Meet iKeda: PinkPantheress' opener you want to have on your radar

iKeda is the original London art girl who turned to music with a natural very few can actually ace so fast. With a sultry, electric, fun sound reminiscent of early 2010s pop-RnB royalty charting, iKeda’s world is just as mesmerising as her source of inspiration. Think high heels galore, vintage lingerie, a universe that feels slightly surreal between the lace and feather details, yet it’s always grounded in something real. 

Having just rounded up her openings for PinkPantheress’ UK-European tour, the thrill remains high, butterflies flying away once she gets on stage, and a crowd of fans gagged by her performances — the internet is, rightfully so, in love. Working on her upcoming EP ‘Bangs N Braces,’ iKeda crafts her world, chooses its colours, whilst navigating between the chanty and the more melodic.

We caught up with iKeda for a quick chat during her Amsterdam date in AFAS, earlier this June. With exclusive pics shot by ethereal photographer and friend, Erika Kamano, we discussed tour life, zoom dance rehearsals with her NY-based dancers, the desert girls trip behind the visuals for ‘RED RED,’ and treehouses in the Amazon.

Hey Keda! So you began touring just a few days ago — so exciting. How’s tour life been treating you?
Fabulously! I’ve been travellin around with my dancers Joy and Sofia, Erika, my DJ Siso and my manager. I’ve invested a lot into the tour so that everyone feels as comfortable as possible. Joy and Sofia have choreographed the whole set — they’re based in New York, so we were rehearsing on zoom together three times a week for about a month prior. The choreo is super high energy and kind of intermediate but they’re such good teachers so I learnt pretty quickly. I’m so grateful to be able to perform at these crazy venues this early in my career, such as Le Zenith Paris.

Yes, say it louder! What’s touring with PinkPantheress like?
She’s so amazing. It’s been so inspiring watching her perform such a long set every night and have such good vocals and breath control. Especially after we went out…she is really dedicated to her craft and works so hard. All whilst checking in on me and still finding time to chill together <3

I’ve seen your live performances, and you seem like such a natural. How do you feel about it? What’s the story with feeling comfortable on stage or has performing always been in your bones?
Thank you! I actually feel super at home on stage. It was something I discovered from supporting. It came as such a surprise to myself because I get such anticipation anxiety and butterflies but it all disappears as soon as I get on stage. For me to feel my most confident in my head, it’s all about just ‘having the audacity.’

How did your music journey begin?
From being the biggest music nerd. Roleplaying with my BFFs, and watching music videos religiously. I have always sung or hummed melodies for fun before being educated on what a hook or a topline actually was. Which led to going into the studio and laying down vocals and pushing myself to write. But receiving so much love and support almost immediately convinced me to take music seriously. 

Obsessed with the music for RED RED. Can you tell me how you and Erika put it together? What trip brought you to the desert lol?
It was so impromptu. We were going to LA already because our friend Babymorocco was performing at El Cid on tour and we got there a couple days before him so we were like, ‘Let’s shoot a music video!’ We hired a Jeep and rode out into the desert for two days and shot the video on iPhone in the various motels and areas that Erika had found. It was such a crazy girls trip.

And it came out so good. Speaking of music videos, do you have an all-time favourite one? Or one that got you particularly obsessed when growing up.
My all time favourite is so hard because I literally watch so many religiously with my friends over the years. I think at the moment it’s probably Beyonce’s Baby Boy? I love the dance break where she rolls over her back and does the belly dancing. Beyonce, Rihanna and Lady Gaga music videos are just endless nachos…

You’re in charge of the full location scouting for your dream live show. Where do we go?
Maybe in a treehouse in the middle of the Amazon Rainforest.

Also most of your songs are produced by Tailtiu. How did your collaboration begin?
I’ve known Tailtiu for years now. She stayed at my house when she was making music with my friend and we’re so silly together. She sent me the hook for Luv Drunk and I got to writing and everything just flowed since then. She’s the best producer/songwriter I’ve ever met. I can send her any song as inspo for a beat and she just immediately gets it and makes something so fresh. I love being in the studio together — she encourages me to challenge myself and trust my ideas.

Can you tell us more about your upcoming EP Bangs and Braces?
It’s a more carved out and developed sound from my first EP Pretty Little Problem that I think has become very much my own. A lot of the songs are commanding and chanty and others have a nursery rhyme-esque melodic feel. I think I just want to be really heard on this EP and really introduce people to the iKeda world and all its colours. 

Super excited to discover it. Also love your styling — you have fabulous pieces. Can you tell us more about your inspos when it comes to fashion in your day to day?
I love to dress up and be super playful. I’m inspired by so many different things, like a lot of vintage lingerie, costumes and circus things…lace, latex, feathers, corsets, etc. Erika sources a lot of the super interesting pieces for me because she knows exactly what I’ll like or surprises me with something crazy that I fall in love with. My daytime styling is a bit more casual but I wear heels pretty much everyday.

And what about glamming up on stage?
The same things I mentioned before but it has to be paired with booty shorts, balloon, or flowy layered skirt that I can move my a$$ in. Also if I’m lucky a beat by Joe Brooks or Paige Whitning. They’re my favourite makeup artists and they know my face so well. At the mo, I love a Smokey eye and nude lip.

Who’s playing you in the iKeda biopic?
Miss Cricket. IYKYK.

What song do you have on repeat right now?
Haifa Wehbe — Enta Tani. EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.