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Ashnikko

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Ashnikko
Ashnikko in 2023
Born
Ashton Nicole Casey

(1996-02-19) February 19, 1996 (age 28)
Oak Ridge, North Carolina U.S.
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • singer
  • songwriter
Years active2013–present
WorksDiscography
Musical career
Genres
Labels
Websiteashnikko.com

Ashton Nicole Casey (born February 19, 1996),[1] known professionally as Ashnikko (/æʃˈniːkoʊ/ ash-NEE-koh),[2] is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter. Her[a] 2019 single "Stupid" featuring Yung Baby Tate gained viral popularity on the video-sharing platform TikTok and was certified platinum in the United States and Canada.[3] Ashnikko's debut mixtape, Demidevil, was released in January 2021, and spawned the singles "Daisy" and "Slumber Party" (featuring Princess Nokia). Her studio album, Weedkiller, came in 2023.

Early life

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Ashton Nicole Casey[1] was born on February 19, 1996, in Oak Ridge, North Carolina,[4] and raised in the city of Greensboro. Her parents exposed her to diverse musical stylings, such as country music and Slipknot.[5] She recalls becoming interested in music, specifically rap music, when she listened to Arular by M.I.A. at the age of 10,[6] but did not listen to male musicians until she was 16 years old.[7]

As a teenager, her family moved to Estonia for her father's studies, spending a year there before relocating again to Riga, Latvia.[4] At one point, she was the only American in Latvia to attend a Latvian public high school.[8] At the age of 18, Casey moved to London by herself.[9]

Career

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2016–2019: Career beginnings and Hi It's Me

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Ashnikko's first song, "Krokodil", was produced by Raf Riley and published to SoundCloud in July 2016.[10] She released her first EP, Sass Pancakes, under Digital Picnic Records in 2017.[8][6] The EP was produced by Raf Riley and features appearances from Avelino.[11][12] Ashnikko's second EP, Unlikeable, was released in November 2018. The EP spawned the singles "Blow", "Nice Girl", "Invitation" featuring Kodie Shane, and "No Brainer".[13][6]

Ashnikko released her third EP, Hi It's Me, in July 2019.[14] The EP was preceded by the promotional single "Special" and was launched alongside the EP's title track and lead single, "Hi It's Me". The second official single, "Stupid", featuring Yung Baby Tate, gained viral popularity on the video-sharing platform TikTok.[3][15] The song reached number one on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart, the Billboard Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop chart, and the Spotify Viral 50 chart.[16][17][15] "Stupid" was also certified gold in the United States in August 2020, as well as in Canada.[18][19][20] Another song from the EP, "Working Bitch", also found popularity on TikTok.[21][22] Ashnikko embarked on a North American tour supporting American rapper Danny Brown in October 2019.[23][24] She released the promotional single "Halloweenie II: Pumpkin Spice" in October 2019.[25] She co-wrote eight songs, two of which she is featured on, on Brooke Candy's debut album, Sexorcism, which was released in October 2019.[9]

2020–2021: Breakthrough and Demidevil

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Ashnikko performing in 2021

Ashnikko co-wrote the song "Boss Bitch" with American rapper Doja Cat, which was included on the Birds of Prey soundtrack, Birds of Prey: The Album.[26] Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ashnikko was scheduled to accompany Doja Cat on her Hot Pink Tour throughout the United States in March 2020 before it was canceled.[27] In March 2020, she released the standalone single "Tantrum". Later that month, she performed "Tantrum" live as part of The Fader's Digital Fader Fort event.[28] "Cry", featuring Canadian musician Grimes, was then released in June 2020, alongside an animated music video.[29] The song's music video was nominated for "Best Pop Video - UK" at the 2020 UK Music Video Awards.[30] Following this, "Daisy" was released in July 2020,[31] and a music video for the song was released in collaboration with Beats by Dre and TikTok a month later.[32] "Daisy" became Ashnikko's breakthrough hit, charting internationally in countries including Australia, Belgium and the United Kingdom. It reached a peak of number 24 on the UK Singles Chart, becoming her first charting and first top 40 hit in the UK.[33] Ashnikko's third Halloween song, "Halloweenie III: Seven Days", was released in October 2020.[34] She was nominated for Best Push Act at the 2020 MTV Europe Music Awards.[35]

"Cry" and "Daisy" both appear on Ashnikko's debut mixtape, Demidevil, which was released on January 15, 2021. "Deal with It" featuring Kelis and "Slumber Party" featuring Princess Nokia served as the third and fourth singles from the mixtape, respectively. In support of the mixtape, Ashnikko announced The Demidevil Tour, which was set to take place in October 2021, with shows in North America, the UK, and Ireland.[36]

More recently, Ashnikko co-wrote the song "Frost"[37] released on May 31, 2021, which figures in Korean boy band Tomorrow X Together – TXT's album The Chaos Chapter: Freeze and its repackage album The Chaos Chapter: Fight or Escape released on August 17, 2021. She sent the hyper-pop, trap-based song over to TXT in English.[38] The song was then translated to Korean.[39] In September 2021, she was featured on Lady Gaga's remix album, Dawn of Chromatica, where she produced a remix of the track, "Plastic Doll".

