Our latest edition of Mixtapes finds Ashnikko picking out some very personal prompts and creating a playlist perfect for smoochies — good and bad, alike.
Pulling from our bowl of prompts for the newest episode of Mixtapes, Ashnikko noted, “Oh my god, y’all really did your research. This is a crazy one.” You’re damn right we did our research; when the wild and wildly talented Ashnikko comes through Gold-Diggers Los Angeles to play your little music discovery game, you don’t half-ass it! See what transpired above or via YouTube, and listen to her full Mixtapes playlist on Spotify.
Rather than going completely random with our cues, we decided to dig deep into the genre-smashing singer/rapper’s history and her whole “vibe” for a hyper Ashnikko-coded series of situations. We knew she loved going to the City Museum in St. Louis, so what would she choose to soundtrack a personalized adventure through the attraction’s caves and treehouses? (Nicki Minaj’s “Roman Holiday.”) We heard she fantasizes about opening a queer femme bathhouse called “Hole,” so what would be playing as customers sink into the warm waters? (Her own “She’s So Pretty,” of course.) Her new album is called Smoochies, so what song plays in her head when a goodnight smoochie comes after a good date (“Freek-a-Leek” by Petey Pablo) or a bad one (“Spiritus Sanctus Vivificans” by Hildegard von Bingen — ‘natch).
Of course, there are a few curveballs in there as well, like DJing Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding reception (Ayesha Erotica’s “WHORE IDOL”), or seeing a fan’s tattoo has the wrong lyrics (Natasha Bedingfield’s “Unwritten”). But with everything from Ashnikko-shaped trinkets to introducing new fans to her sound to making up that infamously canceled Doja Cat tour, this Mixtapes playlist really gives you insight into not just the artist’s tastes, but her lore as well.
See how Shop Boyz, Ciara, and even more of her own tracks end up on the playlist by watching Ashnikko’s Mixtapes above and on YouTube. You can also hear the complete collection of songs via the Spotify playlist below, and get tickets to her upcoming tour dates here.
