22.05.20
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By this point, you’ve probably given in and downloaded TikTok. No judgement, there’s a pandemic and we need all the entertainment we can get.

If you’ve spent more than five minutes on Gen Z’s favourite app, chances are you’ve come across Ashnikko. The blue-haired, bratty-voiced rap sensation first took the app by storm with Stupid last year. Since then, pretty much every track she’s released has spawned a new dance challenge. We took a break from learning them all to chat to Ashnikko for this month’s 20 Questions.

What’s your favourite day of the year?
Halloween, because it’s spooky and I like candy. Followed closely by my birthday because I’m a narcissist and I like attention.

Best survival tip for 2020?
Oh god. Stock up on rice and beans and create a schedule for quarantine so you don’t lose your mind. I haven’t done it yet, right now it’s just been: wake up, cry, eat some cereal, masturbate, cry again, go to bed.

What’s your biggest fear?
Panic attacks. I hate panic attacks, I can’t imagine anything worse.

What’s the weirdest DM you’ve ever received?
I’ve received some fucking weird ones. Someone DM’d me and said they wanted me to stomp on their balls until they flattened. Which was cool.

What’s the secret to TikTok fame?
Sometimes I make one and it’s a smash, sometimes I make one and it doesn’t do well and I just don’t know. I think it’s just being a little bit silly. We all need humour to get us through the crushing existentialism we’re all facing.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
My mum always says “wherever you go, there you are” – meaning that your mental health follows you everywhere. You can be in the most beautiful place but your brain’s still there so you have to take care of yourself.

What makes you feel nostalgic?
Arcade games. We had an arcade machine in our house as a kid. It had Galaga, Space Invaders, Frogger, Donkey Kong, Pac Man… every time I see those games I think of me and my brothers fighting to play them. It reminds me of a good time in my childhood.

What’s the weirdest party you’ve ever been to?
It was probably in Berlin. Me and my best friend got into a really big fight when we were fucked. It was really horrible but also I was having a great time while we were fighting, dancing to techno in a dark cave.

What’s the biggest realisation you had in 2019?
I realised my power as a woman and that I deserve all the things that come to me.

What’s your worst habit?
Eating so many sweets. My teeth are gonna rot.

What’s your favourite sweet?
M&S fizzy Colin the Caterpillars. I’m a bit of a sweet connoisseur, I have specific tastes.

Favourite song of all time?
Bossy by Kelis. That’s my confidence song, my sing-into-your-hairbrush-in-the-mirror song.

What’s your signature dish?
I love soup. I make a good kale and barley soup.

What’s inspiring you right now?
Seeing other artists using this time at home to utilise tools like Instagram Live. Some of my friends are doing sessions over FaceTime. People making the best of a bad situation is really inspiring.

What’s your earliest childhood memory?
I think I was two years old and sitting on a red and white checkered blanket with my mum. I was eating Goldfish crackers and the sky was really blue. I remember that really clearly.

Favourite non-musical hobby?
Crocheting. I went to the craft store the other day and spent, like, $150. I want to make a never-ending blanket. Right now I’m crocheting some dicks.

What piece of advice would you give to young Ashnikko?
Don’t make yourself smaller for anyone.

What’s your favourite city?
Probably London. I’ve lived here for six years and it’s just now feeling like my city. I know all my favourite spots.

Weirdest thing someone’s caught you doing?
My grandma walked in on me having sex when I was a teenager.

What instantly cheers you up?
Noodles. I love really spicy ramen. I told you I love soup.