Ikey
Gambrills, Maryland, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2014
Music
Press
After a strong lead up of singles and videos to this point, Ikey finally debuts his long-awaited Green Card EP. Reaching for his dreams on the project, Ikey gives fans nine new songs where he often shows off his strong, and deliberate flow that he balances with meaningful lyrics that when combined truly makes him a name to watch in hip-hop. "Since everyone is looking for that one come up, I felt like they'd be able to relate to this theme. Everyone is chasing a dream," said Ikey of the project to Complex.
Ikey is originally from New York City, but he was also raised in Lagos, Nigeria, which is an experience that he has carried through his music. "Lagos is a very huge city. One of the biggest cities in Africa. To me it's very similar to a lot of cities across America but if I had to compare I would say it's a smaller, dirtier version of New York. It has it's nice spots and fucked up spots." - Complex
“Maryland via Lagos, Nigeria via Spanish Harlem.” Those are the first words used in a press release description of Ikey, and his latest video reflects the value he places on his background. Ikey’s “When We Were Kings” represents his culture lyrically and sonically, and now the video makes it complete, with striking visuals and escalating intensity (don’t miss out on the last minute of this song.)
“Most of the people in the clips and people I referenced in the song, I felt they represented the essence of the story of the song,” explains Ikey. “‘When We Were Kings’ is a very descriptive song with deep messages, and I felt the best way to bring the song to life was to use real clips almost in a documentary style to help tell the story.”
The song was produced by Blvck Rose, the video was directed by Xavia Inniss, and Ikey’s Green Card EP comes out March 31. - Pigeons and Planes
Ikey is headed your way, full steam ahead. The Maryland by way of Nigeria by way of Harlem MC as already gotten much love over at Okayafrica , and is continuing to impress hip-hop fans all over the globe with his melodic and confident flow. That flow is what impresses most on his brand new single, “Lord,” which Okayplayer is very happy to debut here. Its Marc Andre beat is hard and heavenly, and Ikey stays soulful as he stunts, dropping high-syllable-traffic verses that show thanks for fine things like crisp clothes, sunshine and a beautiful woman.
It’s a track in which production and rhyme scheme go entirely hand-in-hand. Vocal chops from Andre begin to sound like church chants as the beat keeps pounding, and Ikey finds just the right places to insert rhythmically-dense vocal work. “The song just gives me grand and heavenly vibes, but its stuntastic too,” Ikey told Okayplayer. “When I heard the vocal samples on the song, it reminded of me of going to church on sunday to give thanks when I was growing up. I found a dope way to talk about things I’m thankful and still keep it raw.”
If you like the sound of all of this, check out other offerings from Ikey including the fiendish cut “Timbuktu.” “Lord” will appear on the MC’s upcoming Green Card EP, which is set to drop on March 31st. Stream the premiere below and be on the lookout for more from this deacon of the DMV. - Okayplayer
If you were to ask an average American what they knew about Lagos, Nigeria, you’d probably get nothing but confused look in response—unless they’d been following the ongoing conflicts involving Boko Haram. Either way, that’s hardly a well-rounded view on the city. As a former resident of the city, Booth newcomer Ikey is uniquely suited to offer a little perspective, and that’s exactly what he does on single number three off his next EP. On the Blvck Rose-produced When We Were Kings, making its world premiere on our front page, the artist uses sung and rapped vocals to evoke the glorious past of the place he calls home. Green Card currently lacks a drop date, but y’all will be the first to know when that changes. - Dj Booth
Born in New York City, partially raised in Nigeria, and now based in Maryland, Ikey drops the video for the second single off of his forthcoming debut album, Green Card. "Olodo," which Ikey says is a a Nigerian term for dummy, is a "rags to riches story about setting your own goals and aspirations versus letting others set them for you." Shot at Great Falls in Virginia, the stunning, cinematic video is a pretty inspirational feat for the up-and-coming artist; if you don't feel uplifted after watching it, spin it back a few times and thank us later. On his debut album Green Card, Ikey details his vision and says "Everyone is in search of an opportunity to live better lives (In search of a "Green Card"), my project through my story is about the struggle for an opportunity to live that American dream." Stay tuned for more new music from Ikey and watch "Olodo above." - Complex
I was already into this song when dude started talking about splurging on accessories because he’s too fat to wear designer clothes. His delivery is cool and calm with a bite, and the production is raw. Solid song. Then, at around 2:30, Ikey takes this shit to the next level.
