Foundations in Fashion and Early Accolades

Nik Thakkar’s career began in the fashion industry, where he gained early recognition after being scouted in Paris by Jean Paul Gaultier. He went on to appear as part of Gaultier’s AW13–14 digital campaign, establishing himself within a major luxury house’s creative output.

He subsequently worked across campaigns and projects with leading fashion brands including Louis Vuitton, Tom Ford, and others associated with the global luxury sector. His involvement included participation in Louis Vuitton’s “Art of Packing” campaign and Tom Ford’s short film “An Ode to Oud,” positioning him within high-end visual and cinematic fashion storytelling.

Alongside this, he co-founded the fashion label Ada + Nik with designer Ada Zanditon. The label presented collections at London Fashion Week and New York Fashion Week, operating within the runway circuit as both a creative and design-led project.

In 2015, Ada + Nik received the GenArt Prize at New York Fashion Week, marking an important industry accolade recognising emerging design talent.

Additional recognition during this period included being voted one of Time Out Magazine’s Top 100 Creatives and appearing on OUT magazine’s “most eligible bachelors” lists multiple times, reflecting his visibility within both fashion and cultural media.

Collaborations, Innovation, and Brand Work

Thakkar’s fashion career also included experimental collaborations and cross-disciplinary projects. Notably, he worked with will.i.am on a camera-enabled biker jacket, exploring early intersections between fashion and wearable technology.

His broader brand and creative collaborations extended to global companies such as Coca-Cola, Xbox, Motorola, and Selfridges, where he contributed to creative direction and campaign-related work.

He was also associated with high-profile fashion houses including Jean Paul Gaultier, Louis Vuitton, Versace, Tom Ford, and Karl Lagerfeld on campaigns and fashion films, reinforcing his position within the luxury fashion ecosystem.

Media Presence and Industry Recognition

Thakkar’s work has been featured in major publications and media outlets, including Vogue, GQ, Forbes, The Guardian, The Telegraph, Sunday Times Style, Style.com, and VICE, which described him as “one of the premier creative minds in London.”

His visibility across both mainstream and niche fashion media contributed to his profile as a culturally embedded figure within creative industries.

Transition into NEO 10Y

The emergence of NEO 10Y marks a shift from industry participation to self-defined artistic authorship. Rather than operating primarily within fashion systems, Thakkar began developing a multidisciplinary identity that integrates music, visual presentation, performance, and conceptual storytelling.

Under the NEO 10Y identity, his work expands beyond fashion into a unified creative practice where identity itself becomes a central theme.

Music, Distribution, and Digital Presence

As NEO 10Y, Thakkar is an independent recording artist distributed through AWAL. His music is supported by a strong digital presence, with releases and visual projects often accompanied by self-produced “hyper reality” music videos.

These videos have gained attention for their stylised, immersive aesthetic and have contributed to his visibility across digital platforms.

His music has also been supported through placements on major streaming playlists across Spotify, Apple Music, and TIDAL, including editorial and algorithmic playlists such as Glitch, Cosmic Playlists, misfits 2.0, TRANSCEND, Discover Weekly, and Your Daily Mix.

Live Performances and Events

Live performance forms a central component of NEO 10Y’s artistic practice. His shows are often described as immersive 360-degree experiences that combine music, fashion, and visual identity into a cohesive presentation.

He has performed at a range of venues and events across London, Europe, and the United States, including:

• Roundhouse in London
• Troxy in London
• Raves and curated live music events
• Secret Garden Party festival
• West Hollywood Pride
• UK Black Pride
• Billboard magazine event in New York City
• Headlining London’s official Royal Diwali

These performances position him within both music and cultural event circuits, rather than a single genre-specific environment.

Press Coverage and Media Features

NEO 10Y has been featured across a wide range of publications and media platforms, including Billboard, Paper, COLORS, Dazed, BBC, Evening Standard, Rolling Stone, them, CLASH, Earmilk, Notion, Noctis, L’Officiel, GQ, Gal Dem, and Interview Magazine.

His work has also been covered in broadcast media, including appearances and features on Sky News, BBC London, BBC World Service, BBC Three, and MTV.

