Cover Feature Class of 2021: Ashnikko

Ashnikko sure knows how to make an entrance. At the beginning of this year, much of the world met her for the first time - and looked on with bewilderment - as she strode into the BRIT Awards flanked by two oiled and muscular subs holding up her giant blue ponytails. Elsewhere, the night was business-as-usual. Meanwhile this newcomer’s turn on the red carpet felt like a proper pop moment: think Lady Gaga’s meat dress, Rihanna’s custard-hued Met Gala couture, or Britney Spears brandishing a snake. Chatting to journalists flanking the walkway, Ashnikko used the opportunity to grab their microphones, merrily yelling “fuck the patriarchy” as she went.

Capturing this kind of delicious silliness is something that Ashnikko does very well – prior to her conversation with DIY, a garish blue shoebox bound with a heavy metal chain arrives one late and spooky evening, complete with a combination code. Housed within, there are bountiful treats: a bottle of lube, a lacey blue thong, some blue roses, hair spray, and a slightly spooky-looking doll bearing the singer’s likeness. Happy Christmas!

“If you can hear, my voice is a little raspy,” Ashnikko informs us a couple of days later. Over the weekend she’s been necking shots and partying, and with good reason – we’re speaking just two days after Donald Trump was finally ousted from the White House in the 2020 US election. Born in the States, yet based predominantly in London, Ash has seen a series of terrible political developments unfold on both sides of the Atlantic over the last half decade – from Trump and Brexit to respective governments’ handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Being confronted with a positive crumb of news at this point feels exceedingly odd. “I am SO hungover,” she laughs, a hint of Southern twang emphasising the “so” for effect. Despite this, however, she’s managing to sound relatively chipper. “I drank so much tequila last night, literally a whole bottle. Too much celebrating…”

Booze-fog gradually lifting in the stark light of day, and with big plans for a restorative smoothie later on, Ashnikko is cautiously jubilant - but acknowledges that the victory of Democratic President-Elect Joe Biden now needs to be followed by substantial and progressive change. The US turning blue is not enough on its own. “Biden winning is cause for celebration for sure, but it’s just the tip of the iceberg really with all of the problems in America,” she says. “I’m hoping this is a step in the right direction. It’s just nice to not have a very outwardly racist, homophobic and misogynist piece of shit in office.” Next up, she’s hopeful that the UK will follow suit in voting out Boris Johnson - “the other man with horrible hair.”