ICO94 talks new single, mindset, and summer plans
Local rappers Will E. Skandalz (left) and ICO94 (right) on stage for the Grand Barbecue Canadien on July 1 at Martin Luther King Park in Tiohtià:ke. Courtesy ICO94
Kahnawake rapper ICO94 - also known as Ikey Beauvais - is having himself a busy summer, with the release of his next single “All My People” on July 31, as well as a packed schedule of shows in Tiohtià:ke and Toronto.
The Eastern Door spoke with ICO94 about his upcoming projects and what it means to be able to perform on a variety of stages.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Q:What can you share about “All My People,” your next single?
I wanted to show people the area I grew up in. My friends, I can’t bring them everywhere I go. When I was writing this song, I realized at one point that I really want my old friends to be here, sharing the stage with them while they continue to perform, but it’s only me up there.
I needed to write a song for me, and also my people. Every time I perform it now, I’m bringing my friends, I’m bringing my people with me. It’s a strong message, saying wherever I go, I’m not alone, and wherever my people are, they’re not alone.
It’s also a lead up to something bigger.
Q:What is that something bigger going to look like?
It’s going to be a follow up album to my debut, Product of Poverty. For this summer, I had to have something big to drop, and that is “All My People.”
The album is currently untitled, I’m going to be following up really soon with a couple of more announcements on that.
I’ve been working with three different producers that I have been getting to know within the past year. One of them is John Mercury. He was focused more on my last project, so for the second project he’s going to be working on some of the songs. I also started working with Merker Miyagi, he’s the producer for “All My People,” and I found a different style with him.
I have to do a shout out to Chris Nab, he works in Montreal out of MakeWay Studios.
Every time you’re in the studio, there’s a different chemistry between the producer and the artist. I’m getting different results from these three producers, a different sound. For “All My People,” it was really different from the songs from the past album.
Q:Musically, how would you describe the difference between this track and your earlier songs?
Having a new producer, being involved in community events, being more involved in the music community, working with other people, being on a positive path, it got me thinking more positively when I was writing my lyrics. I just had an awesome session recording the song.
I started working on it around November, I didn’t know Merker for too long, but I had different material, and then we started this track. I had to put a pause on it. I ended up going back to it with different material and a different attitude.
Q: What is it that motivates you to do these events and to keep busy with performances?
It’s being passionate about music and getting out there and showing who you are and showing you have music, and showing you could perform.
This is what gets me motivated, this is what gets me up in the morning.
Being an artist, you have to be committed, you have to take opportunities. If not, you have to make your own opportunities.
I’m betting on myself, and we’re all in to see how far I can go with this.
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Q: This summer, you’ve been at festivals outdoors, you’ve been indoors, and you’ve even been on a boat. What has it been like to perform in all of these different settings?
Sometimes it feels like I’m doing some rock star stuff. I’m so grateful that I have these chances, because there was a time when I thought I’d be working a regular job. It shows that the more I put into it, the more I get out of it.
There are ups and downs. We go through it sometime, but it’s important not to quit. You have to keep going as you go through it and do your best to keep chasing your dreams.