Coverage often focuses on his multidisciplinary identity, the intersection of fashion and music, and his approach to self-expression and performance.

Television and Documentary Appearance

A notable media appearance includes participation in the Channel 4 documentary “Higher Ground,” where he appeared as the first person to take psychedelics on UK national television. This appearance contributed to broader discussions around consciousness, culture, and personal exploration within a televised format.

Activism, Education, and Public Engagement

Alongside his creative work, NEO 10Y is active in advocacy and education. He has delivered guest lectures at institutions such as London College of Fashion, Central Saint Martins, and University of the Arts London.

He is also associated with activism in areas including veganism, environmental awareness, LGBTQ+ intersectionality, yoga, and reiki. His work has intersected with organisations such as PETA, The Vegan Society, Greenpeace, and National Geographic through campaigns and collaborative projects.

Additionally, he has hosted and participated in public events including National Animal Rights Day in London and the launch of the Goodluck Hope riverside development.

Entrepreneurship and Product Development

Expanding beyond music and fashion, Thakkar launched GODDEX, a gender-expansive fragrance concept aligned with his broader artistic philosophy. The project reflects his continued interest in identity, inclusivity, and sensory expression as part of a wider creative ecosystem.

Continuity Across Disciplines

The transition from fashion to NEO 10Y does not represent a break, but rather a reconfiguration of existing strengths into a more autonomous framework. Skills developed in fashion, including visual presentation, branding, collaboration, and conceptual thinking, continue to inform his work across music and performance.

His career demonstrates continuity across multiple disciplines, with fashion serving as both a foundation and an ongoing influence within his artistic output.

Conclusion

NEO 10Y’s trajectory reflects a progression from fashion industry recognition, supported by campaigns, runway shows, collaborations, and awards, into a multidisciplinary artistic identity defined by live performance, recorded music, media presence, and cultural engagement.

With features across major publications, performances at internationally recognised venues and events, playlist support across major streaming platforms, and participation in activism and education, his work operates across intersecting creative fields. The result is a unified artistic practice where fashion, music, identity, and performance converge into a single evolving narrative.

The post NEO 10Y (Nik Thakkar): From Fashion Insider to Multidisciplinary Artist appeared first on KIMU.

Early Breakthrough and Luxury Campaign Work

Nik Thakkar’s entry into the fashion world came through notable early recognition. He was scouted in Paris by Jean Paul Gaultier and went on to become part of Gaultier’s AW13–14 digital campaign. This positioned him not simply as a participant but as a visible face within a major luxury house’s global communication strategy.

From there, he expanded into collaborations with other major brands, including Louis Vuitton and Tom Ford. One of his credited appearances includes Louis Vuitton’s “Art of Packing” campaign, as well as involvement in Tom Ford’s short film “An Ode to Oud.” These projects placed him within the visual and conceptual storytelling side of fashion, where campaigns often blend cinematic production with brand identity.

At this stage, his role aligned with that of a model and campaign figure, working alongside established creative teams while building recognition within the luxury sector.

Ada + Nik: Founding a Fashion Label

A major development in his career was the co-founding of the fashion label Ada + Nik with designer Ada Zanditon. The brand operated within the runway ecosystem, presenting collections at both London Fashion Week and New York Fashion Week over multiple seasons.

Ada + Nik became known for its futuristic, dark aesthetic and its engagement with gender-fluid design principles. The label explored silhouettes and concepts that challenged conventional distinctions in menswear and womenswear, aligning with broader shifts in fashion toward non-binary expression.

In 2015, Ada + Nik received the GenArt Prize at New York Fashion Week, marking recognition within an industry platform that highlights emerging design talent. This period represents a transition in Thakkar’s career from participant to creator, as he moved into shaping collections and presenting them on international runways.

Collaboration with Will.i.am and Wearable Technology

Beyond traditional fashion design, Nik Thakkar engaged in experimental collaboration that intersected with technology and innovation. One of the most notable examples is his work with will.i.am, where they developed a camera-enabled biker jacket concept.

This project reflects an early exploration of wearable technology in fashion, combining functional hardware with garment design. It also situates Thakkar within a niche of fashion creatives interested in merging product design with digital functionality, rather than limiting work to aesthetic expression alone.

