Ashnikko ProfileAmerican rapper, singer, and songwriter Ashnikko stopped by triple j studios on her recent Australian tour, covering a Gwen Stefani classic for Like a Version.
Joined by a full backing band for the first time, including a harpist, Ashnikko brings the drama and some electropop energy to Gwen Stefani’s What You Waiting For? They sing the song similarly to Stefani’s original, with some of her own extra flair.
Ashnikko’s band bring backing vocals and live instrumentation, keeping the song brash and exciting.
Discussing the cover, Ashnikko described What You Waiting For? as the song of her childhood and the song that inspired her to make music. Meanwhile, Stefani’s 2004 debut solo album, Love. Angel. Music. Baby., inspired Ashnikko’s musical journey. “It feels right, full circle,” they said.
Ashnikko explained that she discovered Love. Angel. Music. Baby. at age 11, when she received the CD as a present. “I love this song because it feels like four different voices speaking to each other, kind of like, talking over each other manically, as if you’re having a conversation with yourself about time running out, about anxiety in your career,” she added.
“It feels very real and very personal, but also quite whimsical and silly. I really like this song, and it feels very vulnerable. I like what Gwen is saying. She’s right; there is an anxiety to making music as a woman.”
Ashnikko channelled all of those feelings into her cover, which you can watch below. She also discussed the song choice with triple j and performed one of her own songs, Sticky Fingers.
Ashnikko brought their SMOOCHIES Tour to Australia and New Zealand last month, returning to Australia after opening for Billie Eilish across the East Coast last year. Check out a gallery from Ashnikko’s Sydney show on The Music.
SMOOCHIES is Ashnikko’s most personal body of work to date. As a follow-up to her 2023 debut album WEEDKILLER, the album expands sonically on the singer’s hybrid pop sound and takes a more autobiographical approach to the lyrics.
