Artist Spotlight: I.K.P.
Brooklyn, NY — Award-nominated rapper, producer, and activist I.K.P. (The Infamous King of Positivity) opens a new chapter with their powerful new single “FTW” - For The Win. Blending grunge and crunk rap with unfiltered emotion, the track channels rage, redemption, and celebration while signaling a refreshed creative spirit.
We sat down with I.K.P. to talk about their creative journey, inspirations, and what’s next.
TheLoudMagazine: Can you share the story behind your latest single?
I.K.P.: FTW came through like a lightning bolt. It started from a freestyle I shared on TikTok awhile back, but I didn't really like that beat after a while. So I tried it on other beats using different styles and still wasn't satisfied. A mix session with a different producer sparked a new relationship, and at that point, he offered me a different track. When I heard it, it felt powerful and intense, and I tried that freestyle again over it, and it was a better match. The beat is furious, the song is fierce, and the combination lit me up. Shoutout Direckt for facilitating the alignment.
TheLoudMagazine: What’s your favorite music video that you’ve made and why?
I.K.P.: I'm into the Mic Check Series I'm doing now for sure, where the focus is minimalist. But, for the video I made for my 2017 song "Till the Day I Die", I took my first trip to LA to make it and overall it was an awesome experience.
There's a lot to see. I learned how sprawling that city is. And it's one of my best videos because it told an excellent visual tale about working through mental health issues. The director found an actor to play my younger self and I took a minor role being their quirky doctor while they escaped an institution. It was meant to tell my story in a third-person kind of way and matching the intensity of the struggles I talk about in song. I loved being there for the scenes I was in and it was a small miracle that it got done. The crew did so many other incredible and stunning scenes. I still check in with the director, Luke Homay, from time to time. He's awesome.
https://youtu.be/wQZDMAseJ64?si=amOMTX7kchRRNass
TheLoudMagazine: Do you have a dream director or visual artist you’d love to work with?
I.K.P.: Dave Meyers or Hype Williams. The sky is the limit with them. And they both did most of Missy Elliott's videos, bringing Afrofuturism to life. Hands down.
TheLoudMagazine: Are there any upcoming projects or releases you’re excited about?
I.K.P.: I'm excited about PSYCHE, the project I'm working on now. PSYCHE is the title. I want to create the world of it through the visuals for all the songs on it. Same format as OFF TOPP. But with different moods.
TheLoudMagazine: What message or theme do you hope listeners take away from your latest work?
I.K.P.: Never give up on yourself. You're the only one in charge of how far you go and you only need to answer to yourself. Love yourself enough to understand that.
TheLoudMagazine: What was the most rewarding part of working on your latest project?
I.K.P.: Every time I finish another song is like another small miracle. The longer I make music, the more interesting the journey. Part of doing music independently is logistics, making it important to be solution-oriented. You're the CEO of your life and career. When I see hurtles, I think strategy. Achieving any little thing is a win. I have songs that I start that take so much emotional capacity that it's hard to finish. When I figure it out, big win for me.
TheLoudMagazine: What’s the most challenging aspect of being a song artist?
I.K.P.:It's hard to say. There are a lot of challenging things, especially being self-managed. You gotta find a way to not internalize rejection so much and not let it turn into doubt that is debilitating. The longer you go, the more you know yourself and can find tools to get you over the hump... until next time!
TheLoudMagazine: What do you think about the role of music awards and recognition in a musician’s career?
I.K.P.: Depends on how important a musician makes them. And that's part what makes awards so subjective. There are artists I admire that seem to make that the end goal. Some artists are naturally grounded and the flowers arrive when they should. Some artists sadly don't get recognition until long after they're gone.
Me? I want the recognition. Because the recognition can get me seen by those who may need to see me and would not otherwise. It's the end-all be-all, but that's how I got into show business in the first place: seeing those before me accomplish the dream, from just being in a music video, to getting the #1 hits and awards. I used to be ashamed to want the accolades. But once again, I never have to let anybody make me feel a way about something I want.
TheLoudMagazine: What’s one thing you wish you had known when you started?
I.K.P.: I wish I understood what it means when people say "it's not what you know, it's who you know". I looked at it like people were saying intellect isn't a priority and that alone won't get you ahead. Like people were telling me academics and working hard at something wasn't enough.
Then I realized that connection is what's important. Connecting emotionally and strategically are the tools. It is said that people don't care how much you know until they know how much you care. Especially now, when many may feel like no one cares. It becomes effective when you build your tribe. I see that play out in so many forms now. So I look at connections differently than I did. I just didn't get it before.
TheLoudMagazine: What emerging trends do you see in the music industry that excite you?
I.K.P.: For one, turns out R&B isn't dead, like people would have said years ago. That's exciting to witness. R&B definitely was big when I was a kid in the 90s.
Second, the fact that there's an R&B/Gospel artist using AI to present their talent is compelling. There's so much convo about Xania Monet. Growing up with Napster, I was there for the panic attack the music industry was having when the paradigm shift from physical to digital media took place. I was the one kid frustrated I had to spend $18.99 for a CD with only one song that I liked. So I bought bootleg CDs and learned how to rip the music to make MP3s. That's how I started learning to produce music. Looks like AI is having a similar, groundbreaking effect on the industry now.
