Ike(from)Pluto Chats New Music And Creative Processes
By Bea Warren
He may be from Pluto, but writer/rapper/MC Ikenna Enyi has brought us back to the ground floor with his latest single, ‘BRICKY SUNSHINE’.
Continuing to push boundaries through his wise words and unconventional melodies, Ike(from)Pluto is easily one of the most exciting underground artists in Australia right now.
As always, we have had the immense pleasure of chatting with Ike himself about his latest single, his creative process, and how that helps him navigate through his intense experiences.
Hey, Ike! How’ve you been? How is everything going with the latest release?
I’ve been doing well, BRICKY’s getting a lot of love, both my day one’s and new supporters have given it a lot of positive feedback. I’ve recieved a great response from Aus music media as well!
Could you tell us a little bit about the song – what it means to you, and what you would like other people to get out of it?
BRICKY SUNSHINE is about focusing on the light that finds it’s way thru the cracks in the wall, rather than at the end of the tunnel. When I’m deep in the grind, I really try to appreciate those little moments of bliss, and those feelings of growth or progress. I hope people take that same feeling of power and triumph over their obstacles that I felt creating it when they listen.
You’ve stated before that you love to push boundaries in music. Could you elaborate on that? How have you pushed conventional boundaries in your latest single, ‘BRICKY SUNSHINE’?
I tend to ignore conventions in all the music I create, when somebody says ‘don’t do that this way’ it makes me want to do it more. In BRICKY SUNSHINE, I threw the typical chorus based structure of a Hip Hop single out the window, there’s no catchy phrase that’s repeated, no gimmick, just three incredibly authentic verses that showcase both my rapping ability and my personality. The hook is in my cadences, I feel like my delivery is what pulls people in.
You have a background in poetry, which obviously comes in handy with your music, but is it beneficial to you elsewhere? Do you have a creative outlet with your words besides your music?
You’re also a boxer. How does that come into play during your artistic process? Do you use it as a way to evoke emotions, or as a way to release said emotions?
Yea I’ve been boxing my whole life, as I answer this I’m mentally preparing for the semi-final of the Australian Championships which I’ll compete in tonight. I dont feel that fighting has a direct influence on my artistic process, however, I do know that when I’m engaged in intense training and competition, my mind gets sharper and I find my creativity flourishing. I definitely have a lot more fresh ideas and creative enthusiasm when I’m physically active and in a competitive mind frame.
The music video for ‘BRICKY SUNSHINE’ is very evocative and includes harsh imagery in your already visceral lyrics. How important is it for your work to generate emotions in your audience that they may find unsettling?
I’m not afraid of voicing or depicting ideas and images that can disturb people, because life can be disturbing. I never shy away from confrontation because I believe it breeds growth, both in the mid and body. There are a lot of things in our lives that may make us uncomfortable, whether ideas, situations or people, but we can’t learn to deal with them if we can’t even face them.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usy5lLZhsm0?wmode=opaque]
You’re a big advocate for underground music, and your previous single, ‘you’ll see’, follows your struggle to succeed in adversity. When do you think you’ll ‘make it’? Have you already made it? Do you have a specific goal you want to achieve?
I don’t know when I'll ‘make it’, the music industry is as fickle as it is unpredictable, so what works today may not work tomorrow, and vice versa. For me, the goal is to make a comfortable living off creating and performing art, as well as helping others do so, that’s why I produce my own events for other artists as well as manage a handful of creatives in Canberra. I don’t need to be rich or famous, that’s not the goal, I just need to be able to support myself and those I care about, while having the ability to represent myself authentically.
You’ve been very open about your cultural heritage and the disconnection you’ve experienced from that culture. As a creative, has being a part of this community helped you find that connection in any way? Do you still see yourself as the ‘other’?
Through the Hip Hop community I’ve definitely found common ground and experiences with fellow artists and friends of mine such as Yibby or JessB, navigating growing up black in a predominantly white country does present challenges that we all experience. I’m still the other though, I don’t have any strong connection to my roots nor Australian culture, but I do embrace the communities I mix in. Being (from) Pluto has become the most prominent and prideful part of my identity, these days I’m comfortable being outside the box, and the people close to me accept me for it so i’m grateful.
How important is it to collaborate with other artists? What is one thing you get out of it?
I love collaboration and I’m so excited to work with others more now that we’re reaching the ‘endemic’ phase of Covid. I’ve been linking up with old friends and new to create new music as well as develop other creative ideas and events. I think collaboration is the best place to learn and grow as an artist, I take so much inspiration and knowledge from every artist I share a room with.
Who are some of your favourite artists in Australia right now?
Jeez the list is LONG! My ears stay to the GROUND!
In rap, Chief Maez, Yibby, Arno Faraji, Baby Prince, Vv Pete, Agung Mango, Mulalo, Jaecy, DSP, solidified legends Manu Crook$ and Sampa the Great of course and many more. In RnB we got Ms. Thandi, Tiv, CD, Dylan Atlantis, Glo, Jeida Woods, Shanae, Chanel Loren, Maina Doe, Beckah Amani, Liyah Knight and Pania.
In Afro there’s Partyateleven, Lowkey, Akosia, Currency Baba, Joanny, Kwame Anthem and Raf Receipt.
And of course there are genreless stars like Maania, Genesis Owusu, Elsy Wameyo, Stevan and man the list could go on and on.
Stream ‘BRICKY SUNSHINE’, available on all streaming platforms, and don’t forget to check out Ike(from)Pluto’s upcoming shows in Ngunnawal (Canberra) later this month!
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