Hi Aiivko, and thanks for being with us today! Your work on your previous albums “Cassette Vol. 1 and 2” is incredible, and we are thrilled to know more about your artistic journey, so let’s start from the very beginning. When did you discover your passion for music?

 Aiivko – Thank you so much for today, When I was around the age of 11 or 12, I used to edit songs and make them sound louder or cleaned and I would upload them on the game “ROBLOX”. Back then I was labeled as an audio maker and I would take that name up until early 2021. Around that time, I quit the game and lost connections to everyone I used to know on it. In early 2022 I decided to download FL Studio and give it a shot. I didn’t take anything serious up until Nov 2022 when I made my first beat ever. It was never released but once 2023 came is when I started uploading my beats on SoundCloud under the name “AKKN”. Then as I progressed, I switched to the main platforms like Spotify, apple music, etc. 

Your latest release, and the Deluxe albums “Cassette Vol. 1 (Deluxe) & Cassette Vol. 2 (Deluxe)” are proof of your incredible creativity. Can you tell us more about these releases?

 Aiivko – Growing up I was always a big fan of old Memphis cassette tape music. When I would listen to songs that were processed through a cassette, I instantly fell in love with the way it sounded. I knew someday I would be able to create these types of songs. After I’d say like 9 SoundCloud releases is when I started to work on Cassette Vol 1. The album was originally supposed to be an EP with 6 songs. I ended up adding 9 extra songs and labeled it an Album. That’s when the Cassette series was born. After a while of constantly giving up and losing motivation. Once I heard the Yin Yang Tapes by $uicideboy$ I immediately got back on FL Studio and made Cassette Vol 2. After the album was made I decided to add a Deluxe version as well because one of my friends was nagging at me to make one at a party. Stupid but I ended up loving the idea.

Where do you find your inspiration?

 Aiivko – I would say I find my inspiration from the music I listen to. I LOVE music with a huge passion and I’ve always been a very huge fan of the SoundCloud underground scene. I heavily love $uicideboy$ there is rarely a time you will catch me playing something other than the Boy$. I love how majestic and original most of their songs are. When I found out one of the members of the duo named $crim was the producer of almost all their songs. I was highly shocked at how amazing his creations were. Not only was he the producer he is also a rapper too. It amazes me how someone can create such beauty and on top of that add their own vocals and create music no one has made before. You cannot convince me there is someone out there better than them. 

Producing music is not easy and finding producers like you that have a very distinctive sound and unique attitude is every day rarer. Can you tell us what your creative process is? how does your music come to life and how do you keep your sound so different from the rest?

Aiivko–It’s all mainly in the plugins I use. Without them, I cannot give an authentic cassette sound to my tracks. I normally use the plugin Tape Cassette 2 and it is a huge help for me. After I set up the plugins are when I start on the work. Adding eerie/horror loops, using DR – 660 sounds for the drums, and mixing the vocals. I try to keep the songs similar as if they were originally processed through a cassette tape but at the same time I do it in my own way and I try making my songs in my own style.