Ashnikko

Ashton Nicole Casey[1] (born February 19, 1996), better known as Ashnikko (/ˈæʃniːkoʊ/), is an American singer, songwriter, and rapper. She rose to prominence with her 2019 single "Stupid" with Yung Baby Tate, which gained viral popularity on the video-sharing platform TikTok and was certified gold in the United States and Canada.[2] Preceded by the singles "Cry" and "Daisy", Ashnikko's debut mixtape, Demidevil, was released on January 15, 2021.

Ashnikko
Ashnikko in 2014
Background information
Birth nameAshton Nicole Casey
Born (1996-02-19) February 19, 1996
Oak Ridge, North Carolina, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • rapper
  • songwriter
Years active2016–present
Labels
Associated acts
Websiteashnikko.com

Early life

Ashton Nicole Casey[1] was born on February 19, 1996 in Oak Ridge, North Carolina,[3] and raised in the city of Greensboro. Her parents exposed her to country music and Slipknot.[4] She recalls becoming interested in music, specifically rap music, when she listened to Arular by M.I.A at the age of 10,[5] and says she did not listen to male musicians until she was 16 years old.[6] As a teenager, her family moved to Estonia for her father's studies, spending a year there before relocating again to Riga, Latvia.[3] At one point, she was the only American in the country to attend a Latvian public high school.[7] At the age of 18, Ashnikko moved to London, England by herself.[8]

Career

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

Ashnikko's first song, "Krokodil", was produced by Raf Riley and published to SoundCloud in July 2016.[9] Ashnikko released her first EP, Sass Pancakes, under Digital Picnic Records in 2017.[7][5] The EP was produced by Raf Riley and features appearances from Avelino.[10][11] Ashnikko's second EP, Unlikeable, was released in November 2018. The EP produced the singles; "Blow", "Nice Girl", "Invitation" featuring Kodie Shane, and "No Brainer".[12][5]

Ashnikko released her third EP, Hi It's Me in July 2019.[13] 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.[2][14] 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.[15][16][14] "Stupid" was also certified gold in the United States in August 2020, as well as in Canada.[17][18][19] Another song from the EP, "Working Bitch", also found popularity on TikTok.[20][21] She embarked on a North American tour supporting American rapper Danny Brown in October 2019.[22][23] Ashnikko released the promotional single "Halloweenie II: Pumpkin Spice" in October 2019.[24] Ashnikko co-wrote eight songs, two of which she is featured on, on Brooke Candy's debut album, Sexorcism, which was released in October 2019.[8]

2020–present: Breakthrough and Demidevil

Ashnikko co-wrote the song Boss Bitch for American rapper Doja Cat, which was included on the Birds of Prey soundtrack, Birds of Prey: The Album.[25] 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 cancelled.[26] In March 2020, Ashnikko released the stand-alone single "Tantrum". Later that month, she performed "Tantrum" live as part of The Fader's Digital Fader Fort event.[27] "Cry" featuring Canadian musician Grimes, was then released in June 2020, alongside an animated music video.[28] The song's music video was nominated for "Best Pop Video - UK" at the 2020 UK Music Video Awards.[29] Following this, "Daisy" was released in July 2020,[30] and a music video for the song was released in collaboration with Beats by Dre and TikTok a month later.[31] "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.[32] Ashnikko's third Halloween song, "Halloweenie III: Seven Days" was released in October 2020.[33] She is nominated for Best Push Act at the 2020 MTV Europe Music Awards.[34]

"Cry" and "Daisy" both appear on Ashnikko's debut mixtape, Demidevil, which was released on January 15, 2021.

Artistry

Ashnikko possesses a mezzo-soprano vocal range. Her musical style has been described by critics as a fusion of several genres, including pop, indie pop, and rock.[6][35] She has 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. Ashnikko is known for her Tokyo inspired street fashion.[20] She is also known for her unique 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 hair, pink hair, red.[35][36][37] She 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, and Joan Jett, and has stated that her favorite song is "Bossy" by Kelis.[38][39][6][40] She has also listed Doja Cat, Grimes, Tierra Whack, Rico Nasty, Princess Nokia, Kim Petras, and Charli XCX as her "peers" and artists she "really respects".[20]

Personal life

Ashnikko has stated on her Twitter that she is bisexual.[41] As she is currently working in the UK, she is a "domestic" member of PRS for Music, but is represented in the US by ASCAP.