Ikey was born in New York City but spent a lot of his childhood in Nigeria. He now lives in Maryland but still draws inspiration from his experience with Nigerian culture. “Timbuktu” is produced by fellow Maryland native Blvck Rose. Look out for a full-length project this fall. Until then, check out more on his website. - Pigeons and Planes
Filthy! This is just filthy. From the visuals to the pretty brown queen walking during the intro the Ikey’s bars! “Green Card.” I was going to use this as a #ForTheCity: DC Edition, but technically I can’t because Ikey resides in MD, but I still think this shit is extremely fucking dope. More material from Ikey to come! - You Heard That New
Normally, we avoid featuring an artist’s work if the production that they use is unoriginal (a “borrowed” industry instrumental). If we didn’t have this policy, our submissions inbox would be overly-spammed with freestyles over every new Drake or Kanye joint, making it harder for unique and original unsigned talent to get noticed. However, from time to time we make an exception. Case in point: Booth newcomer Ikey, whose bars, sprawled out across DJ Premier’s Return of the Crooklyn Dodgers beat, are so slick that we couldn’t help but give him a cover Green Card. The Maryland ambassador’s flow is highlighted by his supreme confidence, which is a blend of pointed-ness and casual charm. While his approach on the mic will get your head nodding, it is his wordplay that will have you saying “Damn!”. With lines like, “low salary got me conservative like Sean Hannity” and “mad ‘cuz I’m flyer than a Brooks Brothers mannequin,” it’s clear that the Nigerian emcee more than does justice to the Primo production. Fans who are eager to hear Ikey grace some original production should download his forthcoming project, The Green Card EP, which is set for release this May - DJ Booth
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
Photos
Bio
For Ikey (pronounced like “Mikey”), it’s all about the story. Born in New York, with roots in both Spanish Harlem and Lagos, Nigeria, Ike Obioha connected with music at an early age. The diverse palette of his father’s music collection painted a musical canvas that pays homage to everything from Elton John and Journey to the Neville Brothers and Igbo Nigerian highlife singer Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe. Ikey distinctly remembers hearing “Juicy,” and being mesmerized by how Notorious B.I.G.’s storytelling ability could transport him to a Brooklyn bedroom covered in pictures from Word Up! magazine. The mutual love of a compelling narrative arc and music capable of emotionally resonating ultimately fueled his decision to embark upon his own music career.
“Seeing people of different backgrounds respond to my songs made me say, ‘Okay, I can tell this story,’” recounts Ikey. “I don’t have to compromise anything.”
That uncompromising story began with 2010’s “Ghana Must Go” from his Coming To America project. The track used a sample of Melvin Bliss’ “Synthetic Substitution” and took its name from a popular refrain coined during 1983’s mass deportation that forced millions of Ghanaians out of Nigeria in a matter of weeks. The notion of a Maryland kid blending Nigerian references such as “419 scams” and former Head of State, General Sani Abacha, with talk of Kimbo Slice and Nintendo resonated with listeners of various backgrounds and revealed Ikey’s sharp-witted and unique take on hip-hop.
Like many college students, Ikey juggled a full schedule, a few empty bottles, and his fair share of dead-end jobs. His unique, 1.5 generation immigrant experience influenced both the subject matter and creation of his music, as his passion for hip-hop was never a hobby so much as it was a burgeoning professional craft he simultaneously honed while pursuing his college degree. Despite pressure to embark upon a more scholarly career, Ikey would ultimately find himself opening for the likes of Big Sean and have his music covered in the Washington City Paper. While he gained recognition for his craft and graduated from the University of Maryland, his biggest accomplishment and inspiration for his next release had little to do with either music or school.
“I went through the process of getting my mom a green card when I was 21,” Ikey explains. “I could see how much it meant to her. America has this whole thing of being the land of opportunity. I’d see other people, crossing their fingers and praying to God to get that green card, because they felt it was their ticket to the land of opportunity.”
That sentiment found its way onto his new EP, The Green Card, which is a collection of music shaped by the myriad of experiences—both locally and abroad—that molded him into the grown man he is today. In singles like “Timbuktu,” “Olodo,” and “Green Card,” Ikey, weaves tales of multiple jobs, and being called an “olodo” (a Yoruba slang term for dummy) for pursuing a rap career. The songs are seamlessly interwoven with confident, metaphor-driven rhymes over production inspired by Fela Kuti, DJ Premier and other musicians influential to Ikey. Having already been embraced by the likes of Complex, DJ Booth, and Pigeons & Planes, Ikey’s material from The Green Card EP finds him equally adept at offering boastful couplets peppered with references to Diego Maradona and dodging student loan calls from Sallie Mae. He balances his penchant for music representing all aspects of the human experience over tracks representative of hip-hop’s golden era and stacks melodies in patois detailing his trials and tribulations. The millennial approach to constructing art with a mosaic’s worth of influences is evident while still maintaining Ikey’s unique Nigerian-American identity, as he pulls influences as disparate as Ma$e and Guns N Roses from his stuffed “Ghana Must Go bag” of musical inspiration. It’s as classically self-assured as Biggie in a Coogi, yet still introspective and a useful text when incorporated into the discussion of the African Diaspora or used for theme music during a night of debauchery.
“I’m just a young kid straight out of Lagos,” Ikey says. “When I see people like Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie being sampled on Beyonce records, it makes me feel people want that true African story. I just feel there are a lot of Nigerian-Americans trying to tell that story, and I’m trying to tell it the right way.”
For those who missed the Coming To America project, The Green Card EP represents a chance for acclimation at just the right time. The best part of any story isn’t the beginning, middle or end, but seeing it unfold right before your eyes.
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