2022–present: Hiatus, Weedkiller and world tour

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After a year hiatus since the release of the two-side singles "Panic Attacks In Paradise" and "Maggots" on September 29, 2021, Ashnikko released her first single, "You Make Me Sick!", on February 8, 2023. On March 1, she announced the release of her debut album, Weedkiller, for August 25, 2023; the Weedkiller World Tour across Asia, Oceania, North America and Europe started on March 24, 2023, in Japan and will end on December 11, 2023, in Ireland; and the second single from the album, "Worms", which was released a day later on March 2. On May 24 the third single titled "Possession of a Weapon" was released. The most recent single from the album is "Cheerleader", which was issued on July 28.

Ashnikko performed at the Coachella Arts and Music Festival on the second day of performances during the festival's two-week run on April 22, 2023, in Coachella, California.

Artistry

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Ashnikko's musical style has been described by critics as a fusion of several genres, including pop, indie pop, rock,[7][40] alt-pop,[41] hip hop, bubblegum pop, indie rock, punk,[42] and electropop.[43] She described her style of music as "angry, punk, hip hop, sad-girl-feminist, bubblegum, poo-poo music", and has clarified that her music is not intended to be comedic or parody-based.[21]

Ashnikko is known for her Tokyo-inspired street fashion.[21] She is also known for her unique, bright blue hair, which is originally brown. In the video for "Nice Girl" and some of her early vlogs, her hair is pastel green. Her hair in the "Daisy" music video is yellow, pink, and red.[40][44][45]

Ashnikko has cited her musical influences as M.I.A., Gwen Stefani, Lil' Kim, Björk, Paramore, Avril Lavigne, Nicki Minaj, Missy Elliott, Dolly Parton, Janis Joplin, King Woman and Joan Jett, and has stated that her favorite song is "Bossy" by Kelis.[46][47][7][48] She has also listed Doja Cat, Grimes, Melanie Martinez, Tierra Whack, Rico Nasty, Princess Nokia, Kim Petras, and Charli XCX as her "peers" and artists she "really respects".[21]

Personal life

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Ashnikko stated on Twitter in June 2019 that she was bisexual,[49] but later clarified in a 2020 interview that she is pansexual.[50] In May 2021, Ashnikko came out as genderfluid on Twitter, saying that "i just didn't feel ready to tell the internet yet but i guess now's a good time since everyone's doing a dissection into my sexuality and gender identity".[51] She uses both she/her and they/them pronouns.[51]

In July 2020, while discussing the meaning behind the lyrics of her single "Daisy", she said that while her family practices Christianity, she does not.[52]

In December 2021, Ashnikko began dating fellow singer Arlo Parks.[53][54][55]

Advocacy

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Ashnikko has described herself as a feminist and has attributed discovering intersectional feminism through microblogging website Tumblr as a teenager as a turning point for her.[21][18] She has been vocal about a range of social justice issues, having spoken out about the commercialisation of feminism in November 2019, while advocating for victims of police brutality through social media.[56]

Discography

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Main article: Ashnikko discography

Tours

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  • The Demidevil Tour (2021)
  • Weedkiller Tour (2023–2024)
  • Hit Me Hard and Soft World Tour (2024-25) (opening for Billie Eilish)

Awards and nominations

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Organization Year Category Nominated work Result Ref.
MTV Europe Music Awards 2020 Best Push Act Herself Nominated [35]
Music Week Awards 2021 Music & Brand Partnership Ashnikko x Beats By Dre Won [57]
UK Music Video Awards 2019 Best Pop Video – Newcomer "Hi, It's Me" Won [58]
2020 "Drunk with My Friends" Nominated [30]
Best Pop Video – UK "Cry" Nominated
2021 Best Hair & Make-up in a Video "Deal with It" (ft. Kelis) Nominated [59]
Shorty Awards 2021 Best Influencer & Celebrity TikTok Campaign #BeatsDaisyChallenge (Ashnikko x Beats by Dre) Nominated [60]
Ivor Novello Awards 2021 Best Contemporary Song "Daisy" Nominated [61]