Advocacy

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 as a woman.[20][17] She has been vocal about a range of social justice issues, having spoken out about the commercialization of feminism in November 2019, while advocating for victims of police brutality through social media.[42]

Discography
Main article: Ashnikko discography

Awards and nominations
Organization Year Category Nominated work Result Ref.
MTV Europe Music Awards 2020 Best Push Act Herself Nominated [34]
UK Music Video Awards 2019 Best Pop Video - Newcomer "Hi, It's Me" Won [43]
2020 "Drunk With My Friends" Nominated [29]
Best Pop Video - UK "Cry" Nominated

References
  1. Casey, Ashton Nicole. "ASCAP Ace Search". American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). Retrieved November 23, 2019.
  2. Wetmore, Brendan (October 29, 2019). "Miley Cyrus Made a TikTok to Ashnikko With Cody Simpson". PAPER. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
  3. Martin, Felicity (August 18, 2018). "Next Wave #862: Ashnikko". Clash Magazine. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
  4. Redação (November 13, 2019). "Americana Ashnikko celebra sucesso de "Stupid", próximo do TOP 200 Globalz". Jornal do Rap (in Portuguese). Retrieved November 23, 2019.
  5. Spruch, Kirsten (November 4, 2019). "Meet Ashnikko, the Rapper Carving a Lane Of Her Own With 'Stupid'". Billboard. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
  6. Holden, Steve (October 2, 2020). "Ashnikko: 'I don't take no for an answer'". BBC News. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
  7. "Ashnikko signs her first EP to Digital Picnic Records". OddChild Music. February 7, 2017. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
  8. Wetmore, Brendan (December 4, 2019). "Ashnikko Is Ready for All of It". PAPER. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
  9. "Ashnikko x Raf Riley - KROKODIL". July 31, 2016. Retrieved November 23, 2019 – via SoundCloud.
  10. "Sass Pancakes by Ashnikko". Tidal. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
  11. "Ashnikko recruits Raf Riley & Avelino for New Track – Bubblegum". OddChild Music. April 4, 2017. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
  12. Murray, Robin (November 23, 2018). "Listen: Ashnikko Shares 'Unlikeable' EP". Clash. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
  13. Hi, It's Me, retrieved October 26, 2020
  14. "How Ashnikko's 'Stupid' has Just Become Spotify's #1 viral track". Warner Music New Zealand. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
  15. "Bubbling Under Hot 100 - November 16, 2019". Billboard. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
  16. "Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles - November 16, 2019". Billboard. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
  17. Morgan, Maybelle (August 7, 2020). "Ashnikko Teams Up With Beats and TikTok For #BeatsDaisyChallenge". Wonderland. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
  18. "Gold & Platinum: Ashnikko". RIAA. Retrieved July 16, 2020.
  19. "Gold/Platinum". Music Canada. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
  20. 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.
  21. Lindsay, Kathryn (March 23, 2020). "The Songs You're Hearing All Over TikTok In 2020". Refinery29. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
  22. Renshaw, David (October 23, 2019). "Watch Danny Brown call out a male fan for disrespecting support act Ashnikko". The FADER. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
  23. "Ashnikko Drops Video For Viral F*ck You Anthem "Stupid" feat. Yung Baby Tate". MNSTRM MEDIA. October 22, 2019. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
  24. Halloweenie II: Pumpkin Spice, retrieved October 26, 2020
  25. "Doja Cat Flexes On Her Haters With "Boss B*tch" From The 'Birds Of Prey' Soundtrack". genius.com. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
  26. Wang, Steffanee (February 24, 2020). "Doja Cat Announces Hot Pink Tour With Ashnikko". Nylon. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
  27. Gwee, Karen (March 27, 2020). "FADER FORT announces nine-hour broadcast with Kesha, Ashnikko and more". NME. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
  28. Wetmore, Brendan (June 17, 2020). "Ashnikko Breaks Down Her Banger 'Cry,' Featuring Grimes". PAPER. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
  29. Copsey, Rob (September 30, 2020). "Dua Lipa, The Weeknd, Beyoncé lead UK Music Video Awards nominations". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 2, 2020.
  30. Kenneally, Cerys (August 28, 2020). "Ashnikko details new Demidevil mixtape". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
  31. "Ashnikko Teams Up With Beats and TikTok For #BeatsDaisyChallenge". Wonderland. August 7, 2020. Retrieved October 10, 2020.
  32. "Ashnikko". www.officialcharts.com. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
  33. "Ashnikko is celebrating Halloween with her new track, 'Halloweenie III: Seven Days'". Dork. October 23, 2020. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
  34. 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.
  35. Higgins, Sam (July 11, 2020). "8 New Music Artists To Know Thanks To TikTok". British Vogue. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
  36. Song, Sandra (February 19, 2020). "Ashnikko Is a Blue Velvet Vision at the Brit Awards". Paper. Retrieved October 25, 2020.
  37. Yalcinkaya, Gunseli (June 22, 2020). "Ashnikko: 'People call me Hatsune Miku on crack'". Dazed. Retrieved October 25, 2020.
  38. Vinti, Mike (May 22, 2020). "20 Questions – Ashnikko". Crack Magazine. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
  39. 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.
  40. "Ashnikko is Here to Shake Things Up". V Magazine. September 17, 2020. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
  41. https://twitter.com/ashnikko/status/1147154183981862913
  42. Subvrtmag (November 20, 2019). "Meet Ashnikko, The Badass Viral Music Sensation". Subvrt Mag. Retrieved June 27, 2020.
  43. 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.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.