent a massive chunk of my life watching films and TV shows and getting extremely immersed into these fantasy/ nonfiction worlds and I have the music to thank for that. I listened to a lot of soundtracks to help me fall asleep as a kid. Michael Jackson was I think my very first obsession. I used to sleep with the Unbreakable CD booklet under my bed. Gospel music was a heavy influence for me growing up, as well as Christian rock. I am classically trained as well and so I'm influenced by that realm too. Like most people my age, I had an emo phase and a lot of alternative rock influenced me and inspired me during a very dark time as a teen. Also listened to a lot of modern folk and indie artists during that time and eventually made my way to hip hop, R&B, and soul. My father is Jamaican, so lots of roots in reggae and since I was raised very Caribbean, it was a lot of dancehall, and soca too thanks to my peers.


Ayesharp - That’s pretty cool, but just going back to “The King’s Affirmation.”, will this single lead to an upcoming project? If so, when?

Iniko - Honestly, with the way things are looking it's a strong maybe. I have been working on an album since 2021, but we have to keep changing the album track list because things keep randomly going viral lol! But that's a fantastic problem to have. I can't tell you when for sure, but hopefully before the year is over.

Ayesharp - That’s a great problem to have, so on this project which producers or artists are you working with?

Iniko- I'm working with a couple of different people, I'm actually going to be working with this one person who ultimately fanned the flames of my virality by making own remix to my song. So be on the lookout for that version too !

Ayesharp - Outside of the project, have you been collaborating with other artists?

Iniko- I haven't, but I do hope that after I have my project out, I can focus on creating art with people who really see the bigger picture and just want to make music that will last. Music that is timeless.

Ayesharp - What can fans expect with your future releases?

Iniko- They can expect to see all facets of Iniko. There's so many different sides to my sound and my music and this is really just the surface and I can't wait for them to hear, see and experience all that is me.

Ayesharp- Last question, do you have anything you would like to tell any of your fans?

Iniko - I'd like to tell my listeners and supporters thank you. I have been at this for about 5 years now and there are people who just found me and there are people who knew me since then or even before. I just want to say thank you for believing in me and thank you for wanting to be a part of history. I can't wait to change the world together.