Heavily influenced by the rebellious and anti-establishment ethos of Detroit’s industrial techno scene of the 1980s, upcoming EP ZERO SUGAR marks somewhat of a moment of rebirth for ICYKOF. Less than a year ago, the London-based DJ-producer would have sat nicely in the Dazed fashion section for his prolific ‘Unknown Vlogs’ platform, which has accrued views in the tens of millions for its man-on-the-street fit checks and wider streetwear coverage. Guests reached peaks as high as Kendrick Lamar and Drake, but, beneath the surface, KOF was growing disillusioned with the fashion world.
“I was sick and tired of the over-commercialisation and very much in my anti-corp vibes,” ICYKOF tells Dazed. “Forking out £800 for a t-shirt ain’t chief, but I felt brainwashed into doing it, to being a part of some club that says, ‘I’m cool’. Respectfully, fuck that.”
“Detroit techno collective Underground Resistance’s whole persona and attitude crossed paths with my Spotify playlist at the right time,” ICYKOF continues. “I felt I was finding my people and my safe place. I began to reconnect with myself. I wanted to recreate these elements in my own music and help others find themselves the way I did.”
This journey is writ large across ICYKOF’s upcoming debut, releasing April 2025. 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.
Catch ICYKOF’s full exclusive Dazed mix above, and discover the inspirations behind his new alias below.
Far from the distant inspirations behind ZERO SUGAR, is there anywhere that inspires you in London today?
ICYKOF: These days, cafes, pubs and high street areas like Kings Road, Ladbroke Grove and Dalston Junction. I get inspired by how people carry themselves in their environment. The clothes, styling, attitude. It helps me see things differently like a painter focused on a landscape, which translates in my music when I’m approaching the percussion and trying to hear out different grooves and swings. You’ll hear this on “SHE KNOWS” – a big homage to Robert Hood and Steve Reich.
You were previously known for the prolific fashion platform ‘Unknown Vlogs’. How did you get into content creation, and what inspired you to move away from it more recently?
ICYKOF: I studied Media and Film studies in school so it felt right to create content on YouTube. It felt like the final stage of content creation as I could share videos with friends and also watch them back. Later, taking interest in fashion, I built my channel on what I loved as it allowed me to connect with people who shared the same vibe. No one in my town was interested in what I was, so I settled with creating content.
I guess I’m not into the whole principle of what content creation has become these days. Before, you would make a video to connect with people with similar interests. Now, you can’t connect with anyone the same way. Music feels so natural to me and allows me to connect with people in a way content creation can’t anymore. It’s authentic and real but importantly it’s my safe space – like social media was before.
Following high-profile episodes with Kendrick and Drake, who’s your dream “How Much is Your Outfit Worth” guest?
ICYKOF: Has to be Anna Wintour at Vogue House for the people because that feels impossible. For the culture, it has to be Rocky & Riri… I wouldn’t come back to film this series any other way.
Do you see your work in fashion and music intersecting?
ICYKOF: Naturally, I feel like it does. It kind of just makes sense in this world building. 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.
Tell us about your Dazed Mix.
ICYKOF: I wanted to storytell. Take you on a journey of my world. My influences. Educate with some OGs and show a world where my music lives and breathes.
How were you feeling when you made it?
ICYKOF: This felt like a full moment for me since I’ve been a fan of Dazed from young. I was feeling euphoric and excited so you’ll hear hypnotic moments that carry you to the end of the mix which shares a message about how life is. Some front vocal elements bringing you back from the long drive.
Tracklist
Tenser – Utilize (Khas Remix)
Flug – Against the Limits (Rave Mix)
Burden – Rvrt Dub (Original Mix)
ICYKOF – SHE KNOWS
Scott Ferguson – PARTY PUMPIN’
Dabi – Everybody
Anti-patriot – Ideology
BAUGRUPPE90 – Funken
Robert Hood – Master Jack (Original Mix)
Yanamaste – Dance
Madben & Cosme – Head & Legs
X CLUB – New World Expression
ICYKOF – BRING IT BACK (UNRELEASED)
Mark Broom – Hardgroove 4 Life (Ben Sims Remix)
Marcel Dettmann, Ben Klock – Places Like This (Original Mix)
Subradeon – We Are Still Struggling
MoMA Ready – Screaming Crying
Lydia Eisenblatter – Revolve (Original)
ICYKOF – MOVE YOUR BODY (UNRELEASED)
musclecars – The Afro-American Conundrum (Where does that leave us?)