Brand Consulting and Industry Work

In addition to design and modeling, Thakkar has contributed to brand strategy and creative consultancy for several major companies. His portfolio includes work connected to Coca-Cola, specifically Diet Coke, as well as projects involving Xbox, Motorola, and Selfridges.

This aspect of his career highlights a behind-the-scenes role in shaping campaigns and creative direction. Rather than being solely a front-facing figure, he operated in advisory and conceptual capacities, contributing to how brands communicate visually and culturally.

Fashion Industry Presence and Cultural Visibility

Throughout the mid-2010s, Nik Thakkar maintained a visible presence within the fashion circuit. He was frequently associated with events, shows, and social environments that overlap with major industry gatherings, including fashion weeks and brand activations.

His positioning within this space contributed to his reputation as a recurring figure in high-profile fashion environments. This visibility extended beyond formal roles, placing him within a network of designers, brands, media figures, and creatives who collectively shape contemporary fashion culture.

Expansion into Fragrance and Identity-Driven Projects

Thakkar later expanded his creative output into product development beyond clothing. One example is the launch of GODDEX, a genderless fragrance concept that aligns with his broader interest in identity, spirituality, and self-expression.

This move reflects a continuation of themes present throughout his work, where fashion, personal identity, and conceptual storytelling intersect. Rather than operating strictly within apparel, his projects began to encompass broader lifestyle and sensory experiences.

Positioning Within the Fashion Ecosystem

Across his career, Nik Thakkar’s role has shifted between several interconnected positions:

• Campaign face for luxury brands such as Jean Paul Gaultier, Louis Vuitton, and Tom Ford
• Co-founder and designer of the Ada + Nik label
• Collaborator in experimental projects involving figures like will.i.am
• Consultant for global brands including Coca-Cola, Xbox, Motorola, and Selfridges
• Participant in runway presentations at London Fashion Week and New York Fashion Week

This combination of roles places him within a hybrid category of fashion professional, where modeling, design, consulting, and cultural participation overlap rather than exist as separate paths.

Conclusion

Nik Thakkar’s fashion background forms the foundation of his broader creative identity as NEO 10Y. Beginning with early recognition in Paris and involvement in major luxury campaigns, he transitioned into co-founding a runway label, collaborating on experimental design projects, and contributing to brand strategy across industries.

His career reflects a consistent presence within high fashion environments, supported by collaborations with established designers, global brands, and creative figures. Over time, this foundation expanded into a multidisciplinary practice that integrates fashion, identity, technology, and cultural expression into a unified creative approach.

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You can stream the podcast episode via London Canna Group.

From LCG:

LCG Talks is a podcast by London Canna Group, a comprehensive cannabis consultancy based in London, UK. 

The first season covers cannabis media interviews. Episode recorded on 30th October 2019. The first season is hosted by LCG Marketing Director BluntPublicist.

In this episode, we speak to NEO 10Y, aka Nik Thakkar. Nik is an award-winning multidisciplinary, performing and recording artist from London. A long term advocate for the cannabis plant and its relationship to consciousness and healing, Nik has been integrating cannabis into his work across art, fashion and music. He has been featured in publications from Vogue to GQ, Paper to Dazed and Billboard to the Evening Standard and works frequently with the BBC across World Service, TV and Radio. As a vegan, Nik is an advocate for consciousness, human rights, animals rights and the planet and has worked with National Geographic twice in the last year. 

CBDecoded is a London-based, independent digital platform dedicated to enhancing the understanding and communication of the health and wellness benefits of the cannabis plant – specifically Cannabidiol, also known as CBD. CBDecoded also seeks to destigmatise and humanise the plant by profiling individuals that have benefited from the plant around the world.

Nik talks about working with brands, creating content, industry and diversity. 

The post London Canna Group Talk Podcast: Cannabis and NEO 10Y appeared first on KIMU.

Announcing new singles and a London show very soon! Stay tuned to www.instagram.com/NEO10Y for more.

The post NEO 10Y for Quazar Magazine appeared first on KIMU.