Notes

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  1. ^ Ashnikko uses both she/her and they/them pronouns and switches between them; this article uses she/her pronouns for consistency.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Ashnikko Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
  2. ^ "ASHNIKKO Talks Ghosting, Sleep Paralysis and "STUPID"". YouTube. TikTok. January 7, 2020. Retrieved March 8, 2021. Ashnikko pronounces her name at the start of the video.
  3. ^ a b Wetmore, Brendan (October 29, 2019). "Miley Cyrus Made a TikTok to Ashnikko With Cody Simpson". PAPER. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
  4. ^ a b Martin, Felicity (August 18, 2018). "Next Wave #862: Ashnikko". Clash Magazine. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
  5. ^ Redação (November 13, 2019). "Americana Ashnikko celebra sucesso de "Stupid", próximo do TOP 200 Globalz". Jornal do Rap (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved November 23, 2019.
  6. ^ a b c Spruch, Kirsten (November 4, 2019). "Meet Ashnikko, the Rapper Carving a Lane Of Her Own With 'Stupid'". Billboard. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
  7. ^ a b c Holden, Steve (October 2, 2020). "Ashnikko: 'I don't take no for an answer'". BBC News. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
  8. ^ a b "Ashnikko signs her first EP to Digital Picnic Records". OddChild Music. February 7, 2017. Archived from the original on November 23, 2019. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
  9. ^ a b Wetmore, Brendan (December 4, 2019). "Ashnikko Is Ready for All of It". PAPER. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
  10. ^ "Ashnikko x Raf Riley - KROKODIL". July 31, 2016. Retrieved November 23, 2019 – via SoundCloud.
  11. ^ "Sass Pancakes by Ashnikko". Tidal. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
  12. ^ "Ashnikko recruits Raf Riley & Avelino for New Track – Bubblegum". OddChild Music. April 4, 2017. Archived from the original on February 26, 2020. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
  13. ^ Murray, Robin (November 23, 2018). "Listen: Ashnikko Shares 'Unlikeable' EP". Clash. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
  14. ^ Hi, It's Me, retrieved October 26, 2020
  15. ^ a b "How Ashnikko's 'Stupid' has Just Become Spotify's #1 viral track". Warner Music New Zealand. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
  16. ^ "Bubbling Under Hot 100 - November 16, 2019". Billboard. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
  17. ^ "Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles - November 16, 2019". Billboard. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
  18. ^ a b Morgan, Maybelle (August 7, 2020). "Ashnikko Teams Up With Beats and TikTok For #BeatsDaisyChallenge". Wonderland. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
  19. ^ "Gold & Platinum: Ashnikko". RIAA. Retrieved July 16, 2020.
  20. ^ "Gold/Platinum". Music Canada. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
  21. ^ a b c d e Shutler, Ali (April 22, 2020). "Ashnikko is the Miley Cyrus-approved bubblepunk pop-star who refuses to take herself seriously". NME. Retrieved October 25, 2020.
  22. ^ Lindsay, Kathryn (March 23, 2020). "The Songs You're Hearing All Over TikTok In 2020". Refinery29. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
  23. ^ Renshaw, David (October 23, 2019). "Watch Danny Brown call out a male fan for disrespecting support act Ashnikko". The FADER. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
  24. ^ "Ashnikko Drops Video For Viral F*ck You Anthem "Stupid" feat. Yung Baby Tate". MNSTRM MEDIA. October 22, 2019. Archived from the original on November 23, 2019. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
  25. ^ Halloweenie II: Pumpkin Spice, retrieved October 26, 2020
  26. ^ "Doja Cat Flexes On Her Haters With "Boss B*tch" From The 'Birds Of Prey' Soundtrack". genius.com. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
  27. ^ Wang, Steffanee (February 24, 2020). "Doja Cat Announces Hot Pink Tour With Ashnikko". Nylon. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
  28. ^ Gwee, Karen (March 27, 2020). "FADER FORT announces nine-hour broadcast with Kesha, Ashnikko and more". NME. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
  29. ^ Wetmore, Brendan (June 17, 2020). "Ashnikko Breaks Down Her Banger 'Cry,' Featuring Grimes". PAPER. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
  30. ^ a b Copsey, Rob (September 30, 2020). "Dua Lipa, The Weeknd, Beyoncé lead UK Music Video Awards nominations". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 2, 2020.
