I discovered Ashnikko like most people have: her song “STUPID,” which went viral on TikTok. At first, I found it annoying, but then I became numb to the sound, which turned into me vibing to it. I checked out her other music, which never got quite as popular, and became a big fan. The 24 year-old makes music with witty lyrics, shrill vocals, and fast raps, talking about sex, feminism, and how she relates to being a woman. There is no one else I listen to who makes me feel quite as confident when I walk alone in a big city.
She has released three EPs: one in 2017, one in 2018, and the last one in 2019, all of which I loved. And in January of 2021, she released her first mixtape, which featured several singles such as “Daisy” and “Cry”, as well as “Clitoris! The Musical,” which had been an unreleased song. This mixtape has some serious songs, some fun ones, and a whole lot of feminism. I cannot wait for what she has in store next year.
- Deal With It (Ft. Kelis)
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To start the list is the ultimate “getting over a deadbeat guy” song. Ashnikko sings about how she does not need a man and what she does need instead. There are so many things that are better than a man who does not understand your worth.
- Daisy
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“Daisy” is one of Ashnikko’s coolest songs yet, mainly because of the story behind it and the character she created. In an interview, she said, “ Daisy… is a vigilante… who wears latex, blue diamonds and massive, clear, icy platforms. She smashes the patriarchy and kills horrible men… and she leaves behind a daisy as a calling card.” This brings in a whole new level of context to the song.
- Toxic
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In life, there are people who want nothing but to see you fail. People are jealous and often not as nice as they say they are. This song is a direct callout to those people, saying, “You can’t stand to see me shine. Better buy a visor. You don’t ever cross my mind. What’s a sheep to a tiger?” Just keep being you.
- Cry (Ft. Grimes)
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“Cry” stood out to me for the first time because of the emotion. The song is painful and that is shown through the screaming vocals and rhythmic raps that seem to never back down. She is both angry and sad and shows that you can still be strong while experiencing all of those emotions.
- L8r Boi
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Everyone knows the Avril Lavigne classic, “Sk8er Boi”, which tells a story about a girl who thought she was too good for a skater boy and then regrets this when he gets famous. Ashnikko takes this song and in true 2021 fashion, flips it, showing how the girl was better off without the boy.
- Slumber Party (Ft. Princess Nokia)
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As much as cheating is bad and so is the trope of queer women stealing a guy’s girlfriend, this song still slaps. Ash, please make more gay music.
- Clitoris! The Musical
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My only issue with this song is how short it is. She sings about how cisgender men do not put time and effort into pleasuring women. FACTS.
- Little Boy
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Ashnikko calls out men who talk down to her, and she says, “Women hold the weight of the world. But you still talk down and call me little girl.” As she has before, she flips the script and calls them what they have called her. It is a good song, but it is not as hard-hitting as some others.
- Good While It Lasted
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Some relationships feel like a ticking time bomb, yet we hold onto them. Even after the end, we remember the “mostly bad,” but also the good parts and regret harsh words that came out in a breakup. That’s real life and not everyone is perfect all the time. Relationships are a mixed bag and when they end, can be learning experiences. This song is heartfelt and by no means a bad song, I just tend to like Ash’s songs that are angrier and blunt.
- Drunk With My Friends
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I don’t know why, but this song didn’t work for me. It sounds fun, and the beat is inviting, but it did not have the usual Ashnikko feminist message that she has become known for. That does not mean she always has to keep with that message, but her message combined with lyrics are what makes her songs stand out among other artists with witty raps and cool beats.