NT: Tell me more about the shoot, what’s the inspiration?
NEO 10Y: This editorial was created with Xander Cruz from Barcelona, but we shot it in London. It’s in line with two songs that I’ve just released “Stan Yourself” and “Feedback Loop” (which just came out on 11/11) which are both about self-realisation, enhancing consciousness and coming to terms with yourself. I wanted to showcase a little more raw intimacy because they’re both really personal tracks but also I’ve been on a path of human optimisation and wanted to show the physical world results! The editorial is shot on film, so doesn’t have the luxury of digital editing which I love. It’s really me in my rawest form. 

NT: What does sexuality mean to you?
NEO 10Y: There’s been a definite evolution with owning my oneness. Like most queer people, I systemically once identified as heterosexual and had girlfriends as a teenager, even though I knew there was more to me. I “came out” as bisexual at university and then pretty much exclusively dated men for a few years before realising my true pansexual nature for the last few years. I’m not a massive fan of labels but as a being the terms terms I am most comfortable with are queer, non-binary and pansexual. I believe in openness and connect with individuals on a spiritual level regardless of how they “perform” in the physical world. 

NT: Tell me a little more about how sex plays a role in your music and visuals?
NEO 10Y: Since the first NEO 10Y visual that I made back in 2016, you see me playing a drug forlorn Mickey Mouse impersonator in Times Square in NYC, who has a sexual relationship with me in a Donald Trump mask. We fuck during the film, which is quite a jarring scene and has a juxtaposition which is partially hot and partially terrifying. It’s mean to symbolise Amerikkka being fucked over. The video was pulled down a few times and banned on Facebook and censored on YouTube which is an ongoing challenge.  People say that my delivery is sexy during a lot of my tracks but it’s also balanced out with a sense of bipolar insanity. I think you really get that vibe from Feedback Loop. My video for Dopamine also sees a sort of Lars Von Trier esque love relationship with a mannequin and then I guess there’s a lot of overall nudity in my art which for me is post-materialism but I guess to the general public can be perceived as sexual. I get messages from people saying they have sex to my songs, which is really inspiring to me. Oh and I also have a song called Poems To Fuck To, so I guess yeah my music is sexy. Sexy and psychotic but consciousness evolving at the same time. It’s what you get from a bipolar human I suppose. 

NT: What is your perspective on the censorship of queer art online?
NEO 10Y: It’s really frustrating and it seems to be getting worse. I don’t quite understand why they’re doing this. I thought the world was becoming more “free”, and in a sense it is, but the conservative people are all trying to claw it back and reclaim their power. I think it is horrifically appalling that femme bodies are censored and nipples are not allowed on platforms like Instagram and Facebook which literally makes them misogynistic and oppressive platforms. It’s the worst. Zuckerberg should be fully ashamed of himself for this gross inequality. It’s why I censored my nipples in a lot of my live shows and the Stan Yourself music video, in solidarity with the femmes. I don’t get it and if it frustrates me this much, I can only imagine how frustrated the girls are. 

NT: What is your perspective on the censorship of queer art online?
NEO 10Y: It’s really frustrating and it seems to be getting worse. I don’t quite understand why they’re doing this. I thought the world was becoming more “free”, and in a sense it is, but the conservative people are all trying to claw it back and reclaim their power. I think it is horrifically appalling that femme bodies are censored and nipples are not allowed on platforms like Instagram and Facebook which literally makes them misogynistic and oppressive platforms. It’s the worst. Zuckerberg should be fully ashamed of himself for this gross inequality. It’s why I censored my nipples in a lot of my live shows and the Stan Yourself music video, in solidarity with the femmes. I don’t get it and if it frustrates me this much, I can only imagine how frustrated the girls are. 

NT: From a music perspective, what is it like being a queer artist in an industry that has roots in homophobia? 
NEO 10Y: I think it’s getting better to an extent, for example, Billboard magazine really makes an effort to uplift queer artists, and we’re able to build and develop our own platforms and support each other but at the same time what I have found is that we’re kinda being siloed and a lot of traditional music outlets are almost less supportive because they see us being supported by our own community. I’ve had my own personal dramatic run-ins as well, there are people in the industry on power trips that abuse their positions of authority and that happened to me last year and early this year but we just have to be honest and transparent and filter out what type of predatory and abusive behaviour collectively. 

