Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Kenny Iko

Kenny Iko is an emerging R&B phenomenon who’s quickly leaving his mark on the industry. With a sound that’s timeless yet innovative with energy for days, Kenny is pouring everything he has into his craft, and we couldn’t be more impressed. We recently caught up with Kenny to chat about his career, making the transition from a supergroup to a solo artist, and his new single, “Everything.”

PC: How did you discover your passion for music?
Kenny: When I was growing up, my whole family was involved in the church choir. So I started off watching my parents, my aunts, and my uncles singing in church. I decided to try it out and I was always scared to do it. Then I started watching Michael Jackson music videos and that changed my life.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Kenny: Personally, I would say my parents. They support me in everything I do. They support their kids to the fullest. We grew up in an environment where it was okay to be yourself—okay to do what you want to do. Like I said, they’re just super supportive. I’ve seen my friends and their households and that’s not always the case.

As far as professionally, I would say Michael Jackson. He’s my idol. Everything he did was so iconic, and he set the bar so high. He took the music industry to a whole other level. You can’t do anything but love that guy.

PC: You were the lead singer of 4EY. What did you learn from that experience that you’ve now been able to apply to your solo career moving forward?
Kenny: With the group, I learned discipline. I learned how much it really takes to be the type of artist that you want to be. You say you want to be like Usher, you want to be like Chris Brown, but it’s a lot of work that people don’t get to see behind the scenes. You learn what you have to do to get to that level. That development stage was super important.

I also learned when you’re on stage, it’s always a competition. You want to be the best. You don’t want to be the worst or the one that didn’t get the most fans screaming for you. It was always a friendly competition. I took that competitiveness with me, even though there’s no one else on the stage with me this time. But I still have that energy anytime I perform.

PC: You’ve had a lot of success throughout the years. When you look back, is there a particular moment that stands out to you?
Kenny: The biggest moment that stands out for me is when I was able to release my first single as a solo artist. It was a song called “Nobody,” produced by the Directors. That song helped me put my mark. It was more grown conceptually compared to what I was doing in the group. It shows people that I’m an adult now, and this is me. I think that was my defining intro to the game.

PC: You’ve got a new single out now. Tell us about “Everything” and what inspired the song.
Kenny: “Everything” is out now on all music platforms. I’m super excited about it. It’s pretty much just me saying in a relationship, I want to give you my all. If you give me your all, then this love is unlimited. It’s just a very put-together love song where it shows just genuine love for the person that you’re in love with. The fact that everyone keeps saying it reminds them of Michael Jackson is the icing on the cake for me. I’m loving it.

PC: Of all the singles that you’ve released thus far, if you had to pick one that best encompasses who you are as an artist, what would it be and why?
Kenny: I would say “Nobody.” That song showed the urban side of me. It’s one of the best songs I’ve written so far. I have some new stuff that’s about to come out again, and hopefully, it’ll blow your mind. But this one, it really showed that even though I’m an R&B soul singer, we can keep up with today’s time without losing that soul or musicality.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Kenny: I’m definitely a K-pop fan. I’m in love with Big Bang, but I think they’re disbanded right now. So BTS and Blackpink, they’re both on my playlist right now. I like every song Blackpink has put out, and BTS are my boys.

PC: First album you bought?
Kenny: I think it was Omarion’s. His very first solo album after B2K.

PC: First concert you attended?
Kenny: It was 50 Cent and Ciara.

PC: An album that changed your life and why?
Kenny: Oh, man! Usher’s Confessions. That album is one of the holy grails for R&B. Every song was a hit. Every song, I wanted to learn the words and do covers of it. He put so much into that album—so much talent, so much vocal creativity. It was out of this world.

PC: A venue on your bucket list to perform at?
Kenny: Madison Square Garden.

PC: A must-have on the road?
Kenny: My phone and I would say my hair products. I’ve got to have the curls popping at all times. I can’t go anywhere without that if I’m on the road.

To keep up with Kenny, follow him on Twitter and Instagram. pick up or stream “Everything” today.