KUKII on 'Rare Baby' EP, Musical Identity, and Artistic Activism

The Evolution of KUKII

• 💡 The Franco-Egyptian-Iranian artist, formerly known as Lafawndah, has rebranded as KUKII, signifying a reclamation of forgotten family history and a fluid, ageless identity.
• ✨ This new persona is described as a "worldly being" embodying aspects of a child, a teenager, and a wise elder, existing outside a linear timeline.

Cairo's Influence on Sound

• 🎶 A transformative trip to Cairo inspired KUKII's latest EP, "Rare Baby," blending North African and Middle Eastern music with her signature pop sound.
• ⚡ The EP captures the chaotic and punk spirit of Cairo's street pop, particularly the unleashed vocal styles that prioritize urgency over slickness.
• 💬 KUKII connected with her aunt in Cairo, who, despite being on her deathbed, showed immense passion for music, particularly Rai and Accon, inspiring KUKII's name change.

Artistic Expression and Activism

• 🎬 The music video for "Tongue Torment" was inspired by films like Peter Greenaway's "The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover" and "Tampopo," exploring themes of cannibalistic love and obsession.
• 🌍 KUKII views her EP as a battle cry or manifesto, emphasizing the importance of artists using their platforms to speak out on global issues like Gaza and Iran.
• ✊ She advocates for a free Iran and rejects the false dichotomy between oppressive regimes, dreaming of a future where people decide for themselves.

Childhood Musical Roots

• 🏡 Growing up in her grandparents' house in Tehran, KUKII was immersed in a vibrant artistic community with "open Tuesdays" for musicians, filmmakers, and writers.
• 🎵 Her early musical influences included classical Persian music and folk songs, particularly those collected and performed by singer Simin Behbahani, who inspired KUKII's vocal techniques and melodies.