The post Interview: NEO 10Y for Pornceptual appeared first on KIMU.

The image featured is by my brother and LGBTQ+ ally Oz Thakkar.

Name, profession, where you live.

Hey Poorna, I’m recording artist NEO 10Y, I also go by Nikhil and Nik Thakkar depending on how you know me. I was born in London and have Indian / Gujarati heritage. 

You identify as non-binary – could you explain to people what that means? 

Identifying as non-binary for me is a cognitive awareness that we are spiritual beings taking on human form, and although my physical body is male and I would never appropriate womanhood, I am critically aware that my spirit consists of both “male” and “female” energies and I identify as non binary and pansexual with the aim of deconstructing gender based violence and discrimination. If more humans understood this, I think society would move forward towards a peaceful reality much quicker. Performance and dress code have little do with it for me as I am also post materialist. 

3Being gay and South Asian can be challenging given the conservatism of our community – could you talk me through your story –  what that was like growing up – were you able to be open about your identity?

Looking back, I was less than 10 years old when I realised that I had the capacity to be attracted to a human regardless of what gender they were, but it wasn’t event a concept. There was little to no conversation about queerness in media or culture when I was that age and it was something I naturally suppressed because it is what society suppressed. I certainly had no concept that queerness existed in ancient Indian cultures since the beginning of time but the fabric of this freedom was destroyed by colonialism. Had I known that, I think I would have been more accepting of myself and my journey. I wasn’t. My school was also really homophobic and gay jokes were the norm. This kid used to call me “woman”, in a mocking way but clearly he was more woke than I was in hindsight. LOL. 

I suppressed my feelings until I went to university where I felt more freedom within my intersections, but it was also there that I cut my name in half which I only realised in recent years was a way to become more racially ambiguous, get more work in an inherently racist society and avoid questions about my intersections which I now actually consider my super powers. 

The Indian things that have stayed with me for life are yoga, ancient Indian philosophy, kundalini and moody old Bollywood songs. I’m also vegan and eat compassionately and consciously. I think this inherently comes from my intersections and striving to understanding oppression in all forms. 

What was your coming out story and were you worried about acceptance? How did you explain it to your family? 

My parents are East African Asian and were mostly educated here so maybe it was easier than other Desi kids who had parents more affected by colonialism. I came out really casually as bisexual on the phone to my mum and then I called my dad and then the next time I went to see them, I came armed with scientific reports and research to back myself up, proving that homosexuality is normal in all species. They accepted it pretty quickly. 

I also reminded them of a story of a married man that they knew who spent years being dishonest with his wife and kids because of his closeted reality and how his story ended in chaos. I just wanted to be honest about my reality. That’s helped me a lot. 

I believe that sexuality is a spectrum and the more we all accept our pansexuality and the understanding that we are able to express love to different types of humans, the faster we will deconstruct the problematic elements associated with sexuality based violence in society. 

After coming out though with all my scientific facts and a story of love, my parents were pretty chilled. They always go with love first and are pretty woke, but I distanced myself from the extended family. I assumed everyone wouldn’t accept me and so I refused to accept them. A little of that has stayed with me, but today I don’t think they care that much and I am prouder of my existence than ever before so much more chilled going to family events. 

I’m now in a place where I can bring home my boyfriend to extended family dinners and my grandma says cute things like, “you’re my grandson too” to him. 

When you become a somewhat known person because of your creative accolades it makes being queer a super power all of a sudden –  and not a weakness, so if anyone wants to start with me about it, I have plenty of comebacks about freedom and honesty. I know this is not the case for everyone which is why I want to use any privilege that I might have to talk about this more and shift perceptions in the wider community. 

The LGBTQ+ community, particularly the cis gay community still suffers from a racism issue and honestly, there are still plenty of problematic gays who don’t want Asian people because of certain stereotypes implemented by the violence of entertainment, the Apu syndrome. F*ck them. You don’t want to share your energy with those types of regressive people anyway. 
Now I know my power is in my intersections and I’ve never been prouder to be myself. 

What are your thoughts around section 377 and the repealing of it?

