We caught up with Bikôkô, a dynamic artist raised in Barcelona and currently making waves in London, to discuss the release of her mesmerizing second EP, A 1 IS BETTER THAN A 0, now available via Future Bounce. Accompanied by a UK and EU tour, with stops in cultural hotspots like Berlin, Paris, London, and Barcelona, this project promises to captivate audiences across continents.
Building on the momentum of singles like “FORÇA,” featuring the talents of AMORE and Irenegarry, “JEALOUSY,” and “LA MANO,” Bikôkô delves into themes such as envy, desire, the pressures of the creative world, and mental health. Her EP further explores these introspections, set against a backdrop of wide-ranging influences and sultry vocals. Collaborating with renowned producer Kwes Darko, Bikôkô masterfully blends experimental electronics, R&B, soul, jazz, and brokenbeat, accentuating her West African musical roots honed through early Djembe lessons. Following the acclaim for her debut EP, Aura Aura, this release firmly establishes her on the global music scene, with accolades from respected outlets like Crack, The Face, NOTION, Wonderland, NUMERO, and COLORS.
KALTBLUT; Your new EP, “A 1 IS BETTER THAN A 0”, has just dropped. What can fans expect from this new project?
This project came about in a pretty turbulent moment in my life, so I feel like it came from a darker side of me that I haven’t necessarily expressed in my music so much before, but that I find very beautiful too. It’s a project that invites reflection and introspection, despite the upbeat rhythms and jumpy melodies, but the way my audience perceives it is beyond my control. I can’t tell you what to expect really because everyone’s perception is different, I know what this project means to me.. but what it will mean to you? I couldn’t possibly know.
KALTBLUT: Can you tell us more about the inspiration behind the lead single “FORÇA”? How did the collaboration with AMORE and Irenegarry come about?
I got the idea for the song a day when I was randomly singing a song in the shower, it was Friday by Laura Groves. As I was singing the melody I wondered what it would sound like in my mother tongue Catalan, and so I started making up some lyrics and when I came out of the shower I wrote the lyrics down in one go, which is a rare for me since lyrics is usually the trickiest part of my process. Then after that it was easy, I made the demo one day in the studio and then developed it with Kwes.
I knew that I wanted someone to feature on it though, I just felt that something was missing. And after doing a session with AMORE and Irenegarry in Madrid earlier this year I just thought the both of them would fit the song perfectly. So I asked them if they would like to write a verse, and just like that the song was done. I am so grateful to have collaborated with them on this, I admire them so much.
KALTBLUT: You mention that your high expectations and meticulous approach sometimes lead to overwhelm and burnout. How do you manage these challenges as a self-employed artist?
The more time goes by working as an artist the more I learn about myself and my relationship to the craft. It is a very personal thing and every artist/musician I know has their way of doing ‘the thing’. I think a lot of the stress I have felt related to my work has been rooted in my comparison to how other people do things and putting pressure on myself to be able to do what they are doing. And financial instability hasn’t precisely helped but I manage. At the end of the day, the love for what I do ends up taking over any fears I might have, so I continue.
And I try to remind myself of how lucky I am to be able to make music for a living, no matter how hard it might get I wouldn’t be doing anything else </3
KALTBLUT: Your father is a Cameroonian musician, and you have elements of West African music in your work. How has this cultural heritage influenced your music?
Growing up I wasn’t really in touch with Cameroonian or West African music. Even though I travelled there to spend time with my family, I wasn’t exposed to it until I stumbled upon some old CDs at my parent’s home. My dad has collections of CDs of indigenous music from different countries in Africa (Cameroon, Tanzania, Ghana…), and I picked a few and listened to them back to back. After that I just became more and more intrigued with it; I started learning more about it and taking Djembe and Sabar lessons. Until, alongside other musical West African influences, it inspired me to start making my own music and finding a way of incorporating it.
KALTBLUT: You’ve previously supported artists like Maddison McFerrin and performed at major festivals like Primavera and Sonar. How have these experiences shaped you as an artist?
Playing live is one of my strongest suits as a musician and what makes me feel the most connected to my audience, so every time I get to do a concert is a blessing, no matter how big or small. Playing festivals and opening for artists is great because the people watching my show most likely don’t know my music and there are no expectations, so cool to see how they react every time. It’s also great because you get to experience other live shows too, which leaves me feeling energized.
KALTBLUT: You’ve garnered support from various tastemakers and have even been dubbed “a Solange for the bedroom generation”. How do you feel about these comparisons, and how do they influence your artistic direction?
I am so flattered that they would compare me to Solange! She’s a referent for me, her work motivates me to stay true to my vision. I feel like I’ve been compared to so many great musicians, some I see the connections others perhaps not so much, but it’s always interesting to me. I’ve even discovered artists because people have compared me to them, like Arima Ederra or Saya Gray.
KALTBLUT: Your style has also captivated the fashion world. How does your sense of fashion intersect with your music?
It’s all linked to me. Once a friend of mine told me that I dress like my music sounds, and it made perfect sense for me. I think it’s maybe a more visual representation of how my brain works when choosing and synthesizing different styles, much like I do with my music.
I’ve also been working with one of my closest friends Jon Morales, as my right hand in styling and creative direction for my project. So a lot of what you see are ideas born from our brains working together.
KALTBLUT: Working with Kwes Darko for a second time on your EP, how has this collaboration evolved since your first project together?
This is my first time working with Kwes! All of my previous projects have been self-produced.
When I first met Kwes I felt a musical connection instantly which is a rare thing for me, especially with other producers. And at some point when working on 1>0 I felt like I needed some help with the production to make it what it needed to be. I had never made electronic music in that fashion before so asking Kwes felt like the right match for the project, and indeed it was!!
He helped me develop the demos I had in the direction I wanted, and it felt so easy working with him. I’d do it again no doubt!
KALTBLUT: Future Bounce has been a major platform for your music. How has working with Jamz Supernova and the label impacted your career?
This is my first time working with a label and it’s been a very good experience so far, thanks to Jamz and her team. I’ve appreciated having them, especially for their guidance and support during the making and release of the EP, they’ve been like a blanket for me during this journey and it allowed me to focus on the music first, while they took care of so many other factors that went into this release.,
KALTBLUT: Looking ahead, what are your aspirations and goals for the next few years in your musical journey?
I want to find a working rhythm that I can maintain long-term to prevent stress and burnout, this way I can have a more consistent routine in the studio and make more music!! I already have ideas for my next project.. but it’s too soon to talk about that haha.
Follow
@bikoko
@future_bounce
Photo: @danielgarzee
Creative direction & Stylist: @jonmorales___
A 1 IS BETTER THAN A 0 is out now
