“For ICYKOF, fashion is out, music is in” – Hypebeast UK
“Euphoric, free, and with two feet firmly planted on the gritty warehouse dancefloor, the project is a far cry from the high-flying fashion world Kofi would have found himself in just months ago – ego-death never sounded so funky.” – Dazed
“Rick Owen’s aesthetic is a techno punk feel that I need to see more on the dance floor. Let me see them kiss heels and break the floor.” – ICYKOF (Dazed interview)
The fashion chronicling king finds new inspiration in Detroit’s underground techno roots on remarkable debut EP ‘ZERO SUGAR’, inc. new single, ‘PAYDAY’
Grailed fashion blogger-turned-producer/DJ ICYKOF gears up for his hotly-anticipated debut EP, ZERO SUGAR—due April 3—by sharing its acid-tinged second single, ‘PAYDAY’, out January 29 on his label, RAVE NUIT.
ICYKOF—AKA Kofi McCalla—is redefining himself as one of London’s most intriguing voices in electronic music. After stepping away from the high-profile world of his Unknown Vlogs platform—where he chronicled streetwear culture at the frontier of fashion—Kofi has found a new creative outlet rooted in the raw energy of underground electronic music.
His debut EP, ZERO SUGAR, will be released in April, accompanied with a special vinyl edition. The EP channels the rebellious ethos of Detroit’s industrial techno pioneers such as Underground Resistance, Robert Hood and Steve Reich. Tracks, such as already available singles ‘BRING IT BACK’ (+ Bambounou remix) and ‘SHE KNOWS’—remixed by NYC techno hero MoMa Ready—pay homage to these artists, blending gritty warehouse grooves with hypnotic percussion. Already, ‘SHE KNOWS’ has received rave reviews from exciting names like Chloe Caillat, Bambounou, I.JORDAN, re:ni, HAAi, Yu Su as well as support from respected names in the game like Josh Wink, who called the original “good ol’ NYC trippy house”, Ryan Elliott, Jerome Sydenham, DJ Bone and many more.
The EP’s new single, ‘PAYDAY’, is a breather from the deep dub techno elements found on the rest of the ZERO SUGAR EP. With its slower tempo, lo-fi drum machine drums and growling 303 acid bassline, it presents itself instantly as an acid house dancefloor devastator, nodding to the genre’s originators like Phuture, Armando, and Larry Heard.
With a vision that merges techno-punk aesthetics and his own search for authenticity, esteemed London tastemaker ICYKOF’s world-building feels like a rebellion and a reinvention all at once. ‘PAYDAY’, the second single from his colossal debut EP, ‘ZERO SUGAR’, is out on January 29th, ahead of the full EP release on April 3rd. You know what to do.
About ICYKOF
ICYKOF is a London-based DJ and Producer of Jamaican heritage, celebrated for his forward-thinking blend of Detroit techno and Chicago house, influenced by pioneers like Carl Craig, Moodymann, Cajmere and Robert Hood. His sound fuses the soul of these genres with the energy of New York and London, creating a unique sonic experience that pushes boundaries in the music world.
As the former creator of The Unknown Vlogs, where he built a dedicated following of over 1 million YouTube subscribers and 205K Instagram followers, ICYKOF pioneered streetwear content with a fresh, insider perspective on global fashion. His innovative approach earned him collaborations with top artists like Kendrick Lamar and Drake. Now fully focused on his work as a DJ and Producer, ICYKOF continues to innovate at the intersection of music and lifestyle culture, always staying ahead of the curve.
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