377 was torture for an entire nation because of colonialism that the UK has never acknowledged or taken responsibility for. I was on the verge of shooting with a company to create a film to showcase, but once it was repealed, they chose not to pursue it further even though a bigger story about what impact it had on India, solely because of homophobic bigots and colonialism still needs to be told to the British public so that we can ALL collectively move forward. 

I was really sad to research the violence caused by 377 in India to our queer and trans siblings and at the exact same time it was legal to have gay marriage here. Wild. 

What challenges have you overcome to be able to be the person you are – what made it harder and what could have made it easier? 

I feel like I’ve spent years deconstructing reality to be proud to be myself in all forms. I had no role models growing up which is why I want to be that role model for kids today. You can live a kind and compassionate life, create anything you want and be proud of all your intersections. 

Self acceptance is hard no matter who you are, but in this colonial built society, before wokeness and conversations even like the one you and I are having existed, it was much harder to accept your intersections and marginal identity. 

It would have been easier if society was more honest and I am eternally grateful for social media and the work of LGBTQ+ activists globally who have really made it much easier for us to be ourselves today.  

Any last thoughts or anything else you’d like to say?

I truly do believe that my intersections are my super powers and I have never been so happy to be myself. I believe I’m using my voice as an artist to evolve culture and thinking, to push boundaries and reinvent the glass ceiling. 

On October 10, I have a song called Stan Yourself coming out which embodies this message of self acceptance and self realisation, so that we can collectively save the world. The song is accompanied by a 10-point manifesto / plan for world peace that I have created. 

The post Your Intersections Are Your Superpowers appeared first on KIMU.

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The collection includes four fragrances in 7.5ml perfume vials: Straight to Heaven (rich dark rum and addictive vanilla with dried fruit), the iconic Black Phantom (danger and darkness through a beautiful coffee creation filled with cyanide and rum), Intoxicated (rich Turkish coffee laced with green cardamom as well as spicy cinnamon and hallucinogenic nutmeg), and the meditative Gold Knight (bergamot and a warm golden shimmer of vanilla and anise). Obsessed.

The travel set comes in a jet-black lacquered travel spray which we photographed during a recent NEO 10Y shoot and documentary (see above and below). Can’t show much more of the editorial at this stage, but the photo is by Nilik Khimani and the pants are by designer Zhan Kai.

You can see the detail of the engraved Achilles shield motif (I love the geometry, I find it really hypnotising) along the sides – as said by the brand themselves “a veritable cult object of design”. Love love love.

Additional images provided by Kilian.

The post Experience: Kilian’s Cellar Icons Set appeared first on KIMU.

In the interview we talked about my music, the NEO 10Y performance at Black Pride, consciousness and the future of humanity etc., the usual!

The post NEO 10Y: videoblogg Performance and Interview appeared first on KIMU.

If you didn’t know already, Tom Ford has a Men’s Grooming Private Suite downstairs in the Covent Garden store and you can experience a range of services from a Beard Trim to a Luxury Facial – all at fairly reasonable prices, considering it is Tom Ford! You can head to www.tomfordbeauty.co.uk for bookings.

The series was shot all over the space, providing a futuristic backdrop for the images – of course. We also brought my Flying V guitar down, which fitted in seamlessly with the shiny black surfaces in the Tom Ford space.

Here’s a full transcript of the interview:

NEO 10Y talks music, cannabis and being gender non-binary

The fashion-designer-turned musician has rediscovered his voice 

Musician, visual artist, fashion designer, yogi and cannabis advocate are just a few of the ways Nik Thakkar describes himself, but he’d probably rather you call him by his stage name: NEO 10Y.

Thakkar’s cerebral approach to his science-inspired moniker sets the tone for the artist’s musical repertoire, which he explains is full of “self realisation” and a mission to understand “the bigger picture of our existence” – all accompanied by high concept visuals and Thakkar’s dreamlike vocals.

The past few years appear to have been full of self-discovery for Thakkar, who after nearly a decade has returned to music. With an aesthetic honed by his previous life as a fashion designer for Ada + Nik, his non-binary identity and his conscious approach to politics, life and everything in between, Thakkar’s work challenges the norm with explicit lyrics and controversial visual imagery – some of which has resulted in death threats.

