Tkay Maidza is the pint sized Australian performer with gigantic talent. She’s currently splitting her time between recording songs—her new album will be released later in the year—slaying huge festivals around the globe, and shooting conceptual videos on Spanish clifftops. When she’s not performing with Charlie XCX, working with SBTRKT and being name-checked by Killer Mike, she continues to be in demand with the world’s best producers, repeatedly delivering perfectly formed pop-rap songs with her effortless flow.
We spoke to Tkay, in the midst of a manicure in a nail salon in LA, to find out about the music that has inspired and influenced her in her life, work and career so far.
The first record I ever bought was…
The Titanic album. I think I was, like, four years old and it was a movie that I watched all the time. I really like the Celine Dion songs. My Heart Will Go On was like my favourite so my parents gave me money and that was what I bought.
The song that inspired me to start making music was…
Power by Kanye West. I was just really interested in what he was saying; it was just funny to me. I found an instrumental version of it on Youtube and I decided to write my own version. I just wrote a completely different song on top of it with a different chorus and everything. And I made a homemade music video, it was so bad. This was like five years ago when I was 15.
What song or record reminds me of my past?
This would have to be Hey Ya! by Outkast from their record Speakerbox – I think that was my first childhood album. My parents would drive me around listening to it and it was so timeless. We’d also dance to it at house parties but parents would turn it off when Roses came on because the ending is not that PG.
The record that I can always come back to is…
Promises by Jhene Aiko. It’s a ballad and she’s talking to her young daughter about how she’s going to be okay and everything’s going to be fine and she’s going to make everybody really proud. I just really like it because it’s really soothing and if I’m sad I listen to it and I’m like, “yes, everything is going to be fine”. That’s why I like it.
My favourite track from my all time favourite producer?
I have two, both by Timbaland: What Goes Around Comes Around by Justin Timberlake and She’s a Bitch by Missy Elliot. I love that you can tell it’s Timbaland whenever he’s involved in a song or whenever he’s a part of something. And they’re really simple lyrics as well. I really like him because there’s not a lot going on but every time the bass kicks in, it makes such a big difference – you can just tell it’s him on songs where the vibe just changes so dramatically.
My squad’s song is…
Right now it’s Talk is Cheap by Chet Faker and I Write Sins Not Tragedies by Panic! At The Disco. When my friends and I were all, like, 12 Panic! At The Disco were the biggest thing, so I guess that’s why we love it. It always changes, so the current one is Talk is Cheap.
The most inspirational song in the world is…
I listen to I Was Here by Beyoncé to get inspired.
The music I listen to before I go onstage is…
I like to watch Charli XCX on stage because she’s so crazy. I like her attitude and what she plays, it doesn’t really matter what song it is. We played Groovin the Moo together. Otherwise I just put on a random dance song or trap song really, like Travis Scott or something?
To relax I listen to…
Janet Jackson or older Missy Elliot. They’re who I go to when I’m tired or otherwise when I want to learn something. In terms of specific songs to relax to, I’ll listen to Empty by Janet Jackson. I need these ladies in my life.
My ultimate gym song is…
It would have to be Powerless by Rudimental. I like their whole album. I’ve just realised that I’m going to be that person choosing all the recent songs because I’m like a kid compared to everybody else.
Credits
Photography Byron Spencer
Styling Kurt Johnson