  31. ^ Kenneally, Cerys (August 28, 2020). "Ashnikko details new Demidevil mixtape". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
  32. ^ "Ashnikko Teams Up With Beats and TikTok For #BeatsDaisyChallenge". Wonderland. August 7, 2020. Retrieved October 10, 2020.
  33. ^ "Ashnikko". www.officialcharts.com. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
  34. ^ "Ashnikko is celebrating Halloween with her new track, 'Halloweenie III: Seven Days'". Dork. October 23, 2020. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
  35. ^ a b Grein, Paul (October 6, 2020). "Lady Gaga Leads 2020 MTV EMA Nominations, Followed by BTS & Justin Bieber". Billboard. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved October 8, 2020.
  36. ^ "Ashnikko announces UK and Ireland tour for December 2021". NME. May 6, 2021. Retrieved May 16, 2021.
  37. ^ TXT (투모로우바이투게더) 'Frost' Official MV, October 27, 2021, retrieved April 8, 2022
  38. ^ "Ashnikko on 'Panic Attacks in Paradise': "It's so lonely to have mental health problems and not be able to articulate them"". NME. October 1, 2021. Retrieved April 8, 2022.
  39. ^ "Ashnikko Dishes On Co-Writing TXT's "Frost"—Here's Her True Feelings On How It Turned Out". Koreaboo. October 4, 2021. Retrieved April 8, 2022.
  40. ^ a b Higgins, Sam (July 11, 2020). "8 New Music Artists To Know Thanks To TikTok". British Vogue. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
  41. ^ Bardhan, Ashley (January 21, 2021). "Ashnikko: Demidevil Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved March 19, 2021.
  42. ^ Juon, Steve (January 26, 2021). "Ashnikko :: Demidevil". Rap Reviews. Archived from the original on May 18, 2021. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
  43. ^ Collar, Matt. "Ashnikko Biography by Matt Collar". AllMusic. Retrieved July 15, 2021.
  44. ^ Song, Sandra (February 19, 2020). "Ashnikko Is a Blue Velvet Vision at the Brit Awards". Paper. Retrieved October 25, 2020.
  45. ^ Yalcinkaya, Gunseli (June 22, 2020). "Ashnikko: 'People call me Hatsune Miku on crack'". Dazed. Retrieved October 25, 2020.
  46. ^ Vinti, Mike (May 22, 2020). "20 Questions – Ashnikko". Crack Magazine. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
  47. ^ Broster, Alice (December 3, 2019). "Ashnikko's Brand Of F*ck You Alt Pop Is The TikTok Success Story To Get Behind". Bustle. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
  48. ^ "Ashnikko is Here to Shake Things Up". V Magazine. September 17, 2020. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
  49. ^ ashnikko [@ashnikko] (July 5, 2019). "HAPPY PRIDE, BABIES!!!! 🏳️‍🌈this is the first year I have been truly honest with myself about my bisexuality and I'm really happy!!!!" (Tweet). Archived from the original on May 15, 2021. Retrieved May 31, 2021 – via Twitter.
  50. ^ Russell, Erica (June 24, 2020). "Ashnikko Has Entered The Chat". LADYGUNN. Archived from the original on October 26, 2020. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
  51. ^ a b Olson, Samantha; Fuentes, Tamara (June 22, 2022). "25 Non-Binary Celebs Who Are Breaking the Gender Mold". Seventeen. Retrieved October 18, 2022. The "Daisy" hitmaker is non-binary and uses she/her and they/them pronouns.
  52. ^ Ashnikko (July 29, 2020). Ashnikko "Daisy" Official Lyrics & Meaning | Verified (video). Genius. Retrieved October 18, 2022.
  53. ^ Rude, Mey (January 10, 2022). "Musicians Arlo Parks and Ashnikko Are 'Impossibly, Sweet' Partners". Out. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
  54. ^ Hess, Liam (April 5, 2022). "Arlo Parks on the Deeper Meaning Behind Her Simone Rocha Grammys Look". Vogue. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
  55. ^ Hans, Simran (February 3, 2023). "Arlo Parks on burnout, boundaries and budding romance: 'I have to remind myself to take it easy'". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
  56. ^ Subvrtmag (November 20, 2019). "Meet Ashnikko, The Badass Viral Music Sensation". Subvrt Mag. Retrieved June 27, 2020.
  57. ^ "Music Week Awards 2021 finalists revealed". www.musicweek.com.
  58. ^ Kheraj, Alim (October 23, 2019). "stormzy, fka twigs and all the winners from the uk music video awards 2019". i-D. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
  59. ^ "nominations – technical & craft – ukmva21". Archived from the original on October 29, 2021. Retrieved November 2, 2021.
  60. ^ "Best Influencer & Celebrity TikTok Campaign in Social Media - Shorty Awards". shortyawards.com. Retrieved November 2, 2021.
  61. ^ Taylor, Mark (August 10, 2021). "Nominations announced for The Ivors with Apple Music 2021". The Ivors Academy. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
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