With fans like Tom Ford and more falling under NEO 10Y’s spell, we spoke to Thakkar about what it means to be non-binary, Internet trolls and worshipping the “divine female.”

Your stage name NEO 10Y is inspired by a phrase in biological science, can you explain why you chose it?

“When I started making songs as NEO 10Y, I was inspired by a vigilante super hero version of myself and because I had done a lot of work under my birth name, I felt like I wanted an evolution. I found the word neoteny in biology which means the retention of childhood characteristics in adulthood, which when you translate it to a spiritual sense, it’s the idea of leading with your heart open and the lack of judgement and systemic oppression you have when you are a kid. 

It’s also really cool that it has N.T. within it, and is digitized to the number 10 which, if you think about the universe in 1s and 0s, represents the a sense of completeness in binary code.” 

You gave up on music for nearly a decade, what led you to go back?

“I actually lost out on a music scholarship at school, and it definitely left me stunted. Also at that time there was never a place for an artist like me. I’m really grateful of the digital evolution of music and the democratisation of creative license in the space, because that’s how I can still be in charge off my own voice, aesthetic, vision and message. 

When I learnt piano as a kid, I was taught to essentially do piano recitals, but it felt too robotic to me and I didn’t identify with that part of the process. I went on to teach myself the guitar, which I played open mic nights on and off for a while but it wasn’t until three years ago that I felt I was in a place where I had a voice and valid message to share real songs with.”

Your concept film The Kid That Killed Trump drew a lot of ire when it dropped and resulted in death threats. Did you know when you were creating it that it would court controversy?

“I knew what I was doing… to an extent. I did it anonymously because I was legitimately scared of potential political repercussions because no one had expressed this visually yet – and it was before he was even president. Kathy Griffin and Snoop Dogg and countless others came afterwards, which only proves group consciousness and the public sentiment.

The death threats are just social media having a field day and you have to kind of laugh it off. Internet trolls are part and parcel of this entertainment reality… the anti vegan comments I get are worse half the time!”

There’s been a lot of discussion about what it means to be non-binary, especially following Sam Smith’s announcement earlier this year. As a non-binary individual yourself, are there any common misconceptions you’ve come across? 

“For me, non binary is a very spiritual and innate sense of understanding that we are all comprised of male and female energies. For me personally, I worship the divine female as much as I possibly can in the physical world that we live in, but I am not trans as I do not have gender dysphoria. 

Even though I am in a male body, my spirit does not subscribe to gender norms and I think that if everyone acknowledged their non binary nature, we would generate a lot more peace and equality in the world. 

A common misconception about non binary individuals is that some type of wardrobe or physical world change is required.  It is simply a spiritual state of understanding the fluidity of gender within yourself.

We will not see a reduction in toxic masculinity if cis het males think that being non binary and accepting their female energy means that they need to change their physical appearance. Gen Z are all woke, queer, non binary, pansexuals in the making, so there’s hope yet!”

Beyond music, you’ve worked in the fashion industry for brands including Louis Vuitton and Jean Paul Gautier and had your own fashion brand Ada + Nik – does fashion still play a big role in your creative life?

“Personal style definitely does! I love expression through uniqueness and iconography, and if anything, designing my own wardrobe with Ada + Nik for four years definitely helped elevate that for me. I am so grateful to have such amazing creative friends around me. Ada is slaying with Ada Zanditon Couture, she dressed Ariana [Grande] for the God Is A Woman video and we still collaborate on shoots.

Personally, I am at a stage where I am really happy creating ethereal constructs through songs, visuals and live shows. I think a lot about our impact on the planet and so I’m not currently putting anything physical out there at this stage, but who knows. I still work with brands that I respect. I love Tom Ford [the accompanying shoot was groomed by Tom Ford Beauty at their concept store in Covent Garden] and he’s vegan now too, which really sets the bar for the future of the industry, a really exciting time.”

What’s next?

“I am in the studio at the moment working on some new tracks for later this year. I just filmed a mini documentary with BBC Ideas, and I am doing more consciousness work – ‘vodcasts’, talks and guest lectures. I am also working with the healing power of plants, particularly cannabis, which is finally becoming more available in the UK.”

So weed and music for the rest of 2019 – iconic!’ 

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